Exposing Corruption can kill you

Written by an RTI activist’s family member.

Since the implementation of the RTI Act in 2005, there has been increase on the attacks of RTI users and activists. Many have been harrassed and even murdered for seeking information to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority” in India. Many face assaults, threats, tortured and fined on a regular basis. These RTI Activists are the most vulnerable Human Rights Defenders(HRDs).

My brother and his other RTI activist friends have been living in hiding for fear of death in the hands of NSCN(I-M) for defying the order to surrender and withdraw RTI filed to the CEO, Autonomous District Council(ADC), Senapati seeking information on the progress of development works and utilisation of public funds allocated by the centre to the Autonomous District Council, Senapati following allegations of misappropriation and misutilisation of public funds meant for development by the elected members of ADC.

The NSCN(I-M), Shepoumaramth region on 16th March & 17th Sept, 2020 issued order stating that no individual or group will be allowed to file RTI to the Indian Govt in any matter and that all RTI filed to the govt of Indian be withdrawn immediately or face stern action and even death. This order seems to be applicable only in Shepoumaramth Region(Senapati) as no such other order is found in any other Naga inhibited areas.

This unjust order, to the best of my knowledge is believed to have came from the collective leaders of NSCN(I-M) Shepoumaramth region namely Mr. KV Sounii and Rev. Puni Mao. The two alleged leaders and his cadres have been repeatedly threatening the RTI activists and their families members to pressurized the RTI Activists to withdraw the RTI filed to the CEO, ADC Senapati or pay for it with his life.

Mr. Inoch, an RTI Activists was abducted by some cadres of NSCN(I-M) for not withdrawing RTI. He was confined under house arrest and tortured for several days.
Mr. Dalounii, along with 28 other RTI users from Phuba Village also file RTI to the CEO, ADC Senapati. He too was abducted and kept under house arrest. Later all 28 other RTI users were called by the CAO, Senapati for an explanation. They were fined heavily and threaten with death penalty to silence and surrender. This kind of inhumane behavior and act deserves to be condemned by all.

Exposing Corruption have cost us tremendously and heavily. There have been several atempt of assaults and murder on my brother. On 14th of January 2021, some cadres of the NSCN attempted to abduct him and followed him till Motbung in a vehicle but he escaped by God’s grace. After that awful day he has never returned home to his family till date. We got threat calls every now and then to surrender and withdraw RTI. Death is lurking around every bend. Some cadres of NSCN have even put restriction and stop all govt contract works that are been carried out by these RTI users. Many have surrendered under such pressure and only few continue to fight risking his own life and the life of his family members. Today, I have stood my ground to fight this battle no matter what the cost be for the good of the society and the nation. I have no ulterior motive in this. God is my witness.

Shri Khapudang, CEO, ADC Senapati District instead of providing information to the RTI users under RTI act 2005 has been challenging before the High court of Manipur, the decision of Manipur Information Commission directing him to furnish the required information sought by the RTI users. This clearly proves that there is something to hide – CORRUPTION. The elected members of ADC in collaboration with some cadres of NSCN have been working hand in glove to hide this corruption to the extent of taking the life’s of those who come in between. Surely this is only for vested personal interest rather than national interest.

Complaints were already filed to the office of Lokayukta, Manipur for seeking enquiry into allegations of corruption & misappropriation of public funds by the elected ADC members but little action was taken.

Memorandum was submitted to the Hon’ble Ato Kilonser, NSCN/GPRN and various other dignatories in the organisation for intervention and delivery of justice but no response was given till date other than the life threats.

It is a known fact that Rev. Puni Mao has brought up baseless allegations and accusations against bro Vaison Vemai and Jonah Vemai in connection with the RTI case to the top functionaries of NSCN. They were falsely accused as “working with Indian agency” and committing crime of treason forgetting that my brothers have served the Naga nation faithfully and sincerely for more than 3 decades. This is certainly not the way to reward a freedom fighter.

