GUARDIAN Nov 23-29. 2011
Congressmen want US Ambassador to visit Tibet
Dharamsala, Nov 22: US Congressmen have urged US Ambassador to China to visit Tibet in connection with the recent wave of self-immolations.
The request came after their meeting with Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay in Washington recently.
Three members of the United States Congress, Frank R. Wolf, James P. McGovern, and Joseph Pitts, have sent a letter on 17 November 2011 to US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, asking him to visit Tibet in the light of the recent self- immolations and "publicly use your platform as Ambassador to make it clear to the Tibetan people that they have a friend in the United States of America."
“All of these Congressmen are members of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission,” an official of the Tibetan government-in-exile here said.
In their letter to the ambassador on the recent testimony of Tibetan Prime Minister and His Eminence Kasur Kirti Rinpoche to the Lantos Commission, the members said: "Their testimony was moving and deeply disturbing. They spoke of the abuses suffered by the Tibetan people which in recent months have driven these peace-loving people to desperate forms of protests."
The Congressmen reportedly urged Ambassador Locke to press for a fact-finding mission into Kirti Monastery which has featured prominently in the recent wave of self-immolations. "Raise the Chinese government's repressive policies in Tibet with senior party officials and publicly use your platform as Ambassador to make it clear to the Tibetan people that they have a friend in the United States of America," they said.
They also called on the ambassador to press the Chinese government to respect the peaceful religious, political, civic, and cultural expressions of the Tibetan people.
Bhutan’s royal couple end Japan visit
Bhutanese king addressed Japanese Parliament
Tokyo, Nov 22: Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema left Japan on Sunday after wrapping up their six-day visit as state guests.
Before leaving from Kansai International Airport in Osaka, the royal couple visited the Sento Imperial Palace in Kyoto and took a 30-minute walk in its garden, enjoying the autumn colors and taking pictures of themselves in front of a pond.
The couple arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday and later met with Crown Prince Naruhito and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his wife, Hitomi. While attending a series of ceremonies including a state banquet, they also visited Fukushima Prefecture to encourage people affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and the nuclear crisis triggered by the disaster.
The newlywed royal couple's trip is Japan's first state visit since a magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami struck the north-eastern region on March 11.
They were feted at a banquet in the Imperial Palace on Wednesday. Emperor Akihito, who was has been hospitalized with bronchitis, could not attend the event.
Akihito was admitted to the University of Tokyo Hospital on November 6 for fever and symptoms of bronchitis.
The 31-year-old Bhutanese king also speak to the parliament on Thursday.
On Friday, the couple visited a primary school in Soma city outside the no-go zone around the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
The plant has been leaking radioactivity since it was hit by the earthquake and tsunami. The Bhutanese king donated 1 million dollars for the victims.
Gorkha Rifles veterans relive memories in Himachal
Shimla, Nov 22: It was a nostalgic occasion here on Sunday when officers and other ranks of the Gorkha Rifles assembled in a Himachal Pradesh army cantonment to relive their memories.
Over 1,500 families of the First Gorkha Rifles from India and Nepal assembled in the picturesque hills of Subathu town in Solan district for the five-day reunion.
Retired officers, including generals, participated in the event, an official statement said.
Addressing the gathering, Maj. Gen. P.S. Ravindranath, Commandant, Selection Centre South, called the event an occasion to share experiences of veterans with the new generation, Hill Post reported.
The origin of the Gorkha Rifles dates back to 1815 when the forces of the East India Company clashed with the Gorkhas.
Impressed by their fighting skills the East India Company offered to raise a Gorkha regiment from Amar Singh Thapa’s army. The First Nusseree Battalion came into existence April 24, 1815 at Subathu.
Ravindranath and other retired generals also laid wreaths at a war memorial in Subathu’s Gorkha Training Centre.
Right to self-determination will help India, Pakistan: Geelani
Srinagar, Nov 22: Veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Geelani has urged the authorities to grant the right to self-determination of the people in the State to resolve the Kashmir issue.
