Russia annexes 4 regions of Ukraine

New Delhi 

It is being billed as the largest forcible takeover of territory in Europe since the second World War.

"Taken together, Russia is annexing at least 40,000 square miles of eastern and southern Ukraine, about 15% of Ukraine’s total area, equal to the size of Portugal or Serbia," says 'The Guardian' newspaper.

Can Modi and Pope 'ensure' Peace? 

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the “accession treaties” formalising Russia’s annexation of four occupied regions in Ukraine – Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk.

"The people have made their choice. An unequivocal choice … This is the will of millions of people,” Putin said, adding that the citizens of the four occupied regions would be part of Russia “forever”.

After signing the treaties, the Russian-installed heads of the four regions gathered around Putin, linking hands and joining chants of “Russia! Russia!” with the applauding audience.

Putin addressed crowds in Moscow’s Red Square, where he vowed to “do everything” to “raise the level of security” 

in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk. 

The Russian leader claimed people in the four regions had made a choice to rejoin their “historic motherland”. 

International media said that Putin has insisted that Russia’s position on annexing the four territories was 

non-negotiable and he called on the Kyiv regime in Ukraine to immediately cease fire and all military action.

He further said that Russia will defend them “with all the forces and means at our disposal.”

Western leaders have condemned Russia’s annexations as illegal, and the “referendums’’ that preceded them

– purporting to show local support for joining Russia– as fraudulent.

US President Joe Biden was quick to denounce Putin’s actions to annex the four territories, saying they “have no legitimacy’’.

NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, described Putin’s land grab as the “most serious escalation” since the war began.

European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said the annexation declaration “won’t change anything”. 

“All territories illegally occupied by Russian invaders are Ukrainian land and will always be part of this 

sovereign nation,” she said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Putin’s speech on Friday by announcing that he was fast-tracking his country’s application to the NATO alliance. “We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accelerated accession to NATO,”  he said. 

ends 

AFSPA provisions extended in nine districts for six months in Nagaland ::: Also extended in Arunachal

 New Delhi

 Amid "considerable progress" in the ongoing and long pending Naga peace talks,
 the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday extended the provisions AFSPA for six more months beginning October 1 in Nagaland.

The AFSPA provisions which give ample powers to security forces would
be applicable in nine districts -- Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima,
Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Zunheboto.

It will be also applicable in regions under 16 police stations in four

other districts -- Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng and Wokha.

 Observers say three districts of Phek, Shamator and Tuensang are now

outside the

 provisions of AFSPA. In 2021 December there were strong protest

across the state

 after army personnel killed native Konyak miners in a botched up

anti-insurgency operation in Mon district.

  Areas in Nagaland falling under Khuzama. Kohima North, Kohima South,

Zubza and

  Kezocha police stations in Kohima district, Mangkolemba,

Mokokchung-1, Longtho, Tuli,

  Longchem and Anaki C police stations in Mokokchung district, Yanglok

police station

  in Longleng district and Bhandari, Champang, Ralan and Sungro police

stations in Wokha district will also fall under AFSPA and Disturbed

Areas Act.

In another notification, the centrak government said the application

of the "disturbed area" under the AFSPA will continue for six more

months from Saturday (Oct 1, 2022) in Tirap, Changlang and Longding

districts and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and

Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh,

bordering Assam.

In some of these pockets there are substantial presence of Naga population.

 The Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh have few months back backed NNPG's

initiatives for an early solution.

 Meanwhile, the peace emissary in Naga peace talks, A K Mishra, will

meet NNPG leaders  including N Kitovi Zhimomi for the second round of

meeting since the first on Wednesday.

 "Talks are making good progress and the centre is keen for One

Agreement, One Solution," a source said.

  The reduction of jurisdiction of AFSPA came in April 2022 following

the recommendation of a high-level committee constituted to examine

the possibility of lifting of the AFSPA after the killing of 14

civilians by the Army in Mon district

Fresh churning : Redefining Hindu-Muslim ties and what happes to cow slaughter

New Delhi 

There is intense debate these days in certain quarters on the need to redefine Hindu-Muslim relationship.Some of it is okay and could be encouraged but most part is unnecessary. A group of Muslim intellectuals are busy playing 'victim card' and hence would insist thatso-called corrective steps ought to come from the majority that is the Hindus.

They also very fashionably ignore "Hindu grievances" - both of past and present realms - and would demand knee-jerk reactions from the government of the day on certain contentious issuessuch as the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA).

Essentially, thus, we find there is not much change on ground. The Muslim angle to the 'New India'story is --- Muslims have been pushed to second class category. Issues like mob lynching or Hinduanguish against cow slaughters are being given twist and almost a googly spins.

A group of them recently met a key Hindu leader and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Some 'information' onthe interaction has been shared in media articles and interviews. On the other hand came a book titled,'Unmasking Indian Secularism: Why We Need A New Hindu-Muslim Deal'.

Penned by Hasan Surror, this book tries to push a dangerous line that two major communitiesin India (80 percent Hindus and 20 percent Muslims) need to strike a 'deal'. The narrative is built up on a notion that Muslims are 'not safe' and that there is "no equal rights" in the public space. 

 According to the Rupa Publications, this book presents - "An incisive analysis of why secularism failed and the rise of majoritarian Hindu nationalism, it underlines the urgent need for a new road map to restore communal harmony before it’s too late for course correction".

The agenda is clear - lampoon the Modi government and find fault lines with the likes of RSS and BJP.

 The book extract is more vitriolic- "There is no shame in accepting that India has changed and the 1950s Nehruvian model of western-style liberal/secular democracy is no longer in sync with today’s ‘new’ India."

In other words, the author implies Muslims existed happily in 'liberal/secular democracy' of Nehru cultbut there is deliberate escapism from genocide of Hindus in Kashmir and numerous riotsthat took place till the advent of an assertive BJP in 2014.

Of course the argument of the author is while Muslim clerics the Mollahs and their patrons were "appeased",the common Muslims did not gain. The book admits Muslims, too, have not gained from policies of “secular parties” like the Congress that has kept them poor, dependent and fearful.