Appeals were made to various civil society organisations like Poumai Naga Union(PNU), Poumai Naotumai Me(PNM), student bodies and human rights organisations for help. Instead of receiving help from them, they have pressurise these RTI activists to withdraw the RTI and surrender before the NSCN. Mr. Enoch was taken to Lokayukta Ofice to withdraw the case by our own president of PNM. Such is the cheapness of our parent organisations today.

A human rights defender from Imphal had written a letter to the Inspector General of Police of Assam briefing him about the predicament being faced by the RTI activists at the hands of the NSCN(I-M). He also peitioned National Human Rights Commission. The chief information commissioner of Manipur than wrote to the director general of police Manipur asking him to provide measures to ensure the safety and security of the lives of the three victim RTI activists but no satisfactory action has be taken till date.

As such today, the fate of the these RTI activists hangs in the balance as neither the state govt nor the central or for that matter, the police forces, the court, the civil society organisations or the public seems to have no power or jurisdiction over NSNC(I-M) cadres as they are covered by the ceasefire agreement with the govt of India.

The question than that is paramount to ask is: Who will come to the rescue and save these innocent RTI users from the hands of those cadres of NSCN leaders who claimed to be working for the nation while looting public funds meant for development and making huge money, building palaces and home for themselves?

These RTI users have done no wrong. They have broken no law. Their only fight was against Corruption, against corrupt officials and corrupt politicians who are misappropriating and misusing public funds meant for development. Fighting corruption is part of nation building and we are all part of it. However it is disheartening to see that these RTI activists have been branded today as “anti-national” by those cadres of NSCN who are the real face of anti-national elements and post a real treat to our nation and our national interest.

I, on behalf of these RTI activists made this appeal to all right thinking citizens and right minded people as the last resort to look into the matter with seriousness and take a call today to either take the side of those who claimed to be working for the nation but are verocious Wolves in sheep’s clothing whose thirst for power and money have blinded them or take the side of those who are truly sacrificing fighting for the rights of the people. Our future depends on what we decide and choose Today.

I further appealed to the govt of India, govt of Manipur, Civil society organisations, human rights organisations to book the culprits at the earliest possible to bring justice and peace to the people.

KUKNALIM!

Save RTI users from the hands of those vested self-interest leaders of NSCN(I-M).

In response to Thepfulhouvi Solo’s articles

 

By: Dr. R.B. Thohe Pou

It is true that Nagas from other states and nation do not have the same privilege as the Nagas in Nagaland State under 371 (A) even though that Article was part and parcel of the struggle of the whole Naga people. And it is so incorrect for you to accuse the whole Naga tribes outside Nagaland State of trying to share in the privileges enjoyed by the Nagas in Nagaland. You also do not need to feel sorry or worry for the tribes outside your Nagaland State as they have their own land and food to survive. Even if the present Nagaland state becomes a Sovereign state, Supra State, Pan-Naga Nation or whatever that the Naga people may decide – the present Nagaland state will continue to have its own share. No one is taking that away from you.

Why are you so happy and complacent with the present State of Nagaland, which was created in the name of the entire Naga people? If you think the Naga Plebiscite of 16th May 1951 was undertaken only by the Nagas from the present Nagaland state you are terribly misinformed and may need to go through the history of the Naga Plebiscite again. And if the ‘Plebiscite’ were really a matter confined to the present Nagaland State tribes only then it does not represent all Nagas and must be deemed invalid. However, the Indian Govt. is no fool and would not have agreed to the peace-talks without any condition at the Prime Ministerial level if they thought it was an issue concerning the State of Nagaland only.

