• Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary
• Mr. Rabilal Basumatary
• Mr. Dharmadip Basumatary
  

May 28, 2006 Mr. Pranob Basumatary, the office coordinator of this organization (ICITP-NEZ) was deputed to participate in the summer fellowship for Climate Justice Corps organized by Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative, 1904 Farnklin Street, 6 th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612, USA to be commenced from 6 th of June to 15 th August 2006. He left on 28 th of May 2007 to attend the fellowship in Bemidji in Minnesota, USA

May 5, 2006  On the 5 th May, 2006 the Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples North-East Zone co-ordinated various peace rallies organized by the All Bodo Peace Forum in different district head quarters of Assam. The ICITP-NEZ has welcomed the peace initiatives taken by the All Bodo Peace Forum which has been working for a meaningful dialogue between the government of India and the National Democratic Front of Boroland.

May 16-26, 2006 Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, the Chief President of ICITP along with two other Indigenous Peoples’ representatives from the zone participated in the 5 th session of UNPF which was held in New-York from 16 th to 26 th May, 2006. The delegation met Mr. Rodolfo Staven Hagen, the special Rapporteur of Human Rights and invited to visit India for his mission.

June 24, 2006 A joint meeting of Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples North-East Zone, the Bodo Unemployed Post Graduate Youth Federation and the officials of SIB/Home Ministry of India took place at Kokrajhar Circuit House, Kokrajahr on the joint statement made in the 5 th session of UNPF held in May, 2006.

June 25, 2006 A meaningful discussion was held in the office of ICTP-NEZ between the World Bank officials and the ICITP-NEZ and its member organizations. Dr. R. R Mohan and Dr. Mridula Singh, Senior Social Development Specialists gave orientation about the functioning of the World Bank and its commitment to the up-liftmen of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples around the world. Both the officials made some meaningful suggestions in terms of development of the Indigenous Peoples living in the north-eastern regions. They also appreciated the initiatives taken by the ICITP-NEZ for espousing the issues of the region in the concerned national and international level. July 8, 2006  ICITP-NEZ has congratulated the government of India officially for voting in favour of the adoption of draft declaration of Indigenous Peoples in the recently held 1 st Human Right Council held in Geneva in June 2006 through a press release in the local /national news paper. July 14, 2006 ICITP-NEZ took up the DNTP through press and direct email:To,Mr. Rajeev Kumar
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Room No.722, 'A' Wing,
Shastri Bhawan,
New Delhi - 110 001
E-mail address : rajeevkumar@nic.in
For the Policy document:
http://tribal.nic.in/finalContent.pdf

Sir, Thank you for posting this information in the net work. However ICITP do strongly and seriously feel that the Tribal Affairs Ministry should have adopted some other means like sending the text in hard materials to different concerned political, social and community leaders, organizations and experts/academicians well in advance to hear their comments/ suggestions/views/remarks on the draft policy. We believe that many tribal organizations/leaders/activists do not have this privilege to have excess to information by email/websites as they live in remote areas where they have constraints of electricity and computer and some time skills altogether. ICITP raised this issue earlier too. We talked about free, prior and informed consent in all the matters that affect us directly or indirectly. We talked about right to information to ensure our full and effective participations in our concerned issues. We repeatedly made several appeals/comments/suggestions to ensure that national draft policy be made available to majority of the concerned peoples if not to all (over 100 million) Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of India and enough space and time be given to contribute in the deliberations as this is a serious document that is going to influence/affect the Tribal Peoples in the next decades to come. But unfortunately it looks like the ministry is not very serious enough and same trend has been repeatedly followed to place this DNTP this time too. Is our ministry all set to follow the foot steps of their precedents who utterly and miserably failed in the last 6 decades to do anything good to us? Believe it or not It is very interesting to note that most of us do receive regular mails/information informing us about what is happenings/ future happenings in regional and international level as they have their own effective mechanisms /means of dissemination of information on Indigenous and Tribal People’s affairs world wide. If United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations (UNWGIP), (United Nations Working Group on Draft Declaration (UNWGDD), (United Nations permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPF), World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),United Nations Forest Forum (UNFF),United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Conference of Parties (COP) and other UN agencies can keep on providing regular information on the latest development of the Tribal/Indigenous affairs world wide well in advance then why not our TAM? Is there any lack of resources or technical deficiency or other difficulties that our Ministry cannot cop up and do this much favour of sending the documents to the concerned parties where a serious question such as Draft National Tribal Policy is concerned? Is this the political will and responsibilities of our Tribal Affairs Ministry? For your kind information Most of the Tribal Peoples/activists/leaders/organizations of India are aware of the latest development in Human Right Council where the Draft Declaration of Indigenous Peoples are adopted in the recently held first session of UNHRC. We are aware of MDGs and development in CBD in relation to our concerned aspirations but we don’t know what is happening in our own Tribal Affairs Ministry. With regret we must admit that it is easier for us to know what is happening in the Ministry through national/international support groups/NGOs rather than the MINISTRY CONCERNED. Are we still ignored or is it the Ministry's tradition who is otherwise responsible for ensuring to empower the Tribal of India for full and effective participations in all matters that affect us including decission makings? Is this their limitation or deliberate tactics to delay/avoid meaningful capacity building for us? We talk about consultations/consents and transparency and good governance? Does Tribal Affairs Ministry have proper directory of all genuine Tribal organizations/list of Tribal leaders/community leaders/social activists/experts/academicians to whom they can at least reach with their minimum efforts for having proper consultations on any Tribal issues/policies in minimum possible period of time they they can expect feed back/comments/suggestions/views withing a stipulated time as in this case or do they still maintain their outdated traditional exclusive mechanism to limit the participations? I have serious doubt over how the Ministry is going to wind up this serious matter covering as many as 2000 different tribes and communities of different shape and sizes and in diverse geographical areas of the country with full commitment and sincerity. My 22 years of experience as a social worker in the region simply cannot understand how our TAM is going to achieve this gigantic task of seeking free, prior and informed consent to give a final shape to the said document in such a short period of time? We are equally concern that the Draft National Policy be properly reviewed by all concerned for the greater interest of the Tribal Peoples and their welfare in totality without discrimination. We have question to Tribal Affairs Ministry, do you have any magic to our concerned? We are eagerly waiting for your answer. In Indigenous and Tribal Solidarity! Best Regards, Jebra Ram Muchahary Chief President Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ICITP)

