Aizawl Set To Enter New Year With A Bang

Aizawl, Dec 31 : The state capital of Mizoram is all set to ring in the new year with a bang-boom-bang, not of fire crackers but of musical treats.

The state government had set aside Rs 60,000 each for New Year concerts in five strategic locations within the city where the state’s top singers and musicians will entertain the exciting New Year revelers.

Rs 50,000 each had also been sanctioned to the other seven district capitals of Mizoram for the same purpose.

The concerts, to be simultaneously kicked-off at 1300 hours on December 31, will be organized by the concerned branch of Young Mizo Association, the state’s largest NGO, in collaboration with district magistrate and police officials.

“The concerts aim to give entertainment to the youths and prevent them from indulging in anti-social activities like taking drugs, alcohol and drunken driving,” a government official source said today.

Such events had been organised on New Year’s eve last year and they proved to be successful.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement agencies, with the help of the local NGOs, have been taking measures to ensure New Year celebrations free of fireworks and crackers like the last two years.

Fireworks and crackers had been part and parcel of New Year celebrations in Mizoram for decades till the last two years. A complete change took place in 2009 when the state government announced prohibition of fireworks and crackers and sought the assistance of the local NGOs in enforcing the prohibition.

The prohibition was a complete success as virtually not a single sound of crackers was heard and no more flickering lights of fireworks travelling the skies above.

And for the first in many years, asthma patients and people with heart problem were able to enjoy New Year celebrations in peace.

“Thanks to the good cooperation of the police and local NGOs, we are hoping to enjoy peaceful celebration of New Year without noise and air pollution this time too,” said state home minister R Lalzirliana.

No Force Can Stop Nagas From Living Together- Dr Shurhozelie

Kohima, Dec 31 : Naga People’s Front President Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu has stated that no force can stop Nagas from living together, while calling upon the United Naga Council (UNC) to come out openly and extent its support toward the fight for the rights of the Naga people.

Dr Shürhozelie, who is also Nagaland Minister of Urban Development and Higher and Technical Education and now on a campaign tour for the forthcoming Manipur Assembly elections, said the forthcoming assembly elections in Manipur in January 2012 would be a referendum on whether Nagas live united as a family.

Speaking at an interaction with various tribal hohos and United Naga Council(UNC) at the NPF Manipur unit office at the district headquarters of Senapati in Manipur, he said no one could stop Nagas from living together and reminded that the forthcoming assembly election was an opportunity for Nagas in Manipur to decide, according to NPF party sources at Kohima today.

He stressed that NPF was for good relationship with various communities, political parties and organisations both underground and over ground but asserted that no one would be allowed to dictate terms upon Nagas.

Dr Shürhozelie revealed that the main purpose of the NPF was to defeat incumbent Okram Ibobi Singh. He urged all Naga organisations and church of Manipur to support NPF candidates in the forthcoming polls.

He said NPF in Manipur has received applications from candidates for 14 assembly seats while there was no ticket aspirant from Kuki dominated areas.

He however said NPF could make some seat adjustments with other political parties in Kuki dominated areas.

Dr Shürhozelie also asserted that it was not necessary to always talk about being suppressed by the Meiteis and challenged the Nagas in Manipur to work in such a way that they exert themselves as a force.

Stating that this time they are contesting in only 14 constituencies, he however pointed out that the hill area has 20 seats and if all can come together and work together then 20 people in a 60 member house will become a formidable force. They can make their presence felt in the Assembly, their voice will be heard and that is all we want, the NPF president said.

Altogether 55 out of the total 56 aspiring candidates including two women who had applied for NPF party ticket from 14 different assembly constituencies of Manipur attended yesterday’s function.

All aspiring candidates made a public pledge to remain loyal to the NPF party’s ideologies and support those who would eventually get party tickets.

High Court Rule In Favor Of Indigenous Land Owners In Mizoram

Guwahati, Dec 30 : The Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench gave order to the Deputy Commission of Lawngtlai to gave the remaining compensation of Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project Phase 'A' and 12% interest to the land owners within 3 months and solatium of 30% within 4 months.