This would not only benefit the people of Jammu and Kashmir but India and Pakistan would also stand to gain, he said during a seminar held here.
Expressing serious concern over the continued illegal detention of Kashmiri youth, including more than 50 minors, Geelani has asked the Amnesty International to take serious note of the matter and use its influence in securing their release.
In a statement the Hurriyet leader said that his forum would not remain silent over the detention of more than 50 children and the mistreatment meted out to prisoners in the Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu. He said that over 1000 pro-freedom leaders were languishing in different jails. "Despite being political prisoners, these leaders are being treated as criminals in these jails," he added.
"Some of them are jailed for ten or twenty years," he stated. He said that while India was claiming to be the largest democracy in world, its claims in Kashmir were totally exposed.
Castigating New Delhi for its “unrealistic policy”, Geelani warned of "serious and dangerous" future for the South Asian region if Kashmir issue is not resolved.
“If India, under the influence of its military might, continues to remains adamant the entire region will have to face serious and dangerous implications. And, all blame goes to the unrealistic policy of India," he said.
Resolving Kashmir issue, he said, by granting the people of the state right to self-determination will be in the benefit of the people of India, Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir.
Lone Siberian tiger dies in Nainital Zoo
Dehradun, Nov 22: The lone Siberian tiger of the country, which had been living at the high-altitude Nainital Zoo for the past one-and-a-half decades, has died at the age of about 18 years.
Keeping in view the rare presence of the Siberian tiger in the country, the Nainital Zoo authorities have decided to prepare taxidermy of this endangered species.
The Siberian tiger, which was known as Kunal, breathed its last on Saturday in the zoo premises following some old-age ailments. The zoo authorities here are of the opinion that the Siberian tiger has died a natural death.
The Siberian tiger had attained an age of about 18 years. So it seems it died a natural death, said Anil Kumar Srivastav, deputy director, the Naintial zoo, The Pioneer reported.
According to Nainital Zoo authorities, two Siberian tigers i.e. Kunal and Mahesh, were brought to the zoo in Nainital from Darjeeling in 1997. At the time, Kunal was about two-and-a-half-year old, while Mahesh was about six months older than Kunal.
However, owing to some health disorder, Mahesh died in 2001. But surprisingly, Kunal lived on. It seems good care provided by the zoo authorities also played a significant role in Kunal’s long life.
Earthquake rocks Uttarakhand
Uttarkashi, Nov 22: An earthquake of moderate intensity today rocked parts of Uttarakhand but there were no reports of any loss of life or damage to property. The quake, which occurred at 1559 hrs, measured 3.2 on the Richter scale, the MeT office said. The tremor was felt in Uttarkashi district and some other parts of the hill state. There were no immediate reports of any loss of life or damage to property, officials said.
Pastor arrested for conversion of Muslim youths
Srinagar, Nov 22: Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a pastor of the All India Saints Church following allegations against him of converting several Muslim youth to Christianity, officials said on Sunday.
Pastor CM Khanna was arrested from his residence in the church premises in Ram Munshi Bagh area here after he was named in a case relating to alleged conversion, they said.
Charges under Sections 153-A and 295-A of the RPC were registered against him in the local police station last evening, they said, PTI reported.
The police action comes in the wake of protests at many places in the Kashmir Valley on Friday over the issue. The agitators also staged a protest against hosting of anti-Islamic remarks on a social networking site.
A video had surfaced here last month in which Khanna was allegedly shown baptising at least six Muslim and one Hindu youth.
A spokesman of the Islamic court said initially Khanna denied of converting any youth, but admitted to it after he was shown evidences.
"He said he has converted 15 youth so far and agreed to provide the details soon," the spokesman said.
