The Chilli Hand Grenade is Ready to Explode!

Tezpur (Assam), Mar 18 : It's ready to explode and not just in the mouth. The 'Naga Chilli' - recognized as the hottest of spices - will pack a punch when mixed with hand grenades to deal with terrorists, as trials by Indian defence scientists have shown.

A defence spokesperson said scientists at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Tezpur in northern Assam were making a trial run of the hand grenades and other repellents by using the Naga Chilli.

"The chilli grenade is a non-toxic weapon and when used would force a terrorist to come out of his hideouts as the smell is so pungent that it would literally choke them," R.B. Srivastava, a senior scientist and director of the DRDO said.

The DRDO scientists had already carried out trials for the hand grenades mixed with the world's hottest chilli and so far the tests have been satisfactory.

The Naga Chilli belongs to the capsicum Chinese family and is native to Assam. It is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the hottest of all spices.

The hotness of the Naga Chilli, measured in Scoville heat units was 1,001,304. It's nearly twice as hot as Mexico's red savina (577,000), the variety it replaced as the hottest. By comparison, a New Mexico green chilli contains about 1,500 Scoville units, while an average jalapeno measures at about 10,000.

"Work is on to develop other such things using Naga Chilli for effective utilization by the security forces in dealing with riots and tackling insurgency and terrorists," Srivastava said.

The non-lethal grenades devised by the DRDO could numb the enemy and immobilize them without seriously wounding or killing them.

"There are other applications as well, what we call women power. A specially made chilli powder could act as a tool for women to keep away anti-socials and work in this regard is also on," he said.

There were also plans to use Naga Chilli paste or powder in teargas shells for dispersing violent protesters or rioters.

"We are also trying for a scientific validation to find out if Naga Chilli could be incorporated into the food menu for soldiers in higher reaches to keep them warm. Physiological studies are on in this regard," Srivastava said.

And the chilli powder would also be rubbed on the fences around army barracks in the hope the strong smell would keep animals out of bounds.

"The chilli paste could also act as a major repellent against wild elephants in some parts of Assam and other northeastern states," the scientist said.
A kilogram of Naga Chilli sells at about Rs.300.

Music Contest For HIV’s Sake

Winner of Meghalaya Icon to spread awareness on disease

The logo of the contest

Shillong, Mar 18 : Guitars strung across their shoulders, musicians from across Meghalaya will gather on March 27 in this hill capital to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

Music is the medium the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society has chosen to speak about the dreaded disease.

The event, titled, Meghalaya Icon, will be a music contest, the winner of which will be the brand ambassador and spokesperson for the AIDS Control Society.

“The Meghalaya Icon will be held on March 27 and will offer talented musical groups of the state a much needed platform for artistic expression,” said Keith Wallang, an organiser of the event.

The participants can volunteer to undergo HIV-AIDS test to encourage others to come forward and get themselves tested for HIV.

The winner of the contest will get a prizemoney of Rs 1 lakh followed by Rs 30,000 for the first runner-up and Rs 20,000 for the second runner-up.

All bands, cultural and music troupes from the state can compete for the event.

“Some of the participating bands have already got themselves tested to lead by example. HIV and AIDS, if diagnosed at an early stage, can be treated and even people living with the virus can live a long and productive life,” Wallang added.

In addition to the group prizes, Rs 10,000 each will be given for the best singer, guitar player, bass player, drummer, rhythm or keyboard player and the opportunity to perform at all the events and festivals that the Meghalaya AIDS control Society will sponsor through the year.

“It is not only their music which will be judged on the day of the contest but also their attitude towards the victims of HIV-AIDS,” Wallang said.

Participants will have to face an interview with the judges on March 27 morning, before the event starts in the afternoon. Preliminary competitions will be held in Shillong on March 25 and 26 where all the participating bands from the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills will gather.

Later, two bands each from the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills will be selected for the grand finale, to be held at the Laban Sports Club Ground in Shillong.

All bands will have to choose or compose a special song on HIV-AIDS, besides their regular songs.