Another opinion is also equally dangerous. The author says adopting a secular Constitution played a laudatory role in extending a sense of security to a traumatised minority, unsure of its place in a Hindu-majority country. 

There is perhaps no admission that partition was a mistake or an act of "gross anti-nationalism". 

There is till now hardly any explanation from such intellectuals that dividing a country simply in thepretext of safeguarding one's own community interest is uncalled for.

In contrast, Hindus regard the nation as "mother" and that's something to be loved and worshipped and for the nation every citizen should be ready to make the utmost sacrifice.

Even now in 2022 and so on, there are issues. One, Hindus are called 'Kafirs' by Muslims and this descriptionis not out of love. It symbolises 'us-and-they' syndrome giving a pious-religious spin and also suggeststhat only the Muslim way/road map is acceptable. 

Of course in a recent interview former CEC S Y Qureshi and former Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung  have sort of assured that Muslims would not use the word 'kafir' and also that perhaps that Muslims would not have any problem giving up eating beef. 

Law, Cow slaughter and Indian states:

# The states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Delhi prohibit cattle slaughter, including bulls and bullocks of all ages.

** There is no central or Union Government/Parliament that has enacted laws for cattle slaughter.    Thus,  most states and union territories have developed 'dissimilar legislation', including different legal definitions for calves, bulls, and bullocks. 

##  West Bengal permits cattle slaughter if the animal is at least 14 years of age and receives a ‘fit-for-slaughter’ certificate from the local state authorities. 

** Assam had similar laws earlier. However, the Assam Cattle Preservation Act of 2021 prohibits the slaughter of cows, calves and heifer (a cow that has borne zero or one calf). - The law provides that the state government may exempt certain places of worship or religious occasions for 

slaughter of other cattle but not cows, heifer and calves.

** Kerala allows for cattle slaughter for animals that are unfit for work, cannot breed, or are permanently injured.

** No such law in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Lakshadweep.

## Offenders can be arrested without a warrant in Delhi, Goa, Puducherry, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. A few stateslaw say even bail can be denied.

Inset::** AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi flayed a group of five Muslim leaders who took up the so-calledissue of establishing dialogue between Hindus and Muslims. He said these leaders were "elite" and were far from ground reality.

** RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat interacted with other Muslim leaders too. On Sept 22, he met chief cleric of the All-India Imam Organization Umer Ahmed Ilyasi at a mosque in Delhi. -- He also paid a visit to the Madarsa Tajweedul Quran in north Delhi.

** Cow slaughter is banned in most parts of India long before the BJP came to power. "..... we said it is banned practically across the country. The Muslims are law-abiding and if anyone violates it, it is a huge mistake and there should be punishment," Quraishi said recently.

Is Pan Naga Hoho again a bone of contention?

Art 371 (A) a necessary provision

 New Delhi

Nagaland Page link

  The contentious Pan Naga Hoho reportedly figured more than once at the series of meetings peace emissary A K Mishra has held with Naga groups and key stakeholders during last one week.

The government of India finds it "okay" if the proposed body remains confined to socio-cultural and historical activities. But New Delhi does not favour giving  any 'statutory power' to the same as creating any such body with legislative and executive powers would also go against the spirit and certain provisions of the Article  371 (A).

Are some elements not pleased to see a much cherished Article like 371 (A) guaranteed to Nagas of Nagaland? 

Mishra, who met NNPG leaders including convener N Kitovi Zhimomi, is likely to meet the leaders and working committee members of the NNPG again.

The NSCN-IM delegation led by V S Atem is camping in Delhi since Sept 19 and has held a series of meetings with Mishra. 

Sources say a senior politician associated with a key state-based party has also suggested to underground groups that making Pan Naga Hoho a cultural body would be easier.

"In fact, for such a cultural body there is no need for any approval or formal sanction from the Government of India. The civil society groups and intellectuals can meet and give it a formal shape. In fact, Nagas not only from Indian states but from across the globe can join it," a source said.
  

A few years back, during the stint of R S Pandey as the chief negotiator as well, it was suggested that membership to a Pan Naga Hoho cultural body could be "strictly voluntary".

 "People should not have any negative mindset or doubts about Pan Naga Hoho as at best it could be a voluntary body without any statutory provision," someone in the know of things suggested.  
 

Sources maintained that the parleys are on track and though at a snail pace, things are moving positively.  The government of India is more than keen to ensure an early signing of a peace pact.

"The Talks are being held and handled in such a manner that the proposed final peace agreement shall be sole pact and it would also result in a singular and convincing solution," the source added.

The Article 371 of the Indian Constitution is connected to granting special provisions for some states of the Indian Union. Ranging from Article 371-A to Article 371-J, this provision gives special powers/rights for the states of Nagaland, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Karnataka. 

The main objectives behind the Article 371 granting special provisions to some states are to meet the unique needs of the backward regions of these states, protect the economic and cultural interests. 

The Article 371-C – pertains to Special provisions for the state of Manipur. Similarly, Article  371 - G relates to Mizoram and 371-H relates to Arunachal Pradesh.

 In 2019 after Art 370 was abrogated, amid apprehensions Home Minister Amit Shah on Aug 6th assured the far-flung northeast region that the Centre has no plans to change or dilute the provisions of Article 371 related to seven states including Nagaland.

''There are clear differences between Article 370 and Artcle 371,'' Mr Shah had said in Lok Sabha.

''By comparing Article 370 with Article 371, you are misleading the country...while Article 370 was a temporary arrangement, the Article 371 which deals with several states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram talks about only special provisions,'' he had said.

 ends 

    ends 

    

 

-- 

Govt appoints Lt Gen (Retd) Anil Chauhan as new CDS

   New Delhi

    The centre on Wednesday, Sept 28, appointed retired Lt Gen Anil Chauhan as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
Hailing from Gorkha Rifles, Lt Gen Chauhan has worked during his stint in the service closely with previous CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and with NSA Ajit Doval.

   There was a nine months void in such a critical appointment. Lt Gen Chauhan

had retired earlier as chief of Eastern Command.