July 31 -4 th August, 2006 Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Mr. Sabda Ram Rabha, the President and Secretary of the ICITP-NZ participated in the 24 th session of UNWGIP at Geneva, Switzerland which was held from 31 st to 4 th July, 2006, who have intervened during the session with the following statement: The United Nations Working Groups on Indigenous Populations Geneva ,

July 31 st to 4 th of August 2006 24 th Session Agenda Item 4 (c): Indigenous Peoples and Conflict Prevention& Resolution Collective Statement by Jebra Ram Muchahary on behalf of ICITP-NEZ, ABPF and ABPGYF We, on behalf of Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples North East Zone, All Boro Peace Forum and All Boro Post Graduate Youth’s Federation would like to make this collective statement on the serious issues of Indigenous Peoples and Conflict Prevention & Resolution. Mr. Chairperson, distinguished government delegates, Indigenous brothers & sisters, ladies and gentlemen. Gwjwnthwng! We bring cordial greetings from our people for all of you. We would like to draw the attention of this August forum to the grave situation due to prolong armed conflicts between the Indigenous Peoples’ revolutionary groups and the government forces in North East India. Mr. Chairperson, the North Eastern region of India as a whole has been witnessing different arms struggles based on the various ideologies of different ethnic groups asserting their rights to self determination against the prolonged systematic subjugation, exploitation, suppression, oppression and domination under the political system of the Indian government. Historically and ethnically, the North East region was never a part of Indian Territory prior to the advent of the British who subsequently annexed the different kingdoms and areas of the North East India to their rule. It was yet the prerogative of the Indigenous Peoples of the region to be free from any external aggression and rule after the departure of the British from the region. On this historical background, the different ethnic armed revolutionary groups of the region are found to be in the armed conflict apparently to liberate themselves from the forced occupation of the Indian rule. The two decades old struggle of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) is not exception to this resistance of the various ethnic armed revolutionary groups in the region. Mr. Chairperson, we would like to draw your kind attention towards injustice and gross violation of human rights that have been perpetuated by the Indian government forces during these twenty years of Boro struggle for survival as a distinct people where more than 7000 innocent Boro People’s lives were lost and also would like to focus on the recent development of peace process between the Nation Democratic Front of Boroland and the government of India in a bid to resolve the Indo-Boro political conflict. Mr. Chairperson, in order to realize the long cherished aspirations of the Boro People and to find an amicable solution to the prolonged resistance movement through the meaningful and peaceful dialogue, the National Democratic Front of Boroland has entered into the cease-fire truce with the government of India with effect from the 1 st June 2005 which we appreciate and support as it has brought about the conducive atmosphere to pave the way to a meaningful political solution. In all seriousness, the peace loving organizations including Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples( North East Zone), All Boro Peace Forum and All Boro Post Graduate Youths’ Federation have been closely observing that the NDFB with a true spirit of the ongoing peace process to have a negotiated settlement of the Indo-Boro political conflict is seen to be engaged in holding several consultative meetings with the civil society and various peoples’ organizations in order to create a scope of better understanding and participation in the peace process. However, it is a matter of serious concern that instead of engaging seriously in the peace process, the Government of India has been adopting a step motherly attitude and treatment to the peace process as no progress has been made in this direction till today, for which it is facing a near dead-lock situation. Further, the Government of India is seen to be engaged in the destructive activities to jeopardize the peace process by adopting repressive measures against the NDFB and other Indigenous revolutionary groups, thereby violating the spirit of the cease- fire agreement. Mr. Chairperson, to cite an example of the violation of Ceasefire Ground Rules and Human Right abuses perpetuated by Indian forces, on 25 th April 2006, Dwithun Muchahary, one of the NDFB members was shot dead brutally by Assam Police at Sapotgram in Dhubri when he was participating in a democratic movement protesting against the conspired and arbitrary arrest of eight members of the NDFB members by the Assam Police in Guwahati on 22nd of April 2006 on a false allegation of extortion. On 27 th of June, 2006, two NDFB cadres, namely, G. Sanjwophu and H. Shanti were brutally killed in a broad day light without any provocation in the district of Karbi Anglong in Assam, India. Besides, the random and arbitrary arrests of the NDFB cadres till date has numbered not less than 128 including the arrest of six cadres just three days ago. Another serious matter concerning the cease fire is, despite repeated appeals made by the concerned party and the civil society to disclose where about of the forced disappeared members of NDFB including B. Erakdao, the publicity Secretary of concerned organization during Operation All Clear in the territory of the Kingdom of Bhutan in December 2003, the government of India remained tight lipped causing much apprehension in the minds of the Boro People about the sincerity on the part of government of India in finding amicable political solution. The other issues that seriously concern us are the continued and increasing militarization of Boro territories by the government of India and other agencies with evil design to intimidate Boro and other Indigenous Peoples that create fear psychosis and confusion among the Indigenous Peoples. Again, the continued and increasing un-abated influx of illegal settlers of non Indigenous Peoples in Boro land & territories with the support and encouragement of the government in order to make Boro and other Indigenous Peoples minority in its own land is threatening the very existence of the Boro and other Indigenous Peoples. Mr. Chairperson, we therefore urge the UNWGIP for the following recommendations; Support the on going Indo-Boro peace talk and recommend the Indian government to ensure the recognition of human rights and respect Boro Indigenous People’s right to self determination, which could be the only key factor in finding a meaningful conflict resolution. That the Working Group on the Indigenous Populations intervene to ensure to avail the right to information by ascertaining the where about of the forced disappearances of NDFB members during the so called Operation All Clear in the Kingdom of Bhutan in December 2003; That the Working Group on the Indigenous Populations calls upon the Indian government to ensure to abide by the cease fire ground rules and immediately stop harassing innocent Boro People in the name of counter insurgency; That the Working Group on the Indigenous Populations calls upon the Indian government to urgently develop an effective mechanism to ensure to check the on going un-abated influx of non-Indigenous Peoples in the territories of Boro and other Indigenous Peoples in the region; To ensure the free, prior and informed consent in all proposed development programmes affecting the Boro and other Indigenous Peoples’ land and territories in the region. To develop an urgent mechanism to recover the alienated lands of Indigenous Boro Peoples from the hands of the non-indigenous peoples in Assam and to ensure the restoration of all the Tribal Belts and Blocks created for safeguarding the Indigenous Boro and other Tribal Peoples in the region. Thank you Mr. Chairperson for you kind attention. Sincerely Yours,

• Jebra Ram Muchahary, President , Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples North East Zone (ICITP-NEZ);

• Bhramon Baglari, Advisor, All Boro Peace Forum.

