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

Naga Chilli Vodka is Enough to Make Grown Men Cry

While it’s not quite the as hot as the insane 2 million SHU Scorpion Pepper, the Naga Chilli Vodka is still criminally hot.

In fact, it’s so hot it almost took Philip Schofield off air when he tasted the spicy tipple – it even comes with a health warning.

It’s produced by infusing the vodka with Naga Jolokia chillies – so many in fact that it’s turned the vodka a kind of fire-orange colour.

The resulting poison ranks at 100,000 scovilles, substantially hotter than even most “hot” chilli sauces; a Jalopeno pulls in at a pathetic 5,000 SHU by comparison. It’s the kind of thing you’d normally see coming out of Mexico or South America, but it’s actually a crazy British creation.

Master of Malt, a Tunbridge Wells-based fine liquor retailer, has its creation up for just £31.95 a bottle – that’s only for 700mls though, so you might need a couple, especially if you want to prove your manhood to your avid party invitees. You are mega-chilli hard, right?

She Dresses For Success

By Virginia N. Sherry

Beauty stylist Rakshandra Ahshan, right, poses for a picture with her prize-winning model, Precious Spring, at a recent fashion show.

DONGAN HILLS -- Born in India, Rakshanda Ahshan arrived on Staten Island 12 years ago. She came well-versed in glamorous transformations. She studied the art and craft of hair design and makeup on her home turf in Assam state in northeast India, earning a license there in 1990.

Now a Dongan Hills resident, she has provided bridal makeup and henna-tattoo services to the Indian community here. Her eye is focused on a more ambitious dream, though: Opening the borough’s first Indian-style beauty salon, she told the Advance.

Toward this goal, she participated in August in a four-week training program at the Center for Family Life Cosmetology Project in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, and earned a certificate. Next, she enrolled in a full-time, nine-month program at the Hair Design Institute in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. She will graduate in April.

Ms. Ahshan’s instructors at the Institute encouraged her to enter its various themed contests: Bridal, Halloween, Christmas, Winter Wonderland, and Valentine’s Day. She did and — drawing on her ethnic background and skills — always dressed her models in elegant Indian style, including one outfit that she sewed by hand for the Winter Wonderland event.

“I won all the contests during the school year,” she proudly reported.

Her most recent first-place win was at the Valentine’s Day show, with Precious Spring — a Brooklyn resident and fellow student at the Institute — serving as her model.

The fashion show — with 29 models — featured two themes, fantasy and romantic.

“I choose fantasy, and again used Indian dress, jewelry, and makeup,” said Ms. Ahshan. Her model, Ms. Spring, “is an American girl who is beautiful, tall and very smart. When she presented herself, all the judges were surprised and stood up, and she was selected for first place.

“I was very happy, and thankful to all the judges, teachers and students who helped me. I wanted the Advance to write a story, to express my thanks, and show Indian beauty with an American girl,” Ms. Ahshan said.

And here’s more good news: The stunningly beautiful Precious Spring “got an offer for modeling, and she will start after she graduates from the Institute in March!” Ms. Ahshan happily reported.

Ms. Ahshan is the mother of two sons, Raheel, 11, in sixth-grade at Egbert Intermediate School, Midland Beach, and 5-year-old Rahan, in kindergarten at PS 52, Dongan Hills.

You can reach her by telephone at 718-987-0998 and 347-835-3087, or email at rakshandaahshan.2009@gmail.com.

Oppn Parties Seek Repoll in Manipur Alleging Poll Malpractices

New Delhi, Feb 29 : Alleging poll irregular ties in Manipur assembly elections held on January 28, opposition parties in the state are seeking a repoll in some places and have knocked at the doors of the Election Commission.

The Election Commission is verifying the complaints of the opposition parties which were aired at its two meetings held with them before initiating any further action in the matter, said an election official here today.

"We have held two rounds of sitting with Election Commission and the EC has promised to initiate action and check the (alleged) poll irregularities pointed out by us," D Raja of CPI told reporters here today.

"We have alleged proxy voting in many parts of the state during the January 28 polls. Besides, we have pointed out to a fraud in postal ballots in the state," he said.

He added that the EC will consider requests for repoll in some places where complaints of proxy vote has been made by us. "It is question of democracy and ensuring free and fair polls in the state," said Raja.

Barring the Congress, all opposition political parties in Manipur including the BJP, NCP, CPI, CPI-M, JD-U, MSCP, Manipur People's Party, National People's Party and Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress came together on the issue of poll irregularities.

Among others who were also present today included Manipur's former chief minister Radhabinod Koijam, Nara singh of CPI's Manipur unit and Kim of Manipur Trinamool Congress, besides other leaders

Mizoram Rice Production Increases

Aizawl, Feb 28 : Mizoram has achieved 10.50 per cent increase in foodgrain production during 2011-2012 which had been declared bumper rice harvest year by the state government.

Mizoram produced 51948 metric tonnes of rice during the past year, a significant increase from 47,201 metric ton produced during 2010-2011. This was higher than the department's target of 52,000 MT.