 "The Government has decided to appoint Lt General Anil Chauhan

(Retired) PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM as the next Chief of Defence Staff

(CDS) who shall also function as Secretary to Government of India,

Department of Military Affairs with effect from the date of his

assumption of charge and until further orders," the official statement

said.

 In a career spanning over nearly 40 years, Lt Gen Chauhan had held

several command, staff and instrumental appointments and had extensive

experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and

North-East India.

 Born on 18th May 1961, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan was commissioned into the

11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. He is an alumnus of the

National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy,

Dehradun. In the rank of Maj General, the officer had commanded an

Infantry Division in the critical Baramula sector in the Northern

Command. Later as Lt General, he commanded a corps in the North East

and subsequently went to become the General Officer

Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command from September 2019 and

held the charge until his retirement from the service in May 2021.

  ends

Banning PFI is .... "not the way to tackle this problem", says CPI-M

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the

following statement:

On PFI Ban

The Popular Front of India (PFI) is an organization which holds extremist

views and has been indulging in violent activities against its perceived

opponents.  The CPI(M) has been strongly opposed to these extremist views

and has always condemned the violent activities of the PFI.

However, the notification of the PFI as an unlawful association under the
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) is not the way to tackle this
problem.  Past experience has shown that bans on organisations like the RSS
and the Maoists were not effective. 

There has to be firm administrative

action under the existing laws against the  PFI whenever it indulges in

illegal or violent activities.  Its sectarian and divisive ideology must be

exposed and fought politically among the people. 

The PFI and the RSS have been engaged in killings and retaliatory killings

in Kerala and coastal Karnataka, vitiating the atmosphere with a view to

create communal polarization.  There are also extremist organisations like

the Sanatan Sanstha and the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, elements of whom have

been implicated in the killings of noted secular writers and personalities.

All these forces, whether they represent extremist majority or minority

groups, must be combated by utilizing the regular laws of the land and by

firm administrative action. 

Maintaining the secular-democratic character of the Republic by countering

such forces must be the prime duty of those who exercise power and are sworn

to uphold the Constitution.   

 Govt bans Popular Front of India, associates !! Fund raising & radicalisation projects: Foreign Angle

New Delhi 

The Central government has declared Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associates and affiliates as an 

unlawful association with immediate effect for a period of five years. 

A notification from the Union Home Ministry said the PFI and its associates and affiliates including Rehab India 

Foundation, Campus Front of India, All India Imams Council, National Confederation of Human Rights Organization, 

National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation, and Rehab Foundation, Kerala have been involved in the violent terrorist activities with an intent to create a reign of terror in the country. 

It said that the government is of the opinion that if there is no immediate curb of unlawful activities of the PFI and 

related fronts, they will use this opportunity to continue the subversive activities thereby disturbing public order and 

undermining the constitutional setup of the country. 

It further said that the PFI and associates could also encourage and enforce terror-based regressive regimes 

and continue propagating anti-national sentiments and radicalize a particular section of society with the 

intention to create disaffection against the country. 

In view of this, the Minister said, it is necessary to declare that the PFI and its associates, affiliates, and 

fronts as unlawful association with immediate effect.

In raids in multiple states on Sept 27, Tuesday, 247 people belonging to PFI from seven states were arrested. 

During the raids, the investigating agencies including ED and NIA have got enough evidence against the PFI. 

For this reason, a recommendation was made by the investigating agencies to ban PFI.

The government action follows a series of raids on PFI offices and residences of their leaders and

associates across India.

Fund raising & radicalisation projects: Foreign Angle

Like most devilish anti-India designs, the PFI fund-raising and radicalisation aspects have

foreign angles and countries such as Oman, UAE and Qatar are in focus of the investigations

by NIA and other agencies.

Sources say while real estate players in Abu Dhabi have allegedly helped PFI with generous

donations, in some countries such as Saudi Arabia, the PFI members connect to Indian Muslims 

on the pretext of 'helping them' with logistics and other assistance.

However, in most cases, the actual purpose is to "radicalise" Indian Muslims often with doctored videos and

photographs.

The funds and 'sources' of the same have been kept concealed by the PFI leaders from official agencies.

Often the money has been used to trigger anti-BJP and anti-Modi government protests in various

parts of the country.

"During CAA agitation in 2019-2020, the PFI network has played a considerable role.

The new amendments have nothing to do with Muslim citizens of India but a deliberate widespread

campaign was launched to misinterpret the legislation....The PFI and its associates also created a number of dummy organisations," a source said, adding some organisations were even floated showing bases in some Gulf

countries.

The sources said that a number of PFI workers have travelled to the UAE in the last two-three years.

The purpose was allegedly to collect funds and finetune the network with operatives in other Gulf

countries. A few people also had nexus in Turkey, the source said.

Huge cash was allegedly sent to India through the Hawala route.

The sources said that NRIs' accounts were being used by the PFI members to send

funds from Gulf countries. After receiving the fund, the member would transfer it to

another account from where they would withdraw it.

Some operatives also got in touch with their contacts in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

There are at least three 'front organisations' of the PFI that have come under the scanner of the NIA probe.

They are Indian Social Forum (ISF), Rehab India Foundation (RIF) and India Fraternity Forum.

There are a few other organisations operating in different countries.

The Kuwait Indian Social Forum is run by so-called annual membership, subscriptions and donations.

It claims that all of these funds are primarily intended to ‘aid’ the Muslim cause. The group works on

'radicalisation project' using videos of anti-Muslim violence and episodes such as the demolition of the

Babri structure in 1992.

The Cultural Forum is another influential networking-based organisation working amongst

Malayali community in Qatar.

On Tuesday, Sept 27, raids were conducted in Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra and 

Uttar Pradesh. 

In state-wide raids in Karnataka, more than 75 PFI workers of its political wing Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI)

leaders were taken into preventive custody.

The NIA and ED and other central agencies conducted massive raids against the PFI on September 22. 

The NIA had arrested over 106 members of the PFI during its largest-ever raids. 

ends  

From devastation to development : Collective trigger : Kutch region in Gujarat makes quantum leap

(They made plans, collected their thoughts, formulated their arguments, debated over issues and finally implemented the plans. The result is that Kutch is transformed. It is held up aptly as a showpiece of the 'Gujarat model' of development under 'four-time chief minister Narendra Modi'.) 