• Dharmodip Basumatary, Spokesperson, All Boro Post Graduate Youth Federation (ABPGYF)

• Sabda Ram Rabha, Secretary, ICITP-NEZ

August 7 – 18, 2006  Mr, Jebra Ram Muchahary, the president of ICITP-NEZ, along with two Boro Indigenous leaders visited the Netherlands for meeting with different NGOs and support groups for strengthening their campaigning for peaceful settlement of Boro issues. They had series of meetings with NCIV, ECCP, Indigenous Dialogue Foundation and UNPO.

August 21, 2006  A delegation team of ICITP-NEZ visited North Eastern Council (NEC) to follow up the official matters on the recently held twin consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule”.

September 5-6, 2006  Three members delegation team from Self Employed Bodo Women’s Association came to seek assistance for compilation of final report on the project “Training of Weaving on Traditional Bodo Dresses, sponsored by World Bank’s Indigenous Peoples’ Small Grant Facility.  

September 8-9, 2006  Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Mr. Sabda Ram Rabha attended the national GB meeting of ICITP organized in New Delhi at Indian Social Institute.  

September 11-12, 2006  Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Sabda Ram Rabha and Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary attended the two-day regional consultation on Forest Issues organized by Regional Committee on Forest Peoples and Forest Peoples Worker held at G.L.Resort at Kaziranga.  

October 1- 9, 2006  Mr, Jebra Ram Muchahary, the president of ICITP-NEZ visited London to visit Minority Rights Groups International on official visit.

November 4, 2006  Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, the President and Ms. Pompi Basumatary, the coordinator of ICITP-NEZ attended a public meeting in Shantipur, organized by Society for Aie Valley & Manas Area Road & Communication Development Project. The theme of the meeting was on “Development Perspectives”

November 9-12, 2006  The following eight member delegation team from Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples North East Zone (ICITP-NEZ) participated in the Indian Social Forum (ISF), held at Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The members were:

• Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary
• Mr. Sabda Ram Rabha
• Mr. Andrios Narzary
• Mr. Ram Lal Narzary
• Ms. Bhanu Rabha
• Ms. Pompi Basumatary
• Ms. Uraina Muchahary
• Mr. Probin Basumatary

December 4-7, 2006  Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Ms. Pompi Basumatary visited Ranchi to make a courtesy visit to Dr. Ram Dayal Munda and his family members during his operation.  

December 10-12, 2006  ICITP-NEZ participated in the celebration of “Harmony through Culture” organized by “Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights.” The team was comprised of:

• Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary
• Mr. Andrios Basumatary
• Mr. Sufung Basumatary
• Mr. Satish Basumatary
• Mr. Bijoy Basumatary
• Mr. Biswanath Basumatary
• Ms. Pompi Basumatary
• Ms. Lakhi Basumatary

The team presented several Boro Traditional Songs including: Bagurumba, Laokhar Methai and Haba Methai

December 18, 2006  Dr. Ram Dayal Munda and Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary attended the Mass Rally & Public Meeting of over two lakhs organized by All Boro Peace Forum in support of political dialogue with NDFB at Barama, Nalbari, Assam, where Dr. Munda was invited as the Chief Guest in the meeting.

December 19, 2006  ICITP-NEZ organized 1 st General Meeting to discuss matters on the proposed “Training on Conflict Resolution & Peace Building Capacities”. The meeting was attended by more than 12 MOs. 1 st General Meeting: (Minute of the meeting)   The 1 st general meeting was organized by Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples North East Zone in the Zonal Office of ICITP-NEZ, Guwahati on 19 th of December 2006 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm to discuss matters given in the following agenda:- Agenda:-

• Selection of the Chairman of the meeting
• Explanation of the purpose of the meeting/”Training on Conflict resolution & Peace Building Capacities”
• Views from the participants
• Formation of the Central Reception Committee (CRC)
• Filed trip/Open & Closing session of the Training
• Financial matters
• Miscellaneous

Dr. Ram Dayal Munda was selected as the chair of the meeting proposed by Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, the Chief President of Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ICITP) and was seconded by Mr. Prabin Basumatary, the President of Baonasaat Society, Kokrajhar.

