31 October 2012

Mizoram Parents Asked to Protect Kids

Aizawl, Oct 31 : Parents in Mizoram need to be more aware of their responsibility towards protecting and guiding their children and wards in the prevailing atmosphere of rampant pedophilia.

This was the first recommendation made by a research study titled Study on Child Sexual Abuse in Mizoram which was released here on October 26.

The research was funded by the social welfare department and undertaken by Rohmingthangi — a teacher from the department of history in Pachhunga University College — on behalf of Human Rights and Law Network (HRLN).

The period studied is between 2003 and 2009. Of the total number of cases studied, 17.31 per cent are children aged up to five. This includes rape among other forms of abuse.

The main research query was “why rape happens in Mizoram,” and a detailed study on backgrounds of the victims and those of the perpetrators to give parents, guardians and society tips on safeguarding them from the child predators.

The study calls for more awareness on the concept of child right and recommended NGOs like Mizoram Hmeichhe Insuikhawm Pawl (MHIP), a women’s federation which had formed a committee, to fight rape. Such steps are required along with counselling and rehabilitation of the victims, the report said.

A disturbing finding of the research and one which reflects on the judiciary is that among the perpetrators of rape there are repeat offenders. The research has also criticised the attitude of traditional village leaders and even some NGOs for trying to settle the matter by pressuring the victims’ side to forgive and forget.

At the same time, many elders of families prefer to keep the matter hidden fearing stigmatisation. The concept of punishment for a crime is yet to sink into local society. This requires a change as it encourages the abusers and leaves the child even more traumatised.

Another finding which badly shows up lack of childcare in families is the fact that 86.88 per cent of the child victims suffer repeated abuse and majority of the abusers are close relatives, including eight cases involving biological fathers and also some teachers.

The study said victims were of both sexes though the girls outnumbered the boys. This showed that parents who are usually careful about their girl children should not be complacent about their boys who are usually left to roam around on their own.

More than 50 per cent of the rape cases studied involve both victims and perpetrators were middle school-level children. The study recommended that sex education be introduced in schools at this age so that they will be aware and be able to defend themselves by reading the danger signs. Interestingly the study found that most of the rapists were influenced by video porns. According to overall police records of such cases between 2003-2009 there were 435 cases of rape including rapes of minor.

Single Window Clearance For Development Projects in Mizoram

Aizawl, Oct 31 : Single window clearance system would be applied to speed up implementation of infrastructure development projects in the state, Mizoram Public Works Department Engineer-in-Chief Vanlalduhsaka said today.

Addressing a press conference here, Vanlalduhsaka promised maximum utilisation of the working season by clearing all backlog and new projects, especially construction of roads, bridges and buildings.

"We expected to receive Rs 636.91 crore for construction and maintenance of roads during the current fiscal," he said, adding that the state PWD would need more reliable contractors and timely commencement of the projects.

He said that the density of roads in Mizoram was extremely low at 35.27 kilometres per 100 square kilometres as against the national average of 129 kilometres per 100 kilometres.

"The state PWD would need 59 years to reach the All India average if allotted Rs 500 crore a year, but we would require 129 years at this year's rate of fund allocation," he said.

On the building side, the engineer-in-chief said that only eight per cent of the government employees could be provided with government quarters while Nagaland could provide quarters to 70 per cent of its employees.

He also lamented that the state PWD was allotted only 10 to 15 per cent of its annual requirement for maintenance of roads which resulted in their extremely bad condition.

"The PWD was allocated 19 per cent of its fund requirement this year for road maintaintenance this fiscal, which is the highest ever allocation ever," he said
30 October 2012

India Chokes NGOs Dependent on Western Charity

By John Dayal

After trying to bludgeon the Catholic church in Tamil Nadu into submission and withdrawing its support to the protest against the Russian-aided nuclear power plant in Koodankulam, the Indian government now seems bent upon choking civil society voices seen as challenging it on issues such as torture, religious freedom, and the life and death powers the military exercises over citizens in the country’s north eastern states.

The weapon of choice is the threat to cancel licenses under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act that allows non-government organization, especially religious groups of all faiths, and Human Rights advocacy activists, to carry on their work with foreign financial help in an impoverished country where corporate and individual philanthropy is virtually unknown.

While a large number of Hindu God men and women are also major recipients of donations from international charities, including church agencies in Europe and the United States, Indian Catholic and Protestant groups, with slim local resources, are to a large extent dependent on foreign funds to carry on their charitable and development work among India’s poor and marginalized communities. The Christian institutions working in education and health sectors among the Tribals and the Dalits, once branded, as untouchables in the iron Caste system, are particularly vulnerable. As it is, the meltdown in the west has severely impacted on their work.

After arbitrarily cancelling as many as 4,300 FCRA permits – on specious arguments that their addresses could not be verified -- the Union government is now issuing orders virtually banning some European and US funding agencies from the country. Indian groups have been told they need to take prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which also controls the intelligence agencies and some central police forces, before they can submit their projects to funding agencies named in the government’s prohibitory list.

Prime among them is Cordaid, a Dutch Catholic charity that is accused of having given funds to some Indian NGOs who are working for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that is responsible for many human rights abuses in Kashmir valley and the North Eastern States. The Reserve Bank of India has circulated an order to all banks in India that they have to inform it if they notice any transfer of funds from Cordaid to local NGOs. Cordaid is also held responsible for partly funding the India Against Corruption trust headed by social activist Anna Hazare and his erstwhile colleague Arvind Kejriwal whose newly formed political party is challenging the ruling Congress and main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

Authoritative sources in the government say several other European charities, specially from the Scandinavian countries, are also on the government’s radar, as are many Indian NGOs with whom they have had relationship in the past.

The NGOs affected by the government withdrawing their FCRA permits have protested, but only a few of them have had the precious license restored. In a few other cases including some high profile advocacy groups, permission has been given for them to operate their bank accounts for payment of essential services, but they cannot withdraw any money in cash.

This has, understandably, created a panic among organisations working in development and training at the grassroots. Among those who risk going bankrupt for want of funds are several groups working among victims of violence against the Christian community in Kandhamal district of Orissa state.

Mr. Sanjay Patra, a highly respected transparency expert heading the Financial Management Services Foundation, there is no reason for the government’s paranoia, as there are several other laws on the books to check any misuse of funds, or diversion of money to terrorism on insurrectionist activities. Mr. Patra is also a leading light of the Voluntary Associations Network of India [VANI], which provides an interface with the government. VANI is now engaging with the government to get the FCRA licenses restored for the NGOs that have fallen foul of the authorities. VANI is also urging the government to change provisions in the FCRA rules that make it mandatory for all NGOs to seek a renewal of their permissions every five years instead of the earlier permanent ones. Anyway, money received from foreign charities under FCRA rules can be used only in designated activities and cannot be diverted to other areas.

Of the more than two million NGOs registered in the country those registered under FCRA are 38436. Of them, 21508 Associations reported a total receipt of an amount of Rs. 10,337.59 crore [about US Dollars 195 million] as foreign contribution. Many have FCRA permits but actually do not get any funds from abroad.

The government says the NGO sector in India is vulnerable to the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing, and therefore requires some form of policing of their funds and activities. But it has not been able to adduce any real evidence indicting the NGOs or linking them with terrorist or other unlawful groups other than in political rhetoric. According to government data, list of donor countries is headed by the USA (Rs. 3105.73 crore) followed by Germany (Rs. 1046.30 crore) and UK (Rs. 1038.68 crore).

The FCRA law is a reflection of India’s paranoia on what is euphemistically called the “foreign hand”, or fears that the West is intervening in Indian politics and culture. India’s right wing has accused the West of financing conversions to Christianity and supporting “Christian” insurrectionist groups in states such as Mizoram, Manipur and Meghalaya in the North East. No evidence has ever been adduced for this, other than political gossip and innuendo.

