Nagas Find Identity in Chennai

Vepery Church at Egmore, where Naga Christian Fellowship Chennai (NCFC) conducts its service.

“Hardwork and simplicity are the identity of Chennai city, which cannot be compared with any other place,” said Wapangtoshi, pastor of Naga Christian Fellowship Chennai (NCFC).

It was not so long ago in the early 1980s that just a few fortunate students got the opportunity through the government entrance exams to come to Chennai for better education and higher technical learning. In 1985 a students’ union was formed.

Today the number of people staying in Chennai is more than 400 and it increases with every passing year as students stay back for better job opportunities.

“I came here 15 years ago to get a job. I found the city and the lifestyle of people much better than in most places I have been to,” said Takameren Longkumer, who is settled in Chennai and is working in a private company.

The Nagas became content with living in Chennai both as students and as workers. “The best thing about being settled in Chennai is that I will see my children get proper education in good schools and that they will have a future full of hope,” said Ramreingam Vashum, a government employee.

“Everything about the city is so good. The people are hard working and generous, there is no class distinction and now I have finally adapted to the weather. However, the only thing that bothers me is the traffic and the speeding of vehicles on highways,” said Takameren.

The first NCFC service was held in the year 1985 at English Wesley Church in St. Thomas Mount. From then till the present day, NCFC has been conducting service at different churches with the guidance and generosity of the local people. Now NCFC service is conducted at Vepery Church Egmore.

“It is only because of the local people that we are able to perform our duties to God as we cannot afford to buy a land as most of the Nagas are students. The Sunday service is held to encourage each other to excel and learn from the Gospel and also to remind ourselves the purpose of coming here,” said Wapangtoshi pastor of NCFC about the Naga service in Chennai.

Going gaga over naga cuisine
Naga reju, a small Naga restaurant with its tagline “A little far away from home” was opened by Maong Jamir six years ago when he realised the need of Naga food for the Nagas residing in Chennai.
“I came to Chennai in 1999 as a management student and during my stay I started missing home food and Naga dishes. Thus, after my studies, I decided to open a Naga restaurant that provided Naga dishes as the Naga population started increasing,” said Maong Jamir.

Naga Reju — ‘Reju’ meaning tribal house — was also opened to make people aware of Naga dishes and its specialities, much like South Hotel in Dimapur, Nagaland, where you get south Indian dishes such as idli and dosa for the south Indians settled in Nagaland.

Bamboo shoot and king chilli are the special ingredients of Naga dishes. King chilli, which is also known as Naga Mircha, is the hottest chilli in the world and is a favoured ingredient for most of the dishes.

“Curiosity about Naga food is always the first thing we hear from people who come to our restaurant for the first time,” said Maong Jamir.

First Naga To Climb Everest Hailed

Kohima, Jun 20 : Nagaland government will on Thursday felicitate Major Neikhrietuonuo Linyu, the first Naga to conquer Mount Everest, at Raj Bhavan in Kohima.

According to the programme, Governor Nikhil Kumar and chief minister Neiphiu Rio will address the gathering in which a presentation will be made by Linyu, a doctor with the Indian Army.

Part of the Indian Army mountaineering team that which included four women officers, Linyu scaled Everest on May 25 becoming the first Naga woman to record this feat. At present, she is posted in Agra and in the past has been a part of the UN peacekeeping force in Congo.

Neikhrietuonuo, daughter of Pelhousenyu Linyu and the eldest among five siblings, did her schooling from Don Bosco higher secondary school in Kohima and went on to complete MBBS from RIMS, Imphal after passing her PU from Science College, Jotsoma. She is.

The expedition was carried out through South ( Nepal) which is known as the traditional route, from which Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay had first climbed the peak.

Earlier, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio congratulated Linyu and observed that the achievement is a landmark for the state and her feat should inspire Naga youths to strive towards excellence to bring glory to the state and the country.

He also said that her achievement should be particularly inspirational for Naga women and proves that our youth and women are capable of reaching the highest standards in the international arena.

Search For Quality Mithuns in Northeast’s Mountains

By Samudra Gupta Kashyap

Guwahati, May 25 : Scientists at the National Research Centre on Mithun (NRCM) at Jharnapani in Nagaland have broken new grounds by carrying out a successful embryo transfer, leading to the birth of the first ever mithun calf through this method. Mohan, as the newly-born calf has been christened, was delivered by a healthy female mithun on May 12 after she played the role of a surrogate mother.

“It is a landmark case, especially because the population of this animal is not in a comfortable status. The embryo transfer technology (ETT) that we resorted to will definitely help propagate quality germplasm of this magnificent species of animal,” says NRCM principal scientist K K Baruah. The NRCM in Nagaland is one of the several such research centres for different animals under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Similar efforts have been successfully carried out on cow, sheep, goat and horse, but this is the first time such an experiment has succeeded on mithun, claims Baruah. “Mithuns being exposed to the wild have been suffering from cross-breeding as well as in-breeding, posing a major threat to this animal so dear to the tribal communities in the Northeastern states. The ETT method has raised hopes of creating a quality stock of mithuns,” says Baruah.

Others who worked in the ETT team were NRCM director Chandan Rajkhowa, senior scientists M Mondal and Bhaskar Bora, while B C Sarmah, B C Deka and D J Dutta from the College of Veterinary Sciences, Guwahati, and Dr P Chakraborty from NRC on Yak in Dirang (Arunachal Pradesh).

Mithun (Bos frontalis) is the domesticated form of gaur (Bos gaurus) and is often referred to as the “ship of the highland” or “cattle of the mountains”. It is an example of the integration of agro-ecology, subsistence livelihood, culture and livestock rearing. People, however, mostly do not keep them at home, and let them remain in the jungles. They are reared under free range condition in dense forests in a very unique manner, with zero input, at altitudes ranging from 300 to 3,000 metres above sea level.

The last census conducted for mithuns in 2007 had put the number of this animal at around 2.64 lakh, of which Arunachal Pradesh alone had roughly 82 per cent of them. Nagaland (12.6%), Manipur (3.8%) and Mizoram (0.8%) are the other states where mithuns can be seen. While mithun is also consumed as meat, its milk is very rich in fat, proteins and other nutrients, compared to other milch animals. Moreover, its hides, when processed, give one of the best quality leathers.

The NRCM that has been engaged in propagation of mithuns in the region has been working on this project for the last five years. “Since mithuns are largely used as a meat animal, it is very important to promote better animals, which we have been trying to do through preservation and propagation of quality germ-plasm,” says Baruah.

Healthy female mithuns ovulate every 21 days, and give birth to one calf a year. “But since a sizeable population of female mithuns are not in a state of normal ovulation, we think converting them to surrogate mothers by ETT will lead to faster multiplication of mithuns,” he adds.

Comparing ETT to artificial insemination, Baruah says while the latter process only spreads superior male genetics across a herd of animals, embryo transfer technology would now help spread superior female genetics across a specific herd or even in many herds. “Moreover, each of these offspring like Mohan would potentially carry superior traits of the original mother, such as increased weight gain and more milk apart from disease control,” he adds.

