Politics / Nagaland

Dimapur, March 19: Dogged by disagreements over plum portfolios, the multi-party Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, will find itself on shaky ground if it does not quickly fulfil the promises it had made to the people.

During election campaign, both the Nagaland People’s Front and the BJP projected the coalition as pro-Naga peace talks, which could deliver the Naga people “from the yoke of the anti-Naga Congress, led by S.C. Jamir”.

Now that the coalition is in power, the heat is on DAN to display some visible signs of progress on two crucial fronts — the...

March 19: Despite the NSCN (I-M)’s oft-expressed reservations about talking to a bureaucrat, former Union home secretary K. Padmanabhaiah will once again lead the Delhi team in the next round of peace talks, slated for the first week of next month.

Home ministry officials indicated that two rounds of talks would be held with NSCN (I-M) leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Th. Muivah. While one round of discussions will be held in Amsterdam, the other will probably take place in another European capital.

The officials said the NSCN (I-M) leadership had “accepted” Padmanabhaiah as the chief interlocutor...

NEW DELHI, March 19 — Nagaland Government has taken serious note of the complacent manner of Assam Government in issuing documents to illegal migrants. Assam has become a breeding ground for illegal migrants, who after procuring necessary documents move to the hills of Nagaland, charged Chief Minister of the State, Neiphiu Rio.

The cause of alarm for the State is that it has recorded the highest decadal population growth rate in the country at 67 per cent. The minister said that though the hill sector in his State has no problem, the Dimapur valley has been affected. It may be recalled here...

KOHIMA, March 16 — The State Government has said its utmost priority is to implement the Common Minimum Program (CMP) of Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) in letter and spirit. It is understood that State Chief Secretary, RS Pandey, in a circular, has already directed all departments to formulate “action plan” for “implementation of the CMP” of the DAN Ministry in the State.

The Chief Secretary also asked all departments to come prepared in this regard for discussion as to how the CMP would be implemented in the monthly meeting for Secretaries and Directors, which is to be held on March...

Dimapur, March 16: Twenty-four hours after two members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) were shot dead by suspected NSCN (I-M) activists in the heart of Kohima, the NSCN (K) today issued a warning to the coalition government led by the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF). The Khaplang faction told the coalition to shed its “anti-NSCN (K) image or face the consequences”.

The ruling coalition must condemn factional killings, senior NSCN (K) functionary Kughalu Mulatonu told The Telegraph. Reacting to the “threat”, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, now in New Delhi, said his...

AIZAWL, March 16 — Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who has been involved in the Naga peace process, today said that the NSCN(I-M) leaders might come to Aizawl from Bangkok to hold talks with him. Talking to reporters at his official residence here, Zoramthanga, who has just returned from Bangkok after holding talks with Naga rebel leaders and some of North-east insurgent groups, said that there was a likelihood of the NSCN leaders meeting him in Aizawl. Commenting his latest meeting with NSCN(I-M) leaders, including its chairman Issac Chishi Swu in Bangkok, he said, “I thought this was the...

KOHIMA, March 15 — Election Commission has extended the date for completion of assembly election process in Nagaland from March 14 to 31, reports PTI. The Commission has withheld results of Arkakong and Kiphire-Pungro assembly segments after detecting gross irregularities during the last month’s polling for the general elections in the state.

The Commission officials have already made on-the-spot visits to the two constituencies and held hearing with representatives of political parties before referring the matter to the poll panel for final decision. The office of Chief Electoral Officer...

Dimapur, March 14: Taking the cue from the Lankan peace process, a top NSCN(I-M) functionary today said his organisation might press for an “external guarantor” in the advanced stages of the political negotiations with New Delhi.

Rh. Raising, a former “home minister” in the insurgent organisation’s “government”, told The Telegraph that a “third party” should stand as guarantor to any agreement his organisation arrives at with the Centre. The guarantor should also oversee future rounds of talks, Raising said.

Drawing a parallel with the Sri Lankan peace initiative, where talks with the LTTE...

KOHIMA, Mar 14—Kyanilie, a first time MLA from Western Angami Assembly constituency, was today elected unopposed Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. As Kiyanilie was the only member nominated to the office of the Speaker, the pro-tem Speaker Kuzholuzo declared him elected. Kiyanilie was elected to the Assembly on a Nagaland People’s Front ticket.

Earlier, the pro-tem Speaker administered the oath of affirmation to the newly-elected members of the House during the first sitting of the 10th Nagaland Assembly.

Kohima, March 13: Dissension over portfolio allocation continues in the fledgling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government as the 10th state Assembly prepares to take oath of office. Despite the frictions, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio went about his administrative chores, summoning all heads of departments to discuss his government’s agenda.

A day after the Janata Dal (United) — a constituent of the four-party alliance — expressed dissatisfaction, Nagaland People’s Front president Vizol today warned that unless the partners maintained cohesion, the state’s future “is bleak”. As the...