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Indo-Burma border news (r)



Declaration of the Naga National League for Democracy
 
The Naga people of Burma are independently residing at the Naga Hill 
Tract, North of Saggaing division since long ancient time as by setting 
up the villages, accordance with their particular clans.
 
The Naga nationalities never fall under the rule of any ancient king of 
Burma. Although the colonialist English themselves used the some 
portion of Naga area of Burma for the convenient road communication, 
they did not rule the Naga area of Burma absolutely. The Naga 
representatives attended the Pinglon conference in 1947 just as the 
observers.
 
Burmese government forcibly ruled the Naga Hill Tract of Burma only 
after its independence in 1948. For example, Burmese Army raided the 
Sawlaw village of Naga area by using three inches mortars in 1951. So 
the Naga people started armed revolution, as they dislike such kind of 
ruling by force upon them. 
 
Although the majority Burman organized the other nationalities by 
shouting to equally enjoy the fruitfulness of Independence and to stay 
together peacefully, the Naga people practically did not receive any 
deserving right at all. Development is still nothing in Naga Hill Tract. 
Only the majority Burman has monopolized the all fruitful rights.
 
Moreover the situation of ethnic nationalities were worse than before 
just after Ne Wins military coup in 1962. The dictator Ne Win 
oppressed all nationalities and limited the all affairs of ethnic 
nationalities including political, economical, social and religious
affairs 
by creating the acts and law, as he liked.
 
In 1988 also there was a most barbarous military crackdown on historic 
mass uprising for democracy and anti-dictatorship. Burmese people 
were facing with several troubles likes killing, arresting, inhumane 
torturing and fleeing to safe areas.
 
As other ethnic nationalities under Slorcs regime, Naga people are not 
recovering from pauperism yet because they are facing with several 
human rights violations, forced lobours, religious oppression and 
lawless seizing of their foods and commodities by army. Although the 
Slorc is shouting a pleasant voice as border area development program, 
no development program is implemented yet in Naga Hill Tract, a 
border area. Naga people are neglected by Slorc in every corner 
including economic, education and health affairs as the most backward 
ethnic minority of Burma.  
 
We the Naga people strongly condemn the Slorc, for neglecting the real 
wish of Burmese people by not transferring state power to National 
League for Democracy, which got landslide victory in 1990 general 
election. Moreover we strongly believe that the National convention 
called by the Slorc is sham as the wish of people are absolutely 
neglected in this convention. Then we believe that the emergence of 
tripartite dialogue among ethnic leaders, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi led 
democratic forces and Slorc, is inevitable and most important work to 
restore peace, justness, liberty and prosperity in Burma.
 
Different ethnic groups are joining hand-in-hand with democratic 
forces, as they believe that they will be able to enjoy the deserving and 
fruitful rights only when the real democratic society is set up in Burma.
 
We the Naga people of Burma had formed the Naga National League 
for Democracy (NNLD) on 8.8.97 to participate actively and 
systematically in the democracy revolution of Burma by mean of non-
violent political struggle.
 
 
 
Executive committee
Naga National League for Democracy (NNLD) 
 
Dated- 8.8.97
 
 
Aims and objectives
 
1. To eradicate the military dictatorship and to set up democratic state 
of Burma.
2. To set up Naga state according to historic boundary.
3. To set up real Federal Union of Burma, which can fully grant the 
liberty, justness and self-determination.
 
Future work programs
 
1. To raise the education and health standard of Naga people.
2. To educate the Naga people to achieve political alertness.
3. To construct mutual understanding, mutual respect and fraternal 
relationship with all ethnic nationalities, all revolutionary groups 
and all parties.
4. To strive to participate in the alliance works of revolutionary 
movement.
 
 
Executive Committee
 
1. Mr. Nuree (Sosa)     -President
2. Mr. L. Longsa                -General Secretary
3. Mr. Lase             -Treasurer
4. Mr. Yong Tsii Mie    -Organizer
5. Mr. Sevitho          -Organizer
 
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Burma moves trade centre closer home
 
The Burmese military junta, the State Low and Order Restoration 
Council, has evinced keen interest in having a good border trade 
relationship India.
 
The SLORC recently shifted its main shopping centre form Tamu in 
Kabow Valley, under the Saggaing division of Burma, to Namphalong 
in the same division a few yards away form Moreh, a free tread centre 
at the Manipur-Burma border.
 
Tamu has a population of about three lakhs and is mainly inhabited by 
Burmese. There are seven divisions and seven states in Burma  
divisions being areas with Burmese majority and states beings those 
with ethnic majority.
 
The change from Tamu to Namphalong was made following an 
increase in the volume of trade between India and Burma, a 
businessman at Tamu said quoting Captain Kawn Zan Oo, chairman of 
the Township Law and Order Restoration Council, Tamu.
The trade centre was changed, as businessman from Moreh had to 
travel about four-Km to Tamu, while Namphalong is very near Moreh. 
Moreover, anyone willing to enter Tamu has to pay Rs. 10 as border 
pass.
 
U Pow Ka, a businessman at Tamu told The Asian Age that the town 
has a small population. He expressed unhappiness that before the 
opening of Namphalong Bazaar, goods worth about Rs. 10,000 (Indian 
currencies) were sold daily at Tamu. But at present, goods worth only 
Rs. 2,000 are sold, he added.
 
Business has been thriving in Namphalong Bazaar. Tang Two Co, a 
businesswoman said goods worth about Rs. 7,000 are sold everyday. 
Buyers are Indian Burmese immigration officials said, over Rs 3 crore 
have been collected monthly as levy from free trade.
 
Introduction of taxis from Namphalong to Tamu recently has been a 
boon to the traders and customers. The primitive, Tonga (horse carrier) 
is still a popular mode of transport between Namphalong and Tamu. 
 
News from The Asian Age newspaper dated-10th Oct. 1997.  
 
*************************************************
Six killed in raid by gunmen at Moreh Burmese market torched, border 
sealed, situation tense
 
Imphal, Oct 12  : The Myanmarese market complex at Namphlong on 
the Indo-Myanmar border was burnt down and six persons including 
four security personnel were gunned down in a raid carried out by 
unknown gunmen late last night, unofficial sources said.
 
Following the incident the international border has been sealed and 
Burmese authorities have made massive security deployment at the 
area. The border gates have also been closed.
 
Reports from across the border said armed persons set ablaze the newly 
opened market complex of Myanmar at about 11:30 PM and the six 
Burmese personnel were shot dead.
 
However, sources at Moreh said three Burmese immigration officials 
were killed in the incident. No official report of exact number of 
casualty was available. 
 
The market complex is located just across the gate Number 2 if the 
intentional border at Moreh. It was opened in mid April this year. As 
the Tamu market of Myanmar has been shifted to this new complex 
trading operations at Moreh on Indian side has been severely affected.
 
Sources at Moreh suspected the hand of Kuki militants and Tamil 
traders in the raid. Burmese authorities also charged that the firing 
came from a near-by Indian security post.
 
Dead body of a Tamil who was suspected to have been involved in the 
arson was recovered with bullet wounds at Canan Veng near the gate 
No.2 which is close to the market complex. 
 
The value of properties destroyed by the fire has been estimated at 15 
crore Burmese Kyats, the sources said. Some Burmese officials are also 
believed to be injured in the shootout. 
 
News from The Imphal Free Press by a staff reporter