Dr Sao Tunyi
Nagaland has the highest incidence rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in India. Though mouth cancers are common in India, NPC is rare except among the specific ethnic groups like the Nagas.
The incidence rate of 4.3 per 1, 00,000 population in Nagaland falls under the intermediate category while the highest incidence rates are found in southern China (10-20 in males and 5-10 in females). In most parts of the world, the incidence is less than 1 per 1, 00,000 population.

L. Memo Singh
“There shall be showers of blessing;
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys;
Sound of abundance of rain.”

This is the last stanza of the opening song which was presented at the reception ceremony of Chairman of the Autonomous District Council, Ukhrul held on July 14, 2010 at State Youth Centre Khuman Lampak, Imphal. Dr. Rishang Keishing, M.P. (RS) and Shri D.D. Thaisii, Hon’ble Minister (Hills), Manipur had graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and the President respectively. District Council Administration of the Autonomous District Council, Ukhrul organized the function to the best satisfaction of all the members gathering there. It was, in fact, the jubilation of victory of the SPF Government in the endeavors to determine the right status of the Manipur (Hills Areas) District Councils Act, 1971 through law over the forces who used to resort to violence as a means to get their end. But the challenge facing the Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh in this issue is not over till now.

The statement in the Lok Sabha on 19th August ’10, by the Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram that the Govt. of India rules out any move to alter the boundary of the states in the North-East region to ACCOMMODATE the demand for ‘Greater Nagalim,’ is but a fitting example of the left hand of the UPA II not knowing what its right hand does. While the GOI is free to use its options in governing the country evaluating the consequences, its actions are expected to be within the parameters fairness, rationality and due protocol. If the statements were made at a press conference it would have been bad enough but having made the statement on the floor of the house he surely knows the total ramifications of his action. P. Chidambaram knows he treads dangerous grounds and is well experienced on the fact that loose talk from insulated high seats can cause tragedy at the ground level .While replying to discussion on the reimpossed economic blockade in Manipur there appear to be little reason to pre-empt the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks, and make a policy statement on the floor of the parliament, against the spirit in which the peacetalks are being held presently. Much because the Naga peace talks is also a Government of India agenda. More because the matter was still under negotiation with the Government of India. On 19th august ’10, P. Chidambaram represented the GOI .

Published by : United Naga Council 2010

POSITION PAPER OF THE UNITED NAGA COUNCIL APPROVED IN THE NAGA PEOPLES’ CONVENTION HELD AT TAHAMZAN ON THE 1st JULY, 2010.
The present situation and the response of the Manipur State Government .
After a journey of more than 13 years the Indo-Naga peace process has steadily, albeit slowly, progressed to the stage where a mutually acceptable framework is to be worked out for consideration of the Nagas and the Government of India (GoI). All through the peace process, the territorial unification of Naga areas through the recognition and respect for the rights of Nagas to live together as one people under a single administrative unit has remained the foremost desire in the minds of the Nagas. The Nagas are of the unflinching belief that the unification of all Naga territories must be interwoven into the body fabric of the final negotiated settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.

By R.C Chiten Jamir
Historical briefs:

1. The American Missionary conference decided to fight the liquor and its evils in Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1875 by passing a resolution on the “Total Abstinence from Liquor”. This decision was binding in all Churches of the Naga Hills. It was a right and a Biblical decision. Jesus shall say: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels”-Paul filled with the authority of the Holy Spirit said: “No drunkards shall enter the kingdom of heaven. No thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, not extortionists shall inherit the Kingdom of God”- I Cor. 6:10.

For convenience purpose, the writer may please be allowed to introduce an abbreviated term viz. TRAM standing for The Tribal Rights Activists of Manipur, consisting of All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM) the United Naga Council (UNC) the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) Peoples’ Democratic Alliance (PDA), etc. bodies which serve the cause and shoulder to guard the rights of the tribal people of Manipur. The term is restricted to be used for the ensuing issue only.

Initially, the TRAM Vs the Government of Manipur (GoM) began with the issue more than genuine, whereby the Tribal People of Manipur demanded to re-amend the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council 3rd Amendment Act, 2008. In protest to the said Act, the UNC and the ANSAM launched the Economic Blockade from April-June for 68 days. Undoubtedly, common citizens were convinced that in any case, at all cost, District Council Elections would not be allowed to be conducted. Several commitments along with actions were planned and acted upon particular by Peoples Democratic Party, a recently formed political party in Manipur. For good or for bad, the ensuing entangle coincided with the proposed visit of Shri Th. Muivah, the General Secretary of the Naga Socialist Council of Nagalim to his birth-place, Somdal, wherein, the GoM in protest of the said proposed visit (which was reportedly permitted by the Home Ministry, Govt. of India) disguisedly created a warlike scenario by shooting down two innocent Naga students at Mao-Gate. The aftermath violence distracted and thus led to another round of U-turn between the Nagas and the Govt. of Manipur+Govt. of India, this time the so-called the less-patriotic Nagas busily engaged themselves in preparing ground for the elections. Thus, the core issue of protest was successfully designated and rechristened to another issue by GoM perplexing one and all, outside and inside.

PRESS STATEMENT 14th July, 2010, Tahamzam : On the 9th July, 2010, the August house of the Manipur Legislative Assembly unanimously resolved to urge the Centre to amend Article 3 of the Constitution of India so as to exclude the state of Manipur from the purview of the Article, as under the Act, alteration of state boundaries/renaming/ formation of new states by increasing or decreasing the area of 2 or more states can be carried out and demanded amendment to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution.

Justice Denied to Tribals in the Hill Districts of Manipur
 Bela Bhatia
Around 30 km from Kohima is Mao Gate, the border between Nagaland and Manipur. Mao Gate takes its name from Mao village that falls on both sides of the border and the Mao community of the Nagas that inhabits this region. Though this border area is part of Senapati district, which along with the adjoining Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel districts comprise four of the five hill districts of Manipur, these districts are in fact a continuum of present day ‘Nagaland’ in every sense – topographically, socially and culturally. This southern stretch is now on the other side only due to the arbitrary boundaries that were created by the Indian state that chose to retain the British occupation of the historical political entity ‘Nagalim’ (the homeland of the Naga people) and its division between India and Burma (Myanmar), after its own independence from colonial rule. What was started by the British in the first part of the 19th century was continued and further exacerbated by India during the last six decades.