The law was drafted by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s government in 1975 when she declared a State of Internal Emergency, all but suspended the Constitution and imposed censorship on the Media, arresting thousands of political dissidents and leaders of political parties. The government then said that Socialist leader Mr. Jaiprakash Narain, leading a movement against corruption and for democratic reforms, and several Gandhian groups supporting him were funded by western agencies and were trying to induce the Indian army to mutiny. Subsequent governments overturned many of Mrs. Gandhi’s laws, but retained the FCRA as a useful instrument to tame civil society.

Source:

4 DU Students Suspended For Assaulting Northeast Youth

New Delhi, Oct 30 : The College of Vocational Studies, Delhi University, has suspended four students and made the campus out of bound for an ex-student for physically assaulting a fellow student in the campus on Friday.

Based on prima facie evidence the college inquiry committee has taken the decision pending the completion of the inquiry.

D Hriinii, a student of CVS, was walking out of the college after his classes on Friday when he was attacked by a group of youths waiting at the gate, said his brother D Apao. Hriinii had to be rushed to a hospital.

"My brother was the fourth student from the northeast beaten up that day. Three girls and a boy were playing cards in the field when a basketball hit them. The boy called some of his friends and they beat the guys who were playing basketball . Later they beat up my brother though he was not involved. Another student from northeast was also beaten up," said Apao.

A FIR was lodged where seven students were named. According to Inderjit, principal of CVS, the college will take strict action against the students. "Of the five students named, one is an exstudent and he will not be allowed inside the campus. Three students who were identified — one from third year and two from first yearwere suspended with immediate effect till further orders . We are trying to identify one more student as they have just given his surname ," said the principal.

Earlier in the day the SHO and ACP visited the college and met the students from various states of the northeast including the coordinator . The students alleged they have named seven students in the FIR and action has been taken only against four so far and that more students were involved in the assault.

Cement Prices in Northeast To Increase

Guwahati, Oct 30 : After two sharp cuts, prices of Cement manufactured in Northeast India are likely to increase by Rs 20 to 25 per bag.

The increase in the price is attributed to lack of continuous coal supply, increase in the prices of Gypsum besides increase in the cost of diesel.

The government of India has waived-off the off-season discount of 10 percent on railway fare and even service tax of 3.69 percent has been imposed from October 1, 2012.

Sources added that there is every possibility for a hike in cement prices of Rs 20-25 per bag in near future.
29 October 2012

Mizoram Teachers To Have Dress Code

Aizawl, Oct 29 : The Mizoram education department has proposed a dress code for teachers, which seems to be aimed mostly at women teachers, as it prescribes the wearing of puan (Mizo sarong) at least twice a week.

They should not wear revealing blouses and needed to be dressed decently, the code said.

State education secretary K. Lalnghinglova said the government would soon come out with the code, which would include ethics of teachers and students alike in all government-run educational institutions.

Under this code, teachers who are found using drugs or alcohol will be punished.

Smoking on the school premises is to be strictly prohibited for teachers and will be a punishable offence.

Students smoking and chewing paan will also be punished and sending students to buy cigarettes and paan will be considered punishable.

Male teachers should not come to teach in their shorts, T-shirts or in chappals.

He said the code of ethics and dress code for both teachers and students would soon be published and enforced by the state government.

However, some teachers said this new effort by the government was regressive.

It was also defamatory for teachers, who were always decently and formally dressed, as befitting to their role as instructors of children.

They said many schools already have uniforms for teachers, which they diligently wear everyday.

As for puan, women teachers have not given up the practice of wearing it.

20,000 Gas Cards Suspended in Mizoram

Aizawl, Oct 29 : Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOC) in its drive on consumer verification has so far suspended around 20,000 gas connections in Mizoram. Meanwhile, food, civil supply & consumer department has asked IOC officials for re-connection of the suspended consumer cards as per provision of law.

According to a report by mizonews.net, as per existing regulation of IOC, there should be only one gas connection per family but in Mizoram one family has 2 to 3 connections.

Therefore to verify this know your customer (KYC) was being carried out in the state. Verification was being done on the consumer’s gas card, photo ID, house number and ration card. Since sale and transfer of gas consumer card to other was not allowed, many people were facing great problems, reports said.

Mizoram Consumers Union (MCU) general secretary Thanglura said that as per 2011 census there are 2,20,000 households in Mizoram. Against this, there were more than 2,40,000 were in possession of gas consumer cards.

I Will Not Visit Mizoram Again: Mary Kom

Aizawl, Oct 29 : Local media report here said that Bronze Medalist of the London Olympic MC Mary Kom of Manipur has accused Mizoram media of filing false news on what she said during a press conference at the Aijal Club on October 20 when she visited the state at the invitation of Eternity Partners.

Reports added that Mary Kom has demanded clarification from Mizoram media, and also told Manipur press persons that she will not visit Mizoram again.

In the mean time, the media persons of Mizoram who attended the Press Conference deny the accusation and said that Mary Kom had blame media persons of Manipur for being ‘biased’ and even recorded video is there with them to prove the truth. Mary Kom emphatically mentioned the problems she had faced as a tribal.

Besides the problems that she faced from Asian Games qualifying to Olympic qualifying, even after the Olympic, and even after winning Bronze medal, while other media went to interact her, there was none to be seen from media of her home state Manipur.

Meanwhile, for L Sarita, other women boxer from Manipur itself, press conference was called, and such was her condition and status on the low, report mentioned Mizoram media as saying.

After Mizoram media and some national media filed the news of Mary Kom’s interaction to media persons at Aijal Club, and after she reached Manipur, Mary Kom called a Press Conference, in which she said with tears in her eyes that Mizoram media were writing wrongly what she had said.

She told Manipur media of her plan that she would take a legal action against the Mizoram media on the ground that they defamed her, and also said that she will consult law experts for this, sources said, adding that she will not go again to Mizoram until and unless the media persons of Mizoram gives clarification.

Reports also added that, while interacting with the mediapersons in Mizo language Mary Kom, in reply to the query whether she considers herself belonging to “Zohnahthlak” (descendant of Zo or Mizo), said: “Mizo is Mizo, Kom is Kom.”

Mob Burns Down Border Roads Premises in Aizawl

Aizawl, Oct 29 : The Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) headquarter wet canteen, clothing and ration stores and several vehicles inside the campus at Thuampui were burnt down by a mob last evening.

The Thuampui locality was brought under curfew after the mob violence over running over of a local child who was thought dead.

The incident occurred when a BRTF vehicle drove away into the BRTF compound after running over a local child, Suraj Karki on the road. While the child’s father, Bhola Karki and his neighbours rushed the unconscious child to the hospital, others of the locality went to the BRTF demanding that the absconding driver be surrendered to the police. Local sources said that the crowd believed that the child was dead.

Faced with such a demand, the BRTF authorities allegedly told the mob leaders that the vehicle and the driver had not entered the compound at all.

As there were witnesses who saw the vehicle running into the compound, the mob’s anger boiled over. A heavy police bandobust could not stop them from rushing into the area and wreaking havoc.

Police said that the crowd set fire to the wet canteen, and clothing store while some other Assam type houses also caught fire. A Gypsy and a Bolero were burnt down while another vehicle was half burnt. Local sources said that the fire services was prevented from dousing the fire by the angry mob, while the police who rushed to the area dared not face the mob violence.

Finally, the driver, Phillip Soren was surrendered to the police who took him to Bawngkawn police station. An FIR has been filed. The child has recovered after undergoing treatment.

The Police told local press that the curfew has been lifted and the area is calm now.

Northeast Indian Band in Global Spotlight

Alobo Naga and the Band are representing India at the MTV European Music Awards

By David Tusing



It’s not every day that a little known band from one of the most remote regions of India gets to compete on the popularity stakes with global phenomenon One Direction. Or Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Linkin Park or Rihanna. But if Alobo Naga & the Band, make it to the second round of voting for the upcoming MTV European Music Awards, that could soon be a reality.

