Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Swu invites Khaplang’s deputy to Bangkok: Kohima, May 2: Two decades of hostilities later, the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim has invited Khole Konyak, commander-in-chief of its long-time bete noire NSCN (Khaplang), for talks in Bangkok. This is not the first time, though, that the NSCN (I-M) has written to the top leader of NSCN (K). In the past, too, several letters have been written to NSCN (K) chairman S.S. Khaplang and Konyak, but the manner and style of writing the letters had displeased the Khaplang group’s policy-makers. Highly placed sources said Konyak has received a letter from the chairman of the NSCN (I-M) Isak Chishi Swu inviting him to come to Bangkok for talks to push forward the ongoing reconciliation and unification process among the Naga warring groups. However, there were no details about the letter sent by Swu, but sources said its purpose was to iron out the differences and push forward the reconciliation and unity process initia...

Bird-flu result negative: A bird-flu awareness campaign was organised by Joint Director, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry on Tuesday at Moirang Lamkhai following reports of death of fowls in the area. Blood samples from five bulbuls were collected for testing even as samples from other poultries could not be collected as the dead fowls were not available. Meanwhile, results of the samples from the dead Magpies collected from Maharabi were found negative. The results have come from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal. Unity Team in Dimapur: The team which has embarked on a tour on the theme of Love, Peace and Unity has reached Dimapur, said a statement by the organising body, Young Horizon, on Tuesday. The rallyists who were flagged off on January 30 from Kangla to promote peace, love and unity amongst the people was welcomed by the Naga community of Nagaland Naga community of Nagaland with love and encouraging words, said the statement. The Manipur Cultural Society, Kohi...

Bullet in beer smuggler's leg: Imphal, Dec 29: As a follow up action to setting ablaze a truck laden with smuggled can-beer at Thoubal on December 25, the owner of the truck, who surrendered to the proscribed outfit RPF, was paraded before mediapersons somewhere in Senapati district on Saturday before punishing him with a bullet on his left calf. Along with having found out that the can-beer were smuggled in from Myanmar, the details of the cash amount and other gifts allegedly given to police personnel and AR posts for giving safe passage to the smuggled goods have come to light. Parading the truck owner identified as Thounaojam Inao alias Dhananjoy (35) s/o Thounaojam Budhi of Khongjom Papal, a spokesperson of department of communication and publicity of the proscribed outfit informed that Inao would be shot on his leg as punishment for defying the prohibition on foreign liquor and drug trafficking imposed by RPF with the support of the people since 1990. Inao was found with a bu...

Rio asks Nagas to rise above parochialism: Kohima, Dec 25: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has called upon the people to rise above narrow parochialism to broaden their outlook. Conveying his Christmas greetings, Mr Rio wanted all Nagas to eschew violence, ill will, hatred and all negative thoughts in the same way as God sent His goodwill towards mankind through his son Jesus on the first Christmas night. ''May God give all of us a forgiving heart, the wisdom and the vision so that the state could move in its right direction, and towards the right destination,'' he prayed. Calling upon all Nagas to introspect, and let Jesus be born in their hearts, Rio appealed to all to rededicate oneself to spread Gods love and affection all round in the true Christian spirit of ''forgive and forget'' as Christ has forgiven all of us. Source: United News of India (UNI)

NPA, Rio fight battle of Kohima in Delhi: Dimapur: With the state plunging into political uncertainty following the December 13 vote of no confidence motion and subsequent political developments in Nagaland, the Union Cabinet is expected to decide on the report of the Governor K.Sankaranarayanan by Thursday. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nephiu Rio has rushed back to the state after attending the National Development Council meeting in New Delhi, where he also held a series of discussions with leaders of UPA partners -- NCP, LJP and the Left. CPI general secretary AB Bardhan was reportedly opposed to President’s Rule in the state. On Tuesday, a delegation of the Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) led by its leader I. Imkong, CLP leader, had also met several central ministers and AICC functionaries demanding installation of an alternative government by the newly formed NPA. In Dimapur, the Dimapur District Congress Committee had reportedly resolved at a meeting held on Wednesday that par...

Six Naga MLAs quit Assembly: Kohima, Dec. 12: Six legislators of the Nagaland People’s Front, the major constituent of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), resigned from the Assembly on Wednesday, ahead of a crucial session on Thursday. Nagaland Speaker Kiyanielie Peseyie said he had received the resignation letters of Kihoto Hollohon, Kipili Sangtam, Nkhao Lotha, Tarie Zeliang, Kheto Sema and Hewoto Sema. Peseyie, however, said there was no threat whatsoever to the ruling DAN government and that it would complete its full tenure. The Assembly polls are slated for February. “There is no threat to the government. We are comfortable,” the Speaker said. With the resignation of the six legislators, the total strength of the DAN government has been reduced to 27 (NPF 22, BJP 4 and one Independent). The legislators later called on Governor K. Sankaranarayanan and reportedly urged him to accept the no-confidence motion in the Assembly tomorrow. The motion will be initiated by the...

Naga factions come together, declare truce: Kohima, Dec 7: In a historic development, the warring Naga underground factions have agreed to an inter-factional ceasefire for six months starting from today in Kohima. The representatives from NSCN-IM, NSCN-K and NNC have unanimously resolved to accept and pursue peace amongst all the different groups without any discrimination on the line of tribes or places. The joint meeting organized by the Joint Forum Working Committee of Nagaland Gaon Buras Federation and Nagaland Dobashis Association with Naga National groups to maintain peace was held in the Red Cross Conference Hall, Kohima. Full Story: Another Story: