NAGALAND Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is prepared to make way for a new power structure for the sake of peace after a deal struck between New Delhi and the NSCN. “As of now, we are not fully aware of the details of the peace deliberations. But, my Government is ready to act as a facilitator and clear the way to usher in peace in Nagaland,” says Rio.

Commenting on S. C. Jamir’s tirade that no lasting peace was going to come by talking to just IM alone, Rio said: “That view is partially true. But, let the peace process start somewhere. For the record, initiatives are being taken for peace talks between K and the Centre as well.”

“Unlike Jamir’s Congress Government, my dispensation is keen to bring in all Naga rebel factions to the negotiating table to usher in lasting peace. Our policy is to try and understand the problems of the rebels, address them and thereby try to end the problem by acting as a catalyst to bring about an acceptable solution,” observes Rio.

About Mokokchung incidents where civilians vented their ire against K top-brass and cadres, the Chief Minister said: “That happened because the rebels were not fully adhering to the laid down ceasefire ground rules.” Rio has a word of advice to the bureaucracy. He told secretaries and heads of department that there would be no excuse for officials neglecting duty.

“You, the bureaucracy have a crucial role in bringing to reality the vision of change and in implementing the policies and programmes of the Government. Live up to the expectation. Efficiency, effectiveness and integrity should be your hallmark in taking the benefits of development to the people at the grass roots”.

The Chief Minister pointed out that unlike in the past, there was no difficulty in releasing the budgeted funds whenever needed. With the co-operation of a “friendly” government at the Centre, Nagaland has obtained a one-time grant to wipe out the deficit of the past. There would be no excuses for delay in execution of plan and non-plan schemes. Any delay would have to be accounted for and responsibility fixed.

He asked officials to keep the minister in-charge correctly informed of all-important issues particularly in personnel and financial matters and act in accordance with prescribed rules. Rio is unhappy at the high cost of construction of Government buildings as compared to private buildings of the same specifications. So he has set up a committee

under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary (Transport and Communications) to examine the issue. Naga peace talks at dead end: Jamir FORMER Nagaland Chief Minister S. C. Jamir believes that the peace talks between the Centre and NSCN (IM) had not made any headway in the last six years. His reson is simple. “No substantive issue has been discussed”, he argues. ”So far no substantive issue was discussed; after every meeting a joint statement is issued where the last line says the talks ended in deadlock,” former chief minister remarks taking a dig at his successor in Kohima.

Killing, extortions and all sorts of unlawful activates are on the rise ever since the Rio government took over, says Jamir, who is often described as the ‘stumbling block’ to the peace process. The problem is not differences between the two factions of the NSCN (IM); it is much more deeper, he adds.

Unbelievable it may sound but reality is really bitter. The IM is behind the latest immigrant inflows from Bangladesh into Nagaland. This is not hear say nor an allegation but a ‘disclosure’ by the proud owners of work permits issued by the IM.

There are also reports of IM getting deeply involved in extortion racket. 6 Bihar Regiment has come up with hard evidence. It has made some arrests on Dimapur-Dhansiripar Road in May. One of the arrested, Aron Chishi, of Keyoto village had in his possession receipts for collections from sand and timber trucks. These receipts were signed by IM ‘capt’ Phutoyi Sumi. Extortions on the day of Aron arrest totalled Rs 3,420.

Aron Chishi told the troops that he was only doing the bidding of his ‘capt’ Phutoyi Sumi. He was hired for the job. Besides the ‘captain’ others involved in the racket at the local level were Rüzapeyu (IM), also of Keyoto village. The search of ‘Capt’ Phutoyi house led to the recovery of a large number of documents relating to extortion in Dhansiripar Sub-Division (Dimapur district) and 16 work permit cards issued to ‘Bangladeshi Muslims’ on yearly contract basis.

These work permits clearly indicate IM support to illegal immigration of Bangladeshi Muslims to Nagaland, thereby denying rights to the sons of the soil in the long run. The seized ‘extortion documents’ reveal interesting insights into IM working. The accounts show some of the collections were earmarked for the personal expenditure of IM security. Almost all villages have paid Rs 5 per female as tax,, which, is not only very ‘disturbing’ but also ‘degrading’ too. Documentary evidence on this account was found with the village ‘Gaonburrahs’ (headman) giving the total amount along with the female census of their villages to the ‘capt’. is very orderly and systematic. The ‘seized’ ledgers show h show IM accounting is very orderly and systematic. Comprehensive details of extortion from business community, rice mill and shop owners are put to record.

Dimapur Police have arrested a person by the name Kiyelu Angami on charge of extorting money from a Muslim, Md Salim Ahmed. Angami is a resident of Hotoi village. He was formerly with IM. He tried to force Salim to part with money. When he pointed a gun Salim raised alarm. Others joined in and the police swooped on him. He could have escaped by firing his pistol and thus scaring the people. Bad luck haunted him. He pressed the trigger but it did not work. The trigger was jammed.

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