But first, the five-member rock band from India’s north east will have to beat Nigerian singer D’Banj, known for the international summer hit ‘Oliver Twist’ and Moroccan breakthrough artist Ahmad Sultan in the Best Africa-India-Middle East Act.
“Having come this far is big enough for us,” says Alobo Naga, the founder and vocalist of the band. “It’s beyond our wildest dreams – and we thank God and our fans every day.”
Formed in Nagaland state, the band recently beat four other acts, including Indian rock legends Indus Creed, to be voted the Best Indian Act for their single Painted Dreams.

“We’ve all grown up listening to bands like Indus Creed and to have been chosen over them to represent India is very humbling,” says Naga, who started off as a solo artist and formed the band two years ago. “It is shocking but at the same time very encouraging.”

Describing their music as contemporary progressive rock, Naga credits their success to fans looking for something different in a country dominated by Bollywood music.
“I think people are looking for something fresh and new,” he says of their rock and electro infused tunes. “It’s hard to slot our music because there are so many elements from rock to pop and electro music.
“Also, I think it helps that we are all full-time musicians. Rock music in India is never considered a full-time career option but we’ve given our all to the band.”
The band also have the additional responsibility of educating their countrymen and outsiders about the little known region of India.
“Western music is big in the north east, but not so much outside. So we hope this recognition, irrespective of which stage we get to, will help promote rock music,” he says. “Also, we get asked a lot where we come from, which is we why we insisted on having Naga in our name so people can ask and learn about Nagaland.”
The Best Africa-India-Middle East Act will be voted on my fans on the MTV website with a winner announced on October 30. The regional act will then compete with the Best Asia Pacific Act, Best Latin America Act, Best European Act and Best North American Act for the Best Worldwide Act to be announced during the live shows in Frankfurt on November 11.
Last year, K-pop band Big Bang won the fan-voted award.
Performers at the gala event already confirmed include Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, Rita Ora, Alicia Keys, Pitbull and bands The Killers, Muse, No Doubt and fun. South Korean phenomenon Psy will also perform his global hit Gangnam Style at the show, to be hosted by hometown girl Heidi Klum.
Nominees in other categories include Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, Nicki Minaj, Jay Z, Kanye West, Green Day, Flo Rida, Arctic Monkeys and Jack White.
tabloid! will be reporting live from the red carpet and show in Frankfurt.

*To vote for Alobo Naga for the Best Africa-India-Middle East Act, go to alobonaga.com. To find out more about the event, go to mtvema.com

An Accord For More Violence?

The tripartite peace deal between the Centre, Assam and the Dimasa rebels might end up sowing the seeds of future ethnic conflict in the region, says Ratnadip Choudhury
Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi, Self-styled Commander-In-Chief, Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) Niranjan Hojai, seen in front of a massive haul of arms and ammunitions surrendered by the 360 militants of the outlawed Jewel Garlosa faction of the Dima Haolam Daogah (DHD-J)
Photos: UB Photos


Chugging along the metre gauge track, the Hill Queen Express is one of the most mesmerising rides in Northeast India. Running between Lumding Junction of Karbi Anglong district and Haflong, the district headquarters of Dima Hasao district, the route, passes through numerous tunnels. Travelling along this scenic route, a first-timer would hardly suspect the pervasive violence in the region. Ask 36-year-old Gautam Dutta — a vendor on the Hill Queen — for whom this route has been both the means to a livelihood and a gamble with life, and he says: “For 10 years, Dimasa rebel groups have unleashed a reign of terror in the area. The train was ambushed on a daily basis, hundreds have died in attacks by Dimasa rebels and even the army could do nothing.” Gautam has himself survived two ambushes on the train.
On 8 October, a tripartite agreement was signed between members of the Dimasa outfit, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. What is being touted as a major step towards lasting peace in the region could well turn into a long and bloody battle between factions of various armed outfits. One only needs to look at the Hill Queen to understand why the peace pact could come to naught.

From 2003 to 2009, the Hill Queen Express was like a train readying for war. Bulletproof engine cabin, bulletproof vests for drivers and guards, paramilitary and army guarding the trains with automatic weapons and mortars. This is the Dima Hasao district of Assam, formerly known as the North Cachar Hills.
Home to many tribes, the hills have been infamous for the terror of the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD). In 1995, members of the Dimasa National Security Force (DNSF), a militant outfit, surrendered en masse to security forces. DHD was a spin-off of the DNSF; self-styled commander-in-chief Jewel Garlossa started DHD as its chairman, with Dilip Nunisa as its vice-chairman and Pronob Nunisa its commander-in-chief. Its aim, like that of other ethnic outfits in the region, was to create a separate state of ‘Dimaraji’ for the Dimasa tribe, comprising Dimasa-dominated areas of the NC Hills, Karbi Anglong district of Assam and parts of Dimapur in Nagaland.
In 2003, DHD declared a ceasefire to create a scope for negotiation with the government, but the outfit split again in 2004. Dilip and Pronob Nunisa formed DHD (Nunisa faction), which continued with the ceasefire, while Jewel Garlossa, with the help of trusted aide Niranjan Hojai, formed the DHA (Jewel faction) with an armed wing known as the “Black Widows’ and started a spell of bloodshed.
In 2009, after the arrest of Jewel Garlossa in Bengaluru, the Black Widow faction laid down arms and joined the peace parleys. Currently out on bail, Jewel has been named in the chargesheet by the National Investigating Agency (NIA), which is probing into the Rs 1,000 crore NC Hills Autonomous Council scam, where government funds were not only siphoned off, but also used by rebel groups to purchase sophisticated weapons.
At the time of laying down arms, Black Widow cadres had demanded that the NC Hills district be renamed as Dima Hasao (Dimasa Hills) district. Much to the chagrin of the non-Dimasas living in the region, the Assam government gave in to the demand. According to the 2001 census, Dimasas constitute 35 percent of the total population of the district, while smaller non-Dimasa tribal groups like the Zeme Naga, Hmar, Kuki, Karbi, Baite and Hrangkhol add up to 45 percent. A sizable non-tribal population comprising mostly Bengalis and Nepalis bring up the remaining 20 percent.
“Right from 2003, the Dimasa rebels have been involved in ethnic cleansing of non-Dimasa people and the Assam government has kept quiet,” says Atheng Luingthang, president of the Indigenous Peoples’ Front (IPF), the umbrella organisation of all non-Dimasa tribes. “The nomenclature Dima Hasao is not acceptable to non-Diamsa tribes. Other tribes have also been living here for ages.” The IPF wants bifurcation of the district; they want a separate autonomous council under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution with one seat in the Legislative Assembly. For four years, the non-Dimasa tribes have been vocal against any ‘peace deal’ that gives the Dimasas an upper hand in the region. So, even as the DHD shunned violence, the region saw a series of bandhs, protests, clashes and counter-attacks. Adding to the Dimasas’ worry, smaller tribes like the Hmars and Kukis have their own armed outfits, apart from the NSCN(IM), which is quite active in the area.
It is against this backdrop of violence and an open arms race that factions of the DHD climbed down from their demand of a separate Dimaraji to ink a tripartite Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with the Centre and the Assam government on 8 October. The peace pact has paved the way for upgradation of the North Cachar Hill Autonomous Council (NCHAC) to the Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC) where fresh polls will be held. A Rs 200 crore special development package will be provided apart from other developmental activities, including those in non-Dimasa areas. Three new administrative units will be carved out.
The DHD will disband and its leaders will in all likelihood form a political outfit and contest elections for the territorial council. Very much like the Hagrama Mohilary-led Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF), which was formed after the Bodo Liberation Tigers signed a peace deal in 2003 that led to the formation of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and disbanded itself. And therein lies the rub.
“The BTC model has shown its teeth recently,” says Luingthang, referring to the recent violence in Kokrajhar between Bodos and Muslims. “The resentment of non-Bodos at being governed by Bodos even in areas where Bodos are in a minority resulted in conflicts. We do not want this. We want a separate council for the Dimasas and another one for us.” Luingthang adds that if the territorial council is not abolished and bifurcation is not done, the state and central governments will be responsible for another round of ethnic turmoil.
“IPF’s allegation is baseless. The peace deal is not only for Dimasas but also for other tribes. They are playing ethnic politics,” retorts DHD(N) Chairman Dilip Nunisa. However, the bigger challenge for Nunisa is not the non-Dimasas, but his one-time partner-turned-foe Jewel Garlossa. “Jewel is also a signatory of the accord, thus he will have to respect it. His cadres have killed our boys even during ceasefire. Now, as the outfits get disbanded, all this must stop,” adds Nunisa.
Other groups are wary of the animosity between the two warring Dimasa factions. “We took a lot of pain to convince the Jewel faction to lay down arms,” says Jethang Naiding, President of the Jadike Naisho Hosom (JNH), the apex body of the Dimasas. “The Dimasa society wants peace. If DHD leaders fail to show commitment, they will be outcast from Dimasa society.”
Among Dimasas, the feeling is that the deal is a “soft one”. Not only has the aspiration for a separate Dimaraji state been blown into thin air, the demand for inclusion of 94 contiguous Dimasa villages outside the district into the proposed territorial council has also been laid to rest. There’s also the fear that the government will make the same mistake with the DHATC that it made with the BTC — that is, carve out new districts within the territory. If that happens, then, for the people of the region, it could be the classic case of getting out of the frying pan only to get into the fire. To make matters worse, Dima Hasao has illegal firearms in plenty, and rebel outfits ready to use them against each other.
Ratnadip Choudhury is a Principal Correspondent with Tehelka.
ratnadip@tehelka.com
26 October 2012

