NSCN IM, FNR, NMA condemn Myanmar military offensive in Naga areas

Dimapur, May 19 (EMN): The NSCN (IM) has condemned the “diabolic and outrageous” military action of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) coordinated by the Indian security forces in Naga villages along the Indo-Myanmar border.

“The chaotic situation thus created by the blatant offensive of the Tatmadaw has destabilised the livelihood of the Naga villagers as the Naga people are made to bear the brunt of the Tatmadaw onslaught. What has happened to Hoyat and Laonyu villages is just another act of treachery which will not help strengthen the peace process started by Myanmar government under the 2012 ceasefire agreement,” read a press release from the group on Sunday.

What is important for the Myanmar government, it stated, is to take cognisance of the historical and political rights of the Nagas and go for peaceful means because neither India nor Myanmar is an enemy of the Nagas.

“Aggression of the Indian armed forces in collaboration with the Myanmar armed forces on the rights of the Nagas in that part of Naga territory in the guise of flushing out the Meitei armed groups – UNLF, PLA and ULFA from Assam is a naked and deliberate violation of human rights.

Given the hostility shown by the Tatmadaw’s operation in the so-called Indo-Myanmar corridors, the road to peaceful solution may get jeopardised if they fail to recognise the need for trust, respect and mutual understanding that goes together in solving a political problem that is more complex than one could see.”

Under such circumstances, it stated, Naga people cannot remain “aloof from what our fellow Nagas in the east under Myanmar occupation” are going through at the hands of the Tatmadaw. “We are one Naga family and we express profound solidarity with them at this critical stage of their suffering.”

Also, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) stated that it was deeply disturbed with the ongoing situation of armed confrontation between the Myanmar army and the NSCN (K), resulting in suffering of innocent civilians and destruction of properties in Naga villages in the Naga Self-Administered Zone.

“We send our message of solidarity and hope to the civilians whose safety, livelihood, properties and physical movements are being threatened and denied,” read a statement on Sunday.

It appealed that the recent armed confrontation, “which is buttressed by regional national security interests”, should not sabotage the mental, economic and physical well-being of innocent Naga civilians.

“That conducting armed confrontation, torture and harassment of people and destruction of properties in civilian inhabited areas must be avoided; that the Myanmar army and NSCN-K work to honour the regional-level ceasefire that was signed in April 2012; that intervention of Naga community leaders, humanitarian aid and human rights workers be made possible based on accepted international principles.”

In a separate statement, the Naga Mothers’ Association also expressed deep concern at the sufferings meted out to Nagas in Myanmar. “As mothers who seek peace within all Naga inhabited areas and for our people as well as our northeast neighbours, the NMA strongly appeal to the Burmese authority, the Tamadaw, the NSCN (K) as well as the Indian army on the borders, to ensure that initiatives for peace is upheld for the sake of the people, the unarmed population whose lives and property are endangered through such violent incidents,” it stated.

FNR and ACAUT Working for Worthy Cause

Jakama, July 11 (MExN): Responding to queries raised by students on “Forum for Naga Reconciliation and Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation running a parallel movement,” the ACAUT team believed that Forum for Naga Reconciliation is making sincere effort to unite the factions through Christian values and principles of forgiveness and reconciliation. However, as long as all the factions have their independent authority to raise tax from the people in the name of sovereignty, they are able to survive comfortably and therefore Christian values do not really compel them to consider reconciliation in a serious manner.

“The road ACAUT has adopted is a difficult one but a possible one; when we the public finds the collective strength and courage to stop paying their illegal tax, they will be forced to consider uniting if they want to survive. No factions would take FNR seriously if they adopt this strategy. Since both approaches are for a worthy cause, we are working separately, but for the same purpose,” asserted ACAUT team during their interaction with the students of St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama on July 9.

ACAUT Nagaland Media Cell in a press release stated that ACAUT Nagaland visited the St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama as part of its ongoing awareness drive. The interaction with the faculty and students took place in the college basketball court, which was moderated by Kevitho Kera, Social Media Convenor.

