Assam Rifles Organize Motorcycle Peace Rally in Guwahati

Guwahati, Mar 10 : The Assam Rifles celebrated their 175th anniversary by organizing a Motorcycle Peace Rally here on Tuesday.

The event was flagged off by JB Patnaik, the Governor of Assam at the Judges Field in the city, in the presence of Director General of Assam Rifles, Lt General K S Yadav.

General Yadav said that through the motorcycle rally, the Assam Rifles aim to spread the message of peace in the trouble-torn northeastern region of India, and to boost the morale of the Indian troopers stationed in the region.

"We believe that sporting events are the best medium to reach out to people and to interact with them. That is why we have planned white-water rafting, football, car rally, and this motorcycle rally as part of the celebrations. Through the rally, the soldiers will get to travel the whole of northeast and spread the message to the people that Assam Rifles is always there with them," General Yadav added.

Thirty Assam Rifles personnel, including an officer, are taking part in the rally to highlight the force's role in the region.

General Yadav also said that it is a proud moment for the forces that a group of Assam Rifles soldiers is being sent as part of a police unit to Haiti, under the aegis of the United Nations.

He also said that another 26 battalions of the Assam Rifles would be raised very soon to man the volatile Indo-Myanmar border.

Assam Rifles now has 46 battalions, 15 of which are deployed along the Indo-Myanmar border. Each battalion comprises around 1,000 personnel.

Rally Against Construction of Tipaimukh Dam

Imphal, Mar 10 : Hundreds of people took out a rally in an interior town of Manipur's Tamenglong district protesting against the proposed construction of Tipaimukh dam.

The rallyists marched through Nungba town, which they said would be affected by the proposed dam, and submitted a memorandum to the state chief minister through the sub divisional officer of Nungba yesterday.

The dam is proposed to be built at the tri-junction of Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.

The memorandum claimed the dam would have serious effect on the ecology, environment, flora and fauna as well as the identity of the indigenous people living in Tipaimukh and surrounding areas.

Official sources said India and Bangladesh had discussed the construction of the dam which supposedly would solve the flood problem caused by Barak river in Cachar district of Assam and parts of Bangladesh.

Sangliana Rules Out Political Hand in Violence

Report to be submitted to the Centre within the week

State has registered the highest number of attacks against minority institutions

‘State Government has not responded to Centre's recommendations for preventive measures'

 For harmony:National Commission for Minorities vice-chairman H.T. Sangliana addressing a meeting of community leaders in Hassan on Tuesday.

Hassan, Mar 10 : National Commission for Minorities vice-chairman H.T. Sangliana has ruled out any political hand behind the recent violence in Hassan and Shimoga districts, and has said that it was a case of religious leaders losing control over the members of the communities who went on the rampage. He further attributed the violence to the lack of social and spiritual education among young people.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr. Sangliana said that he would submit a report to the Centre within the week; he would also include recommendations to be forwarded to the State Government.

He also called for everybody to be identified as Indians, rather than members belonging to minority or majority communities, and urged everybody to make the 21st century an era of peace and tranquillity.

Mr. Sangliana said two pre-university students were among those arrested in Hassan. He urged the Superintendent of Police and the Deputy Commissioner to obtain a copy of their hall tickets from their parents, so that their bail applications could be recommended. He also said that he would suggest that the Government provide compensatory appointment to the family members of the two people killed during the violence in Shimoga.

He had also directed the speedy rehabilitation of those affected by the violence, he said. Damage assessment had also been ordered. Mr. Sangliana said that the commission had registered a suo motu case against those accused of violence in the two districts. The Centre would also advise the State regarding preventive measures, he said.

Mr. Sangliana said that the State had the dubious distinction of recording the highest number of cases for attacks on churches and other minority institutions in the country. Cases in the State constitute 75 percent of the total, he said.

Last year, the Centre had written to the State Government suggesting preventive suggestions. As many as 15 steps had been suggested, but there had been no response from the State Government. No Action Taken Report (ATR) had also been filed, Mr. Sangliana said.

Mr. Sangliana stressed the importance of moral and spiritual education for youngsters.

Conversions

Mr. Sangliana denied any incident of forcible conversions in the State. All converts had had a genuine change of heart, he said. He added that 80 per cent of the cases registered by the police for forcible conversion were yet to be charge-sheeted because of the lack of evidence.

Meghalaya Sets up IT Companies to Boost Infrastructure

Shillong (Meghalaya), Mar 10 : Department of Information Technology in Meghalaya is setting up IT companies to provide the benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to the youth and boost infrastructure in the region.

The main focus of this move by the State Government is to provide benefits to the poor section of the population, such as youth, government employees and all the other stakeholders.

Implemented under e-governance programs, private companies like ETPL India, Chilli Breeze, Anjaybee Infotech Pvt. Ltd have entered into projects for the development of the IT sector, and would cover areas like infrastructures, and job opportunities for the educated masses.

