Nagas call for tougher action against junta

Nagas call for tougher action against junta
Tiamerenla Monalisa Changkija

Editor, Nagaland Page

6 October 2007


KOHIMA: Naga people today call for tougher action against the generals in Burma by the world community.

Protesting the brutal regime of General Than Shwe’s military government here Saturday afternoon, Naga organizations called for tougher action against the junta and restoration of democracy in that country.

Joining the rest of the world in observing the “International Day of Action for a Free Burma”, Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, Nagaland Baptist Church Council and several student organizations in unison denounced the brutal crackdown of pro-democracy protesters in Burma recently by the junta.

Hundreds of Naga protestors carried the banners and placards reading, ‘Stop breakdown on the peaceful demonstration in Burma’, ‘Free the Burmese people from the Junta’, ‘We need region change’, ‘Don’t’ repeat 1988 massacre’, etc., they condemned the military crackdown on the peaceful protestors in Rangoon and other cities across Burma recently.

Naga Hoho President, Bengdangmayang Jamir said the international community irrespective of small or powerful nations should condemn the military junta firing upon and arresting monks and peaceful civilian demonstrators and act immediately for prevention of further violence and bloodshed.

He said the brutal repression that took place in 1988 resulting in the deaths of over 3,000 people must not be repeated. “The people of Burma have the right to peacefully express their views and the government of Burma has the responsibility to respect and uphold the right to peaceful protest,” Jamir asserted.

The Naga Hoho urged the members of the United Nations Security Council to immediately intervene and resolve the long-standing human rights problems in Burma, including the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. It also called on China and other Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, especially India and Japan, to use their influence on Burma to allow for peaceful protests and stop any violence against the protesters.

He, however, criticized rthe Government of India for what he alleged double standards in dealing the present crisis in Burma.

The Naga organizations unanimously criticized the Centre for not being adequately vocal on the present crisis in Burma, though it claims to be the world largest democratic nation. They said India’s claim as a vibrant democratic nation has proven to be a farce.

“India proclaims as biggest democratic nation but has remained silent. What is the policy of Government of India?” Jamir questioned.

Dr. Venuh, Secretary General of NPMHR also accused New Delhi of having double standards in the eyes of international community. He also joined his fellow colleagues in saying that Indian democracy is a farce. He said instead of liberating the oppressed people in Burma, Delhi was talking of how to crush the Northeast insurgents in collaboration with junta.

Rev. Kari Longchari, Director Peace Affairs, NBCC, also urged the people to pray for the oppressed people of Burma. He said India us only interested in economic gain from Burma and least bothered about the people there, who are crying for democracy. “India is interested for economic gain, not for the suffering of the people,” he added.

He said military rule in that country should come to an end as people have suffered enough, especially Nagas of Burma.

NSF president, Imchatoba Imchen, said both India and China have given a lukewarm response to the present crisis in Burma. He said the world is watching what India and China are doing at this juncture when Burma is burning. “India should not play double standards games but support Burmese people in restoring democracy” he insisted. He said Nagas as friends of Burmese people cannot remain silent when there is brutality perpetuated on the innocent people.

Today’s protest rally was significant in the sense that Nagas are trying to win the hearts of the managers of National League for Democracy in resolving the Naga issue. Over the years, Nagas have been quite supportive to the Suu Kyi’s movement and vise-versa. Several NLD leaders have come out in support of long pending Naga political issue with New Delhi. Some NLD members are also operating from Nagaland, including Naga National League for Democracy of Burma.

There were 4 Naga MPs who were elected under NLD, prior to the military coup in 1988.

Saigang Division in Burma is the home to the Nagas, but still remains one of the most neglected regions in the world.

Tiamerenla Monalisa Changkija
Editor, Nagaland Page

Light the Lamp of Democracy

Light the Lamp of Democracy

Tiamerenla Monalisa Changkija

Editor, Nagaland Page

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Published in:
Central Chronicle, India - 29 September 2007
The Seoul Times, South Korea - 29 September 2007
Scoop Independent News, New Zealand - 30 September 2007

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It is with bated breath and great expectations the entire world is looking at current events in Myanmar and Pakistan. And the expectations are for change and democracy in these two countries, close neighbours of India.

