Insurgency / Nagaland

Jorhat, June 9: Breaking its silence since the change of guard in Delhi, the NSCN (Khaplang) has ruled out the possibility of reuniting with the Isak-Muivah group, saying the rival faction continues to attack its members at the behest of recruits from Manipur. The statement could dampen enthusiasm over the NSCN (I-M)’s top leaders, Isak Chisi Swu and Th. Muivah, planning a second visit to India in as many years and welcoming the installation of a Congress-led government in Delhi.

Observers of Naga insurgency believe peace will remain elusive until the two factions bury their differences. Both...

Suthozu (Phek), June 6: This village was set ablaze thrice in the mid-1950s and stories of alleged torture of its residents by the army are still passed down by old-timers to the younger generation. But Suthozu is changing both in appearance and attitude: the Assam Rifles adopted it recently as part of its “model village” project. Last week, it was almost a convergence of interests as villagers and security personnel intermingled freely at the village.

Kulhusho Nyekha, at 67 a venerable gaonburha (village elder), recalls the army excesses in “those bad days”, but is quick to point out that...

Imphal, June 01: Breaking his silence with regard to the ever rising speculations over the fate of the Naga peace process following the change of leadership in the Indian politics, NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has issued a statement from Bangkok that since the issue was between the Government of India and the "Naga people", change of guards in New Delhi would not, in any way hamper the Naga peace process. In a delayed statement made available to Newmai News Network in Dimapur today, Th Muivah while congratulating the Congress - led UPA Government, has expressed hope that the...

Kohima, May 31: The NSCN (Isak-Muivah) today said the planned visit to India next month by its top leaders hinged on the Manmohan Singh government’s explanation of its stand on the contentious subject of integrating Naga-inhabited areas. Less than a week after the new government assumed office, the militant group said general secretary Th. Muivah and chairman Isak Chishi Swu would visit New Delhi for the second time in as many years to take the peace process forward.

However, a sentence in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance’s common minimum programme — that the territorial...

DIMAPUR, May 29 – In a startling revelation, damning indictment of the rot of State machinery, the Naga Council Dimapur virtually exposed the total break down of law and order in Nagaland by pointing at the failure by state authorities to check illegal collections by various organizations creating absolute havoc to the fragile local economy. The Council stating that the rampant mushrooming of illegal tax collectors on goods have triggered escalation in prices of essential commodities appealed the government, the NSCN-IM and all concerned to jointly take on such collection systems.

Representat...

AIZAWL, May 30 – Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has offered to quit as facilitator of peace talks with Naga rebels following attacks by Congress and other political parties over his involvement in peace process. “It would would be a great relief without being involved in the peace processes if and when some people objected to it. I want peace and if some other person, can deliver it, I welcome it,” he said. He was reacting to statements made by Congress leaders including former State Chief Minister and PCC chief Lal Thanhawla who said that unconditional talks between the Centre and Naga...

New Delhi, May 26: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today congratulated the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance on its ascent to power in Delhi. He said the Naga community was banking on the new government to take the peace process initiated seven years ago to its logical conclusion. “We warmly congratulate the new Congress-led government. We do hope they are for peace and a honourable solution (to the Naga problem),” NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said in a statement.

The militant organisation’s attitude towards the erstwhile S.C. Jamir-led...

Dimapur, May 23: Former Nagaland chief minister S.C. Jamir last night appealed to the Naga underground factions to join hands in making the peace process successful under the new government at the Centre. The senior AICC member and PCC chief reassured the collective leadership of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) that it could expect the Congress’s trust and all help from the party in the state as well as at the Centre.

His statement, issued last night, came on the day the new Congress-led government assumed office at the Centre. Pranab Mukherjee, tipped to be the new...

Kohima, May 20: One of the biggest challenges before Prime Minister-designate Manmohan Singh is only weeks away. The NSCN (I-M) has announced that its top leaders, Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, will visit Delhi next month to take up the contentious demand for integration of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas with the next government at the Centre.

The militant group’s deputy kilonser (minister) of information and publicity, Kraibo Chawang, said the visit was scheduled before the Congress-led alliance was invited by the President to form the government. He said the NSCN (I-M) was not...

DIMAPUR, May 20 – Breaking his silence after release from captivity of the NSCN-IM, noted Naga scholar, writer and activist Kaka Iralu Wednesday expressed gratitude to God and all individuals and organisations that pleaded for his safe release.

Speaking over phone from his residence at Kohima, Kaka Iralu, still recuperating from the mental ordeal he had to undergo in captivity, told that he was “grateful to God for delivering me and to all those people, friends and well wishers who have pleaded for my safe release”.

“I was abducted by the orders of the civil set up of the NSCN but was in...