The Business Of Nagaland

Aided by India’s growing outreach with both Myanmar and other Naga rebel groups—Nagaland’s future will continue to be India-led, and Myanmar-blessed

By Sudeep Chakravarti

There was a buzz about Nagaland this past week, at least in regional security and political circles, and even for those who eye business in this part of India abutting Myanmar, where political temperatures appear to be cooling and India’s make-nice diplomacy to counter-balance China appears to be paying off.

Lafarge SA. Photo by Bloomberg

A group of ambassadors from the European Union countries swung by for a three-day tour of Nagaland earlier this week. They met top officials and various power centres of Nagaland in Kohima, the capital set deep in the Naga Hills; and ended their quite unusual visit with a meeting in Dimapur—the state’s flatland commercial hub—at the local chamber of commerce. The envoys spoke of the possibility of their countries and the European Commission facilitating development, commerce and investment.Local power circles were abuzz too that Lafarge SA is in preliminary discussion with Nagaland’s leadership for establishing a limestone and shale mining facility in south-eastern Phek district of Nagaland to feed a planned cement plant in nearby contiguous Myanmar. This “bilateral” model could be a template of Lafarge Umiam Mining Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary, with its quarrying operation in Meghalaya to feed by conveyer a Lafarge-controlled cement plant across the border in Bangladesh. Representatives of several hydrocarbon businesses, both Indian and overseas, too have been nosing around, as talk builds up about the state government considering the exploration of petroleum in three districts of Nagaland.

Loud as these buzzes were, the loudest was over implications of a major Naga rebel group, National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Khaplang), whose reclusive leader, S.S. Khaplang, an “Eastern” Naga, operates out of a base in Myanmar, signing a ceasefire deal with Myanmar’s authorities in April. The deal replicates the arrangement this faction has with the government of India within the boundaries of Nagaland. But the Myanmar deal goes farther. There is even talk of an autonomous region for Eastern Nagas.
Insiders also mention a corollary deal—unwritten—by which the Khaplang faction will cease to offer support and sanctuary in Myanmar to two key Manipuri rebel groups, the United National Liberation Front and the People’s Liberation Army. This will directly bolster India’s security construct.

The Khaplang-led Naga rebel faction has also upped rhetoric aimed at its chief rival, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah, or NSCN (I-M), the largest and most powerful Naga rebel group led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, which with near-impunity runs parallel governments in most Naga regions in India. The I-M grouping, sometimes called “the mother of all rebel groups” for its propensity to nurture, train and supply rebel groups in the North-East to upset India’s equilibrium as well as keep up a stream of influence and revenue, is also in ceasefire mode. But it has for long held out with its demand for a greater “Nagalim” that, besides Nagaland, would include the contiguous Naga-majority regions in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

In a distinct departure from its arch-rivals, leaders from the Khaplang group have made statements about Nagaland and Naga regions elsewhere having their unique needs and futures—a stand that pleases India and Myanmar. A third Naga rebel faction, NSCN (Unification), also in talks with India, has made similar noises this past week. The NSCN (I-M) group, sensing a flanking manoeuvre—it openly accuses India of helping things along—has hit back with strong comments, putting in doubt an already faltering reconciliation process among various Naga rebel groups. The Forum for Naga Reconciliation, a church- and civil society-led initiative, has planned a reconciliation meeting on 21 May at Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, the site of earlier reconciliation meetings—even photo-op soccer matches in 2008 and 2009 among various factions. The meeting early next week is in jeopardy, with both the I-M and Khaplang factions declining to attend.
Indeed, I heard talk among Naga security watchers in Kohima and Dimapur earlier this week that some hardliners and “next generation” leaders in NSCN (I-M) are so upset with the recent play of its rivals and Indian’s security mandarins that it has prepared Plan B: breaking away from the ceasefire and setting up safe bases along the border with China, parts of Myanmar and Bangladesh. Should this happen, conflict will be intense and severely affect civilians.

Equally, however, there is a parallel sentiment that with NSCN (I-M) relatively cornered—aided by India’s growing outreach with both Myanmar and other Naga rebel groups—Nagaland’s future will continue to be India-led, and Myanmar-blessed. Alongside, with Manipur’s rebels under pressure, it’s a major step to secure the region.

Sudeep Chakravarti writes on issues of conflict in South Asia. He is the author of Red Sun: Travels in Naxalite Country and the just-published Highway 39: Journeys through a Fractured Land.

Headhunter Hospitality: A Tribal Homestay in Nagaland

Hanging out with the opium-smoking, formerly headhunting, mobile phone-toting Konyak people in northeast India

By Divya Dugar 

The real deal

Headhunting has been banned for decades, but the old Konyak warriors are nostalgic for their fighting days. Warriors can be spotted by the tattoos they gained from taking a head, as well as necklaces of brass head pendants; one brass head for each real one taken.



King of Konyaks
The Angh (right) is head of 75 Konyak villages in India and Burma. His house lies directly on top of the Burmese border. "Half of my house is in India and the other part in Burma, so I switch all the time between the two countries."



Lady of ink

The Chatai of Nyahnyu (right) and her mother-in-law grinding rice. "I wonder when I will tattoo men's faces again," says the queen who is the only one permitted to make tattoos.



Gun-loving Christians

An elderly Konyak Naga showing off his gun before going for Sunday mass. More than 90 percent of indigenous tribes in Nagaland have converted to Christianity.



Beads and the Bible

Princess Nahtei (right) with her assistant Phetpot wearing traditional beads. The princess attends Bible lessons as a devout Christian.



Past life

An elderly Konyak: "My grandson finds my facial tattoos funny and wonders when he can have them, but those times are gone now."

Poppy pleasure

The Konyak suffer from a big opium addiction that began in the days of British colonialism. At any time of the day, Konyak can be found sucking from bamboo pipes in their longhouses.



Axe-proud

A former headhunter, proud of his past, posing with his axe: "I have cut enemies' heads with this axe and I will always keep it with me."



Rustic digs

Traditional housing in Nyahnyu.



Old school threads

Men in traditional attire, decorated with tusks of wild boar, conch shells, trimmed goat hair and feathers from various birds.



The next generation

Konyak kids fooling around with a gun. It's probably a game of "headhunters and robbers."

Northeast Was Never A Part Of India

INTERVIEW/S.S. Khaplang, Chairman, NSCN(K)



The godfather: Khaplang with NSCN(K) cadres in eastern Nagaland. Photo by Rajeev Bhattacharyya SS. Khaplang, or Baba, as he is popularly known, is behind the confederation of ultras in northeastern India. He calls himself president of the Government of the People's Republic of Nagaland (GPRN), and he sheltered in eastern Nagaland several rebel outfits during Indian and Bhutanese military operations against them. Excerpts from an 
interview:

Looking back, how do you see the movement that you have headed for so many decades?

Nagas in eastern Nagaland have come a long way since the beginning of the revolt in the early 1960s. The Naga National Council did not make much of an impact in our areas. A decisive phase was when the National Socialist Council of Nagaland was founded in 1980. But, unfortunately, it split after a few years, for reasons that were beyond our control.