Editorial
NAGALAND DILEMMA
‘Supra-State’ Status is Unrealistic
The Centre’s bid to grant ‘supra-State’ status to Nagaland in lieu of the ‘Greater Nagaland’ demand has been widely opposed by leaders of India India ’s independence and the issue needs to be settled at the earliest, particularly in the light of positive developments in neighbouring Burma
Under Article 371-A of the Constitution of India Nagaland has a special status within the Union . Under this Article Naga customary law and procedures are also protected. In general the Government of India has provided special constitutional protection to tribals residing in the Northeast and border areas of the country. Unfortunately, these have gradually been, knowingly and unknowingly, diluted leading to the gradual demise of the unique and distinct identity of the region and its people. Both Central and State
governments are responsible for this very sad state of affairs. The root of problems faced by tribals in the Northeast, including Sikkim Nagaland
Clean sweep for GJM in Darjeeling civic polls
Darjeeling, Nov 22: All Gorkha Janmukti Morcha candidates in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong subdivisions of Darjeeling district have been declared elected unopposed.
GJM candidates in 79 0f the 84 wards across four municipalities in the Darjeeling hills were declared elected unopposed, according to a senior administrative official.
Election would be held in five of the nine wards in Mirik on December 11 where GJM dissidents have remained in the fray. GJM candidates were elected unopposed in the other four wards, he said.
The result would be announced on December 13. Darjeeling Sub divisional Officer Tamal Das said, the municipality board would formed only after the announcement of election results.
Morch chief Bimal Gurung while announcing the names of the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the three Hills municipalities on Sunday, cautioned the elected commissioners of consequences if they failed to deliver.
Gurung said the failure to get five Morcha candidates elected unopposed in Mirik was due to dissidence within the party. They refused to comply with the party’s directive to withdraw their nominations, Gurung said.
Kalimpong Lepcha monastery damaged during recent quake
Azuk Tamsangmoo Lepcha
The Kalimpong Gumpa [Lepcha Buddhist Monastery] of Bom Busty at Kalimpong was originally located on top of the hillock of the present day army gulf course and was built in 1690 A.D. A part of the Tshoten (small Stupa) can still be found in the gulf ground. This was the first Buddhist monastery ever built in Kalimpong as prior to that the Lepchas were deep rooted in the cult of “Mun” “Boongthing” i.e. what is commonly known to the world as nature worshipping, a belief with a combination of monotheism and animism.
In the year 1889 Rev. Dr. John Anderson Grahams, who was then vested with the power under the British government for the supervision of Khasmahal and Development area, was informed by the local Lepchas that the name of the ridge is “Kaalenpung”, which means Kaa-we, Len-gather, Pung-ridge. It was during this time of survey the then Damsang Lyang name was overwritten by the name Kalimpong, which was the anglicised version of Kaalenpung by the British.
Dr. Graham later ordered the monastery to be shifted from the then area i.e. the present day Army Golf course, to Kaffer at a spot near the present day D.G.H.C. Guest house. This was done to convert the area into development area. The present day Lepchas of Kaffer and Yangmakum are originally from Kalimpong town who were shifted for development of Kalimpong town.
As most of the followers were in Kalimpong, Aathing Sando Tshering Tamsangmoo Lepcha gifted a plot of land at Bom Busty for the same monastery to be shifted to Kalimpong. This (pix) is the present location of the Kalimpong Lepcha Gumba, Bom.
Differences between this monastery and other Buddhist monasteries:
1. The local deities called the Lunjyee Lungnong (Tshoma) or in other words the local deities of Damsang lyang that is the region covering Kalimpong, Gorbathan, Darjeeling and surrounding areas find an integral place in the worshiping ceremonies of the monastery along with the general Buddhist rituals. This is a unique feature separating this particular monastery from the other monasteries.
2. Lepcha holy book called “Naamtho Naamthaar” written in Lepcha is recited along with the Tibetan Buddhist text called “Tshyo” during the ritual prayer recitals.
3. It is believed that one of the unique rituals conducted in the monastery is the ability to stop the (Sotaap Chok) hail stones which causes destruction of crops and animals. The founder of the monastery Yeshey Rapgay Lepcha was gifted with such special knowledge by his guru after his training in the Druk Kargu sect this which is also a branch like the Bhutanese Druk Kargu sect.