Lalthanhawla Keeps 20 of 167 Promises

Aizawl, Oct 26 : The Lal Thanhawla-led Congress government in Mizoram, which has spent three years in office, has kept 20 of its 167 electoral promises. Interestingly, eight of the 167 objectives the Congress party had promised to fulfil had already been achieved during the previous government run by Zoramthanga-led Mizo National Front.

This means that the Congress party unknowingly included them in its election manifestoes.

With these, 28 of the 167 objectives have been fulfilled. The progress report was highlighted by civic organisation Prism (People's Right to Information and Development Implementing Society of Mizoram) during its tenth Mizoram Watch programme here today.

"While the Congress government is following up 97 points of its pre-poll promises, another 29 points remain unattended. It has also gone against its 11 points," Prism president Vanlalruata said. The Congress government, formed in December 2008, has spent 76.66 per cent of the five-year term.

Prism also revealed that most of the agendas which remain unattended are poverty-oriented, contrary to the Congress government's commitment to be pro-poor.

"19 of the 29 objectives which remained untouched are poverty alleviation programmes, whereas most the 20 objectives which have been fulfilled cannot be considered as great achievements," the Prism president said.

The fulfilled agendas included formation of police welfare commission, ethics committee, state finance commission, education reforms commission and infrastructural development authority.

But these committees/commissions are yet to fully function, he said.

In term of department-wise achievement, chief minister Lal Thanhawla lags behind all other ministers. Lal Thanhawla, holding six key departments, including power, works and vigilance departments, has 31 promises to keep of which only three have been fulfilled, including one already done by the previous ministry.

Fifteen tasks in his six departments are being followed up. Notwithstanding Lal Thanhawla's promise to "root out corruption," the electoral promise to form state vigilance commission to "check the ministers and ruling MLAs from going wrong" has not materialised.

Zodintluanga, who holds four departments, including sports and information technology, has 16 manifestoes to fulfil, of which five have been achieved, including one by the previous ministry, and is working on another 19 projects.

Representatives of all political parties attended the Mizoram Watch programme.

Tripura, Mizoram Forces To Work Together

Agartala, Oct 26 : Security forces in Tripura and Mizoram will share information and operate jointly to curb terrorism in the northeast, officials from the two states have decided.

Senior police officials of Tripura and Mizoram Wednesday held a meeting at Kanchanpur in northern Tripura to finalise a joint strategy to deal with the militants.

"The meeting has decided that police forces of the two states should operate in coordination along the bordering areas of Mizoram and Tripura. They would also share intelligence inputs and other vital information," a senior police official said.

Militants of the northeastern states use Tripura-Mizoram territories along the Bangladesh border for their trans-border movements and smuggle arms and ammunition.

"A joint crackdown would make it easier to curb the activities of the underground rebels," the official added.

Police forces of two states would also share information and work in coordination to deal with inter-state criminals, car lifters and crimes related to fake Indian currency and human trafficking.

The Tripura police was led by deputy inspector general of police Gaurav Tripathi while the Mizoram side was headed by deputy inspector general C. Zoramona.

According to North Tripura district police chief Bijoy Kumar Nag, similar coordination initiatives have been proposed with police in Assam too.

"Inter-state coordination between the security forces would be helpful to deal with both militants and criminals," Nag told IANS by phone.

Tripura shares a 53 km border with Assam and 109 km border with Mizoram.

Four northeastern states - Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Assam - share a 1,880-km border with Bangladesh, while Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh share a 1,640-km border with Myanmar.

Most parts of the international borders are unfenced and running through dense forests, making it porous and vulnerable providing a passage to the militants and criminals.

New Railway Line To Imphal By 2016

New Delhi, Oct 26 : The new Jiribam-Imphal railway line will be extended from Imphal Road to Imphal in Manipur for Rs.4,444 crore. The new line will be completed by March 2016, official sources said Thursday.

The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure approved the proposal of the railway ministry. Around 25 percent funds for the project will come from General Budgetary Support (GBS) for railways and 75 percent from the finance ministry.

The project will cover Imphal East, Tamenglong and Senapati districts of Manipur.

Rebel With A Cause

Denim was classic anti-establishment material; to wear it was to wear your rebellious streak. - K. ANANTHANBy Mohan Menon

Denim was classic anti-establishment material; to wear it was to wear your rebellious streak. - K. ANANTHAN
Appealing to the non-conformist in a consumer is a winning strategy for marketers.

This is not a twisted take on the title of that famous movie starring the late James Dean. In fact, the title may as well have been: ‘Wear your rebellion’.

The young and restless have always had ways of thumbing their noses at the establishment.
The genesis of this article is a feature I once read about young Naga men and women dressed in high-fashion clothes, not Italian or French or any famous label … but mainly Korean!
This called for an investigation, I said to myself. Before I could reach for my deerstalker hat and magnifying glass, the answer appeared. Korean pop culture landed in Nagaland to huge applause thanks to the advent of a Korean TV channel.
It also happened to feature high fashion that would have been quite at home on the Via Veneto or Champs Elysees. Korean fashion resonated tellingly with the sentiments of young Nagas, especially since many of the models looked like, yes, young Nagas.
Why do young Nagas shun Indian clothes with a vengeance? Thereby hangs a tale. (See box)
Wearing your rebellion, of course, is not just politically motivated.
Tapping into this streak has always been a goldmine for marketers.
Denim is a classic case. What started out as a fabric for workmen became a statement, often of rebellion. Denim straddles a wide spectrum from rough casual clothes to high fashion, all tinged with that provocative je ne sais quoi. Denim may have had its ups and downs but then it has always made a comeback stronger than ever. Think about it. It’s the only such fabric in the world that laughs in your face if you are the ‘stiff upper lip’ kind and gets away with it.
Clothing is, of course, a natural for displaying an in-your-face rebellious streak.
Could you use rebellion for selling a car?
Well many years ago the Beetle did that by confronting those gigantic American cars and winning.
A Bentley that drives up may evoke admiration and envy. Let’s say it sported a streak of denim (as indeed some bespoke models do). Then it’s unlikely to be dismissed as some rich fat cat’s toy.