But our movement never suffered reverses, since we had overwhelming support. The scenario has changed greatly. The time has come to join hands with like-minded organisations to achieve independence and sovereignty.

Your role in bringing together northeastern rebel organisations?

Eastern Nagaland and the northeast are natural allies. Our relationship with northeastern revolutionary organisations goes back several years. Groups like the United Liberation Front of Asom, United National Liberation Front and People's Liberation Army [both from Manipur] have worked in close collaboration with us. We all had a role, in different capacities, in forging the united front.

What difference will the united front make in your campaign for independence and sovereignty?

The northeast was never a part of India. Likewise, eastern Nagaland has always remained independent. If we work together, it would be easier to achieve independence, sovereignty and recognition in international fora. A united front would benefit us, in terms of sharing information and operational coordination.

How safe are the camps in eastern Nagaland?

Our policy is simple—if you don't attack us, we won't attack you. Myanmar had proposed a ceasefire, but we have rejected the proposal. Signing the agreement would mean accepting other demands, gradually. There is an informal understanding with Myanmar and there has not been any offensive against us in the past few years. This agreement has helped all organisations work in cooperation and chalk out a common agenda.

But India has been pressuring Myanmar to initiate action against rebel camps.

We are quite aware of that and we will be extra careful. On several occasions, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Indian Army ventured into Myanmar and launched campaigns against us. All these have stopped now, but we will be prepared for all eventualities. Our issue is genuine, and it will be difficult to crush the movement.

The NSCN(K) also has a ceasefire agreement with India. You seem to have struck a fine balance, unlike other revolutionary groups in the region.
Yes, we told the Indian government that we will remain friendly if you do not launch operations against us. The ceasefire agreement was signed in 2001.

About the split in NSCN(K) and the ongoing peace process between NSCN(IM) and India.

Commander-in-chief Kholie Konyak and general secretary N. Kitovi Zimomi snapped ties with us  because they are not committed to our objectives. They are unlikely to achieve anything for the Nagas as they do not have any agenda. They played into the hands of the Indian intelligence agencies.

The same holds true for the NSCN(IM), by and large. In fact, NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has already indicated the possibility of an accord with India, which would never 
grant independence to the Nagas. This is unacceptable to us. The [best] opportunity to integrate Naga-inhabited areas was in the early 1960s. This opportunity was not grabbed.

Future projections of the movement?
Our movement is getting stronger. We will achieve independence 
and sovereignty, if all organisations fight together. This will be 
some kind of a confederation comprising eastern Nagaland and the northeast, similar to the [federation in the] US.

'Te Amo' Will Showcase Real Picture of Northeast: Rebecca Alemla Changkija

By Raymond Ronamai

Some dream big, some dream small. Some live their dreams while others not. Rebecca Alemla Changkija, from Changki, Mokokchung, Nagaland is one girl who is living her dream big. She is foraying into Bollywood as a producer through the film "Te Amo", which has gone to the floors. She thinks nothing is impossible in life if we really try.

In an exclusive interview to IBTimes, the hard working girl from Nagaland says she will expose the beauty of Northeast through her film. Here are the excerpts from the Interview with Rebecca Alemla Changkija.

You are perhaps the first person from Nagaland state or even maybe from Northeast India to produce a Bollywood film. How is Bollywood treating you?

I feel really honoured. Since my 2nd standard, I used to dream about Bollywood. Well those days, serials like "Chandrakanta," "Mogli" and "Cinderella" used to be my favourite, so it's truly like a dream come true (to be in Bollywood).  It does not matter at all whether I am the first producer from Nagaland or from Northeast. At the end of the day, what matters is 'wisdoms from God' and how you make your 'dreams possible'. Nothing is impossible in life if you give your 100 %. Of course I sincerely enjoy the love and care from my well wishers and my loved ones.  Working in Bollywood really needs lots of hard work, passion and patience, and I have a long way to go, still learning and yet to learn a lot. I am just like a new born baby here and I wanna gown up really big here in Bollywood as a good human being and a great filmmaker.

What is your film "Te Amo" all about?
"Te Amo" is based on the story of young boys who are trying to make it big in the music industry. Although the backdrop of the movie is musical entertainer with youth comedy, the movie basically is an emotional love story of the main lead singer and his childhood friend. It will be shot in North Eastern states like Shillong (Meghalaya), Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, and I hope it becomes a big hit. It has more than 10 songs for today's youth with music by real time musical bands. More than four music directors are composing the tracks for the movie.

"Te Amo" is a Hindi film but the title draws lots of curiosity as it is a Spanish word meaning 'I Love You'. Any special reason behind the title of the film?
"Te Amo" though a Spanish word is a song from "Dum Maro Dum" and youth knows that very well. As far as other viewers are concerned, we are having the words "I love you" in the posters which will make it clear that it's a Hindi movie. We wanted a title different from the regular movies.

You said the film will be shot entirely in Northeast. It will be sort of a visual treat from Northeast for Indians who haven't visited the region.
Oh Yes, many people do not know how beautiful Northeast is - rich culture, hospitality etc. Hope "Te Amo" brings the real picture of Northeast for those people who have less knowledge of the region.

Do you think you can capture the beauty of the region better than the others (Bollywood filmmakers), you being from the region?
Since I am from Northeast, I have a better knowledge of the locations out there, which are still unexposed in Bollywood. Moreover, I have a very creative team who are involved in this movie project. They make simple location look beautiful. So now, since we have a lovely location, my hopes are doubled that they will capture the entire place better than any other films made till date.

Please tell us about the cast of your film?
The lead actor is Panhk Awani. He was Mr Chhattisgarh 2011 and holds more than 25 titles to his credit. Actor and model Asif Khan and Japanese supermodel Ayoko play main supporting roles. Naga actor Chuzho Zhokhoi and singer Alobo Naga are also in the cast. Two rock bands from Northeast will also perform in the movie. However, the casting for the lead actress is still on.

Casting a person from Northeast in the lead role could give a different feel to the film. What do you say?
Well, according to our script, lead role from Northeast will not suit, but yes we have few actors from Nagaland. Hope "Te Amo" brings lots of love and peace among us.

Tell us something about the director of the movie.
Writer and director Shiraz Henry is into fashion photography and also the chief of photography for an international Bollywood magazine BNA Germany. He has a long record of capturing ads, photographs etc. and is a successful photographer in Bollywood . His first movie '"Beyond the 3rd Kind", which is aimed for film festivals across the globe, has been completed. "Te Amo" is his second movie and he plans to shoot it like a Hollywood movie with songs, dance, comedy and youth. He is working in few more projects which have already been launched and will be shot after "Te Amo".

The first song of the film was recorded with singers Shahid Mallya and Pamela Jain. Has the song come out good?
Oh yes, our first song is been recorded successfully very romantic and melodious song. Working with them was an amazing experience.

The first song was composed by Abuzar Rizvi. How was it working with him?
Music Director Abuzar Rizvi and lyricist Anjaan Sagari of "Welcome" fame have done excellent job. Can't ask for more. Hats off to both of them.

Are you roping in well known singers and musicians for the film?
Bollywood well known singer Shaan and Alobo Naga & Band from Nagaland will grace with their melodious voice.