The project has been a part of India’s' Look East Policy and under the Land Acquisition Act the land has been taken. The compensation has been given under the guidance of the Deputy Commissioner Lawngtlai and a total amount of Rs. 2,77,65,142/- has already given to the land owners.

Some of the land owners approached the Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench for not giving the Award Copy and also not giving the 12% interest as well as 30% solatium, a case WP (C) No 68 of 2011 was registered and delivered a judgment Order (Oral) dt. 13.12.2011 was made and ordered the Deputy Commissioner Lawngtlai to give 12% interest to the land owners within 3 months and solatium of 30% within 4 months. The court also ruled that if they are not satisfied with the compensation they can appeal in the court also.

Kaladan Multi Modal Transport Project is a Million Dollar Project that connects Burma through Mizoram State, earlier Zo Indigenous Forum organised Consultation on Kaladan Multi Modal Transport Project in Aizawl and schedule to be held in Lawngtlai on the Second half of January 2012.

Source: Zo Indigenous Forum

Moreh: The Gateway To Southeast Asia

By Akshat Kausha



Moreh Dec 30 : As India and Myanmar explore the feasibility of cross-border road and rail networks, local traders here say their potential is being underutilised due to various restrictions.

The rickety single-lane road from Imphal to Moreh neither resembles a national highway nor a border road. However, the four border check-posts of the Assam Rifles make the approach of India’s easternmost frontier obvious.

Now, as India looks towards the East for trade, this small-town, 110-km south-east of Imphal, looks forward to regain its long-lost reputation of being the gateway for trade with Southeast Asia.

CROSS-BORDER TRADE THROUGH MOREH There is a huge market for Indian textiles and cycle parts in Myanmar and Thailand. Chinese electronic goods and Myanmar’s gems are also in good demand there India-Myanmar trade
	2009-10	2010-11	% growth
Myanmar	207.97	334.42	60.81
(% Share)	-0.11	-0.133
India’s total export	178,751.43	251,135.89	40.49
Values in $ million Source: Ministry of Commerce

Moreh may have long lost its former glory, but in Manipur the town still enjoys its reputation; made obvious by how the locals expand its name — Millions of Rupees Enter Here (Moreh).This reputation of Moreh for big money comes from the Southeast Asian trade, which traders here have been indulging in for decades, both legal and illegal.

Trade here is driven by a close-knit group of around 700 Tamil and another 15 Sikh and Marwari families, that have the reputation of knowing southeast Asia like the back of their hand. This select group of traders are able to successfully conduct trade with countries as far as Thailand, China and Vietnam.

“This trade can only be done by a select group of people who work in coordination with local groups in Myanmar,” says R K Shivachandra, who has written a book on his travels through Myanmar to China by road. “Even now, I have seen a lot of traders bring goods from Southeast Asia for the markets of Kolkata.”

Traders usually bring goods for Indian markets from Thailand and China through the road that cuts through the whole of Myanmar. Only a few traders take the complete journey. The rest, however, trade goods with traders based in Mandalay. According to local traders here, journey till China takes more than 36 hours by bus. For China, the route followed is: Moreh-Tamu (Myanmar border)-Kalaymyo-Kalewa-Mandalay-Hsipaw-Lashio-Muse. Muse is on the Chinese side of the Sino-Burma border. This route further becomes part of the Burma Road that goes till Kunming in China. For Thailand, the route remains same till Mandalay after which traders travel through Chang Rai-Chang Mai to reach Bangkok.

“There is a huge market for Indian textiles and cycle parts in Myanmar and Thailand. Chinese electronic goods and Myanmar’s gems are in good demand here,” said S Ravichandran of the Moreh Tamil Sangam.

Recently, during the four-month long economic blockade, the Manipur government requested the Central government to allow it to import petrol and diesel from Myanmar. The request was, however, turned down by the Central government stating that the quality of fuel in Myanmar was not suited for Indian automobiles. Despite the Central government’s gag-order against import of petrol/diesel, local shops in Moreh are seen openly selling petrol and diesel that are bought from across the border.

This route is also notorious for drug trafficking. According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, medicines are smuggled from Kunming into Myanmar and then proceed from Monywa near Mandalay to Tamu/Moreh on the Indian border. The report says that from here the consignments go to exporters in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

This route is also used for trade in wildlife products such as the Rhino horn, which is smuggled from Assam’s Kaziranga National Park. Concerned over the increasing instances of cross-border trade, the government has now started installing border fencing at Moreh, but there are many porous locations from where locals make easy entry into Myanmar.