New Delhi 

It's always heartening to find the Kutch region of Gujarat in its present style, confidence and form.

Heartening; because deep down as a journalist one knows that some people - a visionary and the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and other stakeholders including officials and Modi's colleagues worked hard in this quake-devastated region.

They took the pains, collected their thoughts, formulated their arguments, debated over issues and finally drew out plans and implemented them.

The result is that Kutch is transformed. It is held up aptly as a showpiece of the 'Gujarat model' of development that four-time chief minister Narendra Modi brought into his home state.

The Bhuj and adjoining areas saw the killer devastating earthquake in 2000. This scribe has been witness to all that shattered hamlets like Anjar. But Modi's vision and determination turned the tragedy into an opportunity for the desert region.

The Kutch Rann Utsav is a runaway success. Media reports said in 2020 that the festival has enriched the state’s treasury by Rs 81.15 crore and the grand show has found a platform to the local arts and crafts vendors to sell their products.

According to an estimate, the numbers of tourists have seen an exponential rise to 14.80 lakh till 2018-19 from 

the 2.85 lakh gathering recorded in the year 2005 when the extravaganza was first launched. 

The Kutch region transformed. One impact, locals say, is that the emigration has stopped and hundreds of

native people who during the killer tremor and later have returned. 

Kutch actually also benefited partly from a special tax holiday offered by the central government under 

Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2001 after a huge earthquake left several thousand people dead and the buildings grounded

and the areas devastated.

According to some, a few big power projects and greater commitment shown by the corporate houses 

have been the real factors at the vanguard of the region’s transformation.

Fabrication business has started in a little known Tunda Vandha hamlet. 

In a decade and a few years, Tunda Vandha has graduated from a sleepy village of mud houses 

populated by cattle breeders into a modern and prosperous town.

To a large extent, the changes have been brought by two of India’s largest coal-fired power projects—Tata Power Co. Ltd’s subsidiary Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd (CGPL) that has set up a 4,000 megawatts (MW) plant and Adani Power Ltd has 

built a 4,650 MW power station.

Officials say as the Chief Minister Modi with "inspiration from then President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam" 

had formulated plans to host a festival in Rann of Kutch to attract tourists from the other parts of the country 

and possibly a few neighbouring countries. "Accordingly, the Modi government worked on 

three prime objectives - creating economic opportunity, promoting the natural and cultural beauty of Kutch and 

bringing about social development and infra upliftments in the region".

In August this year during Prime Minister Modi's visit, incumbent Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel

spoke about a few major hurdles faced by the Kutch region.

He had alleged that "urban Naxals" like Medha Patkar had opposed the ambitious Sardar Sarovar dam on 

the Narmada river and the opposition actually aimed to deprive Gujarat and the arid Kutch region of water.

Mr Patel made the comments after the PM inaugurated the Bhuj-Mandvi Narmada branch canal, which has brought 

water to this arid region from the Sardar Sarovar dam in the Narmada district.

"On this occasion, when Narmada water has reached Kutch, we should also remember who were those people who 

had deprived Kutch from getting this water for nearly five decades. We all know who were those urban naxals who 

had opposed the Narmada dam project," remarked CM Patel -- who has the image of a 'common man' for his simpleton

approach to governance and pro-people initiatives.

Notably, the Kutch-Bhuj Canal (KBC) work started in 2008 and it has been built at the cost of Rs 6493 crore. 

It is 357.18-kilometer-long that stretches from the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam in Narmada district 

750 kilometres away, to the last of the villages of Gujarat’s Mandvi taluka, Mod Kuba.

This will benefit the people and farmers of the region by providing water for irrigation to 182 villages that have 

a culturable command area of 1,12,778 hectares (278,561 acres). It will also provide drinking water in 

all 948 villages and 10 towns of the Kutch district.

As it is, the Saurashtra and North Gujarat regions have been receiving Narmada waters through the 

Saurashtra Branch Canal, its six sub-branch canals as well as through the canal network in north 

Gujarat, officials say.

This is also rightly called the region of the Rabari community, which normally is presented worldwide 

as the face of 'Gujarat tourism' posters etc - the women in black ghagra cholis and the men clad in all white, sporting a turban. 

The world of this Rabari community has over the years gone through a sea change and the Bhuj and Kutch region are

now milestones of what India can be if it uses Modi's vision and the Gujarat model of Development.

What PM Modi says about Kutch region:

** "Pakistan attacked the Bhuj airport in the 1971 war, bombed the airstrip and destroyed it completely. In such circumstances, another airstrip was needed in time. The women of Kutch, without caring about their lives, worked overnight to build 

an airstrip for the Indian forces. It is a very important event in history."

** "The Kutch region has been a symbol of women’s power and potential for centuries. Here, Maa Ashapura herself 

resides in the form of Matrushakti. The women here have taught the whole society how to live in the midst of harsh natural challenges...The world has acknowledged the role played by the women of Kutch regarding water conservation by setting up ‘Pani Samiti’ (water committee). The women of Kutch have also kept alive the civilization and culture of Kutch with their tireless hard work. The colors of Kutch, especially the handicraft, are a great example of this". 

Inset:

** Jan 26, 2001, the grand Republic Day parade was on at the national capital.

PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had received the information at the parade venue itself. Next day, among

others, Narendra Modi - then an ordinary BJP karyakarta had visited Bhuj. 

Recalling his visit, in circa 2022, an emotional Modi said that the people here have changed adversity into 

an opportunity. Kutch is an example that India will become a developed nation by 2047, he asserted. 

## PM Modi took a line from superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s advertisement campaign for Gujarat “Kutch nahi dekha 

toh kuchch nahi dekha (You haven’t seen anything if you have not seen Kutch)".

** The carrying capacity of Kutch Branch Canal has been kept as per the requirement of irrigation as well as the

 need for carrying additional one million acre-feet surplus water from different places in Kutch.

ends 

Setback for Uddhav camp as SC allows Election Comm. to decide on ‘real Shiv Sena’

(** Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul argued for Eknath Shinde camp and said - About 1.5 lakh party members have sent their representations to the EC supporting the Shinde group.) 

Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the Shinde group, said there was a pre-poll alliance. Uddhav Thackeray resigned as Chief Minister a day before the floor test. So, it has to be presumed that he lost majority. These facts show that there is no prima facie case for the petitioner, that is the Thackeray camp.

Setback for Uddhav camp as SC allows Election Comm. to decide on ‘real Shiv Sena’

New Delhi 

In a big setback for Uddhav Thackeray, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept 27,  allowed the Election Commission to proceed with the Eknath Shinde group’s plea on recognising them as 'real Shiv Sena' and to use the Sena's official symbol.

A five-judge Bench comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud, M R Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli, and P S Narasimha passed the order after a plea from the Uddhav Thackeray camp which was argued by Kapil Sibal.

"The Interlocutory Application is dismissed,” the court said adding, “We direct that there would be no 

stay of the proceedings before the Election Commission of India". 

Sibal argued before the bench that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cannot approach the EC once he has incurred 

disqualification. "I challenged the very locus of the person who has moved the EC".

Sibal maintained that Shinde has incurred disqualification as his various acts amounted to voluntary giving up of 

the party membership under Paragraph  2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule; also he has violated the party whip 

as per paragraph 2(1)(b) of the tenth schedule.

The bench observed that the issue is in relation to the ambit of jurisdiction of the Speaker under the tenth schedule.

"The political party is a much wider configuration than the legislative unit of that party which consists of the elected members  does the dispute in relation to the former in the legislative unit affect the authority of Election Commission. That is the heart of the matter", Justice Chandrachud observed.

The apex court also wanted to know would disqualification under the tenth schedule have effect on the symbol order.

Justice Chandrachud also observed : 

"What is troubling is, the whole concept of disqualification is in relation to the house. The jurisdiction of the Election Commission is to decide who represents the political party. What happens in the floor of the House is a microcosm of the consequence of elections.That is an area where thought has to be put". 

"The genesis of the entire dispute is what happened on the floor of the House. Symbols order predates the tenth schedule. Does the fact that the determination whether or not disqualification is exclusively entrusted to the Speaker, does that denude the ECI of its powers and does that disqualification impact the ECI powers?", Justice Chandrachud asked.

ends 

Does Nagaland have all ingredients of a revolution ? Cusp of Post-Solution era: Immense expectations

New Delhi 

Everyone is keeping fingers crossed on the prospect of One Solution, One Agreement;
but honest analyses would reveal a key insight that no one policy or one leader can be
panacea --- that is, treat all ailments.

Sincerity can be a trigger to purposeful revolution. 

The days of golden goose are over. The Post-Solution era would mean some funding but those eyeing 'greener grass house' called the BJP; and the old tricks of minting money may get shocker.

Money will not come easily. The old habit has to end.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has already counseled that the state government should focus on development expenditure. At the risk of displeasing 'friends' and repeating what has been stated numerous times -- it is time to forget Corruption at least for next few years.

A long-term effort to quell financial mismanagement will require concrete steps and sometimes even unpopular measures. The new dispensation should be ready to take the risk.

I spent sometime with a few development experts in Delhi lately. A few of them have handled states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh and a few others know pretty well the easy going lifestyle of politician-Babu nexus. The 'contractors' need not be cousins either by relations or by business-ties of give and take.

One of them told 'Nagaland Page': "Things are in bad shape. The CAG reports revelation is worrisome. Nagaland will have to bring health care, schools, jobs and the general rule of law to a populace that has rarely seen focused and sincere government attention". 

The Education Ministers neglected 'education policy' and were supposed to handle transfers of teachers. For long in the 1980s and the 1990s, the Higher Technical Education Ministers were used to 'send youngsters for medical and engineering colleges'.

Same stories about Transport Ministers (helping country cousins with bus auctions) or Civil Supplies Ministers gave away 'tokens' of special quotas. 

There would be challenges the this system itself as things are also at shambles. If the old ministerial hands are too experienced and easily vulnerable to the corruption malady; with the new 'interim arrangements' chances are the new set of leaders and ministers would be in such high positions without ever having to face a popular vote.

Mizoram experienced these while in Assam, the students-turned-netas of AGP were incompetent and corrupt too.

Let us assume that one former underground commander could become the 'chief executive' one day. 

But development is a tough proposition. There will be need to handle welfare measures and he will have to carry bureaucrats along. He would face a tough challenge.

An unease over his credibility will also linger. Gossip mongers would raise the tribalism bogey.

There will be a need for slicing the fruits and here 'unity' would be needed. If the political parties

and leaders do not work together - which is quite likely - there will be a realisation that there is a real

danger that the new interim-arrangement will fail.

The biggest risk in that 'failure' will be the tag that parents' wishes were imposed though the child 

wanted to make his or her choices.

But change is the essence of life. High expectations are natural. These expectations are largely

one of imminence of something excited. Will the society and the state change ? Will these also

make everyone a new being from what we have been?

At the national level, India has seen major transitions and turns in the curves. There was Emergency,

there was 1991 when Economy was liberalised and 2014 when a pro-Hindutva macho image man 

Narendra Modi was given a historic mandate.

Closer scrutiny would convince that Naga politicians have failed despite some good works.

Will it be wrong to presume that Nagaland has all the ingredients of a revolution -- joblessness,

roads in shambles, teachers not getting salaries, thriving corruption and quite an incompetent and

indifferent politico-administrative system? 

When it comes to hard political war there is no pill for regret. 

ends

Now, Modi and Pope named for a global peace panel

New Delhi 

India has certainly arrived at the international stage. The Modi detractors, 

Sickularism and the Left-liberal media may get a nightmare.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now slowly emerging as an image of a global peacemaker.

And those pushing the line including Mexico as a country say Modi and Pope Francis Pope should be in a special committee to resolve the new century's biggest global crisis, the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"..... if possible, his Excellency Narendra Modi and his Holiness Pope Francis" should be included

in an international special committee that would help the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

to resolve the ongoing and vexed Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Mexico has made a strong case formally at the United Nations that Modi should mediate between Russia and Ukraine. 