Do you think small-budgeted films without star actors can be successful at the box office?
Someone has rightly said that 'there is no such thing as small budget or big budget movies; a movie is either good movie or a bad movie'. As far as new faces in lead roles are concerned, these days movies like "Pyaar Ka Punchnama", "Tere bin Laden" etc have done good business at the box office though they didn't have established actors. We are making this movie for the youth with 'out and out comedy', music and romance that no youth would like to miss.

Any projects in offing from your production house Find Studioz?
Find Studioz is currently producing a movie for film festival titled "The Horizon & The Adopted" besides "Te Amo". Then there is a commercial Hindi film titled "Vampire Sucks", which is an out and out comedy with international actor Brandon J.Hill playing the vampires role. This project will be shot in the exotic location of Cherapunjee and will have humour of different genre.

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: r.ronamai@ibtimes.com

Nagaland Earns Rs 8 Cr A Year From Lottery

Kohima, Apr 10 : The Nagaland Finance Department has earned an average revenue of Rs eight crore per year during the last five years, against the average yearly target of Rs seven crore by way of conducting lotteries.

According to the Annual Administrative Report of the Nagaland Finance Department, after the introduction of the Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010, a uniform set of rules issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on April 1, 2010, the total number of daily draws had been reduced from 9000 to 24 draws per day only and 8688 draws in a year, thereby drastically reducing the sales volumes.

However, through timely remedial measures of the state government, the earnings of the department have increased, it said. The ratio of the department's earning is very high as compared to the total expenditure.

The report said in order to improve the revenue earnings, the Department has initiated three measures to charge Rs 2000 per draw from the lotteries of other states being sold in Nagaland as per the Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010, to encourage the distributors of Nagaland State Lotteries to conduct more bumper draws.

If this attempt is successful, the government may even double the existing rate fixed at Rs 7.50 lakh per bumper draw. The Administrative Report, laid in the recently concluded Nagaland Assembly Session, also said that attempts were being made to revive major markets in states like Kerala and Karnataka who have imposed high taxes on sale of lotteries of other states in reported violation of the Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010 passed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

The acts, rules and regulations under which the Directorate of Nagaland State Lotteries functions are, Nagaland State Lotteries Rules, 1972 (for conventional and paper lotteries), Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998, Nagaland State Online Lotteries Rules, 2003 (for on-line lotteries), Nagaland State Lottery Rules, 2007 (for Paper and on-line lotteries) and Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010, the report said.

Is Shared Sovereignty the Future of Nagaland?

Globalisation and inter-dependence have pushed Naga rebels to reassess their goals. Is peace within reach, asks Avalok Langer Blowin’ in the wind Rebel leaders with the flag of Nagaland Photo: Benjamin Sugathan

FOR 64 YEARS, the Naga struggle for sovereignty has been based on the idea of ‘urra uvie (our land belongs to us)’. Over the years, a sense of a collective Naga identity has been instilled and the idea of sovereignty based on their historical rights and cultural identity has become real. Warring factions created a sovereignty hyperbole, something akin to the idea of Kashmir’s azadi, where the fight for independence was about “all or nothing” and the cause that justified the violence was sovereignty. However, at the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) meeting on 29 February in Dimapur, Nagaland, addressing thousands of Nagas from all walks of life and all Naga-inhabited areas (Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Myanmar), National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Kitovi-Khole) Chairman Gen Khole Konyak explained that independence for Nagas in the present international context was not possible nor was Greater Nagaland. “It is a practical reality, necessitated not because of the aggressive posture of the Government of India but a realisation that Naga nationalism must be evoked in the right spirit through practical wisdom as opposed to idealist views on sovereignty and independence,” he said.

A statement that, for the first time, touched on the issue of sovereignty in a public forum and gave an inkling of what the future might hold.

“Sovereignty, or the denial of it, has been a bone of contention between the Nagas and the Government of India since 1947,” says Father Abraham Lotha, a Naga intellectual. But what has resulted in this changing definition? A change that is being seen as a progressive and positive step.

Over the past six decades, there has been a paradigm shift and the idea of globalisation and inter-dependence has taken root not only in India but among the Nagas as well. Exposed to the idea of a global village, young Nagas aped the hairstyles of their favourite Korean movie stars and political stands of the ‘underground’ softened. Sovereignty underwent an adjustment.

“How we defined sovereignty 50 years ago does not fit into today’s context,” explains a Naga rebel. “Both sovereignty and self-determination are still key, but we will adjust our demands to the needs of a modern world.”

‘Shared sovereignty’ is the new catch-phrase in Nagaland, says Father Lotha. “We aren’t very sure what ‘shared sovereignty’ means. We don’t know what we will give to India and what India will give us. But what we do know is that no country is sovereign in the old understanding of the word; we are all inter-dependent.”

Another contributing factor was the military stalemate. As the decades passed, the death toll mounted. The Indian government’s military response to a political problem created a deadlock. While it contained the ‘insurgency’, sporadic violence continued. “The harsh and sad reality of India is that for every soldier killed, there are a hundred waiting to take his place,” explains a senior army officer. “Yes, you can create an irritant, but you cannot win in a battle of attrition.”

The implication of this mindset is that violence cannot provide any solution. Whether it is in Kashmir or the Northeast, the Centre has shown its willingness to take on losses and bide its time for an opportune moment.

‘The demand for complete sovereignty has vanished from the younger generation,’ says 28-year-old Zakie

But the protracted violence in Nagaland and other parts of the Northeast has created ‘conflict fatigue’. The local population — the support base of the movements — has grown wary of the violence, extortion, lack of normalcy and development. They are stuck between the cause: sovereignty, which is close to their heart, and the reality, which falls horribly short of what was promised.

“The demand for complete sovereignty has vanished from the younger generation and the Naga intellectuals,” says businessman Zakie, 28. “Complete sovereignty is neither possible nor will it be to our advantage. Though there is a sense of optimism after the recent FNR meeting, many people are jaded. We have heard these promises before.”

Former Union Home Secretary GK Pillai believes that, “When the Naga groups came to the negotiation table, the understanding was that sovereignty is something that the Indian government cannot give. However, the negotiation must result in a win-win situation, an honourable solution. The first step is for the Naga groups to go back to the people and explain to them, we were fighting for X, but we are getting Y, which is an honourable solution and in the best interest of both parties. They need to get the people to support the agreement. Then we will have a lasting solution.”

A young member of the Naga underground very candidly expresses, “This political struggle has been on for many years now, but there is a growing feeling that if we don’t do something now and seize the moment, it will not be wise on our part. We will talk to the people, understand what they want and then go ahead with the negotiations.”

The FNR meeting, in which four resolutions were passed and a desire expressed to create a common platform, is being seen as the ‘first step’. Though there are still hurdles, the progressive approach provides hope that the contours of a lasting peace could be seen by the end of this year.

KASHMIR TOO has reached a military stalemate and life in the Valley is anything but normal. Azadi is the war cry and various separatist leaders rally around the cause to assert their dominance. Does the Naga movement hold a lesson for India’s other longstanding dispute?