Suddenly it’s a statement that the owner may be rich, but not exactly in love with the establishment.
In an age of ballpoint pens and jotters, a fountain pen could cleverly be projected as an instrument of rebellion. Or even more impractically, a quill and a bottle of ink for desk use. All we need is to electrify our minds and one could use rebellion in unusual ways and settings.
Conformity is ho-hum . Or as Fido Dido put it so memorably, “Normal is Boring.”
When the Church entered Nagaland years ago, the Nagas were dressed in next to nothing.
The priests, after converting them to Christianity, promptly forced them to give up their ‘pagan’ ways and urged them to wear clothing, Western clothing. After years of being under British rule, the Nagas loathed the idea of losing their identity and becoming part of India. Years of strife and militancy followed which culminated in the formation of Nagaland.
Young Nagas were, however, not so easily appeased. And one way to show their defiance was to shun Indian modes of dress and wear only fashionable Western attire.
Mohan Menon, ad man, is a founder director of the Chennai Business School.
25 October 2012

The curious case of MS Chohan

 Did missing Arunachal IPS officer fake his own kidnapping?

M.S. Chohan and his locked Mehram Nagar home.

M.S. Chohan and his locked Mehram Nagar home.

The case of "missing" IPS officer M.S. Chohan is getting murkier.

On Monday, it was revealed that Chohan, who disappeared on October 16 while on his way to Tawang from Itanagar, had faked his kidnapping.

He was traced on Sunday morning to his residence - C-39, police colony, Mehram Nagar - in the Capital, which he reached by road, taking lifts from trucks and buses, his neighbours said. They added that Chohan hadn't spoken to his family for the last 10-15 days and wasn't aware that they had shifted from Mehram Nagar, where they lived for a decade.

"He came to his house around 8.30 am on Sunday and found the door locked. Then he came to our house and asked where his family was. We called up his mother, Shakuntala, who had shifted to Dwarka some 10 days ago with her daughter. Till the time his mother came, he sat and chatted with us," said a neighbour who knows Chohan's family for the last 20 years.

"He told us he took the road route to Delhi and that's why he took so long to come," the neighbour added.

Chohan and his family refused to talk about his whereabouts.

Shakuntala said: "My son got home on Sunday and is physically and mentally unwell and is resting. We're worried about his health. We can't let him talk to anybody."

According to his relatives, Chohan is depressed. He is separated from his wife, who was named in the fake pilot scam. His son, too, lives separately.

Chohan, superintendent of police of the special investigation cell in Arunachal Pradesh, was appointed by the Gauhati High Court to probe the multi-crore PDS scam in the state in 2008.

The Arunachal Pradesh Police were also inquiring into his disappearance. They have now issued a statement saying that Chohan - who was with constable Virendra Kumar and inspector Mohan Kaye before he disappeared - wasn't abducted but was dropped at Tezpur on his own orders.

Arvind Deep, inspector general of police, said: "An operation was launched to trace Chohan." On sustained questioning, Kumar revealed that Chohan had been dropped at Tezpur. Kaye also admitted the same later.

Kaye and Kumar also disclosed that Chohan had instructed them to fabricate the story that he had gone missing. "After knowing the truth, we sent an investigating officer to Delhi to question him," Deep said.

Chohan confessed to faking his kidnapping to the officer and his statement was recorded. The matter has now gone to the home ministry and the appellate authorities will decide on suitable action.

Chohan had recently been transferred to Delhi - he was relieved this month - after having served in Arunachal for eight years.

Policemen who know him well said he didn't want to go to the Capital. According to sources, Chohan was facing a vigilance inquiry in Arunachal Pradesh and feared the same might haunt him in Delhi too. He had delayed filing the chargesheet in the PDS scam by two-and-a-half years.

On Monday, Chohan was taken to RML hospital's psychiatric ward, an Arunachal officer said.

Mizoram's First Football League Begins

Aizawl, Oct 25 : The much-awaited Mizoram Premier League began today with Chanmari FC and Luangmual FC playing the first match at Assam Rifles ground here.

After a ceremonial kick-off by India's football hero Baichung Bhutia at Chanmari YMA Hall on Monday night, the state's first football league was "inaugurated" by Sports Minister Zodintluanga in a short ceremony enriched with musical show.

Zodintluanga praised the Mizoram Football Association's tireless efforts and the ZONET cable TV network's for investing Rs 1.25 crore to start the state's largest football tournament ever.

Observing that the Congress government has answered the youths' cries for good playground, Zodintluanga challenged the youths to explore their talent in football.

Veteran Dutch footballer and AIFF's technical director Rob Baan, who was present at the opening ceremony, said he was impressed with the development of football in Mizoram during the last few years.

"You have world-class artificial turfs laid on three football grounds," he said and expressed optimism that the development of football in Mizoram would push up India's position in the FIFA's rankings.

The MFA has recently signed a Rs 1.25-crore five-year deal with Zonet Cable TV Network to start the new football league.

Speaking on the occasion, Zonet managing director K Lianzuala said the Rs 1.25 crore investment was a foolish idea from the business point of view. "However, if the MPL helps increase the number of Mizo footballers in India's football clubs and national and international level footballs, that will be counted as profits," he said.

Saying that the success of football tournaments largely depended on the number of spectators, MFA honorary secretary Lalnghinglova Hmar urged the public to watch every match of the league.

The first match ended in a draw with one goal each.
24 October 2012

Barak Valley Students Send Memorandum Against Mizoram Harassment

Memo to President against harassmentKarimganj (Assam), Oct 24 :  Barak Valley-based NGO Youths Against Social Evils (YASE) on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee in protest against what they described as "recent incidents of harassment" of daily wage labourers and business men from other states in neighbouring Mizoram.

The YASE submitted the memorandum through the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar district in Assam. According to the memorandum, labourers and businessmen who have been residing in Mizoram with the valid Inner Line Permits and licenses have faced harassment during recent months at the hands of various outfits.

Asking for protection of businessman and labourers with valid permits, the memorandum also said that outfits in Mizoram have in many instanced demanded 'donations' and money from such people.

It sought the intervention of the President to ensure the safety and security of the non Mizo workers and traders in the hill state.

YASE also demanded that Inner Line Permits should be checked only by Mizoram administration and not by any other outfit.

Assam Boxer Creates World Record


Assam Boxer Creates World Record

Guwhati, Oct 24 : Assamese boxer Abhijit Baruah, 23, who is already a world record holder, has created another record – throwing 329 punches in one minute.

This current Guinness World Record holder from Assam, achieved his new world record recently in front of thousands of cheering fans.

He will now be performing in London in December in front of observers from the Guinness World Records.

"I feel good as it is my second record, and the first in Boxing. I always wanted to participate in boxing at the Olympics. In the past few months, I have been training in Guwahati and Kolkata. After this, I will be performing in London for two events and then will make my way to Olympics to win a medal there. I want the support and good wishes of the people of Assam," said Baruah.

Baruah practiced  eight to ten hours daily for this record and his attempt was closely monitored by the people from Asia Book and India Book of Records.

Both have recognized Abhijit as the boxer with fastest hand speed in the world.

He will be featuring in the 2013 edition of the record book.

"He has created a new world record. He punched 329 full contact punches in one minute and it was amazing. He has done very well," said Rinki Tomar, an official of the India Book of Records.

A cop with Assam Police, the 23-year-old athlete earlier this year ran nonstop for 156.2 km in 24 hours.

The entire region is proud of Baruah's achievements.

Northeast Border Residents Complain Over Apathy By Govt

New Delhi, Oct 24 : Residents of Bumla district in northeastern Arunachal Pradesh are demanding an end to corruption and complained of apathy towards them by the state government.

Bumla is located at around 37 kilometres from Tawang, which China claims as 'southern Tibet.'

Most experts agree there is little danger of a conventional war breaking out between India and China, but chances of clashes at the border are a real risk that could make solving the border dispute difficult.

A student, Chirin, expressed his dissatisfaction over the role played by the government, demanded a CBI enquiry against every department and said that the residents are faced with several problems.

"We have supported and loved India, we voted for them but in return the Indian government did nothing for us. The funds provided by the Indian government for the area are all engulfed by the local MLAs. CBI is necessary here. There should be mediapersons here. Enquiry should be done," said Chirin.

People of the district complained about the poor road infrastructure, lack of technology, schools and colleges.