Dr. Ram Dayal Munda accepted the proposal and chaired the meeting. As per agenda, he called upon Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary for explanation of the purpose of the meeting. Mr. Muchahary while explaining the purpose of the meeting said that ICITP-NEZ with its MOs and other like minded organizations of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the North East has been seriously considering an idea of organising an intensive training on “Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacities” in Guwahati which has been long felt need to empower the Indigenous Peoples and their leaders of the North Eastern India to help analysing the root causes of internal conflicts, fratricidal killings and violence that is recurring and rupturing rapidly the society in the region leading to cleavage in the Indigenous and Tribal communities in the region causing a serious adverse impact in the ongoing struggle to improve their overall situation of the IPs. This training will not only help us to understand the complex problems but would also enhance our peace building capacity through conflict resolution and prepare our leaders to be more effective in dialogue with the party/parties concerned towards finding peaceful and amicable solution through negotiation rather than violent and aggressive mode of asserting their socio-political and cultural aspirations. He also opined that historically, the entire North- East India covering Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur and Sikkim is originally the home land of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of Mongoloid and Austric origin but due to political, religious, cultural and socio-economic domination, aggression and subjugation by the dominant society the political reassertion of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the region, has been witnessing increasingly and alarmingly frequent and heavy arm conflicts between the revolutionary groups and the Security Forces. He also said that everyday one hears about killings and counter killings by the Security Forces and the revolutionists as all of these regions are covered by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the prevailing situation is not peaceful, rather the region as whole has been described as a disturbed area and hence fear-psychosis dominates the majority of the people and is constantly in confusion and frustration. He further said that due to wrong diagnosis of the problems by the government and subsequent wrong treatment leading to repressive measures undertaken by the government, today, the North-East Indigenous and Tribal Peoples unfortunately are left with no other option but to confront and retaliate the authorities concerned pushing further the situation to a graver level. Deliberate attempts to suppress the political aspirations of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in the region to live as distinct society by the government and the continuous resistant movements of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples have resulted in all kinds of untold human rights abuses including patricidal killing, ethnic conflicts, kidnaps, gang rapes, forced disappearances etc. On the other hand unabated influx, cultural invasion and socio-economic domination by the dominant society etc, are very serious and graver than in the rest of the country. No immediate solution to these problems is in sight presently and therefore it is imperative to explore possible options/conditions and strategies to find a meaningful and effective mechanism to amicably resolve all these issues very carefully and systematically, which will play a vital role to establishing a lasting peace in the region. He further said that ICITP-NEZ along with its allies felt the need to bring all the potential and commanding IPs’ leaders, scholars, academicians, activists, and concerned groups and organizations of the region to help discuss, interact, analyze, and strategize for effective advocacy and evolving meaningful policies to assuage the feelings of neglect among the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and to empower them to resolve the internal/external conflicts and help them realize to extend cooperation in the peace building process through democratic and diplomatic manner and to contribute to evolve ways and means to reduce/avoid/solve conflicts through a meaningful and innovative capacity building programme “ Training on Conflict Resolution and Peace building Capacities”. He further elaborated saying that encouraged by the initiative taken by some of the revolutionary groups who have already declared truce with the government, and the assurance from the concerned institutions/organizations involved in imparting training like the United Nation Institute Training And Research (UNITAR), Geneva and partial support from the Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV), Netherlands, ICITP-NEZ strongly feels that it should play a major role of facilitating this training for capacity building which will not only sensitize and educate to empower our own leaders and activists but also will bring them together for the first time in the contemporary history in the region to share their views and ideas for vision, mission, role, strategies and programmes/activities for conflict resolution and peace building through peaceful and democratic manner. ICITP has the privilege to have experiences of 19 years of sustained struggle of advocacy for the wellbeing of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in the country and would like to undertake this innovative project to carry out for the sake of continuity and sustainability of the IPs in the country in general and North East in particular. He explained that ICITP-NEZ would actively collaborate to organize this training with its 36 Member Organisations (MOs) and would love to collaborate with other like minded IPs organization in the region and therefore he appealed the house to join hands in organizing the proposed training and to help identify the potential participants. He also said that the organizing committee or the reception committee for the purpose has to be formed. He also suggested that the committee should invite the concerned Ministries to involve in the training to make them listen and sensitize them to understand the complexity of the issues of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of North Eastern India. On a question raised by Mr. Kebaron Naiding, the President of Dimasa Students’ Union, one of the participants from N C Hills, particularly on goal/objectives of the training Mr. Muchahary explained that:  

• The main long term goal of this training is to resolve the ongoing conflicts and help peace building in the region through effective and meaningful advocacy and policy influencing training and peace negotiations through equal and effective participation in dialogue with the concerned party/parties.

• Other objectives of the training are:

- Creating a common space for meeting of the IPs leaders, activists, scholars, academicians and students of the entire region for the first time to interact with each other. - Sharing of the common issues and identification of obstacles/challenges and strategies for effectively dealing and realisation for their socio-political aspiration through peaceful negotiation. - Realisation and identification of root causes of the internal conflicts/problems/challenges and conflict resolution for peace and solidarity. - Enhancing capacities for conflict resolution and peace building initiatives through sharing experiences, knowledge, and evolving and developing skills for negotiation for effective and meaningful dialogue. - Follow up activities through self-evaluation, analysis and strategise for conflict resolution and peace building initiatives for their continuance and sustainability. On a question raised by Mr. S.T. Parte from Mizoram on beneficiary/beneficiaries Mr. Muchahary explained that:

• Initially this training is planned for 100 potential Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ leaders, activists, revolutionists, scholars, academicians and students who will directly benefit from this training. However, they will in turn share and impart training to their own groups/communities to benefit their entire communities.

1. Selection of Chairperson
2. Explanation of the purpose of the meeting
3. Progress report of preparation.
4. Formation of Central Reception Committee (CRC) for Training.
5. Finance.
6. Sharing of UNPFII and its election of Asia Expert Member
7. Miscellaneous.
8. Vote of Thanks

 Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, the Chief Advisor of ICITP was selected to Chair the meeting which he kindly agreed upon and was seconded by Mr. Sabda Ram Rabha, the Secretary ICITP-NEZ. The Chairman dealt upon a brief purpose of the meeting and as per the agenda, he called upon Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, the President of ICITP-NEZ to explain the purpose of the meeting.   Progress Report of the Preparation  The sharing of the experiences and progress to update on the preparation of the proposed training was delivered by Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary. He shared that the dates of the proposed training was unfortunately coinciding with the Parliamentary Session and the lead trainers will be not available during the proposed dates. He further said that taking in consideration the clashing dates, the training was to be rescheduled and he proposed that the best new dates be from 24 th to 31 st March, 2007. He shared that Mr. Chris Spies from South Africa has accepted the offer to train the participants and Ms. Trisha Riedy, the Coordinator of UNITAR, Geneva has shown interest in participating and assisting the training programme. He also said that the idea of visiting Udalguri was dropped to avoid extreme labour and time as we would have to undertake a long and tedious journey from Guwahati to Haflong and return back to Guwahati. The field trip cum open session would however be held at Haflong as per scheduled in a big way. Mr. Muchahary exhorted the participating delegates to share their opinion.  Mr. Kebaron Naiding, the President of Dimasa Students’ Union (DSU), Haflong informed the house that they organized a preparatory meeting at Haflong circuit house on 22 nd January on the proposed training and its field trip at Haflong. He said that Dimasa Students’ Union, Hmar Peoples Association and Karbi Students’ Association would jointly organize another preparatory meeting on 3 rd of February and requested Dr. Ram Dayal Munda and Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary to attend the said meeting in order to facilitate the elaborate discussion on the proposed training programme. He also informed the house that they would form a Local Reception Committee comprising with 15 executive members for hosting the field trip and the open session. Mr. Naiding also shared that there would a massive gathering of about 70 thousands of local Indigenous and Tribal Peoples during the open session and requested the house to support fully in preparation of the event in Haflong. Mr. C.H. Varte, the Secretary of Hmar Youth Association, Haflong informed the house that the Hmar people had a meeting on 25 th January under the Hmar Apex Body and had been able to garner support for the upcoming meeting. They are being able to create awareness to make at large gathering. He also informed that they will continue to raise awareness about the training and its objectives and assured the house that all the Hmar community will whole heartedly support this initiative and extend full cooperation in the programme.  Mr. Kolhi Wetsah from Nagaland Children’s Home, Dimapur informed the house that Naga ho-ho had confirmed their willingness to participate in the training programme and the size and the exact number of participants would be decided by them and would be communicated soon. He also informed that a contingent of Naga cultural group will be presenting a Naga cultural expression in the programme. Mr. Prabin Basumatary, the President of Baonasaat Society, Kokrajhar informed that their members had their own concerns however, they are trying to mobilize awareness about the programme in Bodoland Territorial Council and also working hard for raising fund. He reiterated his and his organization’s support for the training programme. While furthering the sharing of information on progress of the preparation of the training programme, Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary also informed the house that that some Indigenous Organizations from abroad have expressed their interest to participate in the training programme. He informed that Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, Taiwan, Srilanka have expressed interest in sending their potential IP leaders. He dealt upon the proposed schedule of the meeting and emphasized on the financial aspects. He expressed that finance being a major concern; they may not be able to accommodate all of them. The total budget for Guwahati would be around Rs, 14 lakhs and the filed trip expenses to be borne by the concerned local host. He also said that the NC Hills being the central focus of the ethnic conflicts, the idea behind the open session in Haflong would be to direct creation of awareness and a demonstration of commitment in solidarity to facilitate to address the issue of the IPs there. Mr. Muchahary also shared his experience ofmeeting the officials in Ministry of Home affairs in New Delhi from 15 th to 23 rd January including the Ministers. Mr. Sabda Ram Rabha, the General Secretary, ICITP-NEZ informed the house that he had personally talked to Mr. Tankeshwar Rabha, the president of All Rabha Students’ Union and he had given his assent of active participation in the ensuing programme.  Dr. Ram Dayal Munda while giving his personal views, focused on the formation of ICITP, the concern being to work with the people and for the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. He said that the ICITP endeavors to work with the people locally, nationally or internationally. The mandate of the people and the participation would go beyond academics but should bear practical result. Practical result should be the purpose of the meeting and there should be trust among people and community. The practicality of the programme would be to achieve and realize the utility of this exercise i.e. the meeting. There should be an understanding and proper use of the potentiality and understanding. The North East being no exceptions, there should be an effort to convince our people, sit together and exhort them to come to an understanding. The intellectual aspect would lead to practical development of the society. The involvement of the younger generation should go a long way to achieve the aims and objective of the meeting. We should come above a matter of study and observation.   Financial Matter: Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary during financial report shared the house the following developments: 1. NCIV- would release 90% of their committed support of Rs. 5, 29, 827.00 2. IWGIA- requested for Rs. 7 Lakhs of financial assistance but not yet given any commitment.

3. Management of the Cultural Group- Food, lodging and transportation involves huge expenses as per the previous experiences and requested the concerned groups to partially support their cost of participation. 4. The participating groups should also be able to share the expenses to be occurred in the meeting. 5. The Central Reception Committee would also approach the North Eastern Council (NEC) for financial assistance for the programme.   Formation of the Central Reception Committee:- After thorough discussion on the agenda item on formation of the Central Reception Committee, the house has resolved to constitute a Central reception Committee with the following members:  Chairperson: Mr. Prithibi Majhi, Hon’ble Minister of Employment & labour, Planning & Development and Tea tribes Welfare, Assam Working Chairperson: Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Ranchi, Jharkhand  Vice Chairs: Mr. Kebaron Naiding (President, Dimasa Students’ Union), NC HillsMr. Tankeswar Rabha (President, All Rabha Students’Union), Rabha Hasong Mr. Chawnghmunlur Hmar (Secretary, Hmar Students’ Union), NC HillsMr. Kolhi Wetsha, Nagaland Children’s Home, Dimapur, NagalandMr. Suantung Parte (President, United Zo Indigenous People), Aizawl, Mizoram Chief Convenor: Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, Chief President of ICITP. Convenors: Mr. Thalendra Dibragede, General Secretary, DSU, Haflong, NC Hills Ms. C Niiangi Hrangchal, President, Hmar Women’s Association, NCHillsMs. Sabila Kemprai, General Secretary, Dimasa Women’s Society. NC HillsMs. Jonathan Engti Kathar, Finance Secretary, K.S.A, Haflong, NC HillsMr. Prabin Basumatary, Baunassat Society, Kokrajhar, BTC  Cultural Sub Committee: Mr. Umesh Brahma, Bijni, BTC, AssamMr. Philip Lotha, Dimapur, NagalandMs. Angaula Zeliang, NagalandMs. Lalhmarthang Hmar, NC HillsMr. Jibon Rabha, Rabha HasongMr. Biren Engti, Karbi Anglong Mr. Rijid Nunisa, NC Hills  Volunteer in-charges: Ms. Rebek LF, NC HillsMr. Krishan Goyary, Bijni, Chirang, BTCMr. Stelin Engte, Diphu, Karbi AnglongMr. Rajesh Thaosen, Maibang, NC Hills  Food in-charges: Mr. Andrios Narzary, Santipur, Chirang, BTCMr. Debraj Jidung, Haflong, NC Hills  UN Permanent Forum and its election: Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary shared briefly about the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations (UNWGIP) and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). He elaborated on the function and mandates of the UNPFII who said that the UNPFII has six mandated areas: Human Rights, Socio Economic Development, Health, Education, Environment and Culture. He informed that on 28 th of January 2007, Indigenous Peoples of 18 Asian countries will elect their one Asian Indigenous Expert for Asian region to the UNPFII for the session 2008-2010 Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary shared that two candidates one Dr. Ram Dayal Munda and other Ms. Victoria Tauli Corpus who were nominated for the election. Mr. Muchahary explained the procedure of the casting vote. He informed that after thorough study of their CVs and Vision Statements, the voters should decide their own democratic rights of voting according to their own choice. He also said that the casting process however is at the discretion of the voters and they should exercise their franchise democratically.  Resolutions: The following resolutions were adopted unanimously in the house. 1 The house unanimously has resolved to adhere by the resolutions and the points discussed in the previous 1 st General Meeting and to organize the “Training on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacities” as per the postponed date 24 th – 31 st March 2007, with full and active participation by all.

