Manipur News

AIZAWL, Jan 13 NNN: University of Minnesota, USA and Mizoram University may work together in the field of research in the near future.
The proposal on this was made here by the four-member expert team from University of Minnesota, USA who are presently in Mizoram for conducting study on the flagship
programme in the state, called New Land Use Policy (NLUP).
The visiting team of professors, while meeting with Mizoram University Vice Chancellor, Prof. R. Lalthantluanga and Head of Dept. in the Vice Chancellor’s Office yesterday,
discussed on the possibility of collaboration in the field of research, exchange of faculty members and students. The proposal made by the visiting team of Professors from University of Minnesota was welcomed by the Mizoram University Vice Chancellor. As said in the meeting, follow-up actions will be taken in due course of time to enable the two universities to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The expert team, after meeting the the Mizoram University Vice Chancellor, left for Reiek village to have interaction with the village leaders and NGOs. After that, the team will proceed on to Khawrihnim the next morning to study NLUP through field visit.
As reported earlier, the four-member expert team comprises Prof. Karlyn Eckman, Prof. Dean Current, Prof. Joe Magner and Prof. Michelle Sherman.Getting back to Aizawl today afternoon, they will stay in Aizawl on Sunday and Monday, and will attend the observation of Farmers’ Day programmed to be held at Vanapa Hall on Monday.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/university-of-minnesota-and-mzu-may-collaborate/

DIMAPUR, Jan 13 NNN: The two-day National Consultation on the Naga peace process and the possible outcome held at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, Delhi on January 12 and 13 stressed for the need the solution must also be to the satisfaction of all the Naga peoples, and therefore fulfil their long-standing demand for integration of all Naga areas which are currently divided over four different States- Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Assam.
“In this, the Government of India must display statesmanship and leadership in taking the matter forward with the different state governments concerned, rather than putting the onus on the Naga civil society and the Government of Nagaland. A solution which does not recognise the right of the Nagas to live together as one people is unacceptable,” said the press communique jointly issued by Keviletuo Kiewhuo, president of Naga Hoho and E Deena Dayalayan, member ‘Indian Civil Societies’.
The two-day event was participated by members of civil society from across the Naga areas as well as from India.
“Fifteen years have passed since the Nagas and the Govt. of India entered into a ceasefire and commenced their search for a political solution to the long standing aspirations of the Naga people for self-determination. The ceasefire that was being extended from time to time was agreed in March 2007 to be a continuous process subject to the progress of the political talk. Civil society is concerned with the delay in finding a solution to the Naga political demands and urges the government and the parties concerned to expedite and find a solution to the satisfaction of the long standing Naga demands,” the joint press communique said.
According to the Naga Hoho and the ‘Indian Civil Societies joint note, a deep concern was raised regarding the lack of transparency in the ongoing peace process, even while it appears that there is reason to hope that a solution is close at hand. It would be in the interests of a substantive and sustainable solution for the process to be made more transparent, since these are issues that are of deep concern to the people. Recently, the complete house of the Nagaland Legislature have also communicated to the Prime Minister of India that the need of the hour is ‘solution not election’. It is imperative that this solution is arrived at urgently and that no elections are held until there is clarity on the contours of the political arrangement, Keviletuo Kiewhuo and E Deena Dayalan added.
It stated that the increased deployment of the security forces during the ceasefire is deprecated. The consultation also expressed its apprehension regarding increased military intervention in civil administration and developmental processes, or welfare functions, in Naga areas. Any solution to the Naga issue must entail a complete withdrawal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, and a visible reduction in the physical presence of the Indian armed forces from the Naga areas.
The consultation resolved to continue to work together towards a peace that is just and honourable, and founded on principles of democratic governance, and urged upon the parties on the negotiating table at this historic juncture to address the concerns of the Naga people.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/naga-consultative-meeting-held/

DIMAPUR, Jan 13 NNN : The NSCN-IM has pledged today to root out the rapists and murderers in ‘Nagalim’ (Land of the Nagas). On Sunday, the NSCN-IM in a statement issued by its ‘home secretary’ DG Robert said the repeated incidents of rape and murder is a natter of serious concern for the outfit. “By Naga culture women are held in high esteem in the society.But what is happening now against women where rape and murder is becoming common occurrence is reflecting a damning
degradation of our social values where morality has been disregarded in the most shameful manner not seen before,” the NSCN-IM ‘home secretary’ said. The Naga outfit while condemning such violence against women in ‘Nagalim’ said the NSCN-IM will no longer sit idle as mere spectator but strive to root out the social evils-the rapists and murderers.
“Every effort will henceforth be made to eradicate these anti-human elements from our society.We expresses our appreciation to the Gorkhas in Nagalim for boldly taking the initiative to rise in protest against the rapists and murderers to demand justice.We support them and shall cooperate with them in order to bring the social perpetrators to be dealt as per the law of the land. No effort will be spared and befitting punishment awarded to the culprits,” DG Robert stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nscn-vows-to-root-out-rapists-murderers/