Tourism has dropped since the army started widening the road to Tawang, painstakingly slow work that can only be done during a four-month window between winter and the rainy season, Across Arunachal, anger is rising as educated youth feel forgotten by India, as they look across the more-developed Chinese side.

Mustak Singh, a leader, said the condition of the roads is appalling, and tourism in the state has declined, as a result.

"This area is so beautiful but the road conditions are so terrible here. It's a good tourist destination but since two years there had been no tourism here because of the poor road infrastructure. A tourist from Kolkata calls me to ask whether the road conditions have improved or not. I said its still in progress. He replied saying that he wants to come to Tawang but due to road problems he is not coming," said Singh.

The residents claimed that government funds were not being used correctly as far as development of the area was concerned.

China has vastly improved roads and infrastructure on its side, facilitating its military movements, and has placed advanced, nuclear-capable intermediate range missiles in the Tibetan area, according to a 2010 U.S. Department of Defence report.

In 2008, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Arunachal for the first time and promised four billion dollars to build rail and road infrastructure, set to make troop movement easier.

But a 20-hour, 500-km (300-mile) rattling drive up to Tawang from the region's biggest city Guwahati provides proof of India's neglect of one of its most strategic border states. It still has no airport, power supply is erratic and telecommunications unreliable.

Despite decades of mistrust, China is now India's biggest trade partner. Bilateral trade that soared to $74 billion in 2011 from just a few billion dollars a decade ago underlined the importance of better relations between the Asian neighbours.

Mizo Border Villagers Want Burmese Out By October

By Linda Chhakchhuak

Aizawl, 24 : The Joint Action Committee of Vaphai, on the Indo-Burmese border in Champhai district today issued a deadline asking Mynmarese foreigners settled on their land to leave before October 31 or face eviction.

In what looks like a sheer case of border mismanagement by the authorities, beleaguered border residents have decided to take matters into their own hands.

The JAC has asked all Indian citizens to shift to other locations already earmarked for their rehabilitation by the Vaphai village council.

The Council has issued an eviction notice to the Mynamarese settlers, constituting 21 families, to leave the locality of Saikhumphai. This order was also issued by the Local Administration Department of the Government of Mizoram in February 2011.

These 41 Indian families are also allegedly doubtful citizens as it is an open secret that their names appeared in 2011 electoral rolls helped by politicians seeking votes.

The chairman of the JAC, C Zakanglova told a press conference at the capital today that the deadline was issued as the village had come under the control of foreigners who had been sheltered as neighbours at Saikhumphaibawk. They have asked for partition of the village lands under a separate Village Council seeking control of Vaphai’s most fertile and best lands on the banks of the river Tiau.

The JAC chairman also said the sensitive border hamlet has now become a free-way for Burmese traders, soldiers, and a hotbed of drug and arms smuggling.

Indian citizens of Vaphai can hardly tend to their own jhum fields or fish in the rivers as the foreigners have no qualms about using armed intimidation, he said. He also said that the foreigners have deforested the best forests as the locals could not guard against their plunder.

The JAC said that the locality had grown as a temporary shelter for wage labourers from the other side of the border working for Vaphai citizens since 1987.

“As long as they were peacefully living as good citizens of our village we sheltered them because though they are foreigners from Myanmar we consider them our own kins looking for some livelihood on Indian soil. But if they are playing a land-grabbing game then we will not allow this to happen,” said members of the JAC.

He rued that these foreigners, had claimed that their rights were being violated. “It is in fact the opposite. It is our human rights that is being violated by foreigners who are grabbing our land and creating a conflict in our peaceful land,” Zakanglova said adding “They are not refugees as they claim but economic migrants,” he said.

Corruption Slur On Manipur Govt

Guwahati, Oct 24 : The conflict-ridden state of Manipur records over 3,000 children who have been victims of armed conflicts or ethnic clashes, who are orphans and those who have been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. However, the state does not have any functioning Juvenile Justice Board, a rights body said.

Releasing a report on Manipur at Guwahati on Monday, the Asian Centre for Human Rights, also asserted that "juvenile justice has been suspended in Manipur by the Union women and child development ministry because of corruption and misuse of resources".

“The Manipur government stated that the Juvenile Justice Boards have been set up at all the nine districts of the state and that the Project Approval Board for the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) of the Union ministry of women and child development, in its 14th meeting on 22 February last year, had approved grants for all nine of them. However, as the state government failed to establish the justice boards and approval boards, the Union ministry had stopped funding the state government since January 2012,” said Mr Suhas Chakma, director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights.

“The service delivery for institutional care is an astounding case of total misuse of resources. For the first grant under the ICPS, which was for 2009-2010, the complete grant was shown to have been utilised by the state government even though no staff had been appointed to the State Project Support Unit, State Child Protection Society (SCPS), etc.," he added.

According to officials of the Manipur government, "equipment had been purchased in advance". "It is clear that the funds provided for offering services to children have been diverted for equipments,” Mr Chakma said.

The New Delhi-based rights body also stated that the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 prevails over any other national security legislation, including the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958. However, the Central security forces do not have any knowledge about the JJ(C&PC) Act while children are being regularly apprehended, detained and subjected to torture with many being killed in fake encounters of clear violations of the Act.

“We have recommended to the Manipur government to issue a direction to

the Army and paramilitary forces who are legally bound to operate in aid of and under the civil administration to ensure full respect and compliance with the JJ(C&PC) Act while dealing with children and to operationalise the existing Special Juvenile Police Units and Juvenile Justice Boards,” he said.

The rights body also recommended to the Union ministry concerned to conduct an inquiry into the misuse of resources for purposes other than stipulated, including non-appointment of the staff under the ICPS and develop guidelines to ensure that the ICPS funds are non-divertible and non-lapsable.
22 October 2012

SC Notice To Centre On Withdrawal of AFSPA From Manipur

By Dhananjay Mahapatra

New Delhi, Oct 22
: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the Centre and Manipur government on a PIL seeking withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Power) Act from the state on the ground that it allowed military to use lethal force in brazen violation of human rights resulting in death of hundreds of innocent people.

A bench of Justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana P Desai sought response from the Centre and the Ibobi Singh government on the petition by former Director of Manipur Health Services Th Suresh Singh, who said, "People of Manipur are not against Armed Forces and in fact majority desires the Army to protect them against external aggression but everyone is against AFSPA which has been often misused."

The petitioner also sought quashing of a notification declaring the entire Manipur as a disturbed area except for the municipal limits of Imphal saying, "In the name of disturbed area status, widespread deployment of armed forces has created an alarming environment in which exceptions have become the rule."

"The legal mechanism has failed to ensure remedial measures relating to abuse or misuse of powers by the Armed Forces personnel, who are not held accountable for their illegal and inhuman actions robbing the citizens of their most basic right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution," said the petition filed by S Biswajit Meitei and Ashok Kumar Singh.

On October 1, the same bench had taken serious note of a PIL, which alleged that there had been apathy on both the Centre and Manipur government's part to bring to book the guilty among armed forces and state police, which were responsible for 1,528 extra-judicial killings over the last 30 years.
This PIL by two NGOs had given details of each of the 1,528 people killed in fake encounter since 1979 and said though the apex court had upheld the constitutional validity of AFSPA 15 years ago, it had issued certain dos and don'ts to the security forces but these were seldom followed.

However, Suresh Singh's petition said though there had been on paper compliance of the judicial mandate to periodically review the necessity of extension of AFSPA in Manipur, "authorities/governments concerned are doing the same in a routine mechanical way without reflecting on the ground situation probably to serve their vested interests".

"Actual encounters between the armed forces and the insurgents/militants are very limited. State police force alone can tackle the present problem effectively if sincere efforts were made," he said. "The state is not as disturbed or in dangerous condition so as to form an opinion that the use of armed forces is necessary in aid of civil power," he added.

To support his plea for withdrawal of AFSPA, the petitioner quoted ex-Army chief V K Singh, who had said that the image of Manipur being a violent state was not seen any more nowadays.