4. The head monks of the monastery follow the hereditary tradition. The present head monk is Rabden Lepcha. Before him was his grandfather Sangay Lepcha (present Head Lama). Other head lamas of the monastery were Ganzi Lepcha, Ugen Dorjee Lepcha, Yeshey Thendup Lepcha, Lenjy Lepcha, Hithyaak Lepcha and Yeshey Rapgey Lepcha, the Founder.
The first damage to this monastery was due to the earthquake in the year 1934, and then later in 1968, which had developed slight cracks on walls of this unknown heritage of Kalimpong. Now the recent earthquake of 18th September, 2011 has completely damaged the very base and the foundations of the monastery from where the name of the Kalimpong was evolved. The structure has been declared unstable and unsafe by the engineers and officials. It is matter of serious concern that this unknown heritage be preserved from obliteration.
A “Reconstruction Committee” under the present Kalimpong Gumba Welfare Committee has been formed for reconstruction of this heritage of Kalimpong to which I got the opportunity to be chosen the co-ordinator. Please send your queries through my email. i.e. azukval@gmail.com
Madan Tamang murder accused granted bail by Calcutta High Court
Darjeeling, Nov 22: The Calcutta High Court on Friday granted bail to one Subash Tamang but rejected bail prayers by Dipen Maley, Sudesh Raimajhi and Asish Tamang in the Madan Tamang murder case. Though all four had moved a bail petition at the court, the two member division bench granted Subash bail citing insufficient evidences against him in the case diary while rejected the other three bail petitions on grounds that there was enough material evidence, including eye witnesses, against these three accused The Hindustan Times reported.
The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) leader Madan Tamang was hacked to death on May 21, 2010 by an armed mob at around 9:20 am at the Upper Clubside Stand in Darjeeling town while overseeing preparations for a public meeting to begin at 10:00 am on that day.
A cell phone belonging to GJM Central Committee member Nickol Tamang had been recovered from the murder spot on that day. Nickol had been arrested on August 16 from his ancestral house in Kainjaley, 47 km from Darjeeling and sent to judicial custody.
Nickol, however, disappeared from the CID camp in Pintail Village, near Siliguri, in the early hours of August 22 morning.
Based on the call records of Nickol Tamang's cell phone the CID had already arrested 39 year old Sudesh Raimajhi, a local builder on June 3. Interrogation of Raimajhi led to the arrests of 35 year old Purna Rai of Phoobtshering Tea Estate, Asish Tamang (26) of Badamtam Tea Estate, Sunil Rai (33) of Tukvar Tea Estate and Tilak Sotang (33) also of Tukvar Tea Eastate.
3 persons had received bullet injuries allegedly when police bodyguards of AIGL leaders had opened fire during the attack on Tamang. 53 year old Subash Tamang of Singamari, and Prashant Chettri (Yogesh Rai) in his late twenty, from the Lebong area of Darjeeling both arrested, and were undergoing treatment at the Darjeeling Sadar Hospital.
23 year old Sangay Yolmo of Upper Harsing had also received severe bullet injuries in his spinal cord from the alleged firing by police bodyguards. He has presently been shifted to Vellore in South India for treatment and will be produced before the Court on recovery.
The case was later handed over to the CBI. The CBI had arrested Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha (Youth wing of the GJM) Spokesperson Dipen Maley on May 25, 2011, from his residence in Pokhriabong, 30 km from Darjeeling town in connection with the case.
On August 29, 2011, the CBI sleuths had filed an additional charge sheet implicating Maley.
India re-activating air strip in Arunachal Pradesh
New Delhi, Nov 22: Wary of China's military infrastructure and capabilities build up in Tibet, India is poised to "fully re-activate" an advanced landing ground (ALG) at Vijayanagar in Arunachal Pradesh.
The third such base in the border state after Tuting and Mechuka, it will facilitate operations of Indian Air Force (IAF) fixed wing aircraft like the Soviet-era AN-32s, officers said here Thursday.