• The house unanimously has resolved to organize Exhibition on Tribal Art and Crafts in the Open Session at Haflong on 31 st March.

• The house has resolved to facilitate the local organizations of NC Hills to form a Local Reception Committee for the smooth management of the field trip at Haflong.

• The house has resolved to depute two core members Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Dr. Ram Dayal Munda to Haflong to facilitate the formation of Local Reception Committee for Open Session of the Training programme following a preparatory meeting on 3 rd February 2007 at Haflong.

Presentation of tribe wise cultural events: After an elaborate discussion on the mode of presentation on cultural expressions of different tribes of the region, a decision was taken to sequence the events through a raffle draw and the following was the out come of the raffle draw. Day 1 : Boro Cultural Group, (24 th March)Day 2 : Hmar Cultural Group, (25 th March)Day 3 : Karbi Cultural Group, (26 th March)Day 4 : Rabha Cultural Group, (27 th March)Day 5 : Dimasa Cultural Group, (28 th March)Day 6 : Naga & Mizo Cultural Groups (29 th March)  The other cultural groups willing to participate in the events as such would be inserted as per the convenience. The meeting was attended by 44 Indigenous leaders and was concluded with a vote of thanks rendered by Mr. Sabda Ram Rabha, General Secretary of ICITP-NEZ. February 16, 2007. Minutes of the 1st General Meeting of Formation of Local Reception Committee for Closing Session of “Training on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacities”: A General Meeting with an aim of forming a Local Reception Committee to assist the Central Reception Committee for the Training On Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacities” was organized jointly by Dimasa Students’ Union (DSU), Hmar Students’ Association (HAS) on 16 th Feb/2007 at 11:30 A.M. at Circuit House, Haflong under the Chairmanship of Shri Kebaron Naiding, President, Dimasa Students’ Union Central Committee, Haflong and Vice-Chair of Central Reception Committee for Training on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacities. All together 50 (fifty) local leaders attended the meeting. Shri Thailendra Dibragede, General Secretary, DSU, Central Committee and Convenor, Central Reception Committee explained the purpose of the meeting. The meeting discussed elaborately on the need of the formation of Local Reception Committee, Haflong for the smooth management of the Open Session cum-Closing Ceremony followed by a public meeting on 31 st March, 2007 at District Sports Association Play Ground, Haflong, NC Hills. After a threadbare discussion the house adopted the following resolutions: Resolution No 1: The house unanimously resolved to form a strong Local Reception Committee (LCR) with the following members and officials for smooth management of the afforsiad programme as:- 1 Chief Patron : Shri A.K. Baruah, ACS, Deputy Commissioner, NC. Hills, Haflong2 Patron : Shri B.B. Chetri, S.P., N.C. Hills, Haflong3 Patron : Shri H.P. Rajkumar, P.D., DRDA, N.C.Hills, Haflong4 Patron : Shri Kamingbe Zeme, Principal Secretary 5 Patron : Shri Sunil Nunisa, Secretary, NCHAC, Haflong   PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE 6 Convenor : Md. Zahid Ahmed Tapadar, (DIPRO) N.C. Hills, Haflong7 Co- Convenor : Shri Sanjoy Jidung, Deputy Cultural & Pubicity. Officer, CIH, Haflong8 Member : Shri Muana Bapui, C.H.T. Synod, Haflong9 Member : Shri Kunal Porbosa-Secretary – DSU-Haflong Dist Committee10 Member : Miss Lonita Haflongbar, Vice- President, DSU, Central Committee, Haflong11 Member : Miss Malotha Kemprai-Member, DSU, Central Committee, Haflong   MOBILISATION/ORGANISING SUB-COMMITTEE 12 Convenor : Shri Manjit Karigapsa, Advisor, DSU, Central Committee13 Member : Sri Hlima Keivom, Muolhoi, Haflong 14 Member : Sanga Khobung, Muolhoi, Haflong15 Member : Binod Hojai, DSU, Central Committee16 Member : Sanjit Nunisa, DSU, Central Committee   TRANSPORTATION SUB-COMMITTEE 17 Convenor : Shri D.N. Morang, ADC, N.C. Hills, Haflong18 Member : Shri Nigendra Naiding, DSU, Central Committee19 Member : Shri Enga Keivom, Muolhoi20 Member : Shri Hemonjoy Jidung, DSU, Central Committee21 Member : Shri Lalthruai Hmar, Muolhoi GUEST RECEPTION / LOGISTIC SUB-COMMITTEE 22 Convenor : Shri Thaishring Daolagupu, Haflong23 Member : Shri Robert L. Khawbung, Muolhoi, Haflong24 Member : Shri Monojit Hagjer, President, DSU, Haflong 25 Member : Miss Sujata Nunisa, Asstt. General Secretary, DWS, Haflong, N.C, Hills27 Member : Shri Aching Zeme, General Secretary, ZSUA, Haflong, N C Hills VOLUNTEERS SUB-COMMITTEE 28 Convenor : Shri Monojit Hagjer, President DSU, Haflong, Dist. Committee29 Member : DSU / DWS / HS / HYA / HWA   FOOD / LIGHT REFRESHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE. 30 Convenor : Shri R.H Khan, Deputy Director, Dist. Family & Social Welfare, N.C. Hills 31 Member : Shri Ralthang Faihriem, Haflong, N.C. Hills32 Member : Shri Binod Hojai, DSU, Central Committee33 Member : Shri Dharampaul Gupta, Main Market, Haflong34 Member : Miss Minali Kemprai, DSU, Central Committee Cultural In-charge35 Member : Miss Poolbini Kemprai, DSU, Member, Haflong, N.C. Hills CULTURAL SUB-COMMITTEE (Traditional) 36 Convenor : Shri Ramendra Langthasa, Joint Dirctor, Dist. Cultural & Publicity Office, NCH 37 Member : Shri Lawnzuol Tuolor, HAS, Haflong, N.C, Hills38 Member : Shri Paoram Zeme, Central Committee, N.C. Hills39 Member : Shri Bijoy Naiding, DSU, Office Secy40 Member : Shri Neithang Doungel, Haflong, N.C. Hills MEDICAL SUB-COMMITTEE 41 Convenor : Dr. Krishna Kemrai42 Member : Staff   EXHIBITION SUB-COMMITTEE  43 Convenor : Shri Koibolal Hagjer, Asstt.Gen.Secy. DSU44 Co-Convenor : Shri L. Ngamlai, AFS, Senior FAO, NCHAC, Haflong45 Member : Shri Thlenga Tuolor 46 Member : Miss Dorothy Varte, Haflong, N.C. Hills.47 Member : Shri Notin Langthasa, DSU 48 Member : Miss Ruthi Inbuon, Haflong, N.C. Hills. LIGHT & SOUND SYSTEM SUB- COMMITTEE 49 Convenor : Shri Lomsang Bapui, Haflong, N.C. Hills50 Member : Shri Nirmol Maibangsa51 Member : Shri Nijust Raziyung, Haflong, N.C Hills52 Member : Nondu Tent House Super Market, Haflong, N.C Hills53 Member : Shri Bijoy Naiding, DSU, Office Secy  DIAS / GATE CONSTRUCTION SUB-COMMITTEE  54 Convenor : Kamala Prasad, Executive Engineer, PWD, Building Divn, Haflong, N.C. Hills55 Member : Shri Thangvung Sungte, Haflong, N.C. Hills.56 Member : Shri Koibolal Hagjer, Asstt.Gen.Secy. DSU WATER SUPPLY SUB-COMMITTEE 57 Convenor : Executive Engineer-PHE, Haflong.58. Member : Shri Lungoi Hkojal (SA), PHE, Haflong59 Member : Shri Bijulal Thaosen, JE-PHE, Haflong.60 Member : Shri Joitolal Kemprai, DSU, Haflong.   INFORMATION /COMMUNICATION & DOCUMENTATION SUB-COMMITTEE 61 Convenor : Shri Ratu Hakmasoa-Dibarai, Haflong.62 Member : Reporters of all News Papers, all Cable Operator, Haflong. Resolution No.2 :- The House also resolved that the Local Reception Committee’s, Executive meeting shall be convened on 22 nd Feb / 2007 at Cultural Institute Hall, Haflong at 10:30 A.M. The meeting was concluded with a vote of thanks by the Chair.