As part of the competition, it has been made mandatory that all participants visit the drop-in centre of the Meghalaya State Network for Positive People at Lachumiere, Shillong and at the different integrated counselling and testing centres.

“This will help promote attitudinal change towards HIV-AIDS and particularly towards people living with HIV,” Wallang said.

Official statistics reveal that till January this year, 217 people, including nine children, tested positive for HIV-AIDS in the state.

Patent Rights For Naga Chilli

Kohima, Mar 18 : Nagaland government has finally won the patent rights for the Naga King Chilli and also registered as the proprietor of the chilli with the Government of India, according to the Geographical Indication Registry recently.

The “Certificate of Registration of Geographical Indication” was awarded on December 2, 2008 to the Government of Nagaland, represented by Secretary, department of Horticulture and Agriculture as the registered proprietor of the Naga Mircha falling in Class 31 Chilli with effect from August 22, 2007 under Registration No.109.

The Registration of Geographical Indication certificate was awarded under section 16(1) or of authorized user under section (17) (3) (e) of the Geographical Indication of goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Revealing this, Parliamentary Secretary Horticulture and Cooperation, R.Khing termed it as a milestone achievement which would pave way for the state into the global market and even export the produces of Naga King Chilli to other countries.

He further revealed that following the development, the department was trying to find contacts in countries like Bangladesh, United State and also Mexico for establishing possible link for export of the famous Naga king Chilli, known for its pungency and aroma.

via Nagaland Post

Tipaimukh Dam Protest Shifts To Tipaimukh

Anti Tipaimukh dam activists campaign against construction of Tipaimukh project at the confluence of Tuivai and Barak rivers.

Imphal, Mar 18 : Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD), Committee on Land and Natural Resources (COLNAR) and Action Against Tipaimukh Project jointly observed International Day of Action for Rivers under the theme, 'Reclaiming Barak River' at the confluence of Tuivai and Barak rivers at Tipaimukh of Churachandpur district on March 14 .

The observance gathering comprising of Hmar, Zeliangrong and Meitei organizations from the Barak basin and others unanimously resolved to stand united against any initiative that would disturb the inseparable relationship between Barak river and indigenous people of the river basin.

The gathering also observed that any use and intervention of rivers should be carried forward with the full consent and agreement of indigenous people living along the river basin.

Declaring that Barak river must be allowed to flow its natural course, the participants also resolved to stand against any intervention that would disturb the natural flow of the river, including construction of Tipaimukh Dam.

Giving introductory remarks of the observance, CCDD Secretary Joseph Hmar re-emphasised on the need to safeguard the rivers from 'uncanny' Governments and corporations.

CCDD Coordinator Ramananda Wangkheirakpam outlined the importance of the observance and how various bodies have been working together in the revival of dead rivers and defending living rivers like Barak.

Hmar Inpui President Lalthangsung explained how Barak river is significant in the economy of the community.

Saying that oranges, bamboos and other produces go out through the river, Lalthangsung said that outsiders reach Hmar villages through this river.
Maintaining that the river was the only route that served import of relief materials during the famine of 1960s, Lalthangsung asserted that the river still continues to serve Hmar villagers as a key trade route.

Hmar Students Association (HSA) member Jeffrey Songate who was very vocal against Tipaimukh Dam, said that the history, culture and other ancestral matters of Hmar people would be submerged under water if the dam is constructed.

All Assam Tribal Sangha President Pantilung Rongmei spoke on the relationship of Rongmei people with the river.

He mentioned that the ritual of Nanu Ngai (piercing ceremony of new born child) and Gadui Ngai (yearly celebration signifying the importance of ginger in the Zeliangrong community) are not complete without the water from Barak (Ahu in Zeliangrong).

Adaina who came from Tamenglong said that people derive their cultural and spiritual values from environment and surroundings of the forest.
Adaina, an environmentalist, went at length how rivers are important like the veins and arteries in a human body.

Saying that Barak river is the sole parent of the villagers residing at the river basin, Adaina said that the river has been looking after and nourishing the villagers since time immemorial.

