Integration of Naga Areas Will Need Consensus Among States: Centre

By Sushanta Talukdar

New Delhi, Jun 2 : The Centre on Tuesday told the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) that integration of Naga-inhabited areas would need consensus among the States concerned, as boundaries would have to be altered

The Centre on Tuesday told the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) that integration of Naga-inhabited areas would need consensus among the States concerned, as boundaries would have to be altered. The NSCN (IM) reiterated that integration of Naga-inhabited areas was a “natural aspiration of the Naga people” and hoped New Delhi would solve this issue in due course.

New Delhi's position was explained by the Centre's interlocutor on the peace talks, R.S. Pandey, during peace talks with the NSCN (IM) in Nagaland's capital Kohima. Both sides expressed their commitment to finding an early negotiated settlement to the Naga problem.

Assam, Nagaland and Manipur have been strongly opposing inclusion of any Naga-inhabited areas in the States in the proposed Nagalim — the single administrative entity to be created by integrating all Naga inhabited areas, which the NSCN (IM) has been proposing.

This is the first time that Naga peace talks were held in Nagaland since the NSCN (IM) signed a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 1997. Mr. Pandey was accompanied by Special Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Ajit Lal, while the 12-member NSCN (IM) delegation was led by its general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.

Mr. Pandey told journalists that based on proposals submitted by the NSCN (IM), discussions were held on a wide range of issues and both sides expressed a commitment to explore all possibilities to arrive at consensus on certain issues which were “sensitive in nature.” He said both sides hoped that they would be able to hammer out a solution in due course.

Mr. Muivah described the talks as “significant,” and added that the NSCN(IM) had noticed more seriousness and sincerity on part of the Centre for finding a negotiated settlement on the basis of the “unique rights, history and situation” of the Naga people. He said the NSCN(I-M) was determined to explore all means towards finding a negotiated settlement by removing obstacles.

Mr. Pandey is also understood to have conveyed the Centre's invitation to Mr. Muivah for the next round of peace talks in Delhi. Mr. Muivah, however, told the Centre's interlocutor that he would need to consult his people on it.

However, no concrete information was provided to the journalists on whether the two sides held any discussion on the current impasse over the proposed visit of Mr. Muivah to his birthplace Somdal in Ukhrul district of Manipur. The economic blockade enforced by the All-Naga Student's Association (Manipur) on NH 39 and NH 53 in protest against holding of Autonomous District Council polls in the hill districts of Manipur were intensified after the Manipur government banned the entry of Mr. Muivah.

Over 400 Bru Families Still to be Repatriated: MBDPF

Aizawl, Jun 2 : There were still over 400 Bru families in relief camps in Tripura, though over 240 families which fled Mizoram last year returned during May 21 to 26, according to Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum.

From one of the relief camps in Tripura a head count of refugees has been undertaken. It was found that there were still over 400 Bru families there, Elvis Chorkhy, president of the Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum (MBDPF) told PTI over phone today.

"We expect to complete the head count by Friday," he said, adding that the list would be submitted to the Mizoram government.

The repatriation began from May 21 after the Tripura government made transport arrangements. Around 240 families returned to the state till May 26.

Naga Peace Talks Held in Nagaland For The First Time

Kohima, Jun 1 : The Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today held peace talks for the first time in Nagaland where the contentious issue of integration of Naga-inhabited areas, as demanded by the group, was discussed, officials said.

On the demand for a single administrative setup of Naga-inhabited areas of the region, the Centre's interlocutor, RS Pandey, told reporters that the Centre needs a consensus among the states concerned on the issue.

A 12-member NSCN(IM) team led by its general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, which participated in the three-hour-long talks, acknowledged the difficulties of the Centre in certain areas on the Naga issue.

Muivah said, "Integration is a natural aspiration of the Naga people. We believe the government of India also understands it and hope they will solve this issue in due course of time."

Both sides came to an understanding on some issues, Pandey said.

"We hope in due course of time we will be able to hammer out the contentious issues," he said.

Wide-ranging issues based on a set of proposals submitted earlier by the NSCN(IM) to the government of India were discussed at the meeting. Both sides expressed their commitment to explore all possibilities to arrive at a consensus on "certain issues" which are "sensitive in nature", Pandey said, without elaborating.