Foreign Minister Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubon suggested it officially during a meeting of the UN Security Council debate on Ukraine in New York last week. 

“Based on its pacifist vocation, Mexico believes that the international community must now channel its best efforts to achieve peace,” Casaubon said.

“In this regard, I would like to share with you the proposal of the President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, to strengthen the mediation efforts of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through the formation of a Committee for Dialogue and Peace in Ukraine with the participation of other heads of state and government, including, if possible, His Excellency Narendra Modi and His Holiness Pope Francis," he said.

In the recent past Modi's firm assertion "this is not the era of war" during his bilateral meeting with Russian PresidentVladimir Putin at Samarkand in Uzbekistan has been echoed by France and the United States officially.

In fact, French President Emmanuel Macron quoteed his friend and Indian Prime Minister

Narendra Modi as he gave a clarion call for healing the North-South rift and building a global coalition to 

act on problems facing the world.

"Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, was right when he said the time is not for war, it is not for revenge 

against the West or for opposing the West against the East," Macron has said at the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly.

Several global leaders and influential nations feel Modi can mediate between Russia and Ukraine ashe enjoys a very robust personal rapport with the Russian leader.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar during a recent interaction in America in a discussion orgainsedby a Think Tank was asked about a possible role for India in mediating an end to the Ukraine-Russia war. Jaishankar made it clear India is not campaigning for it.

“If we can help in some way we will be obviously responsible enough to do that,” the External Minister said.

“I think the participants know that the rest of the world knows that. Beyond that what happens that’s in the realm of diplomacy so I can’t say anything," he maintained.

ends 

 

'Desert Storm' hits Congress: 90 MLAs resign in Rajasthan, intent being Stall Sachin Pilot become new CM

"If you are the chief minister of one of the two Congress-governed states, and a considerably large one in the cow belt, you are positioned to call the shots, to tell the “high command” what to do.

That’s precisely what Ashok Gehlot, the Rajasthan chief minister — vastly underrated by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra — set out to do on September 25. He crossed swords with the Gandhis who imagined that the senior, labelled as an “old loyalist”, would allow a very junior KC Venugopal, Rahul’s factotum, to oversee his exit from Jaipur". 

-- Times of India 

Despite 'dynasty' blessings coronation as Congress Prez, Gehlot camp 'rebels'

This is a sort of power game that can perhaps happen only in the Congress party - where leaders are at their worst sycophants and at the best simple power hungry. 

Despite the Family No. 1 'dynasty' blessings for his coronation as Congress President, the Ashok Gehlot camp 'rebels' in Rajasthan and over 90 MLAs have tendered resignation.

The move is of course not against Sonia Gandhi's leadership (read Family Raj).
Their intent is more than crystal clear : - sabotage Sachin Pilot succeed Gehlot as the Chief Minister of the desert state which would go to the polls by the end of 2023.

Around 90 MLAs "loyal to Ashok Gehlot" submitted their resignation to Rajasthan Assembly Speaker C P Joshi late on Sunday. Gehlot is expected to file his nomination papers for the party president’s post soon.

As the Congress high command’s inclination to hand over the chief ministership in Rajasthan to Sachin Pilot became apparent, Gehlot loyalist MLAs went into a huddle beginning Sunday afternoon to register their opposition.  

Gehlot, who was once political advisor to Rahul Gandhi, is expected to file his nomination papers for the election to the post of Congress president. Ostensibly, the Sonia-Rahul duo has backed Gehlot's candidature even as party's vocal MP from Kerala Shashi Tharoor is also likely to be in the race. 

As the Congress high command’s inclination to hand over the chief ministership in Rajasthan to Sachin Pilot became apparent, Gehlot loyalist legislators went into a huddle on Sunday afternoon to register their opposition to any such move.

Gehlot’s loyalists want the next CM to be someone who had supported the government during the open rebellion by Sachin Pilot in 2020.

The Gehlot faction adopted their stand to oppose naming Sachin Pilot as the next Chief Ministerat Cabinet minister Shanti Dhariwal's residence. 

Gehlot on election as Congress president is likely to step aside as the Chief Minister.

Reportedly, assembly Speaker C P Joshi is in the race to replace Gehlot. Both Joshi and Gehlotenjoy 'better rapport' vis-a-vis clear and strong differences between CM Gehlot and Sachin Pilot.

Joshi was a former Railway Minister under Manmohan Singh and had a stint as AICC general secretary as well.

(Sept 25 late evening dispatch)

As Ashok Gehlot, 71, gave hints for the first time that he might step down as Rajasthan chief minister, crisis came haunting the Congress party. 

 At least 92 MLAs loyal to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot arrived at Speaker C P Joshi’s residence late Sunday evening to submit their resignation, plunging the Congress government into crisis as it prepares for a change of guard at the top, both in Rajasthan and Delhi.

The MLAs are reportedly miffed that they weren’t consulted over Gehlot’s expected move to step down as chief minister in order to contest in the upcoming Congress president election. Cabinet Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas told The Indian Express the number of MLAs are expected to rise up to 100.

Gehlot met MP Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Ajay Maken at the hotel where they are staying, ahead of the Congress Legislature Party meet in Jaipur.

Lightning and heavy rains reportedly kill 36 in northern India

New Delhi 

Heavy and continuous downpour accompanied by lightning has claimed about 36
lives in northern India and 24 casualties have been reported from Uttar Pradesh.
It is said a modest one degree Celsius rise in temperature increases lightning by 12 times.

There has been a 34 percent rise in lightning strikes across India over the past year.

In 2016, sources say India had recorded 1,489 deaths due to lightning but in 2021 the same figure jumped 

to 2,869. 

The deaths include 12 of those ill-fated who have been struck by lightning, media reports said.

Across the state of Uttar Pradesh, at least 24 people died after their homes collapsed amid unrelenting 

rains, Relief Commissioner Ranvir Prasad said.

In Prayagraj, reports claimed some people died due to lightning struck on Friday evening.