Jishnu from Lakhimpur explained that many communities, more than 19, depend on Barak river.

Saying that the river originates from Nagaland and flows through Kuki, Hmar and other villages to end at Bay of Bengal, Jishnu opined that downstream people are against the dam and construction of it can be stopped if they get support from upstream people.

via The Sangai Express

Anglo-Kuki War Memorial Erected

Imphal, Mar 18 : Heroes of Anglo-Kuki War (1917-19) were remembered today with rich floral tributes in a function organized by the Anglo-Kuki War Patriots Memorial Foundation at New Bijang along the NH-53, Sadar Hills on its 93th anniversary.

Gathering people on the occasion expressed disappointment when two MLAs, Thangmilien Kipgen, chairman of the Hill Areas Committee of state Assembly and Haokholet Kipgen who will grace as chief guest and president failed to turn up at the function citing unavoidable reasons on their parts.
They blamed that their attitudes are like disrespecting their forefathers, heroes of yesteryear.

On the occasion held under theme that communal harmony, integration and peace, president of the Kuki Inpi Manipur Thangkhosei Haokip unveiled curtail of the memorial stone of the War Heroes and also laid the foundation stone for the construction of a cultural research centre.

The Anglo-Kuki war was fight when Kukis rose up against the British using them as their slave by entering to their lands, recalled Rev Rehang Chothe who spoke on the account of the celebration.

He said after the British kept Manipur under their colonial rule, they tried to abduct around 2000 hill people to send aboard as "Labour Corp" targeting to Kukis.

Forefathers of Kukis were strongly against the move of the British and waged war on March 17, 1917 for the first time to free them from colonial rule.
Terming the war as a symbolic one, he expressed the need for an in-depth research on how the forefathers of Kukis united to fight against the British.

It will helpful in the process of Kuki Re-unification for development and bringing peace in the region.

Stating that Shantidas Gosai who came Manipur during the reign of King Pamheiba to spread Hinduism had sowed the seed of separation between the Meitei and other people residing in the hill areas by pushing out hills people as untouchable one.

Keeping behind this thing, it is evident that hill people are protecting the freedom of the Manipur since time immemorial, he went on to say.
Thangkhosei Haokip speaking as chief guest of the function said that the war that fought by the Kukis of yesteryear had shown that Kukis did to live independently.

At that time Kuki forefathers strongly opposed the move of adopting Christianity as it was religion of enemy.
That was why Kukis adopted the religion at late.

He also recalled that when Maharaja Budhachandra was called at Shillong for signing the merger agreement, around 500 Kuki warriors kept guard the Maharaja opposing the merger and protect the territorial integrity of Manipur, he added.

via Hueiyen News Service

CBI Gets Nod on NC Hills Mising Autonomous Council Graft

Guwahati, Mar 18 : Dispur has agreed to a CBI inquiry into the charges of corruption against the Mising Autonomous Council.

The government made the announcement on the floor of the Assembly after seeking its consent for a high-level inquiry. The move came after the issue of corruption in the council was raised by Rajiv Lochan Pegu, a member of the ruling party.

The council came under the scanner following the arrest of its principal secretary, Garga Ram Pegu, by Darrang police with over Rs 16 lakh in cash under the Prevention of Corruption Act on March 8.

The next day, Pramila Rani Brahma, the minister for welfare of plains tribes and backward classes and a legislator of the Bodoland People’s Front, found herself in the eye of a storm in the Assembly when the Opposition charged her with trying to shield the official.

The Opposition asked Dispur to clarify media reports suggesting the cash was meant for either a minister or a militant outfit.

Brahma today said she was ready for a high-level probe, including one by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), if the Assembly so desired.

Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, however, pointed out that going by the experience of the NIA probe in North Cachar Hills, it would be better to go for a CBI probe.

“Even the NIA had mooted a CBI probe in the NC Hills case as it would cover all aspects,” he said.

Outside the House, Brahma told this correspondent that she would request chief minister Tarun Gogoi this month itself to recommend a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities at the earliest.