The "upgraded" Vijayanagar ALG is located at the tri-junction of India, China and Myanmar in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It will help India in quick mobilisation of troops and equipment to the borders during crisis situations.
"An IAF AN-32 carrying Arunachal Governor Gen. (retd.) J.J. Singh and Eastern Air Commander (chief) Air Marshal S. Varthaman will land at the ALG on Friday to mark its reactivation," an officer said.
"The runway and other facilities have been upgraded to ensure operation of more types of IAF aircraft from there," the officer said.
The Vijayanagar ALG will be the fourth such facility India has created along its border with China in the last three years.
India had earlier opened Daulat Beg Oldi, Fukche and Nyoma ALGs in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir on its Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the norther areas.
Vijayanagar will be the first such facility that IAF opens in the eastern sector along the LAC with China in recent years.
IAF also has plans to upgrade other eastern sector ALGs such as Pasighat, Walong and Ziro as well as several helipads in Arunachal Pradesh soon.
These efforts are part of India's military infrastructure build up to match up such efforts by China. India has raised two new mountain divisions in the northeast and stationed them in Nagaland and Assam.
It has also based its frontline fighter planes, the Su-30-MKI, in Tezpur and plans to have another squadron of the aircraft in another air base in Assam soon.
Two new Akash missile squadrons too have been approved for the northeast in recent months.
Quake measuring 5.8 hits northeast
Guwahati, Nov 22: An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the richter scale shook north-east on Monday morning. The epicentre was on the Myanmar-India border region.
It was recorded at 8.46 hrs and was felt across the north region of the country. The tremors were also felt in Kolkata and Siliguri.
The quake was centred around 133 km from Imphal and its epicentre was 24.947°N, 95.226°E, in the neighbouring Myanmar, at a depth of 121 km from the surface, according to the US Geological Survey. The depth of the epicentre resulted in lesser loss as compared to when it would be nearer the surface.
Seven northeastern states - Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur - are considered by seismologists to be the sixth most earthquake-prone belt in the world.
The region experienced one of the worst earthquakes, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, in 1897, that claimed the lives of over 1,600 people.
In September, more than 100 people died after a killer quake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale shook Sikkim. North Sikkim was the epicenter of the devastating quake.
Northeast Conclave 2011 held in Delhi
PD Rai chairs conclave session
New Delhi, Nov 22: For the first time, a conclave exclusively focusing on the Northeastern region was organised in the national capital last week The conclave, named Northeast India Conclave 2011, was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Water Resource Development Vincent H Pala along with former Director of Intelligence Bureau Ajit Doval.
The first interactive session on “Problems of Students Studying in Delhi & Other Cities” was chaired by Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Agatha Sangma along with Commissioner of Delhi Police Brijesh Kumar Gupta, Sr Advocate, Supreme Court Meenakshi Lekhi and TV Media personality of CNN-IBN, Karma Paljor.
The second session on “North East: Policy, Their Efficacy and Need for Reforms” was chaired by Sikkim’s Lok Sabha MP Prem Das Rai along with former MP of Arunachal Pradesh Kiren Rijiju, former MP of Nagaland Asungba Sangtam and Prof (Dr) A Bimol Akoijam, from School of Social Sciences, JNU.
The final session on “North East Tourism & Its Impact on Cultural Heritage was chaired by MP and BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay along with former Tourism Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Tsona Rinpoche and others.
The event was organized by Northeast India Foundation – a non-profit organisation.
Nagaland status sparks row in northeast
Guwahati, Nov 22: Governments of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have urged New Delhi to clarify plans to offer a 'supra-state body' to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland ( NSCN Isak-Muivah faction) to enable Nagas outside Nagaland to preserve their identity.
Reports in the local media about plans by the central government to grant Nagaland a special federal status by creating a 'supra-state mechanism' for the Nagas to preserve, protect and promote their cultural, social and customary practices has led to angry reactions in the three states, IANS reported.