“As soon as my son and his son set foot on the roof, they were hit by lightning and my son died,” 

one person has been quoted as stating in a section of the media. 

At least 39 people had been killed by lightning in the past five days, prompting authorities to issue 

new guidelines advising people how to protect themselves during a thunderstorm.

Sanjay Srivastava, whose organisation Lightning Resilient India Campaign works with the Indian 

Meteorological Department, said deforestation, pollution and the depletion of water bodies are largely

contributing to climate change and leading to increased lightning.

ends 

Naga Peace Talks: The Spoilers ::::: But there's evolution of a new terminology -- "post-Solution Nagaland".

Though premature, R N Ravi should smile. His observation on extortion is now being talked easily and effortlessly.  

No political campaign or naming of candidates in Nagaland till December by UDA

NDPP says it may "expel any leader" who talks about party nominees 

New Delhi 

Life and times have evolved pretty fast last week. Peace talks are still on track notwithstanding tough stance from New Delhi. 

We are already in the midst of evolution of a new terminology -- "post-Solution Nagaland".

Next seven to ten days appear to be most crucial as the NNPG delegation is expected in the capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be keen to pay a respectful homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birthday on Oct 2. 

A series of meetings took place last week between peace emissary A K Mishra, a former IB top gun, and the NSCN-IM delegation led by V S Atem.

The powerful NNPG convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi will be now leading his team to Delhi. At their Saturday (Sept 24) afternoon meeting with the NSCN-IM, the Naga Hoho too has reportedly urged the ultra group to start works for an "early solution".  

That there is little option in the face of strong public opinion is another matter.

The UDA partners NDPP, BJP and NPF have decided to "suspend" all political activities till December/Christmas season. 

"We will have no election related bytes and secret leaks for media. It will be dry season for some of you till

Christmas," a key UDA leader told this journalist adding a decision to this effect was taken at the UDA coordination

committee meeting at Kohima on Sept 19.

Sources also maintained the NDPP will "expel any leader" who talks about party candidates and such

matters till December. This is definitely a spicy nugget for some who jokingly say, "That way Neiphiu Rio should

be expelled because he announced three candidates in Dimapur region".

"Something positive is happening...I am personally happy," said another leader adding also in a lighter

vein, "politically, some people may be upset". 

Sources claimed Governor Jagdish Mukhi, who is holding the additional charge of Nagaland besides

Assam, is expected in Kohima in the coming week.

"If BJP and Alliance (meaning NDPP of Neiphiu Rio) do not file nomination, we shall not file nominations. 

We want implementation of solution under President’s Rule," says Nagaland pradesh Congress chief K. 

Therie.

In simple sense, there is a growing realisation that Naga people's voice for an early solution and New Delhi taking a firm stance have combined together to strengthen an argument that in a democracy people's wishes ought to be respected. For Modi, an election promise is a solemn pledge and not a subject to be "blown out of proportion" as was circulated by some elements.

The moment of truth is now at the doorsteps. It's Peace and mutual harmony. It's the springboard to development and happiness.

All eyes remain fixed on the hourglass. Try figure out the meaning of 'hourglass' on net and the web would

say - You can be categorised as a 'hourglass shaped' if you have a well-balanced body.  

The spin doctors and 'not-to-report-media management' gurus can opt for leave. 

Though premature, R N Ravi should smile. 

ends   

Making sense of 'Plebiscite' politics but why now? 

(Paradox and Naga Solution : Let the cobbler be around my house. Let me sympathise with him also during every Diwali or Christmas. But his son should not become a doctor. This symbolises our debate on Solution. In such a situation, who will mend my shoes?

NNPG:/Kitovi Zhimomi 

New Delhi 

The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything 

Dialogue is the first stop on the road to reconciliation, resignation and sacrifices are next. While the first started in 1997 and is still continuing, the second stage is not going to come soon.

A group of people have no real interest in resolving the vexed Naga issue. They fall into different categories - Nagas and non-Nagas, politicians and Babus and social workers and some in Delhi and others in the backyards of money-spinner city Dimapur and Kohima.

The assembly session is over and even during the meeting with NNPG at Dimapur on Sept 23, the Core Committee stalwarts did not want any reference on their resignation. 

The Facilitator now wants to play Stakeholder. Power hunger is a small phrase and it's not only about one or two individuals.

The debate on boycott of elections ala 1998 is a deliberate misguided game. Now, the first step should

be the resignation of MLAs. 

At least fix a honourable day for honourable people. Talk to a veteran regionalist,

and the senior citizen would lament - even my son would not listen to me. A middle class melodrama. 

The Core Committee wisemen and G-60 facilitators are now on lookout for a life after Solution.That's fine ! 

'Nagaland Page' Link

But they also want a life in the same old corridors of power or in the new scheme of things vis-a-vis interim 

arrangements. This is a complaint coming in mildly. Is this true ?

Absolute power not only corrupts absolutely, it creates a mindset in the protagonists that once we are here; we will be here permanently. 

And if we are not there; we know how to blame others. Narendra Modi is bad, Amit Shah can be called a tyrant

and the BJP a Hindutva engine. 

Meanwhile, the Naga civil society leadership lost an opportunity to put any pressure on BJP chief J P Nadda at least for resignation for his 12 MLAs. In the words of B L Santhosh, seven of them including the Twitter-celebrity chief of the Nagaland BJP is not safe. So 'sacrifice' is a seasonal bird for neighbours and distant cousins.

Resignation is not my cup of tea !

Like other populist leaders, the present movers and shakers, who should have resigned at least on Sept 17 when NSCN-IM

and NNPG issued a joint accordant, have a unique mindset. 

But they are not alone. If 60 of them are on one side, 600 others  want to see all institutions/systems subservient to their whims.

"We are also stakeholders," came the parrot type utterances of some who are otherwise power brokers and who might

not have glorified corruption, but sought to look the other way. Some even entertained 'tax collections'. 

It took a gentleman called Jagdish Mukhi's order to put a total stop to all extortion counters. 