NEEPCO Says its Dam Not Responsible For Assam Flood

Shillong, Jun 1 : The state-run North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) today rubbished allegations that its Ranganadi Hydro-Electric project in Arunachal Pradesh was responsible for the current floods in Assam.

"The last time water was released from the dam was on May 17 when the water crossed the full reservoir level of 567-m mark. Yesterday, water level in the reservoir was 563.4 m," a NEEPCO official said.

The official rubbished allegations by some local groups that excess water release from the 405MW dam has caused the recent floods in Lakhimpur district of Assam.

"Whenever there is excess water, it is released in a controlled manner and that too after due intimation to the administration in Assam," he said.

Manipur Crisis Spurred Sarita to Asian C'ship Gold

New Delhi, Jun 1 : The turmoil in Manipur played on L Sarita Devi's mind as she fought for a fourth successive gold at the Asian Championships and the fly weight boxer on Tuesday dedicated her medal to the crisis-ridden state hoping that peace would return there soon.

Part of the Indian team that won two gold, a silver and five bronze medals to finish fourth in the championship, the former world champion returned from Astana (Kazakhstan) late Monday night.

Sarita said even while she was preparing for the event in a Bhopal camp, Manipur occupied her thoughts.

Manipur is facing a crisis of essential goods after Nagas blocked the National Highways due to the Manipuri's refusal to let the National Socialist Council of Nagaland leader Thuingaleng Muivah visit his ancestral village in Ukhrul.

"What goes on in my state hardly ever makes news. It hurts to see the plight of people there. Schools have been closed for so long. Essential items have become a luxury, a simple gas cylinder is costing over Rs 1,000.

"Why can't we just forget about ethnic identities and realize that we are human beings first?" Sarita said.

"Even at the Championship, I was constantly thinking about what would be going on there.

Then I thought, I have to win it for my state. In Manipur, people appreciate sporting achievements and I hope my medal has made them happy... even if it's just for a few moments," she said.

"God has made us the same, I wonder when we would realize this."

The 27-year-old former Taekwondo player took up boxing after watching a bout featuring Asian Games gold medalist Dingko Singh in 1999.

"Dingko is an icon in North east. People are crazy about him. I saw him just a few months after he won the gold in the Asian Games and I felt like, I have to be like him. The boxing bug bit me only after I saw him," she revealed.

"I have been such a huge fan of him that when I met him for the first time, I gave him a card. It was a big moment for me at that time," she said.

"I also like Laila Ali (the boxer daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali)," she added.

Apart from these inspirations, Sarita said she also had to fulfill her late father's wish.

"My father introduced me to Taekwondo and he wanted to see me as a successful sportsperson. I took up boxing after his death and my family supported me despite the fact that we were a big family with limited means," she said.

Sarita has now set her sights on a medal at the London Olympics.

"I want to win a medal there because it would be the biggest moment of my career," she said.

India to Build Bridge Over Feni River

New Delhi, Jun 1 : India will construct a bridge over Feni river in southern Tripura to get access to the Chittagong international sea port in Bangladesh for carrying goods and heavy machineries for the land-locked northeastern region, a state minister said here Tuesday.

The Bangladesh government has agreed to allow India to use the Chittagong port, about 75 km from Tripura's southern bordering town Sabroom.

'After Bangladesh government's approval to India to build the all-important bridge, we are now preparing the detailed project report (DPR) for the 150-metre-long bridge and other necessary facilities,' Tripura Commerce and Industry Minister Jitendra Choudhury told reporters.

He said: 'To construct the bridge at par with international standards, the centre would provide required funds from the Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) scheme.'

'The proposed bridge would connect Sabroom town of southern Tripura with Ramgarh town of southeastern Bangladesh. Besides construction of the bridge, various others tourism- related amenities and infrastructure would also be constructed in and around the area, 135 km south of Tripura capital Agartala,' he added.

According to the minister, India's foreign, commerce and home ministries in association with the Tripura government have undertaken the project.

During Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's New Delhi visit in January, it was agreed that the construction of the proposed Akhaura-Agartala railway link would be financed by India. It would be the second railway linkage between the two neighbours after the Kolkata-Dhaka railway link.

Similarly during Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's visit to Dhaka in March to attend Bangladesh's Independence and National Day celebrations, Hasina responded positively to Sarkar's demand saying that Bangladesh has no problem if India constructs the bridge over Feni river at New Delhi's cost.