"The set-up of IT sector in the Northeast especially has helped us a lot. It has given employment to the youth and provided a proper infrastructure, which was badly required for establishing such an establishment," said Manager of Chilli Breeze Debojit Kanwar.

"It requires power, particularly infrastructure, and we have found the best place from the whole Northeast to set up this company for the language issue. Over here, we are looking forward to the youth to come in the forefront," added Kanwar. There are four IT projects initiated in the state, which include State Data Center (SDC), State Service Delivery Gateway (SSDG), Community Service Center (CSC), and the State Wide Area Network (SWAN), which are smoothly working towards its implementation.

According to A T Mondal, Meghalaya's IT minister, the availability of a large base of English-speaking people gives a huge demographic advantage for establishing IT centers, which can create employment opportunities to the local educated youth.

"We are going ahead with all the programs as by the Department of IT, Government of India as per the national e-governance program. Side by side we are also encouraging various private and semi-government sectors as per the ICT is concerned," said Mondal.

"We are providing some facilities to the schools so that they can get the benefit of the ICT materials from our department," he added.

Mondal further said the objective is to develop platforms that can enable government, private and social sector organizations to align their social and commercial goals for the benefit of rural masses, by reaching the remotest corner of the country and bridging the digital divide by Information and Communication Technology dissemination.

HIV Among Women in Manipur Rises

Imphal, Mar 10 : The number of HIV positive women in Manipur has been steadily increasing over the last 10 years, according to Project Director (Technical) of Manipur State AIDS Control Society Dr Kh Pramodkumar.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the programme titled 'Knowledge for action now' at the State Youth Hostel, Khuman Lampak here today, Dr Pramodkumar informed that the current rate of HIV prevalence among the women in Manipur is an alarming 35 percent as against 17 percent 10 years back.

Out of the test conducted on every 100 pregnant women in Manipur, 1.3 percent of them are detected as confirmed cases of HIV.

This shows that the mode of HIV transmission in Manipur is becoming more through sexual route, Dr Pramodkumar, who was the functional president, said, adding that in fact HIV transmission among injecting drug users (IDUs) which used to be the major cause of concerned has come down to a large extent.

With increased number of HIV transmission through sexual route, the number of HIV positive women and children has been on the rise.
At present, there are an estimated 8000 women living with HIV in Manipur, Dr Pramodkumar disclosed.

The programme which would continue for two days is being organized jointly by Centre for Human Progress, Prodigals' Home, Kripa Foundation, Care Foundation and Galaxy Club.

The programme is sponsored by UNAIDS.

Member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Ng Nongyai was the chief guest of the inaugural function which was also attend- ed by Deputy Director of Social Welfare Department Sanajaoba as guest of honor.

In his address as the chief guest, Ng Nongyai observed that the issue of HIV/AIDS in Manipur is one of the most serious issues that the Government ought to give priority in tackling it.

There are nearly 30,000 unreported cases of HIV infection in Manipur and the problem is likely to be more serious on account of Manipur being a border State as well as in the light of various other issues including coming of the trans- Asian highway.

So there is an urgent need to finalize a legislation to control HIV in the State, Nongyai opined.

Youth from Nagaland and Manipur are participating in the programme which aims to impart thorough knowledge on various issues related to HIV, health care and Human rights.

As part of the programme, an exhibition displaying various products like garments and eatables made by HIV positive women as well as showcasing of photographs and other arts is also being organized.

via The Sangai Express

Photo courtesy : Adam Ferguson's Photos

Irom Sharmila Rearrested

By Iboyaima Laithangbam

PTI Irom Sharmila was rearrested on Tuesday as she continued her fast despite being released by the court.

Imphal, Mar 10  : Irom Sharmila, who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 4, 2000 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in Manipur, was rearrested on Tuesday, as she continued her fast despite being released by the court.

The Act, under which she was arrested (for attempt to commit suicide), does not permit the authorities to detain her for more than one year at one go.

She was released on Monday after she completed one year of detention. As her condition without medication and nose-feeding became precarious, the police rearrested her.

Sources said her condition was a cause of concern. All her organs were affected. She staggered out of J.N. Hospital, which was declared a sub-jail for her and went straight to the office of Save Sharmila Organisation nearby to continue her protest.

She told journalists that there was no question of her breaking the fast until the AFSPA was repealed. The misuse of its provisions resulted in people getting killed, and in excesses, she said.

Sharmila had rejected appeals from Prime Ministers, Presidents and other leaders in the past to break her fast. She only wanted to sleep on her ailing mother's lap at home, she said.

On November 4, 2000, some militants exploded a bomb near the airport here, as three vehicles of 8 Assam Rifles were passing by.

There was no casualty or damage to the vehicles.

However, the personnel allegedly rounded up 1o persons, who were standing in the bus-stand and working in their homes nearby and all were mowed down. In protest, Sharmila launched the fast.