“From our end, we will process the file and move the chief minister this month. We would also like to get to the bottom of the truth,” she added.

Independent legislator Bhubon Pegu who raised the issue in the House on March 9, expressing doubts over the efficacy of a probe by a government agency after the minister’s contradictory stand, welcomed the probe and wanted it to cover the angle of funding of militants.

New Church Sex Scandal: Video Allegedly Shows Priest Abusing Altar Boy

Rio De Janeiro, Mar 18 : Brazilian authorities are investigating three priests accused of sexually abusing altar boys after a video allegedly showing one case of abuse was broadcast on television, police and church officials said Tuesday.

The case came to light after the SBT network aired a video purportedly showing an 82-year-old priest having sex with a 19-year-old altar boy who worked for him for four years. Other young men appeared on the report saying that they, too, had been abused by Monsignor Luiz Marques Barbosa.

Also under investigation are Monsignor Raimundo Gomes, 52, and Father Edilson Duarte, 43, for allegedly having sexual relations with boys and young men.

According to a statement from the church, the three priests are "supposedly involved in acts (yet to be proven) of sexual abuse." The statement did not say whether the men admit or deny guilt. None of the priests could be located to ask about the case, and the church would not provide contact details for them.

A church official in the Penedo archdiocese, in the northeastern state of Alagoas, said the three have been suspended. A police official said the men are free pending the investigation, which should last until the end of April. Both the church official and the policeman spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case.

A Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said officials there were aware of the case.

In its report last week, SBT showed footage of a man who looks like Barbosa having sex with the 19-year-old. It said the footage was secretly filmed in January 2009 by a 21-year-old man who charges Barbosa had abused him since age 12.

SBT said the video was sent anonymously to the network, and reporters went to the town of 200,000 people to investigate last month.

An SBT reporter visited Barbosa's house to conduct an interview and confront him with the allegations.

Before raising the allegations of sexual abuse, the reporter asks if the priest had ever sinned.

"Who has never committed a sin?" Barbosa responds.

The priest is then asked if the region has problems with pedophilia.

"I think it is more (a problem) of homosexuality than pedophilia," Barbosa says.

Asked directly if he ever abused boys, Barbosa says he could only answer such a question "in confession." He then ends the interview, which was aired Thursday and posted on SBT's YouTube page.

Bishop Valerio Breda released a statement saying that in light of the "grave and lamentable facts made public on television," Barbosa and the two other priests had been suspended.

"We reproach, without restriction and with hearts broken by shame and sadness, the facts in the report which, despite their not having been proven, have outraged human and Christian conscience," Breda wrote.

He added that none of the alleged victims or their families had ever contacted the church regarding the allegations of abuse.

Breda said the church was cooperating with police and would also conduct its own investigation.

The church said it would not comment further on the case.

Mizoram Worried as Myanmarese Infiltrators Take Away Jobs From Locals

By Samudra Gupta Kashyap

Aizawl, Mar 17 : Mizoram does not have a major problem of Bangladeshi influx despite sharing over 318 km of international boundary with the neighboring country.

But what is worrying the hill state is the influx of people from Myanmar on its eastern side, especially after these infiltrators have started taking away jobs of the local people.

Myanmarese people sneaking into Mizoram or overstaying after expiry of valid documents are not only getting engaged as domestic helpers and laborers but are also filling up vacancies of skilled weavers in numerous private weaving centres in the state.

"We do not have exact figures about how many Myanmarese nationals are illegally living in Mizoram, but we are facing problems, especially because these people are pushing local poor people out of various kinds of odd jobs," admitted Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla.

"What is most alarming is that these people from Myanmar are also into various kinds of crimes. Over 75 per cent of crimes recorded in the state are committed by these and other floating population," he added. Several such persons were arrested while running illicit liquor dens outside Aizawl in the recent months, he said.

Interestingly, while a small percentage of the Myanmarese infiltrators belong to different ethnic groups of that country, the majority are Mizos who are domiciled on the other side of the international boundary. These infiltrators belong to different Mizo tribes like Paite, Lai, Poi and Mara.