Pillai feels that though the Pakistan factor makes Kashmir a different ballgame, “the idea of globalisation, soft borders and being exposed to what is happening in Pakistan has resulted in a shift”. “Pakistan is no longer an option; the options are azadi and India. This shift has taken 50 years. You have to give it time,” he says.

The longer the movement lasts, the graver the consequences are for the local populace. So, is a shift in mindset required from both sides?

Dilip Padgaonkar, one of the interlocutors sent to Kashmir last year, believes that the solution lies within the idea of India itself. “In the Valley, sovereignty is co-equal to a ‘State’. When that is the understanding, in a region where people feel oppressed, the demand for sovereignty comes up. Realpolitik or armed conflict is a nonstarter. The idea of India allows for people to follow their political aspirations. We have seen that the Constitution of India has proven to be very flexible and allowed space for this kind of aspiration. The most recent example of this space is the creation of Gorkhaland, a purely constitutional solution to people’s aspirations.”

Hurriyat (G) leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s visit to New Delhi and interactions with different civil society members are being seen as a softening of his otherwise hardline stand. Could this be a step in a new direction?

Over the years, there has been one constant, the Indian government will not give complete sovereignty. This is the stark reality facing the rebel outfits: Is prolonged conflict in pursuit of an outdated idea of sovereignty worth it, especially when New Delhi is comfortable with protracted deployment? Maybe there is a lesson to be learnt from the Naga rebel outfits — to stay relevant, you must evolve.

At the end of the day, the groups have to realise that in a people’s movement, the mandate is in the hands of the people.

Avalok Langer is a Correspondent with Tehelka. avalok@tehelka.com

Over 52,000 Nagas Meet To Chart A Path To Peace

The most important factor in any ‘peoples’ movement are the people. No solution is possible without them and though peace still remains elusive, this meeting— with its resolutions and recommendations—will make the groups accountable, and give the Naga people a stake in their future, says Avalok Langer
(From right to left) Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Swu of the NSCN (IM), Gen Khole and Kitovi Zhimomi of the NSCN (KK) and Brig. Singnya and Zhopra Vero of the NNC/FGN at the meeting of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation on 29 February “The biggest hurdle in finding a solution to the 64-year-old Indo–Naga dispute is that the Nagas are confused. They do not know what they want; how will a solution ever come?” explained a government official to TEHELKA less than two weeks ago. However, on Wednesday 29 February, in Dimapur, Nagaland, 52,000 Nagas from all walks of life spoke in one voice and ratified four resolutions presented in the landmark meeting of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. Spearheaded by the Naga National Council (NNC) in 1946, the Naga struggle for sovereignty, which they claim based on their historical rights, has seen many twists and turns. The movement that started under one leader, Dr AZ Phizo, the NNC has many claimants today, in seven different ‘underground’ groups. Despite a ceasefire with the Centre, infighting between the groups has ensured that peace and relative normalcy in Nagaland remains elusive.

What compounds the problem is that though the negotiations between Government of India and Th Muivah and Isaak Swu of NSCN (IM) are in their ‘final stages’, a lasting solution is only possible if all seven groups as well as the Naga people endorse the solution. In light of this, Wednesday’s meeting could be a step in the right direction.

Three ‘underground’ groups—National Socialist Council of Nagaland [Isaak-Muivah] NSCN (IM); National Socialist Council of Nagaland [Kitovi-Khole] NSCN (KK); National Socialist Council of Nagaland [Khaplang] NSCN (K); Naga National Council/Federal Government Nagaland (NNC/FGN)—along with 52,000 Nagas from different civil societies, villages, churches and states have ratified four resolutions. The main thrust of which are:

1: Admit that the long history of the Naga conflict has inflicted deep and inexpressible pain to the Naga people, own up to their own sins, acknowledge and support those who have apologised and sought forgiveness.

Impact: This admission of guilt and subsequent forgiveness has been seen as the first step to burying years of bad blood and reconciliation.

2: End all armed conflict as of 29th February 2012.

Impact: For years now, bad blood between the groups has resulted in violence. Sporadic violence continues, but the people of Nagaland are committed to peace, that is the need of the hour.

3: They acknowledged the role, commitment and contributions of the Naga National Counil, AZ Phizo, SS Khaplang, Myanmar-based chairman of NSCN (K), Gen (Retd) Khole and Brig (Retd) Singnya.

Impact: While this may seem trivial to some, it is a big step. Phizo, Khaplang, Khole and Singya have all played a significant role in the struggle and cannot be sidelined or forgotten. This seems to be a move to placate hurt sentiments and bring them into the peace process. This is also important in light of the recent statement made by the NSCN (Khaplang) leadership who want to re-engage in the reconciliation and peace process.

4: They agreed that sovereignty lies with the Naga people and their will is supreme. Any negotiation process must focus on how the Nagas can determine, safeguard and exercise their historical and political rights in a contemporary and inter-related world.

Impact: Sovereignty has been an uneasy topic amongst the Nagas, and with globalisation, the idea of sovereignty itself has changed. It is believed that ‘absolute’ or ‘complete’ sovereignty is no longer possible, but a special arrangement with the Centre which allows the Nagas to govern themselves could be the way forward.

The biggest impact of this meeting was the recommendation made by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) to form an expert body or common platform. The body will comprise experts and intellectual who will debate, discuss and chart the next step in the Naga journey. Though the recommendation was not ratified, if created it will allow the Naga people to join and shape the peace process. The most important factor in any ‘peoples’ movement are the people. No solution is possible without them and though peace still remains elusive, this meeting— with its resolutions and recommendations—will make the groups accountable, and give the Naga people a stake in their future.

Avalok Langer is a Correspondent with Tehelka. avalok@tehelka.com

Nagaland: Where Life Is A Song...

By Juanita Kakoty,

Those who have been to the Naga Hills would know that the landscape is sheer poetry and the air is strung with melodies — melodies that have a very long past.

At a time when language had no written forms, generations taught the younger ones to act, live and work through songs. These songs also kept the memories of ancestors, brave warriors and legends alive in people’s minds.

Mercy Tetseo, the eldest of the lovely Tetseo Sisters, tells me, “Naga folk music is oral storytelling. It is all about sharing stories about why certain practices and faiths are carried out. For every activity in rural life, there is a song talking about the lessons and processes. Also, these songs help identify the territory of activity and the actors — that is, say, what kind of an agricultural activity is on, conducted by people of which clan, tribe and village.”

Giving an example, she talks of how when people of a clan and village are working together in the fields, they sing some songs through their work. And when the day’s work is done, they sing a different set of songs. “This is like announcing that it is time to return home. Those individuals working far away from the group take these songs as a signal.”

Folk songs have been a part of every Naga’s life. Yet, in current times, the Tetseo Sisters — Mercy, Azi, Kuvelu and Alune — are the cultural ambassadors who have brought Naga folk music, in its pure form, to a larger audience outside the state of Nagaland. They have been performing and acquainting people with this form of storytelling, with much appreciation from listeners, within and outside India and have recently released the album Li: Chapter One. The Beginning.