Taj Hotels Foray Into Northeast India

Guwahati, Mar 10 : The Indian Hotels Company Ltd Tuesday announced its plans to launch a new hotel in Northeast India with the announcement of Vivanta by Taj - Guwahati, Assam.

The foundation stone for the property was unveiled by Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam in the presence of Ratan Tata , Chairman Tata Sons , Rockybul Hussain , Minister of Forest and Environment, Tourism, Government of Assam, and H.S.Das , IAS, Principal Secretary Finance & Tourism , Government of Assam.

Unveiling the foundation stone, Tarun Gogoi, CM, Assam said: “This is a clear indication that the Tata Group is committed to the development of Assam in northeast as a whole.

This hotel will provide tourism to a great extent. We are very happy to have our first 5 star hotel because without a 5 star hotel, one cannot bring in development”

The property will be located on a 4.5 acre site at G S Road in Guwahati.

It will be the city’s first 5-star hotel for a target clientele of business and leisure travelers, claimed the company.

Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons, said: “It is a great privilege and honour to be here today on this occasion when Taj is registering its commitment to the state of Assam in laying the foundation stone of Vivanta by Taj. I hope this hotel will, as the Minister stated, be a destination for not only business visitors but also tourists, who may visit Assam.

“In the morning we have had discussions on what we could, as business people, do in Assam and we were always struck by the tremendous change in the state, the level of activity, the enhancement of quality of life and I believe we are all committed to the vision of the Chief Minister to advance the rural environment in Assam, to raise the quality of life in rural areas, to provide jobs and skills. I hope this hotel, that we are all at today, will in its own way contribute to this goal.”

This is a significant development for Taj Hotels as Guwahati is the Gateway to the North East and is a critical administrative, political and financial centre for the state.

Uproar in India Over Female Lawmaker Quota

Congress Party supporters rejoiced in New Delhi after the bill passed Parliament’s upper house.

By Lydia Polgreen

New Delhi, Mar 10 : The upper house of India’s Parliament passed a bill Tuesday that would amend the Constitution to reserve one-third of the seats in India’s national and state legislatures for women, after the measure stirred two days of political chaos that could whittle the governing coalition’s majority to a dangerously thin margin.

The vote, which is an early step in the process of amending the Constitution, brought pandemonium to Parliament, as a small group of regional caste-based parties waged a fierce fight to block it, arguing that it would diminish their influence.

The parties, allies of the governing coalition led by the Congress Party, have threatened to withdraw their support, which would reduce the coalition’s voting majority to single digits and jeopardize crucial legislation like India’s budget, which was just introduced. The chaos surrounding the bill threatens to undermine what has been an otherwise stable coalition government, analysts said.

Tuesday’s vote was the first of four hurdles the measure must clear. The lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, must pass the bill, then the proposed amendment will need to win approval from at least half of India’s state legislatures. Then India’s president, a largely ceremonial post, must sign off.

The amendment is a long-sought tool to improve the lot of women in India, the world’s most populous democracy. Despite having had several formidable female leaders — including former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her daughter-in-law Sonia Gandhi, the current leader of the Congress Party — Indian women lag behind men in virtually every sphere of life.

Various governments have been trying to get the amendment passed since the 1990s, but each has failed despite wide support across the political spectrum. The fight over the bill illustrates the often vicious competition between caste, religion, ethnicity and gender over who will benefit most from laws designed to reduce inequality.

Opponents of the bill say that it will favor wealthy upper-caste women at the expense of the lower castes and Muslims.

“We are not against women reservation,” said Lalu Prasad Yadav, leader of one of the parties seeking to block the amendment. “Give reservation to poor India, to original India. Ninety percent of the population is deprived in India.”

Critics of the amendment say that it will only worsen what is already a big problem — powerful men substituting their daughters, wives and sisters as proxies in political office.

The amendment would effectively make nearly half of the seats in the lower house of Parliament reserved, which would only heighten the competition for the remaining, unrestricted seats. Muslim politicians said they would suffer under the bill as well. Syed Shahabuddin, a former member of Parliament, said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the amendment would cut Muslim representation in half.

Muslims are a crucial component of the Congress Party’s vote in many states. Trinamool Congress, one of the governing coalition’s crucial members, said late Tuesday that it would abstain from voting for the amendment over concerns about how it might affect Muslims. Opponents of the amendment disrupted the parliamentary session, sitting on the floor and chanting slogans.

“Government dictatorship will not go on,” they shouted. “Take back the women’s reservation bill. Take back the anti-Muslim bill. Take back the anti-Dalit bill.”

The chairman of the upper house of Parliament, Hamid Ansari, pleaded with the legislators to calm down and take their seats.

“You have a better way to say what you want to say,” he said. “Please go back to your seats and allow the debate to take place.”

Hari Kumar contributed reporting.