Politics / Nagaland

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...

DIMAPUR, June 5 – Reacting to the allegation made by NSCN-K that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had rushed to New Delhi to seek favour from the Congress and rejoin the party, Nagaland Parliamentary Affairs Minister Doshehe Y. Sema on Friday denied the report terming it false and unfounded. Dismissing the possibility of DAN rejoining the Congress, Doshehe said that DAN leaders had not discussed with any person the topic of joining the Congress.He also denied that Chief Minister Rio had secret talks with the NSCN-IM on May 27 at the Chief Minister’s residence in Kohima.

“These allegations are...

Kohima, June 2: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has led an 11-member delegation to New Delhi in a last-ditch effort to avoid downsizing his ministry in accordance with the constitutional amendment that stipulates that the size of a government should not exceed 15 per cent of the Assembly’s strength.

Rio and his cabinet colleagues are to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to request him to exempt Nagaland from the purview of the Constitution’s 91st amendment. The deadline for downsizing is July 6. As and when the exercise is carried out, the size of the Nagaland ministry will be down to a...

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...

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...

Kohima, May 25: The grand old man of Naga politics and former chief minister, Vizol, has decided to retire on health grounds. Vizol, who was appointed president of the ruling Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) in October 2002, has asked the party to relieve him because of his deteriorating health, according to NPF general secretary K. Kath.

Though the NPF initially decided to prepone its annual convention in view of the development, the party last week postponed it to November to accommodate certain amendments.

“The NPF will become a cadre-based party, similar to the CPI and CPM,” said a leader....

Jorhat, May 24: Nagaland today cried foul over the eviction of 16 Naga families from their homes in the vicinity of the Desoi Valley reserve forest, re-igniting the border land dispute that has been a thorn in its otherwise cordial relationship with Assam. Mokokchung deputy commissioner Imkon Tamchu formally complained about this to his Jorhat counterpart, saying the dispute would intensify if Assam “continues to evict Naga villagers from their land”.

Jorhat is one of the four districts bordering Nagaland.

Tamchu said a police team from Assam raided Charang Basti, a Naga-inhabited village...

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...