“We sing the old folk songs of the Chakesang clan. We have not tampered with the melody or words,” says Mercy as she speaks about taking folk music out of a clan and making it available to a wider audience. “We have retained the original story; but dropped the repetition of verses.” The Tetseo Sisters use traditional instruments to accompany their songs like the single-stringed Tati, which has been used for eons by the Chakesang and Angami Nagas. The Tati is made of either dried bottle gourd or the mithun horn. The mithun is the state animal of Nagaland; a semi-domesticated guar found only in the northeastern parts of India.

There are 16 main tribes in Nagaland, each with a number of clans. The repository of folk music in the land, therefore, is huge. But things changed in the 19th century with the coming of Christianity. “That was the time,” Mercy says, “When people forwent their traditional ways of life – their jewelry, music and dance, animistic beliefs, etc. Folk songs gave way to hymns that were made accessible in local dialects. People picked up the new in their religious fervor and forgot the past.” The young crusader tells me that the Tetseo Sisters share an inheritance. In the early 80s, Mercy’s mother and a few others revived folk singing and dancing in the face of stiff opposition from the Chakesang Church and Village Council. “Eventually, the church started accepting folk singing in its premises; and that was a huge shift.”

The modern era, fused with Christianity and westernisation, greatly alienated the urban from the rural in Nagaland. Talking of growing up in a city, Mercy recalls, “Growing up in Kohima, we missed singing out songs in groups while at task as in the villages.

Nevertheless, folk songs seeped into our lives in other ways. I remember gathering around our grandfather and grandmother who used to sing stories to us. Then during festivities, even in the city, we have witnessed people sitting together and singing about various rituals and activities.” In the last 10 years, however, the scenario has been changing. “I have seen younger generations across tribe and clan warming up to folk music. The idea of attending a folk concerts was boring 10 years ago; but now it is cool.”

The Tetseo Sisters should be commended not only for their amazing voices and singing, but also for documenting so well a rich cultural heritage. Going through their blog, one comes across traditional stories that feature in the Chakesang folk songs. The blog sure is a resource. I soak up this useful piece of information on the Chakesang ‘Li’ or folk song from its archives: “Li is made up of chants, harmonised calling usually between two groups or a leader and followers... Li can be sung in eight different voices in unison on both sides (leading side and following side). Most of the Lis are like a conversation thread, so there is the comment and response pattern. Or there is the soulful solo or lilting duet/trio... Adding to the wonderful harmony is the chants and war cry by the menfolk...” And coming from one who has heard it, mark my words, the beauty of Li is mesmerising.

Nagas Rally in New Delhi

Kevin Frayer / AP

An ethnic Naga woman wearing traditional clothing participates in a rally, urging the Indian government to expedite the India-Naga political dialogue for a positive solution in New Delhi, India, on Feb. 25, 2012. India is offering wide autonomy to the Nagas though it has already rejected the demand of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland rebels' for an independent homeland in northeastern India bordering Myanmar, where most of the 2 million Nagas live. The Naga rebels began fighting more than 50 years ago, although a cease-fire has held since it was signed in 1997.

Kevin Frayer / AP

Ethnic Naga men wear traditional clothing and participate in a rally, urging the Indian government to expedite the India-Naga political dialogue for a positive solution in New Delhi, India, on Feb. 25.

Kevin Frayer / AP

Ethnic Naga women wear traditional clothing before the beginning of a rally urging the Indian government to expedite the India-Naga political dialogue for a positive solution, in New Delhi, India, on Feb. 25.

Fear Stifles Naga Voices From Expressing Opinion on Political Conflict

Today, Nagas have been broken into pieces morally because of gun culture and became vision-less.

Kohima, Feb 2 : Former Nagaland chief minister SC Jamir has illustrated how fear was preventing the Naga people in expressing their opinions on the Naga political conflict and how they they could no longer raise their voice against tyranny and persecution.

Jamir, the only living signatory to the 16-point Agreements of 1960 leading to the formation of Nagaland as the 16th state of the Indian union, in his latest booklet has lamented that apparent suppression of free speech, popular thoughts and participation of the people by the armed groups had made the political movement intractable.

“Today, Nagas have been broken into pieces morally because of gun culture and became visionless,” the Congress leader lamented and said the Nagas deserved a better future.

The booklet noted that an unambiguous, united and single Naga political agenda had been ‘hijacked’ by innumerable groups, factions and parties, which were often indistinguishable from each other.

The booklet ‘A Realistic Perspective on Unification-Peace-Reconciliation-Efforts’ was distributed during a function organized by Nagaland Law Students’ Federation at Dimapur yesterday where Jamir was the chief guest.

This had created confusion and disorder not only for the Naga people, but also for the Indian leadership, Jamir maintained.

“So far, in Nagaland, the common people have not manifested their preference or mandate in favor of any political party, group or faction, whether overground or underground,” the booklet noted.

“In the absence of mass appeal and general public support, the Naga political movement has become totally lifeless and listless and everyone is merely paying an ostentatious lip service to the Naga cause.”

The octogenarian leader rued that the Naga people reeling under decades of oppression, violence, brutality and threats, were shattered physically, mentally and emotionally because of the regime of threats, intimidation, violence, killings and extortion.

Jamir, who also served as governor of Goa and Maharastra, maintained that political groups and factions, both overground and underground, had abjectly failed to scrutinize the role, relevance and rationale of the concept of ‘sovereignty and separate homeland’ in relation to modern times and its challenges.

He said that unity among the Nagas should be the first and foremost agenda to evolve a common framework where a definitive, pragmatic, amicable and a progressive action plan could be charted out for resolving the festering Naga political problem.

Narrating a few personal experiences, Jamir said corruption had also eaten into society, and called upon the young people to confront these challeges to bring about a change in Naga society.

No Force Can Stop Nagas From Living Together- Dr Shurhozelie

Kohima, Dec 31 : Naga People’s Front President Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu has stated that no force can stop Nagas from living together, while calling upon the United Naga Council (UNC) to come out openly and extent its support toward the fight for the rights of the Naga people.

Dr Shürhozelie, who is also Nagaland Minister of Urban Development and Higher and Technical Education and now on a campaign tour for the forthcoming Manipur Assembly elections, said the forthcoming assembly elections in Manipur in January 2012 would be a referendum on whether Nagas live united as a family.

Speaking at an interaction with various tribal hohos and United Naga Council(UNC) at the NPF Manipur unit office at the district headquarters of Senapati in Manipur, he said no one could stop Nagas from living together and reminded that the forthcoming assembly election was an opportunity for Nagas in Manipur to decide, according to NPF party sources at Kohima today.

He stressed that NPF was for good relationship with various communities, political parties and organisations both underground and over ground but asserted that no one would be allowed to dictate terms upon Nagas.

Dr Shürhozelie revealed that the main purpose of the NPF was to defeat incumbent Okram Ibobi Singh. He urged all Naga organisations and church of Manipur to support NPF candidates in the forthcoming polls.

He said NPF in Manipur has received applications from candidates for 14 assembly seats while there was no ticket aspirant from Kuki dominated areas.

He however said NPF could make some seat adjustments with other political parties in Kuki dominated areas.