Shillong Fashion Week Boon For Northeast Designers

Shillong, Oct 22 : The first edition of Shillong Fashion Week (SFW) has turned out to be a boon for local talents who were looking for a chance to showcase their creative skills to the fashion enthusiasts across the globe.

Approving the two-day event that ended Saturday, Senti Nongrum, a designer from Meghalaya, told IANS: "SFW is a very good base for young designers like me who will take time to get their first break into major fashion weeks. SFW has given me an opportunity to showcase my designs to the world."

"There is a lot of talent in the northeast and we just need a platform," added the designer who used handloom from her region to create modern apparels, inspired by a traveller's suitcase.

From maxi dresses to formal wear to accessories, her collection had everything for those who love travelling.

Elizabeth Marbaniang, another designer, presented their traditional attire Khassi on the ramp with a little modern twist.

"My collection has got a very traditional theme as we tried to showcase the Khassi attire in a modern way by adding bling and sequin work on the 'poshak' (garment). Our culture is known for many things, so it's always good to promote it though SFW," said Marbaniang.

She thanked organisers of the event for giving preference to northeast designers over established names.

This was Marbaniang's first ever participation in a fashion show.

"Before this I was doing individual shows and I am thankful to SFW for bringing in this initiative here and giving all the local designers chance to prove themselves to the world," added the youngster who is also from Meghalaya.

Initiated under the leadership of state Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, SFW, kick-started here Friday at the North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) convention centre.

From established designers like Nachiket Barve, Raakesh Agravwal, Anand Bhushan to local talents like Bung Keisham, Senti Nongrum, Heritage Mizoram, Magic N and Sophia M Sangma, the fashion gala had the mix of both the world.

Rapborlang, a local designer, is overwhelmed with the experience.

"I think this is the biggest platform for me and now I can move aheadit's amazing," said the designer who presented a collection inspired by 1960s look of Audrey Hepburn.

In terms of business, there were hardly any buyer, but it didn't disappoint the established names as the felt it was time to explore "new territory".

"We haven't really done any stall and I haven't met any buyer as yet, so business is not something that I am thinking of. For me, this edition was basically to introduce the idea of fashion week in the northeast area. I think slowly other things will work when people will start looking around for designer stalls and retail possibilities," Urvashi Kaur, one of the participating designers, told IANS.

Anand Bhushan agreed and said: "I have not come here for business. Not many people know my label here, so for me, it was start off to introduce myself to the people here. SFW was more about exploring new territories."

Discrimination Can Kill A Sportsperson's Soul: Mary Kom

Discrimination can kill a sportsperson's soul: Mary Kom Olympic bronze-medallist MC Mary Kom feels "discrimination and partiality can kill a sportperson's soul".

Aizawl, Oct 22 : Olympic bronze-medallist MC Mary Kom feels "discrimination and partiality can kill a sportperson's soul".

Speaking at a press conference after a felicitation by the Delhi-based Eternal Partners on Saturday night in the presence of Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla, Mary Kom spoke elaborately on the discrimination faced by sportspersons.

"The key to winning Olympic medals is to treat sportspeople equally focusing on honing their talents by providing full facilities and support," she said.

The chief minister handed over a demand draft of Rs six lakh to her.

Fifty-three other Mizo sportspersons, who excelled in their own disciplines, were also felicitated at the function.

Replying to questions, Mary Kom rued being virtually blacked-out by the press in her home state, Manipur, almost throughout her career and being totally ignored even after winning the Olympic bronze medal.

"Even after I won the bronze while every national media representatives spoke to me, wrote about my feat, but I failed to get a single call from the press in my own state," she said.

"I expected my home state press to share my greatest moment with me, but sadly they did not come forward," she regretted.

At the time other states were felicitating their winners with crores, the chief minister of Manipur offered her a cash award of Rs 50 lakh just after she won the medal, which later on was raised to Rs. 75 lakh, she said.

She was also critical of the role played by community favoritism which almost took away her chance of entering the Olympic games when another boxer, L Sarita Devi, was chosen despite not making the mark.

"I sought a re-trial which clinched it for me," she said. "I had no one to support me as I was the only tribal in a basket full of others of the majority community," she said.

Calling Mizoram her 'second home', Mary Kom conducted the press conference in Mizo language.

India’s First Glass Mosque Opens

Shillong, Oct 22 : India has opened its first glass mosque and the biggest in the northeast Meghalaya state that is expected to draw hundreds of tourists to the marvelous worshipping house.

“The mosque will mark the unity of all religions,” Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Vincent H Pala told The Times of India.

Pala also highlighted the “uniqueness” of the mosque and its “spirit”.Built in Shillong city, the capital of Meghalaya state, Madina Masjid is the first glass mosque in India.

The four-storey building - 120 feet high and 61 feet wide — stands inside an Idgah Complex in the city’s Lahan area and is close to the garrison grounds along the Umshyrpi River.

At night, the mosque’s glasswork glows and glitters.

Being the biggest mosque in the area, the 120-feet Medina Mosque will allow women to offer prayers and also house an orphanage.

It also includes a new theological institute that would host Islamic teachings and a library that would have books on comparative religious studies.

Attending the inauguration event, legislator Syeedullah Nongrong, who is also president of the Shillong Muslim Union, praised the new mosque role in attracting new tourists to the city.

“The mosque will also be a tourist attraction,” Nongrong said.

Muslims account for 160 million of India's 1.1 billion people, the world's third-largest Muslim population after those of Indonesia and Pakistan.

Indian Muslims have long suffered decades of social and economic neglect and oppression.

They are under-represented in public sector jobs, register lower educational levels and hit by higher unemployment rates.
19 October 2012

Mizoram Plans To Setup Village Advisors

Aizawl, Oct 19 : The Mizoram government is toying with a proposal to set up advisory bodies in each of the 15 village councils in northeast Mizoram along its borders with Manipur as the stalemate on holding elections to these councils continues.

The state election commission has announced three dates for elections to the village councils — 13 in Aizawl district and two in Kolosib district — since February 23, the last one being scheduled for October 25. Home minister R. Lalzirliana had yesterday said the polling had to be kept in abeyance repeatedly as the militant Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic), which is opposed to the polls, was threatening voters.

State election commissioner C. Ropianga said not a single nomination paper had been filed for the October 25 polling — the last date for submitting the papers was on Monday — because of the threat posed by the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) to political parties and voters of the 15 villages.

The HPC (D) was set up in 2002 after cadres of the HPC surrendered in 1994. The HPC had accepted a development council in the Hmar-inhabited areas instead of the district council it had demanded. The HPC (D) is insisting on a district council and is opposing the polls in a bid to drive home its demand.

Official sources today said the process of conducting elections to these village councils “had been stopped” and the matter would be referred to the cabinet of the Congress-ruled state government, led by chief minister Lalthanhawla for a decision on how to break the impasse.

A senior official of the state home department said the final decision to end this stalemate was likely to be taken by Lalthanhawla soon.

Mizoram Bans Gutkha

Mizoram bans gutkha products Aizawl, Oct 19 : Mizoram government has imposed a blanket ban on sale of gutka, paan masala and zarda paan in the state.

All shops in the state have been ordered to stop selling these products within a month after which those keeping or selling gutka and other tobacco products would be punished, an official statement said.


The government imposed the ban by invoking Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.

"The prohibition of gutka products is expected to make Mizoram healthier and cleaner," a health department official said.

Micro-ATM using Aadhaar Data Delivers Cash To Tripura Villagers

Burakha (Tripura), Oct 19 : Rampati Debbarma, a 71-year-old tribal woman of Burakha village in West Tripura district on Thursday pressed her finger on an Aadhaar-enabled micro-ATM to get her old-age pension in cash.

Rampati is not alone, but hundreds of old-age pensioners of this village collected their pensions in the same way with the help of Aadhaar-enabled payment system introduced here on Thursday.

“Earlier, I used to walk about 10 km from my village to Mandwi Block headquarters for withdrawal of my pension from Gramin Bank, but today I got it at my doorstep,” she said.