On questioning about how ‘One government One Tax’ can unite the factions, the ACAUT team said that all factions need money to run their organizations. At present, all factions are comfortably surviving on illegal taxation in the name of sovereignty. We see no rationality for seven factions to be fighting separately for one sovereignty. Therefore, they must unite in everyone’s interest. The only way to make them unite is to cut off their financial resources and they will be forced to unite if they want to survive. The people have been paying tax for fear of AK47 but the time has come for us to all stand together and say, “Enough is enough” and stop paying tax until they unite. Once they unite, the citizens are prepared to pay for a united national movement. Provided Nagas can stand together in a determined way, it is possible that the factions will be forced to rethink their unreasonable approach in this matter.

Speaking at the event, Khekiye K. Sema (IAS Retd), ACAUT Consultative Body member said, “Nagas as Christians have lost our honest character. We rather go back to head hunting when we had strong principles. Government is the eighth faction collecting taxes. All factions are fighting for sovereignty but does sovereignty differ for every faction?” Also Kezhokhoto Savi, ACAUT Legal cell Convenor said, “NGOs are equally guilty in the Illegal collections taking place in the National highways. Ministers asking cuts and commissions should not be tolerated.”

Mar Longkumer, Tia Longchar and Dr. Khekhügha Muru were the other accompanying ACAUT members. St. Joseph’s College is a community college and has as of now 2760 students where coaching for UPSC and NSPC is also provided. It offers Humanities, Science, Commerce and BBA courses.

Naga groups meeting held at Kolkata

DIMAPUR, May 3: The five-day long Naga underground leaders from various groups concluded today in Kolkata under the aegis of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).The meet participated by NSCN-IM, NNC/FGN and NSCN-Khole/Kitovi was in pursuit for the realization of the Lenten Agreement signed on March 28, 2014 in Dimapur which main aim has been for the formation of a single

NSCN-IM and NSCN-KK (old file picture)

Naga underground ‘government’ or group called Naga National Government (NNG).The Forum for Naga Reconciliation facilitated a series of formal and informal meetings among the leaders of the Lenten Agreement signatory groups. On recognizing the necessity, the three Naga underground groups agreed to have a close-door residential meeting among the top leadership. Subsequently, a five-day reconciliation meeting was organized in Kolkata from April 29 to May 3, 2014 with the intent to engage and explore creative ways to fulfill the Lenten Agreement.

 

The top leadership of NSCN-Khole/Kitovi was represented by ‘General’ Khole Konyak and N. Kitovi Zhimomi; NNC/FGN leaders Zhopra Vero, Vice President and Zaleo Sapu, Home Minister, responding to this necessity participated in the meeting. Their presence is valued with much appreciation. FGN President, Brig. S. Singnya was unable to attend the meeting due to ill-health. Furthermore, the travel of NSCN-IM leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah to Kolkata was not cleared by the Government of India, and hence, unable to personally attend. In their absence, they were represented by General (Retd) VS Atem, Khevihe Chishi Swu and TT Among. 

According to the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), in the course of the 5-day meeting, the three Naga political groups expressed the necessity of Naga reconciliation as a means to a shared future and extended their willingness to work for it till it is achieved. As part of the confidence building measures the representatives identified positive and negative aspects of the process and specified key steps on how the Naga reconciliation can be further reinforced. “They explored together the values of Truth, Mercy, Peace and Justice and emphasized on how they were vital to the journey of Naga reconciliation. The representatives through a process of envisioning shared their vision for the Naga people and expressed desire to engage in more confidence building measures as a way of trashing out difficult issues in the interest of the shared Naga future,” the FNR said. “While appreciating the Government of India for their cooperation to Naga reconciliation, the FNR is concerned by this recent attitude, thereby raising questions of doubt and insincerity,” the FNR added. “The Forum for Naga Reconciliation takes this opportunity to clearly inform that the Naga Reconciliation Process is in the interest of the common good of all concerned. For too long the internal division of the Nagas has been projected as one of the causes for the protracted conflict. Hence, in this time of peace, where Naga political groups are reconciling and seeking ways to find unity in purpose, the FNR urges Nagas, our neighbours and the Government of India to have more understanding and extend even moral support to the process. The realization of Naga reconciliation is in the mutual interest of all those who desire justice, peace and reconciliation in the region,” the FNR press communique stated.