Traders here say their potential is being underutilised, as various restrictions are imposed on them. “There is a bus service between India and Pakistan, when relations between the countries are much worse than they are between India and Myanmar. Why can’t we have a cross-border bus service? We have often requested the government to increase the list of items which can be traded, but we have received no response,” said Surinder Singh Patheja, secretary, Border Trade and Chamber of Commerce. There is a feeling of injustice, too. “Even after so many years, we are still sometimes called smugglers,” said Patheja.

In recent years, with the improvement of diplomatic relations between India and Myanmar, trade between the two countries have seen a rapid increase. And the government is looking at Moreh as an important part of its relations with Myanmar and Southeast Asia. In 2010-11, India’s export to Myanmar saw a growth of more than 60 per cent against the overall export growth of 40.49 per cent.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also indicated that Moreh would be made a hub of cross-border trade with Myanmar. In October, during the visit of President of Myanmar U Thein Sein to India, both the countries discussed the feasibility of cross-border road and rail networks. Manmohan Singh was reported to have discussed with the U Thein Sein the possibility of a road linking Moreh-Mae Sot that would connect India and Thailand via Myanmar.

In October 2006, the Indian government had also proposed to build a railway-line from Jiribam to Imphal and Moreh. This railway line is part of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Initiative. According to the assessment of Rites Limited, construction of rail-link between Jiribam-Imphal-Moreh would cost of Rs 2,941.08 crore. Construction of rail link would also be required in Myanmar between Tamu-Kalay-Segyi at a cost of Rs 1,339.02 crore and rehabilitation of existing line from Segyi-Chaungu Myohaung at a cost of Rs 283.959 crore. So far, the Indian Railways has only begun work on the Jiribam Imphal line, expected to be completed by 2016.

Hunger Strike in Silchar Against Tipaimukh Dam

Silchar, Dec 30 : Members of CPI (ML) and other organizations on Thursday observed a 12-hour hunger strike in Silchar in protest against the pre-dawn police crackdown on anti-dam activists on Ranganadi Bridge when they were opposing construction of big dams, including the Lower Subansiri hydro-electric project at Gerukamukh and Tipaimukh project on the Barak River.

Hundreds of protesters sat on a 12-hour hunger-strike in front of the office of the CPI (ML) district committee at Trunk Road locality of the town in the morning. They raised slogans against the police action and demanded that big dams projects should be stopped for the sake of human, economic and environmental interests.

CPI (ML) Cachar district secretary Haidar Hussain Chaudhary said they have full support of activists and organizations, including the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), which is opposing the 2000-MW Lower Subansiri hydro-electric project at Gerukamukh along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. Haidar said they will launch a similar agitation if the government doesn't stop construction of the Lower Subansiri project, he said.

The CPI (ML) leader said they have also been opposing the proposed 1500-MW Tipaimukh hydroelectric project in Manipur bordering Assam and Mizoram. The project will bring about a catastrophe in the Barak Valley areas of Assam and parts of Manipur where tribals stay in large numbers. It will also affect people Sylhet division of Bangladesh, he added.

Cheaper Varieties Sucking Meghalaya Orange Dry

By Samudra Gupta Kashyap 

Shillong, Dec 30 : Meghalaya is not only the abode of the clouds but also home to one of the tastiest and best oranges in the country. But all is not well with Khasi Mandarin (Citrus Reticulate), which is currently facing two major problems — one of pests and the other of invasion by cheaper varieties of orange saplings from outside the state.

While fruit-sucking moths (Othresis fullonica) have been destroying oranges and making cultivation economically non-viable in some parts of the state, stem-borers have also started damaging the orange plantations across Meghalaya.

“The Department of Horticulture is taking every step possible to help orange-growers tackle the pest menace through timely intervention, and various pest-control measures are already on,” said C O Rangad, Director, Horticulture.