Dr Shürhozelie also asserted that it was not necessary to always talk about being suppressed by the Meiteis and challenged the Nagas in Manipur to work in such a way that they exert themselves as a force.

Stating that this time they are contesting in only 14 constituencies, he however pointed out that the hill area has 20 seats and if all can come together and work together then 20 people in a 60 member house will become a formidable force. They can make their presence felt in the Assembly, their voice will be heard and that is all we want, the NPF president said.

Altogether 55 out of the total 56 aspiring candidates including two women who had applied for NPF party ticket from 14 different assembly constituencies of Manipur attended yesterday’s function.

All aspiring candidates made a public pledge to remain loyal to the NPF party’s ideologies and support those who would eventually get party tickets.

Nagaland: Rs 18-crore Gun ‘Misfires’, Blows Hole in Govt Coffers

CAG report points out massive financial fraud committed by Nagaland police brass in the name of raising six Commando Companies under the Neiphiu Rio government, which turned a blind eye to the forgery, Ratnadip Choudhury reports

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio constituted a committee to investigate the ‘fraud’ but the report was never made public

A “fraudulent” withdrawal of staggering Rs 18 crore by the Director General of Police (DGP) is only a “procedural irregularity”—that’s how the Nagaland government has rubbished the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the ‘massive fraud’.

Last April, the 2009-2010 CAG report revealed in bold letters—“The Director General of Police, Nagaland, Kohima, withdrew an amount of Rs 18 crore against fictitious bills. The fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 18 crore, therefore, needs to be investigated”. The report grabbed headlines in the media, the Centre sent a strong memo to the Nagaland government and the Neiphiu Rio government constituted a high-power committee to investigate into the matter and asked it to submit the report within three months.

The committee’s report, which is being examined by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of State Assembly, has found only “procedural irregularities, not forgery”—as claimed by the CAG report—government sources told TEHELKA. Apparently, Nagaland Home Minister Imkong Inchen had turned a blind eye to DGP K Kire’s ‘forgery’.

While the media in Nagaland forgot the controversy, a citizen lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Nagaland Vigilance Commissioner against the government’s ‘inaction’ in the alleged scam on 2 December. TEHELKA has accessed copy of the complaint and bills submitted by the office of the DGP to the Accountant General (AG) through the State Treasury. Documents and the bills available with TEHELKA clearly expose the massive fraud.

The issue dates back to 2009, when the AG’s office received a fully vouched bill (No. 111, 15 June, 2009) with six sub-vouchers from the DGP’s office through the State Treasury. A preliminary review by the AG’s found ‘discrepancies’ in the bill. A full-fledged audit found prima facie evidence indicating forgery in all the sub-vouchers. “The fact remains that a fully vouched contingent bill was received by the AG’s office through the Treasury and all purchases shown in the sub-vouchers attached to the bills have been found to be fictitious,” the CAG report stated.

Copies of the alleged fraud bills obtained by TEHELKA support the CAG report. The Nagaland government, vide order No. POL-8/IRB/34/2008, dated 15.06.2009, sanctioned expenditure not exceeding Rs 18 crore to the DGP of Nagaland for purchase of arms, ammunition, vehicles and equipment for raising six Commando Companies during the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The Centre provided the funds under police modernisation schemes for northeastern states.

The first two sub-vouchers were allegedly issued by Ordinance Factory Khamaria (OFK), Jabalpur. Fully vouched contingent bills amounting to Rs 430.29 lakh (No. C/149/Nagaland, dated 05.05.2009) and Rs 148.28 lakh (No. C/150/Nagaland, dated 05.05.2009)—copies of which are in possession of TEHELKA—purportedly issued by MK Mohaptra, the Joint General Manager of OFK, were submitted. However, in response to AG’s query, OFK wrote a letter denying issuance of such bills. Besides, the ammunition mentioned in the supply list was beyond the factory’s production capacity, OKF added. TEHELKA has a copy of the letter.

Later, when a Right to Information (RTI) activist filed an application over the anomaly, the DGP office furnished copies of the two alleged fraud bills of OFK. Interestingly, the ‘signature of the issuing authority’ on the RTI annexure bills did not match with those submitted to the AG through the State Treasury. The DGP office has certified and verified the receipt of the items and made ledger entries on these bills—though it seems the items were never supplied.

The third sub-voucher was ‘issued’ by Bridgegap Associates, New Delhi, amounting to Rs 781.86 lakh (No. BA/NL/P/11/2009, dated 05.05.2009). When the AG inquired from the company, the proprietor in an official reply denied having been either paid any sum, or any entry in the company ledger of the items mentioned in the bills. The original letter sent by the south Delhi-based company to the AG is available with TEHELKA.

Later, in response to a RTI request, the DGP office provided a copy of the bill from Bridgegap Associates. However, the ‘signature’ on the bill provided as RTI annexure and available with TEHELKA did not match with that of the original bill.

The fourth sub-voucher was allegedly issued by Laggar Industries Ltd, Jalandhar (two bills—No.LIL/DD/18/09, dated 06.05.2009 and No.LIL/DD/18/09, dated 06.06.2009) amounting to Rs.1, 24, 31,500 and Rs 15,00,1000 respectively. On the AG’s inquiry, the Department of Trade and Taxes, New Delhi, informed that no such company existed.

The fifth voucher again exposes glaring forgery. Two bills (No. AO-GUW/Bill/25/09, dated 04.05.2009, of Rs 2, 02, 09,996 and No. AO-GUW/Bill/25/09, dated 04.05.2009, of Rs 1, 67, 78,446) were ‘issued’ by Tata Motors, Guwahati. However, Tata Motors informed the AG that it didn’t have any transaction record as mentioned in the bills.

The last voucher was from Sanchar Telesystems Ltd, Mumbai, (Bill No. STL/NPHG/2009/19 of Rs 87.9 lakh). Again on the AG’s query, the company denied having supplied any products, or billing. A copy of the reply is available with TEHELKA.

Highly placed sources in the police told TEHELKA that the money obtained through the payment of the forged bills was ‘siphoned off’ by the top brass.

Chief Secretary Lalthara told TEHELKA that the government was not trying to cover up anything. “The report has been forwarded to the PAC. Since it is examining it, thus the report has not been made public. The government has nothing to hide.”

However, the person who lodged the FIR with the Vigilance Commissioner is not hopeful. “The Chairman of the PAC, N Kire, is the elder brother of DGP K Kire. Therefore, the report will be biased,” he told TEHELKA.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party, Congress, has is pressuring the government to make the findings of the inquiry public. “This is a clear case of organised corruption. The government should make the report public and take action. Otherwise, we will launch an agitation and could even approach the court,” a senior Congress leader from Kohima said.

Ratnadip Choudhury is a Principal Correspondent with Tehelka. ratnadip@tehelka.com

 

Source: Tehelka

Kisama Heritage Village Gearing Up For Hornbill Festival

Kohima, Nov 22 : Preparations for the National Hornbill Festival of Nagaland at the Kisama Heritage village are on in full swing with various Naga tribes making whole-hearted efforts to get their respective Morung (dormitories) sites ready on time.