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Now, because Myanmar and Pakistan are close neighbours of India, the world’s largest democracy, and because Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent methods to overthrown undemocratic colonial regimes have inspired countries in all continents in the post-World war period, India today shoulders the great responsibility to hold higher the lamp of democracy in this region. For the past nine days Buddhist Monks of Myanmar have launched a quiet and non-violent protest asking the military junta of that country to restore democracy and eradicate poverty.

As the media reports, the general public has also joined the Monks, meanwhile President George Bush of USA has announced sanctions against Myanmar’s military junta. Several other countries have also pitched in, in support of the monks-led public protest and Australia has already stated that violence would be unacceptable. Indubitably ASEAN countries are also very vigilant about events in Myanmar, mainly because any violent crushing of the pro-democratic movement and continuance of the military junta in that country would now have greater repercussions across the region, much more than it did in 1988.

The repercussions would be probably perceived from economic perspectives, what with East Asian countries forging closer economic and cultural ties, a necessity in today’s globalized context but the most important issue here is the fundamental and human rights of the people of Myanmar. Once this is put in place, healthy economics would be a natural corollary --- this obviously must be seen from the perspective of the military junta in Myanmar having had appropriated complete control over the country’s political, social and economic activities, as also its natural resources for over four decades.

People of Myanmar have been totally alienated and marginalized from ownership of their own country and India should not ignore its legacy of democracy, which Gandhi bequeathed to Independent India, and abdicate the responsibility of providing leadership in the sub-continent by helping the people of Myanmar light the lamp of democracy in their countries. China reportedly has advised ‘restrain’ to Myanmar’s military junta ostensibly in China’s own interest.

Myanmar is China’s trading partner and in its pursuit to be the next Asian economic giant, it certainly doesn’t want its economic apple cart to be upset by events in Myanmar. And then there is the Olympics 2008 at Beijing for which China has invested heavily and not just financially.

Myanmar is also India’s supplier of gas and any move on its part to help usher in change and democracy in Myanmar would also upset a portion of India’s own economic interests. But as reports of deaths and injury of Myanmarese protesters flow in we must acknowledge that the time has come to look beyond economic interests and economic means and methods to help people across the globe live with dignity. In fact, not prioritizing economic interests and methods to light the lamp of democracy would enhance economic benefits.

In any case, economic sanctions have never overthrown dictatorial regimes and resorting to them is simply an eye-wash, which doesn’t wash any eyes. But this is definitely NOT a covert suggestion for any military option. Of all nations, India cannot sit and watch a dictatorial military regime violently crush the people of Myanmar; if we do so, we lose the moral ground to call ourselves a democracy.

So our help must be non-violent and democratic. Citizens of India, particularly in Manipur and Nagaland, have family and friends across the Myanmarese borders as much as the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab have family and friends in Pakistan. It would be in India’s interest to also focus on the close emotional and cultural ties its citizens have with both the countries. If there is a time to build borders, there is also the time to destroy borders, the kind that deny and deprive people of dignity and fundamental rights, dictatorship being the most iniquitous.

The people of Myanmar need us now --- should we abuse the freedom and the strength, which democracy has empowered us with, by ignoring the plight of our neighbours? Of all countries, India must now shoulder the responsibility, nay the moral obligation, to avert a human tragedy and a human crisis in the sub-continent. Doing so would strengthen India’s position as the tallest defender and deliverer of democracy.

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Tiamerenla Monalisa Changkija

Editor, Nagaland Page
Email: tmchangkija@rediffmail.com
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Published in:
Central Chronicle, India 29 September 2007
The Seoul Times, South Korea 29 September 2007
Scoop Independent News, New Zealand 30 September 2007