However, what is more alarming is that several cheaper varieties of oranges — cheaper at the sapling stage — have been making rapid inroads into the state. “The Khasi Mandarin variety of orange is definitely under threat due to the arrival of a large number of saplings from outside the state which are generally cheaper than the original Khasi Mandarin saplings,” said Rangad. Orange saplings grown in Assam are available even at Rs 5 per piece, and ignorant farmers are being generally attracted to these, not knowing that they would not be as productive as Khasi Mandarin is,” he said.

While the northeastern region as a whole is home to a wide variety of citrus species, orange and pineapple cultivation together occupy about 80,000 hectares of land in the seven states. Of them, Meghalaya accounts for about 17,000 hectares, and this, in turn, produces about 40,000 tonnes of oranges per annum.

Scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) centre at Barapani near Shillong have described the eastern Himalaya region as one of the primary gene centres of citrus worldwide and a large variability in the germplasm has been noted in the region. They have also suggested that the northeastern Himalayan region is distinguished by its rich source of diversity of Mandarin orange and may be treated as a centre of the origin for this crop.

With farmers in the state opting for saplings available at cheaper rates, Meghalaya’s premium variety is definitely under threat. “Meghalaya’s homegrown saplings are priced at around Rs 7.50 per piece, and the price difference is causing a major threat to the identity of our own Khasi Mandarin oranges,” said Rangad. It is, however, not suddenly this year that Meghalaya has faced this problem. “A team of scientists from the Nagpur-based National Research Centre for Citrus that visited Meghalaya two years ago was the first to alert us on preserving the exclusiveness of our orange species. It recommended setting up special nurseries for Khasi Mandarin, apart from suggesting other measures to boost production,” Rangad said.

Funds, meanwhile, do not appear to be a problem. The 13th Finance Commission has earmarked Rs 30 crore for horticulture development in the state, and orange being a major produce is likely to get a sizeable portion of this fund for research and development and other measures. The Horticulture Department has decided to establish two planting material hubs — one each in East Khasi Hills and East Garo Hills district — for various types of horticultural products, orange being the most important among them.

The authorities, meanwhile, have started promoting orange festivals across the state to encourage farmers and at the same time popularise Khasi Mandarin orange among the consumers. “I strongly feel there is a need to preserve the Khasi Mandarin since this variety of orange is available only in our state, and orange festivals like the one in Sohra (Cherrapunji) last week can play a major role in boosting the image of this variety,” Rangad said.

Orange festivals, incidentally, are increasingly being held in various states of the Northeast in the recent years.

Blurring Boundaries in Smoke & Dirt Of Cars

By Yana Bay

Indo-Myanmar Friendship Car Rally will be flagged off on January 29 from Guwahati and will cover a distance of around 5,000 km

For motorsport buffs, next mo­nth brings a car rally with several interesting features — the fo­remost one being the itinerary. The Indo-Myanmar Friendship Car Rally will be flagged off from Guwahati in Assam and travel to Yangon in Mya­nmar before returning to Guwahati.

En route, the rallyists will see Kaz­iranga, the famed home of the Indian rhino, Kohima and Imphal before crossing the border at Moreh on the Indian side and Tamu on the My­anmar side. In Myanmar, the rally will pass through Kalemiyo, Monywa and Mandalay. This city, made famous by writers such as Rudyard Kipling and John Masters, is not only a night halt for the rallyists like the other places but has also been given its due status by having an entire half-day until lunch set aside for sightseeing.

Then it’s on to Naypyitaw, the capital of Myanmar and Yangon. Form­erly known as Rangoon, this is another historic place and a city tour has been scheduled. After that the caravan will pass through Piyay and Ba­gan before heading back to Monywa and retracing the route back to Guwahati.

The total distance covered will be around 5,000 km. The cavalcade will set off on January 29 and return on February 9. This is the inaugural edition of the rally and it will hopefully become an annual feature.

The rally is being organised by the North East Federation on Inter­national Trade (NEFIT) and the Assam Speed and Adventure Club (ASAC). It is supported by the ministry of development of north eastern region, the ministry of home affairs, the ministry of external affairs, the ministry of commerce, the ministry of tourism, the government of India and the governments of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. It also has the support of the government of Myanmar, the Myanmar embassy in New Delhi and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).