"The question of allowing governing Nagas settled in Manipur simply does not arise. We don't know about any such plans by the central government," Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said.
Similar views were echoed by the governments in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the two other states that have Naga tribals residing for decades.
The NSCN-IM and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire in August 1997. They have held more than 50 rounds of peace talks to end one of South Asia's longest-running insurgencies.
The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, had proposed 'a special federal arrangement' which enables the Nagas to govern themselves.
The NSCN-IM wants a special federal relationship with India, with a separate Naga Constitution, and would like the Naga guerrillas to jointly guard the international borders alongside Indian security forces.
"There is no question of allowing people residing in our state to be governed by a separate council or structure. There can be no compromise on this," Assam government spokesperson and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The NSCN-IM is on a sticky wicket, Having climbed down from its demand for an independent Naga state outside the Indian union, the rebel leadership now harps on a Greater Nagaland and a special federal relationship.
INTERVIEW/Bertil Lintner
“India is playing a waiting game in Nagaland”
Bertil Lintner, a Swedish journalist, author and renowned scholar on Indo-Burmese affairs based in Thailand, has several chances of meeting with some of the dreaded militant leaders of north eastern region in India as well as abroad. He has long been closely following the ever evolving insurgency scenario in the north-east.
He is one of many blacklisted journalists who have not been allowed to enter Burma since 1985. Lintner was the first foreign journalist to learn about Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest in 1995.
In an exclusive e-mail interview to Surajit Talukdar, Lintner talks about the recent peace initiative between ULFA and the government, and how the Myanmar government is not concerned about India's insurgency problem in NE, among other things.
Talukdar: Do you think that the current tripartite agreement for 'suspension of operation' signed in New Delhi among the United Liberation Front of Asom, Centre and Assam government will bring permanent peace in Assam?
Lintner: It will certainly mean a lot for peace in the north-east and it is my impression that (head of the pro-talks faction of ULFA) Arabinda Rajkhowa is flexible and willing to discuss his demands with the Indian authorities. On the other hand, (head of anti-talks faction of ULFA) Paresh Baruah has vowed to continue the armed struggle, and it is unclear how many followers he has at the moment. But even a small group can create havoc.
Q: Paresh Baruah is still opposing the peace process initiated by Rajkhowa with the government. So, where will you see the solution lies?
A: Right now, it's not easy to find out any solution. I think it would be very difficult for Baruah to become a state politician, or even to enter into serious peace talks with the government of India -- unlike Rajkhowa and the others who have much less to hide.
Baruah has always had very close ties to (Bangladeshi intelligence agency) Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, the (Pakistani spy agency) Inter Services Intelligence and the Chinese intelligence, and I doubt whether those entities would allow him to come "over ground" so to speak. He knows just too many secrets. He would have to watch his back -- for the Pakistanis and the Chinese -- if he decides to join the talks. He is cornered and he knows it, and that makes him potentially quite dangerous as well.
Q: Are you in touch with Arabinda Rajkhowa or Paresh Baruah? What are their views on the solution to the government-ULFA tangle?
A: I first met most ULFA leaders at the then undivided Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland headquarters at Kesan Chanlam in northwestern Burma in 1985. Later, I met Baruah and some other ULFA leaders in Bangkok in March 1992 and in Dhaka in April 1996, and communicated with Rajkhowa by e-mail.
I met all of them again in Bangkok in June 1996, when they had to leave Bangladesh after the Awami League victory in that year.When I met Baruah in a Bangkok coffee shop in March 1992, he made no secret of the fact that Pakistan supported ULFA and encouraged him and his comrades to step up their activities in Assam. I met Baruah in Dhaka four years later.
It was always my impression that Rajkhowa was much less dogmatic than Baruah, and more interested in Assamese culture and history than in carrying out any violent activity.
Q: Is the Paresh Baruah-led ULFA faction in touch with any international human rights organisations to further its cause? Where is Baruah hiding these days?
