Hunphun Feb 15 : The festival of Naga Lui-Ngai- Ni once again reverberated the oneness of the Naga peoples as with cultural exchanges showcasing unity. Amid the United Naga Council (UNC)-led alterative arrangement campaign for the Nagas in strife –torn Manipur, the Nagas on Tuesday celebrated, Lui-Ngai-Ni with gusto.

The grand festival was celebrated at Hunphun district headquarters here, about 84 kilometers from Imphal the capital of Manipur. The day included staging of a battery of multi-ethnic and tribal dances, traditional shows, ceremonial blessing of seeds, cultural regale and “Lui-Ngai-Ni” Nite. Calling for unifying the Nagas as one, several Naga leaders including Naga Hoho, UNC and other Naga peoples organizations also marked the seed sowing festival held under the theme “Sowing Seeds of Change”.

Unlike past festivals, leaders of the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) including its president Thangkhosei Hoakip also joined the festival. Significantly Haokip attended as the guest of honor at the occasion. Naga Hoho president Keviletuo Kiewhuo was the chief guest emphasized the need to join hands together for a better future. “May this (festival) be the foundation for our people to come together as one. It is for us to struggle together for a better future,” he said. He also emphasized the need to strengthen the UNC, the apex body of several Naga civil bodies in Manipur and the politicians to achieve the Nagas’ aspirations. Commenting on the UNC’s alternative arrangement campaign, Keviletuo said the Naga Hoho will stand by it. He, nevertheless, said the agendas of such move should be made clear to all as there is nothing to hide.

The Naga Hoho president also pointed out the need of the collective Nagas’ call of ‘One Nation, One Culture’. UNC president Samson Remei said there is a felt need to help others who are facing similar plight like the Nagas in Manipur and elsewhere. “Now is the time for us to ponder upon the gradual decadence of our culture and restore it to its pristine glory,” he added.

“As we celebrate Lui-Ngai-Ni, we must once again re-dedicate ourselves to Naga reconciliation process, the pursuance of Alternative Arrangement and the Indo-Naga Peace Process to usher in an honorable and acceptable settlement in Nagalim,” he added. KIM president Hoakip, recalled the key role taken by the UNC and KIM in ushering peace and harmony between the Nagas and the Kukis in the aftermath of the infamous communal flare up between the two communities in the early nineties. The cultural regale saw staging of folk dances and songs, traditional games and sports, traditional musical instruments by troupes from different communities including Chakhesang and Kuki tribes. Exhibition cum sale of handlooms, arts and crafts, foods, seeds and seedlings, audio visual productions and publication, indigenous musical instruments in day time and the traditional fashion display in the evening were also held in the festival hosted by the Tangkhul Naga Long and organized by the UNC.

Amongst other the festival was attended by, Anal tribe, Chothe, Inpui, Lamkang, Maring, Memei (Mao), Monsang (Shirti), Moyon, Poumai, Tangkhul, Chakesang Losami, SDSA , NWUM, ANSAM, NSF, NPMHR, Kuki Inpi, Kharao Hoho, NPO , Maram and CNPO.

L.H. Paohao
My dear Kuki Students of KSO, Nagaland.
First of all I thank you for inviting me to attend at your 25th General Conference which is to be held at Bongkolong village on 4th—6th February 2011. But I am deeply regretted and tender apology for my inability to attend due to my bad health. But I hope you will surely pardon me for this.

My dear Kuki students, kindly allow me to say a few words though I am not presence here physically.
The world that we are living in is constantly changing without a single stop and along with that every nation and people is also changing their political, economy and social status. No one can stop this because this is the nature of our world today. Let us look around the world and watch the changing of the world. Where is that mighty USSR today? It is gone and it won’t come back again. Once the sleeping lion—China is rising up and started threatening the world super power, USA. Some experts predicted that after 2020 China would become world super power.

We the Kuki people have to go down to the ground reality and search our future. We should not live in illusion and confusion. One thing we much acknowledge or accept is that apart from living with our Naga brothers, Kukis do not have our future. The wisdom of our fathers should not be discarded easily. When we were small and scattered our fathers had taken the right decision for our people. So they formed Kuki Tribal Union (KTU) in the early 60s with the understanding of Naga brothers and joined in NNC. Many had died while discharging their duties and many are still alive. Many Kukis thought that Nagas would drive away other peoples including the Kukis, who are now living in Naga territory after attaining their independence. This is wrong. This is not Nagas politics. I personally met with the Collective Leadership of NSCN and many senior leaders and discussed the future our people with the Nagas. They assured the Kukis that if we fight together with our adversaries as a people and share the burden while struggling for our freedom, we will live together as a people. There is no different between Nagas and Kukis. Under their able leadership the KTU was once again re-affirmed and allowed us to work hand in hand with NSCN and established our head office in Council Headquarters, Hebron.

Today, there are many scholars, intellectuals and academicians in Kuki society who do not think seriously for the future of our people. Some had shown the seeds of hatred between Nagas and Kukis and some are still campaigning against the Nagas. It would be our suicidal. Let us not forget the saying of the wise, “Where there is no vision the people perish”. Our people those who are living in the so-called Manipur state are still siding with the non-Christian Meiteis and fight against our brother Nagas. Nagas and Kukis have two common things though we are from different community. Firstly, we are Christians, and secondly we are hill people. What do we have common things with the Meiteis? They are Hindus and plain people.

Funny things are happening there in Manipur with our Kuki brothers. Many Kuki militant groups who are claiming to be the fighters for Kuki homeland are openly declared that they would firmly stand for the territorial integrity of Manipur before having even a single round of talk when arriving at an agreement--SOO (Suspension of Operation) with the Government of Manipur. Where will they establish Kuki homeland? Inside the Kangla? The whole world is laughing at us.