While the event is an attempt to retrace and revive the ancient trade route between the people of India’s northeastern states and erstwhile Burma, it also provides a rare opportunity to see some of the most remote and pristine parts of our country as well as Myanmar. The route will take participants through almost the length and breadth of Myanmar. Apart from discovering historical links, the trip will also be a cultural feast. While the advantages pertaining to trade and tourism are obvious, there is also much to reap by way of culture, the arts and cuisine.

There will be special business sessions and cultural programmes at the Myanmar International Convention Centre in Naypyitaw and in Yangon. The rally is being held with a theme: “Mapping connectivity in the perspective of North East India and Myanmar, focusing on building bilateral relations, culture, tourism and trade.”

Participants must form four-member teams and each team must travel in an SUV. The total number of participants is going to be 225, with 75 per cent being Indians and the rest foreigners. There will be a total of 55 vehicles. The cost is Rs 1 lakh per person. The organisers will provide food, accommodation and fuel and also pay the visa fee and any other charges. Another crucial requirement is passport validity — until July 31, 2012. Entries close on December 31.

Contact the rally organising committee at +919435016512, 9859984254, 9435045561, 9854079997 or indomyanmar.carrally@gmail.com

60 Seats, 300 Candidates For Manipur Polls

Imphal, Dec 29 : Over 300 candidates are likely to contest in the January 28 election to the 60-seat Manipur Legislative Assembly as political activities in Manipur is heating up, with political parties busy in holding meetings for pre-poll alliance and preparing list of candidates to be fielded in the election.

A preliminary analysis prepared by the political section of the CID (Special Bureau) from security point of view shows that 306 political personalities including seating MLAs and nominees of different political parties are preparing for contesting the election with their election rally already started months back.

The analysis indicates Naga People Front (NPF) fielding to at least 11 seats of the Assembly from the Naga dominated hill districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel district. The analysis further indicated maximum number of contestants in no. 1 Khundrakpam Assembly constituencies in Imphal East district while a minimum of only two candidates in 17-Lamshang Assembly Constituency in Imphal West district.

The Congress who secured 29 seats in the 2007 election is projecting to contest in all the 60 seats. A source from the party office Wednesday said that over 130 intending candidates have applied for party tickets till date.

Some opposition seating MLAs were also seeking party tickets, source said. Chief minister O Ibobi Singh, who addressed at Congress foundation day celebration held Wednesday at Imphal Congress Bhavan asserted that the party was ready for pre-poll alliance with other like-minded parties. “Congress is ready for ally with like-minded parties if approach,” he said.

CPI, the ruling partner of the Congress in the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government with only three MLAs in the present Assembly, is considering to field over 20 candidates.  The party has announced a list of 19 candidates today.

Announcing the list of 19 candidates, CPI state secretary, Dr M Nara Singh said that it was the first phase of party candidates. He hinted that list of other candidates would be announced before the issue of election notification, January 4 next.

BJP is working hard to declare the list of party nominees. So far, the party has confirmed a list of 12 candidates to be fielded, according to a party source.

The party is expecting to field its candidates in over 20 constituencies.

The party is also considering for joining the MPP-NCP alliance, which was formed recently with an objective of defeating the Congress in the upcoming election.

The matter of joining the opposition alliance will be finalized after BJP national spokesperson, Prakash Javedkar, who is also the election in-charge of election in Manipur hold consultation with state unit leaders, the party source hinted.

He is likely to arrive in Imphal on December 30, for discussion about the party election strategy with state unit leaders, sources added. 

After the Janata Dal (United) had joined the alliance, Rashtrya Janata Dal (RJD), having three seating MLAs in the present assembly, has also announced joining the pre-poll alliance.

The party is currently extending support to the SPF government from outside. Party president while announcing the joining of the opposition alliance said that it would severe all ties with the ruling government.

For the MPP, having five MLAs in the current Assembly, none could say about the candidates to be fielded as some of the seating MLAs are seemed to remain far from the party and seeking Congress tickets.

NCP who secured four seats in the last 2007 election is projecting to field at least in 30 Assembly constituencies. So, far 11 intending candidates have applied for party tickets, a party source said. Other parties like the Trinamool Congress, National People’s Party (NPP) and others were also working out to field their candidates.