Campaign for Phase 1 in North-East ends

Guwahati, Apr 15 : Coinciding with the celebration of Rongali Bihu, Assam’s spring festival, campaigning for the first phase of polling — scheduled for April 16 for 10 Lok Sabha seats in six north-eastern States of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram — came to an end on Tuesday.
The campaigning for the remaining 11 seats of Assam which will go to the polls in the second phase on April 23 also slowed down as candidates and political party workers took a break to welcome the new year.

In Assam, 27,40,728 voters will decide the fate of 37 candidates for the three constituencies — Silchar, Karimganj (SC) and Autonomus District (ST) that are going to the polls in the first phase. Prominent among those in the fray include Union Minister for Heavy Industries Santosh Mohan Deb, Assam United Democratic Front president and perfume magnate Badruddin Ajmal, the former Union Minister Kabindra Purakaystaha (BJP) — all three vying for the Silchar seat — and the former Union Minister, Biren Singh Engti, who is seeking another term from the Autonomous District (ST) constituency.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in 3,056 polling stations of the three constituencies. Two choppers have been kept ready to tackle any eventuality in the two hill districts of North Cachar Hills District and Karbi Anglong in the wake of a spurt in extremist violence.

In Arunachal Pradesh, 7,32,505 electors will exercise their franchise in 2,057 polling stations to decide the fate of eight candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats — Arunachal West and Arunachal East.

A 30-member team of polling personnel was flown in advance on April 10 to Vijaynagar under Arunchal East constituency for conducting polling in three stations in the remote and inaccessible administrative circle along the India-Myanmar border, which has no road, no electricity and no phone and is reached by air.

Polling will also be held for the two Lok Sabha seats of Meghalaya — Shillong and Tura — in the first phase. Altogether 12,77,739 voters will decide the fate of 11 candidates. For the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland, there are three contestants. Altogether 13,21,878 voters will exercise their franchise in 1,790 stations while for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram, which too is going tZo the polls on April 16. A total of 62,93,84 electors will decide the fate of four contestants. Polling will also be held in the first phase for the Outer Manipur constituency, where 90,94,34 electors exercise their franchise.

NNC warns “outsiders” from meddling in Naga affairs

IMPHAL, Mar 2 : The Federal Government of Nagaland,FGN, the political wing of the NNC in a press release said it has taken stock of “the ongoing activities of some Naga non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and decided that it would be inappropriate to participate in the various talking-shops ostensibly aimed to stimulate discussions and debate on the state of affairs in our country.”

Whilst the Yehzabo of Nagaland upholds the fundamental rights of the Naga people, including freedom of expression, our people must remain vigilant to any attempt, wittingly or otherwise, by some self-appointed entities purporting to serve the interest of Nagaland, the release said.

It said “despite the unremitting massive Indian occupation army in Nagaland, FGN endeavour to maintain tranquillity in our country.”

“The Naga National Council (NNC) and FGN immutably vested with the mandate of Naga nation will stay focus on the fundamental cause of the unresolved conflict with India . That said, a section of Naga people clearly found greed irresistible and could be seen fallen for enemy political entrapment. Hence this statement is to make  our people aware, in particular, those with limited knowledge of our national stand,” it said

As for the Naga Nation, nothing has changed nor will be changed, it added.

The release cautioned the Nagas on certain issues, including the fact that the Naga people never conceded sovereignty to a foreign power from ancient time; that in accordance with Naga democratic tradition, the Naga people universally opted for a single national identity on 16 May 1951 and unequivocally affirmed the independence of Nagaland declared earlier on 14 August 1947;  furthermore, the 1951 national mandate immutably entrusted with the NNC was broadened following the consent given by the Regional leaders of the then Free Nagas for a federation duly enshrined in the Yehzabo of Nagaland in 1956; in compliance to the Yehzabo, the Federal Government of Nagaland was established vested with full legal authority; and in best Naga tradition of honouring one`s pledge, the brave Naga patriots unflinchingly defended Naga independence regardless of the disparity of forces and thwarted the Indian aggressors from annexing Nagaland to date.

It said Nagas “will never forget the Naga patriots who sacrificed their lives for our freedom since the Indian army flagrantly invaded Nagaland in 1954.” The Yehzabo of Nagaland provide for every Naga by birth as equal regardless of sex or age, and every Naga is responsible to perform his/her part to uphold and protect Naga identity, tradition and sovereignty. A true Naga love Nagaland by deed, it said.

Thus a Naga who undertook oath of allegiance to the Indian Constitution clearly betray Naga nation. And as an agent of India , cannot serve the interest of Nagaland, it said.

It also cautioned that the Naga people are in Nagaland, and the Indian aggressors cannot resolve the conflict with an entity with no case history.  Meanwhile, any Naga who attempt to subvert the authority of the FGN and NNC shall be judged according to the National Resolution passed on 27th April, 1955 at Lakhuti which read:

‘Any person or persons who in order to destroy or undermine the integrity and well being of Nagaland, and who for this purpose act, abet or set up organisation(s) against or oppose the political, administrative and traditional institutions of the nation, or an attempt to do so, whether with or without the aid of another country or countries, shall be deemed to have committed TREASON’.

ZU supports suspension of Tamenglong DC

IMPHAL, Feb 13 : The Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) has said that the people of Tamenglong in general and Zeliangrong in particular have welcomed the suspension of Devesh Deval, DC Tamenglong and the posting of RH Gonmei, a local bureaucrat as DC Tamenglong.

It said that the DC`s suspension was supported by various social organisations as he was responsible for delay in submission of action plan following the development seminar held at Tamenglong under the ministry of commerce, delay in implementation of BRGF, diversion of fund for development of urban infrastructure in hill areas, delay in submission of action plan of multi-sectoral development programme, lack of coordination with the public leaders and his own staff, inept handling of law and order, inefficiency and frequent absence from office, delay in procurement of rice meant for distribution among victims of rodent menace and advance withdrawal of BRGF money amounting to Rs. 28 lakhs.

The people were also against the non-distribution of compensation money to the land owners for construction of NF railway line from Jiribam to Tupul.

The ZU has in light of the above complaints asked for a inquiry from the government`s side and punishment of the suspended DC in case he was found guilty.