Just to jog your memory let me remind you that the southern Nagas did take an active part in Naga National Movement (NNM) from the start till the present day. A few prominent leaders worthy of mention here are Late A. Daiho Mao, Late Suisa and Late Sani Dahrii (who was also a Shillong Accord signatory). The Naga Club was formed in 1918 and during the heights of Haipou Jadonang’s civil disobedient movement in 1929 in the Naga Hills, the Naga Club submitted a historical Memorandum to the Simon Commission in Kohima, in which it demanded that the Nagas be excluding from the proposed ‘Reformed Scheme’ of India. Jadonang started a religio-political movement in 1925 to overthrow the British rule in Naga areas. In 1927, he prophesied the end of the British rule, which provoked S.J. Duncan, the then SDO at Tamenglong, to issue a warrant of arrest against him.

By 1930, the movement had spread to all the Naga Hills but Jadonang was arrested by the British in 1931 and later hanged to death. After his death Gaidinliu, his cousin sister who was only 16 then, succeeded him as the spiritual and political leader. However, she was also arrested in 1932 and by 1934 the movement came to end. Phizo moved his base to Burma in 1935 and later returned to Nagaland in 1946. “By this time the issue of Naga Self-determination had well gripped the minds of the Nagas, and public opinion had already been moulded against the continued dominance of the British Indian over the Nagas” (M.Zinyii:1961:11). The NNM was directly or indirectly influenced, emboldened and shaped into the present form by Jadonang, Gaidinliu and the leaders of the Naga Club. A.Z. Phizo, he whom we lovingly call the Father of the Nation came into picture only after the foundation was laid by his predecessors, in the same manner like how the NSCN came into picture after the foundation was laid by the NNC.

The Naga leaders from the present Manipur state closely worked with Late A.Z. Phizo for an independent Naga land. The Naga National League (NNL) also determined and declared to all Nagas NOT to pay house tax to the then Deputy Commissioner of the Naga Hills, Assam and as a result the Assam Rifles killed three persons and injured many other people during a protest. Afterwards the NNL President, A. Daiho, was arrested and imprisoned at Dum Dum jail in Calcutta. One should never forget that the present State of Nagaland was a fruit of the struggle of the Naga people irrespective of geographical location and one should refrain from trying to suppress the movement whilst remaining oblivious to the plight of Nagas outside Nagaland State. The GOI has poured in several crores of rupees to suppress the NNM and today it appears that your stomach has been too fattened and that you have forgotten the past and present sacrifices and hard labour put in by the Nagas from all the Naga inhabited areas.

It may be constitutionally impossible to share in the privileges of the Nagas in Nagaland State, which they enjoy under Article 371 (A), but it is an insult to the Nagas outside Nagaland State when you make the analogy of the ‘rich man’ and ‘Canaanite woman’ in the Bible as everyone knows who you are referring to as the rich man and the Canaanite woman in the Bible. It is tasteless to say the least.

With reference to your article, “Globally utopian, locally empty” you seem unsurprisingly contented with your retired life devoid of any future hope or vision in life. But today the Naga youth have a dream to live life on a global scale – Nagas may be economically backward but their preferred life style is no less than the people from the developed countries of the world. You may be happy with your retired life with your pot of hard earned money as a former IFS officer but the Naga youths today have a vision and future hope, unlike you. And who are those people from outside the State who illegally collect Tax over the barrel of a gun? We have too many factions and we should not allow anyone from outside the Nagaland State or inside the State to collect tax illegally. But that will happen only if we together bring a solution to the Naga problem.

If Thuingaleng Muivah is not talking about a Sovereign state anymore – the NSCN-K, NNC and other Nagas still are and aspiring to have our Nagas’ Rights to Self-determination. Why have you become so complacent with the present Nagaland State? As a retired IFS officer, you surely have the intelligence to know that a Supra State or Pan-Naga State is definitely possible even under the Constitution of India. It is shocking that you dismiss the same as impossible. If Sovereignty, Supra State, Pan-Naga, etc. are impossible, we have indeed been fooled by the so-called Naga national workers. Why are the common people silent? Why are over ground Naga leaders still morally supporting the Naga national workers? Why are you (we) paying tax to the Naga underground cadres? Naga political issue is not just a Nagaland state issue but it is one of the most serious problems in India and unless the Naga political problem is solved, there will be no peace in NE India or in India. I still believe and have faith in the Naga historical facts and in inalienable right to self-determination.

