Politics / Nagaland

KOHIMA, May 3 – Both the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) and the Opposition Congress, locked in keen contest for the lone Parliamentary seat, have tried their level best to capitalise on the vexed Naga political problem during the month-long campaign for the May 5 Lok Sabha poll, reports PTI. The election machineries as well as the political parties are expecting a peaceful polling for the first time in the recent years as underground militant organisations resolved neither to boycott nor indulge in the election process in the State.

Unlike in the past, no reports of any...

Dimapur, April 30: Only a year ago, he was in the Congress, singing S.C. Jamir’s praises. But when he joined the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) last year, little did ex-Congressman W. Wangyuh Konyak realise that those very paeans would land him in trouble.

The Congress recently released a video footage showing Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) candidate Konyak, fiercely defending Jamir’s leadership qualities and aggressively criticising his own party. The footage was part of a Congress campaign, highlighting various achievements of the party and its candidate Asungba Sangtam before...

IMPHAL, April 6 – The Naga National Party (nnp), a Manipur-based regional political party is aiming for an emotional integration of Naga tribes in the region. However, the party would not directly support the decision of Naga Hoho, the apex body of Naga tribes, but will “honour” their decision for a common cause. This was stated by Ng Hungyo, president of the nnp, and its candidate for the up and coming 14th Lok Sabha polls in the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency Valley Rose Hungyo during a meet-the-press programme here at the State Information Office Conference Hall on Sunday...

DIMAPUR, March 31 – Sternly reacting to the action of the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s government for the arrest of 18 persons related with the February 18 NNC Reconciliation meeeting from in and around Wokha, the NSCN-K has warned that it would not remain a silent spectator to the ongoing development in the state.

The Wokha district administration, according to a statement issued by the Lotha Regional Council, has arrested a total of 18 persons, mostly consisting of serving and retired State government employees from different places in and around Wokha, the district headquarter town...

Kohima, March 5: The decks have been cleared for the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to begin oil exploration in Nagaland with the tribal organisation, opposed to the activity, finally giving a green light. The tribal Lotha Hoho, whose writ runs large in the oil-rich Wokha district, was opposed to the oil giant resuming operations in the area.

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio today said ONGC and other oil companies have been asked to start work without delay. ?I am happy that the landowners are also coming around,? he told a packed Banquet Hall at his residence on the first anniversary of the...

Kohima, March 5: On the first anniversary of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government?s being in power, state BJP leader Hokishe Sema called for resolution of the Naga political problem within the lifetime of this generation of leaders.

Defining the fine line between independence and sovereignty, the former chief minister asked the Naga people to show that they were sovereign. He said various overground and underground organisations were working sincerely and the government of India had the desire to solve the problem.

This is the second time in two years that Sema addressed a...

Kohima, Feb. 29: Ceasefire monitoring group chairman Lt Gen. R.V. Kulkarni will take stock of the tension between the two NSCN factions ?on the spot?. The Konyak Union, the apex body of the Konyak Nagas dominating Mon district, had given an ?ultimatum? to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) last month. They alleged the group was harassing civilians in Tizit area.

Kulkarni said the area is tense also due to the spate of defections from the Khaplang group to the NSCN (I-M). ?That is one of the reasons for greater rivalry,? he said.

The area has been a flashpoint between the...

Kohima/Dimapur, Feb. 26: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is once again on the verge of skidding on an oil slick of controversy in Nagaland. A powerful tribal organisation has put its foot down on exploration plans by the oil and gas major, accusing it of deception.

The Lotha Hoho, representing the Lotha tribe that dominates Wokha district, said the company had not fulfilled its promises and so would not be allowed to set foot in the district, said to have substantial oil reserves. ONGC had earlier carried out exploration in Wokha.

?The ONGC did not live up to its word,? Hoho...

Kohima, Feb. 25: The army will consider a proposal by the NSCN (I-M) seeking a location shift for their headquarters from Punglwa in Peren district to someplace in Nagaland?s Intangki forest. During a recent meeting of the ceasefire monitoring group, the NSCN (I-M) proposed the change of location.

?There have been proposals and we shall examine them. We do not have a problem if they have it at the present location or elsewhere as far as the ceasefire ground rules are adhered to,? Lt Gen. Daljeet Singh, general officer commanding of 3 Corps, told mediapersons here yesterday.

The main reason for...

Guwahati/Nagaon, Feb. 24: Assam today turned down the Nagaland government?s offer to settle the inter-state border dispute between the two neighbouring states out of court.

Dispur admitted that the situation in the D-sector in Golaghat district was tense, but chief minister Tarun Gogoi said: ?There is no question of an out-of-court settlement when the land rightfully belongs to Assam. Let the Supreme Court decide.?

Gogoi was reacting to his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio?s appeal for an out-of-court settlement of the border dispute. Rio had said that a dialogue was the best way to resolve...