The National Hornbill Festival is no doubt an internationally renowned festival, which is an annual event for the people of Land of Festivals , where tourists from mainland India and a large number from abroad visit.

Among the highlights of the festival are the National Hornbill Rock Contest, a motor rally, and Naga wrestling events apart from other indigenous Naga sports activities such as bamboo-post climbing, catapult shooting, chilli eating competitions and many others.

Nagaland Chilli Eyes Guinness Record

Chilli Plant grows to 14 feet

Kohima, Nov 21 : Nagaland has set its sights on a record for the longest chilli plant, measuring over 14 feet, after featuring in the Guinness Book of World Records for the tallest rhododendron, measuring upto 108 feet and a nine-foot paddy plant.

Thepfusatuo Rio from Sovima village, nearly 8km from Dimapur, has grown a chilli plant measuring upto 14.7 feet.

It is expected to grow taller.

Rio said his plant has been growing for the past two years and bears more than 10kg of pungent chillies a year.

“The height of 14.7 feet that it has attained is quite surprising because it is not a hybrid plant,” he said.

He said he obtained the chilli plant from his father who resides at Chiechema village under Kohima district, two years ago.

The variety of chilli is locally known as sikhrano.

“We don’t know how this plant grew so tall because generally this variety grows to around 2.5 feet to 4.5 feet,” Rio said.

The plant would make an interesting topic for research, he added.

Unlike other local chillies, the sikhrano is hot but not as much as the Naga King Chilli, which has set a world record with a Scoville heat unit rating of 1,001,304 points.

The Naga King became the world’s hottest chilli in December last year.

A Naga King Chilli eating competition will also be held during the Hornbill Festival at Kisama from December 1-7.

People in and around Dimapur have trooped in to see the plant, but so far neither any research team nor anyone from the agriculture department has shown up.

Rio said many people had requested him for the seeds of the chilli plant.

The tallest rhododendron was discovered at Mount Japfu near Kohima.

The average rhododendron grows upto 10-15 feet but the state has a 108-foot tall rhododendron, which was discovered in 1993 and is still growing.

The pastor of the Chumukedima Town Baptist Church near Dimapur, Melhite Kenye, discovered the tallest paddy plant in 1999.

The plant recorded a height of 9 feet, 510 grains in each ear and a single stalk of the plant was as thick as a human finger.

In 2000, the saplings kept growing to a height of 9 feet.

Each ear of the tested plants had 340 grains.

Naga Youth Stabs Self in Delhi, Cooks Up Tale

By Anurag Jadli

New Delhi, Nov 10 : Files false case to avail free treatment at hospital.

A 26-year-old youth from Nagaland allegedly stabbed himself with a knife at his rented accommodation after a heated argument with his friend, in Safdarjung Enclave area of south Delhi, on Monday night.


Believe it or not! Friends of Lima Sut Sung at Safdarjung police station and Sukhmani Hospital (below), where he was admitted, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Pics/Imtiyaz Khan

Knight in dull armor
The youth, Lima Sut Sung, was under the influence of alcohol when the incident took place. One of his friends, Narola, was with him at that time.

"After the incident, he, along with his friend, cooked up a false story for free treatment at the hospital. They said they were taking a stroll in a deer park when two assailants passed lewd comments on the girl.

When they protested, one of the assailants attacked the youth in his abdomen.

But all of this turned out to be false when we investigated the matter," said a senior police official.

Drunken fight
During investigation, police found some discrepancies in their statement and questioned them, their neighbors and friends. During interrogation, both of them revealed the original story and said that they had a fight, because of which Lima had stabbed himself. They withdrew their case later.

HIV/AIDS Prevalence Rate Alarming in Nagaland

Kohima, Nov 7 : The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Nagaland stands at an alarming 78 per cent.

This means 7 to 8 people out of every 1000 people are infected with the deadly virus compared to the national average where only 3 to 4 persons out of every 1000 people.

Dr Hutoka, Medical Officer in-charge of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre in District Hospital of Dimapur announced this during a sensitization programme on HIV/AIDS held at Signal Angami Basti yesterday. He put the number of people detected with the disease to 12,400 in the state.

He, however, said only 7,500 people had been registered as many people were yet to come forward for treatment despite already knowing their status. He said one of the reasons why the drug administered to the patients has less effect was the late arrival of the patients.

Dr Hutoka encouraged the people to come forward for blood testing and early treatment after detection of the disease. He said 70 patients came to ART Centre Dimapur last month of whom 48 came very late.

Dr. Hutoka said there were over 3,500 people infected with the disease in Dimapur as per record and that only 1,500 were undergoing treatment.

He said 127 people had died of the disease in Dimapur since the establishment of the Anti-Retroviral Therapy Centre at the District Hospital in 2006. Of the 127 deaths, majority of them were within the age group of 25 to 49 and only few were below 4 to 5 years.

He further informed that Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) treatment was available 24 hours at the District Hospital Dimapur where any person who had been exposed to the disease could avail of the service free of cost.

Naga Leader Pushes For Pact Between I-M And Indian Govt

By Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury

NSCN(I-M) chairman Isak Chisi Swu (left) and General Secy T. Muivah.

New Delhi, Oct 28 : The Centre and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) should reach an in-principle agreement to resolve India's oldest insurgency before the assembly elections in Manipur in mid-2012, Naga Ho Ho president Keviletuo Kiewhuo has suggested.

Naga Ho Ho is the apex body of various Naga tribes.

Peace talks between the Union government and the biggest Naga insurgent group have been going on since the past 14 years, ever since the two sides entered into a ceasefire agreement in 1997.

But innumerable rounds of negotiations between the two sides have not yielded any result.

"Fourteen years in any negotiations between a state and a rebel group is not a small period. Consensus in politics is never an easy task. But the two sides should take into consideration the views of the majority and arrive at a framework or an in-principle agreement that will form the basis of a future agreement to address all tricky issues," Kiewhuo said.

His views probably reflect that of a large section of the Nagas yearning for an end to the negotiations and a settlement.

The Naga Ho Ho has been pushing for an early settlement fearing obstacles in the coming months. The next assembly elections in Manipur will be held in mid-2012. This will be followed by elections in Nagaland in early 2013.

According to Kiewhuo, it will be difficult for the government to announce an agreement on the merger of Naga majority areas of Manipur with Nagaland, a key demand of the NSCN (I-M), once elections in Manipur are announced.

"Similarly, during the Nagaland elections, Nagas will be divided as some will support one political party while others will support another. This will adversely impact the peace process. And any mid-term elections in the Lok Sabha will further delay the process. Under such circumstances a framework agreement should be worked out that will fulfil demands like unification of Naga areas in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh with that of Nagaland," the Naga Ho Ho president said.

The Manipur government, civil societies and student organisations in the Manipur valley have been opposed to any bifurcation of the hill districts.

The Centre, whether led by the BJP or the Congress, has not been able to convince Manipur in making any concessions. Asked if granting of hill council status to the Naga majority districts of Manipur could be an interim solution, Kiewhuo replied in the negative. He said such an arrangement would weaken the demand of the Nagas.

Kiewhuo warned that vested interests in Nagaland could get active as the elections approached in order to sabotage the peace process.