Therefore, let us be realistic while dealing with the future of our people. Kukis and Nagas may have many bitter events in the past but we can forgive and forget each other in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and become one family, because we are all His children. The Saviour and Forgiver Jesus said on the cross before He gave up his Saul, ‘Father forgive them for they do not know what they do’. Pu Lengjang Kholhou had written our history with the Nagas and had given his signature in the memorandum submitted to Sir Simon Commission with our brother Nagas in 1929. His wisdom will prevail.
Long live KSO!
Long live NSCN!
Long live Kuki-Naga brotherhood!
Kuknalim!.

( L.H. Paohao)
President
Kuki Tribal Union (KTU)
National Socialist Council Of Nagalim

Kohima, Feb 1 : The Naga Peoples' Front (NPF) has appealed to all the Nagas for a united voice, irrespective of political party, on the issue of separate state demand of the Eastern Naga Peoples Organization (ENPO) with political maturity.

 In a statement here today NPF, a major political partner of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), its president Mr Shurhozelie, who is also the state Urban Development Minister, said the party's main objective is to work for a peaceful solution to the Indo-Naga political issue, keeping alive the fire of relentless endeavour to stand against any force to further divide the Nagas.

 He said no body would agree to any move which may create further division among the Nagas at this juncture when the political turn of events has reach such a crucial state. ''Our people in Eastern Nagaland have been contributing greatly in protecting the political right of our people throughout which we firmly believe, they will not dismantle by themselves.''

He said, ''Under such a situation, no amount of debate among the Naga people can alter the course, unless we come together and make out people understand the ground realities.'' Urging people not to exhibit smartness over a sensitive issue like the demand ENPO for a separate state, he appealed to the conscience of the people to refrain from provoking the situation.

He further said the NPF also noted that political party and legislature should have one voice on sensitive issues of this nature.(UNI)

Aizawl, Jan 27 : Several social organisations in Mizoram have perceived the recent relaxation of protected area permit (PAP) in Mizoram as a threat to the social security of the indigenous people of the state.

In the wake of the lifting of PAP from three Northeast Indian states--Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo students' association) today convened a meeting of all major NGOs and political parties of Mizoram on the issue.

All of the representatives of NGOs and political parties, though restrained from speaking on behalf of the organisations they represented, expressed fear that the lifting of PAP would ultimately lead to the lifting of the Inner Line Permit/Regulation that safeguards the tribals of the Northeast state from assimilation.

In a bid to 'woo foreign tourists', the Centre on December 31 lifted the PAP from these three states to allow foreigners to enter into the states without any restrictions for a period of one year.

The order came after a joint delegation of the Manipuri Association of Canada and Local Support Group submitted a memorandum to the home ministry on December 28.

There had been an attempt to lift the PAP in 1994 which invited strong opposition from all political parties and NGOs in Mizoram.

At this juncture, then Union home minister S B Chavan went on a record saying, ''No innerline restriction would be imposed while restricted/protected area permit requirement for foreigners is lifted, as that would mean welcoming foreigners while keeping out Indians.'' While non-Mizo Indians have to get inner line permit (ILP) foreigners are required to get protected area permit (PAP) to enter into Mizoram.

The ILP, in particular, has drawn much criticism from many Indians as it prevented them from entering the state without getting prior permission.

''While many Indians have been complaining about the requirement of a permit to Mizoram, the relaxation of entry permit for foreigners will certainly result in yet another litigation to do away with the Inner Line Permit/Regulation under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873,'' V L Krosshnehzova said in a keynote address.

All of the speakers, except for one, shared the views of the MZP president and expressed fear that the lifting of PAP would be a threat to the social security of the tribals of the Northeast Indians which has been protected since the British time.

''The ILP's aim is not to harass or prevent entry of non-Mizo Indian nationals per se but to secure the future of the natives by protecting the sanctity of their socio-cultural rights, preventing demographic upheaval leading to invasion of their political bastion by the 'outsiders' which has been the case with Tripura,'' said a senior politician.

The meeting also expressed resentment over the Centre making such a crucial decision (to lift the PAP) following a pressure from just two organisations in Manipur, without consulting the people, or for that matter, any organisations in the two other states concerned.

The Mizo organisations also disagreed with the grounds on which the Centre claimed to have lifted the PAP, that was to 'boost' tourism industry.

''Sikkim has emerged as one of the major tourism hot spots in India. Not only the Protected Area Permit, but also Restricted Area Permit is being enforced in Sikkim. Therefore, the Centre's pretext is meaningless,'' Lalmuanpuia Punte, vice-chairman of North East Students' Organisation, said at the consultation meeting.

Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, the PAP is enforced in some parts of Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Sikkim and the entire states of Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Similarly, the RAP, under Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, is enforced in the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In Sikkim, the RAP covers areas uncovered by the PAP.
--UNI

Dimapur, Jan 22: Naga People’s Front (NPF) President and Minister for Urban Development & Higher Education Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, while stating that he has ‘nothing to comment’ on the demand of the Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO) for a separate State, however, expressed apprehension that the development may dismantle the hard won peace which has paved the way for a final solution to the Naga political issue.
Touching on the ‘Frontier Nagaland’ demand issue for the first time during the inaugural function of the 63rd meet of the United Sangtam Students Conference at Kiphire, Shürhozelie said, “I have nothing to comment on the ENPO demand for a separate State.”

The veteran politician, however, voiced fear that the demand may dismantle the hard earned steps won by peace makers towards a final solution to the Naga political problem.

Expressing the hope that good sense will prevail at the right time in the larger interest of the Nagas as a whole, he said, “We do not want Nagaland to be disintegrated further”.

~ AT