According to sources from agriculture department, as the number of farmers cultivating rice decreased the area of jhum cultivation also decreased by 5.53 per cent. The 51948 metric ton of rice was produced from 2162 hectares of land. The increase in rice production was attributed to the new farming technology- system of rice intensification.

Rice produced from wetlands, however, witnessed 19.61 per cent increase. With the increase of 209 hectares of wetlands, rice produced from wet rice cultivation was 4061 metric ton.

As many as 540 metric tonnes of rice was also produced from 360 hectare of jhum land transformed into wetlands during the past year.

This was considered 100 per cent increase. In jhum cultivation, 146 metric ton of rice was produced, recording a 5.55 per cent increase, the source said.

This was despite sharp decline in the jhum cultivation that decreased by 2736 hectare, a 9.57 per cent low. The agriculture department had introduced the improved farming system in different low-lying areas of Mizoram.

It had been experienced that rice produce under SRI was double that of conventional farming system.

At present, Mizoram produces only 25 per cent of the total rice consumption which is about 1,80,000 metric tonnes.

The department targets to produce 52,000 MT of rice this year. It aimed at increasing rice produce per hectare of land in WRC from 1.6 MT to 2.5 MT and from 0.9 MT to 1.2 MT in jhum areas.

Massive Strike To Cripple India Today

New Delhi/Mumbai, Feb 28 : Key sectors of the Indian economy such as banking, insurance, telecom, transport, mining, postal and manufacturing could be badly hit on Tuesday owing to the nationwide 24-hour strike called by trade unions after the government's attempts to avert it remained unsuccessful on Monday.

This is perhaps for the first time in recent memory that trade unions affiliated to most of the mainstream political parties have come together to voice their protest against price rise, violation of labour rights and the government's free market policies like disinvestment in public sector companies and privatisation of services that could lead to job loss.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had earlier appealed to all the major trade unions and 5,000 unaffiliated unions to call off the strike. But the unions rejected the appeal as it came only 48 hours before one of the largest strike calls in the history of independent India.

The trade union are demanding an universal social security net for all unorganised sector workers through creation of a national social security fund, enforcement of basic labour laws and stringent punitive action against violation of labour laws.

Other demands in the charter of the trade unions demands amendment to the Minimum Wages Act, provision for pensions, abolition of contract-based appointments and for putting an end to the disinvestment process of profit-making public sector undertakings (PSUs).

Major sectors like banking, transport, postal and port operations are likely to take a massive hit due to the strike. Key industries such as steel and power may see a low turnout at factories.

The country's largest lender, the State Bank of India, has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that its operations would be affected due to the strike.

In the transport sector, national carrier Air India said that its operations would not be affected due to the strike, as its unions have not given any notice to the management.

The Indian Railways have said its operations will be normal. But it is widely expected that rail tracks may be blocked affecting services. Also road traffic on national, state highways could be hit as various unions are known to target these.

States like Kerala, Tripura and West Bengal, where the Communist parties have a greater hold, are likely to be affected the most.

It seems political considerations have prevailed over a section of the unions on their earlier decision to go on strike. For example, the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) said it would not be participating in the strike.

"The strike is politically motivated and illegal. We will oppose it tomorrow (Tuesday)," Ashok Choudhary, the newly elected national president of INTUC, said on Monday. The INTUC is backed by the Congress party.

Unions linked to other coalition partners of the United Progressive Alliance government, including the one affiliated to Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress -- Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress, will also not be participating.

Others, who oppose the country-wide strike call are the ones affiliated to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK).

The government has been asking the unions to desist from going for the industrial action by trying to reach out to them through open advertisements issued by the labour ministry in leading national dailies.

"Most of the issues relating to labour raised by the central trade unions have already been addressed to a substantial extent. However, I do assure all of them that I am always open to discussion on any of the issues relating to labour at any time and resolve the same amicably through consultations," union Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said in an open appeal published in leading national dailies.

Onus on Mizoram To Take Back Tribal Refugees: Tripura

Agartala, Feb 27 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar Saturday put the onus of taking back the 37,000 Reang tribal refugees on the Mizoram government, and called on the neighbouring state and the central government to do more to resolve the issue.

"The Tripura government would never forcefully repatriate the tribal refugees to their homes in Mizoram," Sarkar said at a meeting here.

Following ethnic tensions sparked by the killing of a Mizo forest official in Mizoram, over 41,000 Reang tribal refugees -- locally called Bru -- had taken shelter in six camps in north Tripura's Kanchanpur sub-division in October 1997.

After a series of meetings, a total of 701 tribal families -- comprising about 3,585 men, women and children -- were sent back last year.

"We wish early repatriation of the Reang tribal refugees to Mizoram as they have been sheltered in Tripura for the past 15 years. The Mizoram government and the centre have to be more proactive to expedite the repatriation process and resolve the ethnic issue," said Sarkar

He said that the matter was discussed with union Home Minister P. Chidambaram during his visit here last week. The home minister is expected to visit Mizoram next month to talk to the state government.

The home minister, accompanied by senior ministry officials had also visited the refugee camps and urged the tribals to go back to their homes in Mizoram.

Sarkar said that the central government still owes Tripura Rs.31 crore for its expenses on relief for the tribal refugees.

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.