“The Manipuris claimed all the Catchments Areas of present Nagaland that drained into the Doyang River as their Territory . . . the Roads in Turkey today follow almost the same ancient Road alignment Evangelist Paul walked from Tarsus to Ikonya or to Galatia in the days following the death of Jesus” If there is no such concept as “Consent of the People” and rights of the people and we simply follow the old roads or demarcations of the ancient Kingdom, all the catchments areas of present Nagaland that drained in to Doyang River should be given to Manipur state as claimed by Manipuris and the present Nagaland would have been under Manipuris or Ahom kingdom (Assam today). So are you saying that the present state of Nagaland should be under Assam?

“Some Nagas talk about some SUPRA NAGA STATE or PAN-NAGA STATE. But when not an inch of Assam or of Arunachal or of Manipur or the ENPO can detach into a separate State: forget talking about Supra State or Pan Naga State; they are just Utopia talk” Are you saying that there is no single Naga living in the present States of Assam, Arunachal, Manipur and Myanmar? If the British or Indians had not divided the Nagas using the present artificial boundary and instead decided to follow the old roads how did the present state of Nagaland or the other States or countries come into being?

During this critical period of the NNM with talks happening at the highest levels there will be ups and downs, allegations & accusations, tinged with a mixture of hope and doubt. Naga scholars, intellectuals, right thinking people, etc. can contribute their constructive thoughts and suggestions to improve the present situation and to bring a lasting solution to the Naga political problem. However, planting doubts or creating rivalries and divisions within ourselves will only worsen the prevailing situation. Let us hope for more of the former from such an accomplished intellectual like you.

Clarification to TPO’S accusation

Thepfulhouvi Solo.:    2 Jul. 2013

I was willingly pulled into the “Nagaland Tribes Council” (NTC) move by some young matured Angamis who I highly appreciated for their sacrificial contributions in the effort for a common cause and I felt I should also put in my ‘widow’s might’ into the cause. I expected some rough sea in the journey for the cause if the “Tenyimie” is recognized as a ‘TRIBE’ in the state of Nagaland because “Tenyimie People” is composed of tribes from outside the state also and Nagaland Tribe Council is solely for those of the state of Nagaland only.

Therefore I wrote, (I quote): “To the best of my knowledge, officially Tenyimie (Tenyimi) is not declared a single Tribe, yet once notified, its contents will act like theTrojan Horse and Zeliangrong or ANY non-Nagaland Tribe combined with one or more from Nagaland, can easily be passed off as ‘Nagaland Tribe’ to the ultimate undoing of the Nagaland Tribes of Nagaland. Once the Fence Wall is breached, the Vineyard is not safe from the Wild Boar, -very unchristian language but 5 wise Virgins of New Testament could not share their limited Oil with their other 5 virgin friends in the middle of the night”.

I therefore suggested the disbanding of the TPO and I am not the only one to having such a feeling; some important fellowmen in our Community feels the same. I know powerful people are behind the Organization: I have nothing against them personally. I only felt they would unintentionally and inadvertently find themselves against their own community ultimately just like the TPO President who is against the inclusion of Nagas of outside Nagaland in the Nagaland Tribes Council but in his own Organization he has them included and he calls my view: “perverted version of distortion and destructive Intension” !
I know Keku; I taught him Mathematics in High School, Class 7 in 1960, – large but very good natured, quiet, obedient, of good demeanor, attentive and a nice boy; today, just like the  unfortunate young minister of Nagaland, perhaps he has mouthed, under the compulsion of a difficult world, what he would swallow only with difficulty!