 

The refrain being 'how can I resign, when he has not'. There are other players too. All of a sudden the leadership

of various powerful bodies like Angami Public Organisation, Sumi Hoho and Ao Sneden are now 'strategic' 

and as the saying goes, are keeping their fingers crossed. What will they do ? Well, we in the media

asking this question is tolerable; but even they are asking! The names of these organisations figure only

as innocuous examples.  

There are plenty others. 

And answers are coming from the NDPP ! Do not get carried away. 

Some of them are not getting carried away and hence one ticket here and another ticket there 

will not be a bad idea.

Blogger

Election time coinciding with the 'Solution season' actually makes a fantastic combo offer for the propaganda season.

So, some smart guys are pushing a line - the Solution is likely to help 'only one tribe....misa misi etc etc'. There is reference to the Plebiscite of 1951. Among 20 MLAs, there is buzz around Frontier Nagaland.

There were proposals for rallies in central Nagaland a few months back, but all that has been pushed to the second 

fiddle. 

Confusion is a virtue for bargain kings.

The bigger question is can one or two netas only push for this new game which is based on an old trick. 

Let's lip service Solution etc etc, pray in the backyards that Solution should never come.

Such games have been played many times in the past as well. But no lesson learnt.

A Societal failure would be camouflaged in and as Nagaism, regionalism and even the developmental

agenda of a nationalist Prime Minister.

Let the cobbler be around my house. Let me sympathise with him also during every Diwali or Christmas. But his son 

should not become a doctor. This symbolises our debate on Solution. In such a situation, who will mend my shoes?

Status quo is the human race's comfortable love story. Revolution and Sacrifice are focus areas for neighbours' kids.

ends 

"What NSCN (IM) speaks, the CM Rio also speaks in the same language" - says Nagaland Congress

 In 'Sholay'...one dialogue says : Loha garam hae....hit the rod..... !!

"In my view, the Core Committee has nothing to do with in the negotiation. Union Home Minister entrusting the Core Committee to convince NSCN(IM) is something like asking a child to convince his father. 

It is understood that UDA’s leadership lacks courage to mediate between GOI and NSCN(IM). UDA and NSCN(IM) are hand in glove and what NSCN(IM) speaks, the CM also speaks in the same language and tone. " - K Therie, president Nagaland Pradesh Congress !! 

( i have stronger views on Election-boycott angle. actually it's a non issue.... the real issue is 'resignation' of G-60 !! that's not happening....i mean not even the dates and SILENCE is baffling... well done, Mr Therie, I am never a Congress fan -- but u played it well this time. 

Xi Jinping and Putin are also relevant ?????

"If BJP and Alliance (meaning NDPP of Neiphiu Rio) do not file nomination, we shall not file nominations. We want implementation of solution under President’s Rule," says Nagaland pradesh Congress chief Therie.

Ironically in 1998, Therie was a compatriot of Rio and admirer-follower of S C Jamir. Therie himself filed nomination on Congress ticket and became Minister. Time flies, politics changes !  

Therie acknowledges the power of time and transformation and thus says in his statement- 

"We all know, in 1998 NPC (now NPF....and NDPP is only a splinter of NPF but now a more dominant party) did not participate in the election on the same slogan and Congress returned almost unopposed. 

In 2018, the same slogan was raised again. Some senior Congress leaders trusting the “Solution not Election” slogan prevented AICC from preparing for elections. 

Just before filing nominations, AICC directed to file nominations in case other political parties filed nominations and we were wiped out." 

(he is evading debate about fund crunch in Nagaland Congress in 2018)

But nevertheless, now he makes a clearer statement - and says: "NNPGs decision to prevent election for solution is welcome because we also want implementation of solution at the earliest. Congress will stand with them".

(** As Therie mentions NNPG, we need to mention here as a neutral blogger that on Sept 24, 2022, NSCN-IM leaders including V S Atem, now negotiating with centre, met an allegedly 'friendly group' called 'Naga Hoho' in Delhi's APJ Abdul Kalam (Aurangzeb Road) 

NE Media team in 'Nagaland House' - Sept 24 itself 

(Now the more creamy part of Therie's statement issued Sept 24, 2022 in Dimapur) 

Can NNPGs really prevent election under any circumstance is the question with the future at stake. It will amount to failure of Constitutional machineries before the World and will reflect on the BJP Govt. at the Centre. If we do not remove the roadblock to implementation of solution, people will continue to suffer more and even lose our identity and religion.

If we look carefully at the problem, both sides have agreed that within the Framework Agreement, the details and execution plan are to be worked out shortly, for implementation. This is now the 7th year after signing. 

The Framework Agreement is a gentlemen’s agreement on behalf of the Nation and in full view of the people it was signed. No party can go back from the Agreement.

 If there is any misinterpretation or misunderstanding, it is not the fault of the public. 

The aspiration of the people is clearly written on the Wall - that we want solution to be implemented. People want peace, safety and security, one govt., one tax and development.

We also have the Working Committee’s Agreed Position which the stakeholders have endorsed for implementation. State Govt has committed to pave the way albeit hypocritically.

"Stakeholders have rejected PAN Naga Hoho. According to GOI, flag and constitution are not negotiable. If so, there is nothing more to negotiate for Nagaland. The WC’s Agreed Position for Nagaland if implemented, will lead to other solutions. As such, there is no reason as to why the WC’s Agreed Position should not be implemented in Nagaland". 

The matter is purely in the hands of the Central Govt.

In my view, the Core Committee has nothing to do with in the negotiation. Union Home Minister entrusting the Core Committee to convince NSCN(IM) is something like asking a child to convince his father. It is understood that UDA’s leadership lacks courage to mediate between GOI and NSCN(IM). 

UDA and NSCN(IM) are hand in glove and what NSCN(IM) speaks, the CM also speaks in the same language and tone. In my view, solution with NSCN(IM) will impact more upon the stakeholders of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, if both the Chief Ministers are taken into confidence, I am sure there will be solution.

Meanwhile Congress rank and file are directed to continue preparation in all seriousness for electoral battle to remove the roadblock to solution, growth and expansion. Given opportunity, Congress Govt will cooperate with NNWs and the Centre to implement the solutions.

 

NNPG convener Kitovi: Testing Time