The Unique ID Authority of India in collaboration with United Bank of India and Tripura Grameen Bank on Thursday undertook the field trial of Aadhaar-enabled payment system with online authentication of biometric of the beneficiaries in Mandwi Block.

“Our endeavour was successful today,” Dinesh Mushahary, Chairman of Gramin Bank Tripura, who was present during cash transfer, said.

Mushahary appealed to the people to register their Aadhaar numbers with the banks so that people could get their money directly.

Biodiversity Boon For Arunachal Tribes

By G. Ananthakrishnan

Villagers from Arunachal Pradesh sport Hor4nbill beak headgear during a side event at the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

Villagers from Arunachal Pradesh sport Hor4nbill beak headgear during a side event at the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

At a presentation on the sidelines of COP 11 they reveal the result of their efforts
Arunachal Pradesh is helping tribal residents use ‘globally significant medicinal plants’ for livelihood security through community management of forests. The State has a staggering 500 medicinal plant species, and more than half the forests come under the control of the indigenous people.
At a presentation on indigenous and new approaches to natural resource management in the State, held on the sidelines of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity here on Thursday, tribal practitioners said they had set up seven Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas (MPCAs).
According to tribal beliefs in Arunachal Pradesh, dense forests and big trees are looked upon as ancestral souls, and hornbill hunting is banned during the breeding season. The tiger is sacred as it is the ‘brother of Tani, the first humans on earth’.
However, as a presentation by the INSPIRE Network for Environment made clear, large tracts of forest had been lost in Arunachal due to development of pastoral lands, agriculture expansion, shifting cultivation and demand for firewood and timber. INSPIRE is helping residents in Western Arunachal’s Tawang-Kameng area form a large arboretum for Rhododendron arboreum, an evergreen tree with bright red or pink flowers that holds the soil against landslips. Its flowers are used to produce squash under a plan partnered by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust.
Medicinal plants have come to the rescue of communities, and hence they vigorously guard against the removal of plant and animal species by outsiders. Hake-Tari, Salari, Laa and Wannu are examples of community forests, said Tapu Gapak, member-secretary of the Medicinal Plants Board of Arunachal Pradesh.
Arunachal Pradesh is attempting to show that community ownership can help produce incomes from biodiversity sustainably. There is strong support for conservation of fauna, too.
The Nature Conservation Foundation has been working in the area around the Pakke Tiger Reserve with the Nyishi tribal people, successfully persuading them against hunting hornbills for casques, which form part of headgear. Fibreglass substitutes are accepted. Tribal residents have participated in nest protection schemes, and local councils have seized guns from villages.
An adoption scheme launched by NCF for the hornbills has attracted 49 urban patrons, who paid between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 1-lakh to protect the birds in nesting sites. A dozen birds have fledged through this scheme. NCF researcher Amruta Rane said that in the next phase an assessment of abundance of nesting sites and availability of some 45 fruit tree species favoured by hornbills would be carried out.
A pictorial guide to significant medicinal plants of Arunachal Pradesh authored by D. Yonggam, with information about their use, was released here by MLA Bamang Felix.
Several tribal participants were present at the discussion wearing wood casque headgear, demonstrating how hornbills could be spared.

ZUF Rebels 'Rape' 4 School girls in Manipur

Imphal, Oct 19 : Four tribal schoolgirls were allegedly raped by two cadres of the underground Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) who had defected in Manipur's Tamenglong district on October 5.

The rapes were known after the girls came to Imphal and spoke to reporters at a conference on Wednesday. A senior ZUF leader said both the cadres had defected from the party and there was a price on their heads.

One of the culprits shot himself with his gun in front of one of the victims inside the quarters of a chowkidar of the Manipur irrigation and flood control department office at Khoupum village in Tamenglong.

The four Zeliangrong girls are students of classes VI-X. They were returning from school when they heard gunshots. They were afraid of being hit by stray bullets and took shelter in a nearby house, the girls told reporters.

"Minutes after the firing stopped, we came out of the house. Just then, the two cadres carrying guns shot at the ground near us. They dragged us inside the chowkidar's quarters," one of the girls said.

The cadres locked two of the schoolgirls in the toilet and raped the other two, said a girl. Later, they dragged out the two girls from the toilet and raped them, too.

After raping the girls, one of the cadres pointed his gun to his head and threatened to kill himself along with one of the victims. He then shot himself and the terrified girl managed to run out of the room.

On hearing the gunshot, the other cadre rushed out and fled, the victims said.

No FDI in Mining in Meghalaya

Shillong, Oct 19 : The Meghalaya government Thursday said it had done away with foreign direct investment (FDI) in the mining sector after several organisations protested the controversial Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy, 2012 that was approved by the state cabinet Oct 5.

"The government has done away with that clause in the Mines and Mineral Policy that encourages foreign direct investment in the mining sector," Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of mining and geology Bindo Lanong told IANS.

The state cabinet has however approved rat-hole coal mining in the state.

Rat-hole mining is a primitive method that entails clearing ground vegetation and digging pits ranging from five to 100 square metres to reach the coal seams.

Several organisations under the banner of Social Organisations of Meghalaya against Land Alienation (SOMALA) had earlier demanded that the FDI clause be repealed from the Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy 2012.

The opposition National People's Party and Meghalaya state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party had criticised the earlier decision of the state cabinet to allow FDI in mining, saying that it would have a negative impact on small-time miners and lead to the total sellout of the state's natural resources.

Meghalaya has a total coal reserve of 640 million tonnes, besides 5,000 million tonnes of limestone reserve and other minerals like Uranium.

"FDI is a central subject and the state government cannot decide alone on this issue and if the government felt it necessary to go for FDI in the mining sector with an intention to ensure job opportunities to the tribesmen of the state, we would then seek the central government's consent on the matter," Lanong said.

"It is their (SOMALA's) misconception on the policy, but the fact of the matter is that the government had decided to do away with the clause that sought to encourage FDI in the mining sector," the deputy chief minister clarified.

Neiphiu Rio Wants Emotional Integration of Nagas

Neiphiu Rio wants emotional integration of Nagas New Delhi, Oct 19 : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said if physical integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited territories is not possible, there should at least be emotional integration to resolve the Naga insurgency.

Perhaps, Rio has in mind a body that unites the Nagas irrespective of which state they live while thinking aloud of an emotional integration. Already, there is the Naga Ho Ho, an apex tribal council where various Naga tribes are represented. Last month, a Naga Ho Ho delegation met various political leaders here for a peaceful solution. While working out a solution, the government could mull institutionalizing the Naga Ho Ho, said a source drawing an analogy with the SGPC that unites Sikhs in matters of religion.

Peace talks began with the NSCN (IM) 15 years ago. In the last two years, interlocutors led by 1972 batch IAS officer R S Pandey could impress upon the rebel leaders that though the Constitution allows redrawing state boundaries for Naga integration, it is fraught with practical problems. Also, India won't agree to "secession of an inch of its territory". There are indications that the rebels have understood India's imperatives.

For an "honourable settlement" of the issue, the Centre can concede certain special rights in governance and development relating to Naga identity, culture, land and autonomy, said a source. The Centre is also mulling autonomous councils in Naga inhabited areas in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh like those for Bodos in Assam or Gorkhas in West Bengal, said a source.

For this, skilful negotiation in a short time between the Centre, concerned states, interlocutors and the Nagas is required for a win-win solution acceptable to all. "The solution should be inclusive," said Rio.

He insisted this is the most opportune time for the Indian government to resolve the "Naga political issue". "The people of Nagaland want peace. They are fed up with extortion and illegal activities. The Naga nationalist underground groups have never come as close to the state and central government as now," he said. Leader of Naga insurgent group NSCN (IM), Th Muivah, too, is ready for settlement.

Rio said this was the most "opportune time" for the Centre to come up with a permanent solution to the 65-year-old struggle. "If this opportunity is missed, I don't know whether we will get such a chance in our lifetime," said Rio.

For an embattled UPA government suffering from policy paralysis, it seems to be an uphill task.