February 22, 2007  Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Mr. Sabda Ram Rabha attended the General Meeting of Intellectual groups of Rabha Indigenous People jointly organized by the All Rabha Students’ Union (ARSU), Rabha Women Council and sixth Scheduled Demand Committee in Dhudnai.

February 23-25, 2007  Dr. Ram Dayal Munda and Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary visited Haflong to review and assist the local people for the preparation of the closing session of the “Training on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacities”  

February 26-28, 2007  Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Mr. Kebaron Naiding visited New Delhi to confirm the participation of Mr. Subhodhkant Sahai, the Hon’ble Minister of Food Processing Industries, Government of India as Chief Guest in the Closing Session. They also had meetings with Mr.Navin Verma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Mr. Ravi on the proposed Training Programme and on the conflict issues.

March 6, 2007  A delegation of ICITP-NEZ comprising of Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, Mr. Kebaron Naiding and Ms. Meenakshi Munda visited North Eastern Council (NEC) to follow up the official stand on the request of financial assistance for the “Training on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacities”.

March7-12, 2007  Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Mr. Kebaron Naiding met Shri Madhu Koda, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Shri Bandhu Tirkey, the Hon’ble Minister of Human Resource Development, Culture & Sports, Shri Stephen Marandi, the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of of Jharkhand to invite to grace the inaugural session of the “Training on Conflict resolution and Peace Building Capacities” to be held from March 24-31, 2007.  

March 19, 2007  ICITP-NEZ held a meeting in Dispur with Mr. Bharat Narah, the Hon’ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Water Resource and Mr. Prithibi Majhi, the Hon’ble Minister of Planning & Development, Labour & Employment and Tea Tribes Welfare, Government of Assam on the proposed Training on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacities”.

March 20, 2007  ICITP-NEZ held a meeting at Kokrajhar with Mr. Kampa Borgayari, the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Executive Member of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) on the Forest Bills and the sensitization of the local people on the concept of Community Rights on Forest.

March 21, 2007  Ms. Trisha Riedy, Senior Coordinator, Programme in Peacemaking and Preventive Diplomacy, UN Institute for Training and Research, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland arrived in Guwahati on invitation by ICITP-NEZ, for facilitating the “Training on Conflict resolution and Peace Building Capacities” and had a series of preparatory meetings for finalization of the teaching methodology and the contents of the teaching materials in the ICITP-NEZ zonal office

March 22, 2007   Mr. CHRIS F.J. SPIES, Consultant of Dynamic Stability CC, South Africa arrived in Guwahati to facilitate the training on “Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacities” and held a series of preparatory meeting with ICITP-NEZ.