A: I am not aware of any other foreign connections that Baruah might have right now. He seems to be fairly isolated. The ULFA has been severely crippled as an insurgent force since Rajkhowa and his comrades were released from jail.
I can state with some certainty that he himself is not staying in any jungle camp in northwestern Burma. I have been told by people who once were close to him that he feels completely safe only in China. Beijing doesn't mind him being there, as a tit-for-tat for India allowing the Dalai Lama to have a base in McLeodganj.
Q: What is the recent status of the Indo-Naga peace process? Do you think that the NSCN-Isak Muivah leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu's dream of curving out a 'Greater Nagalim' will be a reality someday?
A: Endless peace talks have been held since the 1997 ceasefire with no concessions in sight from the government's side. In 2011, Muivah turned 75 and Swu 82. India is playing a waiting game, wearing them down and hoping that there will be no next generation of insurgent leaders among the Nagas. And, after more than a decade of ceasefire and fairly comfortable camp life at Hebron, Dimapur the ordinary and the NSCN-IM's younger soldiers may not be eager to take on the Indian army.
Nagaland is a land-locked territory with few natural resources. It's not even self-sufficient in food. Given those circumstances, it seems to me not to be a clever policy for any Naga group to have territorial claims. I can't possibly see other non-Naga groups agreeing to the 'Greater Nagalim' demand also.
Q: Are you in touch with Muivah and Swu? Are other international organisations supporting the cause of the NSCN-IM?
A: I met Swu in Bangkok over a year ago, but that is the only contact I have had with NSCN-IM leaders in recent years, apart from meeting sympathisers in Ukhrul in May 2010.
The NSCN-IM has its supporters, mainly some NGOs in the Netherlands, but those groups are not significant.
Q: Do you think the recent peace initiatives taken by New Delhi with several militant groups in the north-east are sufficient to solve the insurgency problem in the trouble-torn region?
A: It's definitely a good step taken by New Delhi. The expulsion of ULFA leaders from Bangladesh, and the subsequent arrests of Anthony Shimray, the NSCN-IM's main arms procurer, and United National Liberation Front chairman Sana Yaima indicate that India is determined to wipe out insurgency movements in the north-east once and for all to clear the area for trade with Myanmar.
But the ethnic problems in the north-eastern India are not going to disappear even if the militants are neutralised; there are genuine grievances that has to be addressed as well. Many people in the region feel neglected and marginalised. Development has to reach those areas, and their ethnic identities have to be respected. Frankly speaking, many of them feel that they are not Indians.
Q: Do the Myanmarese rebel groups still provide support to the north-eastern militant groups? Are there NSCN-IM and ULFA camps in Myanmar?
A: No, they do not have camps in Myanmar. In the past, the Kachin Independence Army trained Assamese and Manipuri rebels, and had contacts with several Naga groups as well. That, however, ceased in the early 1990s.
I know that India's security services believe there's still a connection because they have intercepted radio traffic between ULFA units in Myanmar -- in Jinghpaw, the main language of the Kachins.
ULFA and some Manipuri groups such as the Revolutionary People's Front, Manipur's Peoples Liberation Army, UNLF and Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak have camps in northwestern Sagaing division in upper Myanmar, as does NSCN-K, but, to the best of my knowledge, not the NSCN-IM which has no support base among the population across the border in Myanmar. The NSCN-K, of course, does have some support from Konyaks and others who live on both sides of the border.
Q: What is Yangon's view on the insurgency scenario in the north-east? Is the Myanmarese government planning to take any action against the Indian insurgent groups which have their bases on their soil?
A: The Myanmarese government sees it as India's problem. Yangon is not really interested in cooperating with its neighbours when it comes to cross-border insurgencies. It fights insurgents on its own terms and doesn't want to get into the kind of joint operations that India wants.
The Myanmarese government just wants to keep India at arm's length, and is therefore not against having a 'buffer of instability' between themselves (the area in northwestern Myanmar which they control) and the Indian border.(rediffnews)
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