March 24-31, 2007   ICITP-NEZ, along with its 36 Member Organisations and in active collaboration with Dimasa Students’ Union, Jadike Naisho Hoshom, Hmar Peoples’ Association, Hmar Youth Association, Hmar Inpui, Voice, Rabha Student’s Union, Karbi Students Association, United Zo Indigenous Peoples, CORE and with partial support from the Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV), Netherlands, local friends and support groups, organized a week long intensive training programme on “Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacities” from March 24 – 31, 2007 in Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra and Shilpgram, Guwahati followed by a field trip at Haflong, NC Hills, Assam to promote peace in the region through effective and meaningful advocacy and policy, influencing training and peace negotiation through equal and effective participation in dialogue with the concerned party/parties and to strengthen the IPs’ solidarity in the region, which was participated by more than 120 Indigenous Peoples including Indigenous Peoples representatives from Taiwan, Nepal, Bhutan, Mynmar and Bangladesh. The closing session was graced by Shri Subhodhkant Sahai, the Hon’ble Minister of Food Processing Industries, Government of India and Mr. Prithibi Majhi, the Hon’ble Minister of Planning & Development, Labour & Employment and Tea Tribes Welfare, Government of Assam. The following declaration was read by Mr. Jatan Kumar thaosen, at Haflong: DECLARATION OF SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ON CONFLICT AND PEACE Haflong , India 31st March 2007   We, the indigenous peoples’ leaders and activists representing 68 indigenous peoples organizations from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, and India, including indigenous leaders from all the seven sister states of the Eastern Himalaya region of India who are gathered here in Guwahati, Assam, India for the South Asia Regional Training on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Capacity, under the aegis of Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, North East Zone and its member organizations and allies, Recognise that the root causes for conflicts involving the indigenous peoples in the Eastern Himalayan region and other regions of South Asia are:

1. External influences and interventions, such as culture contact and cultural assimilation deeply undermining the closely held traditional values among the indigenous peoples particularly young persons;

1. The flawed and destructive system of ethnic demarcation for political and administrative convenience by both external and internal colonialists;

1. The weakening of traditional trust and unfortunate strengthening of the traditional inter-tribal distrust;

1. Lack of convictions regarding the progress of indigenous peoples both by the government and governments - backed elements professing to be the indigenous peoples’ agents;

1. Absence of indigenous conscious / owned/ oriented approaches in indigenous peoples’ development;

1. Exclusion of and disregard for the indigenous peoples and their thoughts and aspirations in the decision making process concerning their own interest and future;

1. The dependency syndrome that has resulted from these influences, policies and factors;

1. Domination and discrimination, the loss of the right to self-determination and rights to one’s own lands and forests, disparity, inequality, exploitation, injustice, disunity, identity crisis and corruption, which brings disillusionment, anomie, frustration and anger that have led the indigenous peoples and communities to be in conflict among themselves and with others.

1. The emerging threats of aggressive development thrusts, plans and projects driven by the neo-liberal economic paradigm and the global financial institutions and arrangements have also led to violent confrontations and conflicts.

10. Lack of genuine and sincere, inclusive negotiations for reconciliation, lack of the cultural and traditional dimensions in conflict resolution processes leading to more confusion, chaos and stalemate in the peace process; WE RESOLVE THAT

1. We have explored together and learnt the root causes of the conflicts in our region and the linkages between the different causes.

1. We have learnt the tools and methods required to address the conflicts for a just resolution through peaceful ways and means that include the power of love, friendship and listening to each other; the power of dialogue over debate; the power of sharing our experiences, views, positions, feelings, culture and creativity in an inclusive manner that welcomes the constructive role of women and young persons of our peoples and communities.
   
2. We have also learnt to trust each other, to put ourselves in each others shoes and empathize with each other’s situations and problems in order to act in unity, mutual trust and respect.

1. We can change our situations of conflict by helping each other, by dialogue that includes all parties and entities that are affected by or involved in the conflicts, by our quick responses to violent situations / events and appeals by affected communities, groups or individuals; by initiating effective dialogues, organizing motivation, sensitization and documentation, visits to each others’ territories and areas, promoting unity and positive role of the media.

1. We also need further help in strengthening and improving our skills in conflict resolution and peace building, particularly the skills of listening one another, dialogue, cooperation and coordination, mobilizing additional resources such as new ideas, experiences, new tools and funds, networking amongst ourselves and to help each other to build our capacities.

1. We recognize and affirm that the power of our traditional and customary peace building and reconciliation practices and the vital role of our elders and woman in resolving our conflicts in peaceful ways towards a just and enduring peace

1. We will resist all kinds of externally influence development designs and plans that will undermine, destroy and change our lives, lands and future forever, and we will engage ourselves to create and adopt our own self-determined life-plans based on our local and traditional genius and resource in harmony with nature.

1. We need the active help of the international community including the United Nations and its’ various organs and mechanisms to strengthen, facilitate and further consolidate our conflict resolution initiatives and action.

1. We also need the sincere and active cooperation and facilitation of Governments and expert practitioners of conflict resolution and peace building.

10. We need governments, central and states, to acknowledge and respect our needs, aspirations and rights, to actively participate in the initiation of dialogues that are inclusive of all affected groups including women’s and youth groups to bring about just and lasting solutions.

1. We urge governments of both central and states to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of

indigenous peoples, ethic and national minorities, cessation of aggressive and oppressive military action, repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 in India and other similar discriminatory, militarist legislation, and establish policies that are developed through wide and inclusive consultations among our peoples, and to put a halt to the prevailing divide and rule policies.

• We recognize the importance of witnesses who are impartial, fair and knowledgeable to our conflict resolution, reconciliation and peace building efforts; and governments should facilitate the witnessing of these processes without giving obstacles and impediments.

• We shall act unitedly, and with respect for one another and all Nature, so that our resolve will be turned in to practical plans and actions to bring about lasting peace and honorable resolution of the conflicts of our region.