Agartala is 1,650 km from Kolkata and 2,637 km from New Delhi via Guwahati, whereas the distance between the Tripura capital and Kolkata via Bangladesh is about 350 km.

The northeastern states are surrounded by Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and China and the only land route access to these states from within India is through Assam. But this route passes through hilly terrain with steep roads and multiple hairpin bends.

Choudhury said: 'If Dhaka provides transit facilities to India and if we can use the Chittagong international port and other ports in Bangladesh, commodities and machinery can be transported to the northeast from various parts of India and abroad, saving huge time and money.'

'The transit between northeast India and rest of the country and abroad via Bangladesh is likely to become a reality in near future. Tripura is also well-positioned to become the 'gateway to northeast India, southeast Asia and Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN),' Choudhury pointed out.

On an average, distance between important cities of Bangladesh and northeast India is 30 km to 200 km.

Mekhela Rules Assamese Couture With New Fabrics

Guwahati, Jun 1 : In order to give Assam’s most favorite apparel, mekhela chador, a new look based on the current trends, Assamese designers are experimenting with different types of fabrics.

No one ever thought that, the blend of Kanjeevaram and chiffon fabrics could take the place of heavy pat and muga. It started being a part of this diverse fabric since only a few years.

While georgette, crepe and chiffon are used to make the chador, Kanjeevaram and Benarasi silk is utilised for creating the mekhela, informed, Guwahati-based designer, Kiki Bajpayee, who is soon to launch his outlet in the city. This new experiment is currently doing the rounds of young women who love to don new trends and blends.

Young women, who are bored of donning the traditional muga or pat mekhela chador, are opting for designer-crafted mekhela chador made from Kanjeevaram and Italian crepe.

A new look with respect to changing market trends and the fact that, conventional mekhela chadors weigh more, owing to their material and thread work, whereas the modern ones are easier to wear, are the key reasons behind the shift in choices.

Continues Bajpayee that, chiffon and crepe are lighter in weight and easily manageable hence, preferred by most young Assamese girls.

Supporting Bajpayee, another Guwahati-bsed designer, Tanuja Chetia said that, she too makes use of chiffon, crepe and all types of silk fabrics in the mekhela chadors she designs. But customer-based chadors of crepe or georgette are also in demand.

However, this new trend is not well accepted by all, who still strongly follow the traditional mekhela chadors. Even stores like Silkalay makes use of conventional materials but adds zardosi or sequins to further enhance the designs.

More so, there are still many boutiques and designers who continue to create mekhela chador in the traditional manner, by using muga, pat or Assamese silk. A boutique owner in Silpukuri averred that, while cotton, muga and pat are being used to design mekhela chador, traditional mekhelas are also in demand, especially amongst the youngsters.

Be it anything, conventional or modern, the mekhela chador is still a leader in Assamese garments, influencing altercations and duplication, as per state’s changing textiles.

[ via Fibre2Fashion ]

India Urged to Ensure Safety of Nepali-Speaking Populace in Meghalaya

By Kosh R. Koirala

Kathmandu, Jun 1 : Nepal Government has urged the India to take urgent measures for the safety and security of the Nepali community in the bordering areas of the Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya.

Issuing a press statement on Monday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) regretted the killings and eviction of Nepalis living and working in Langpih area on the border of the two Indian states. The Ministry Spokesperson Durga Prasad Bhattarai urged the Indian government to act immediately for the security of Nepali community living in the areas.

The MoFA’s call to the southern neighbor comes in the wake of the alleged communal violence and a standing ultimatum to the minority Nepali speaking community by the indigenous Khasi community in Langpih area on the border of Assam and Meghalaya. Reports said at least 17 Nepali-speaking people were killed and thousand others were forced to flee following a series of attacks in the communal violence in the third week of May.

Langpih village, about 60 km from Guwahati in Assam and 140 km from Shillong, has been a bone of contention between Assam and Meghalaya. The area has often hit the headlines since the Assam government laid the cornerstone for a health center there in July 2008.

Latest series of violence ensued after four people were killed and several others injured in firing by Assam police personnel at Langpih village on May 14, following a clash between tribal Khasis with Nepali nationals at a weekly market.

The MoFA spokesperson Bhattarai said Nepal government has already taken up the issue of the alleged communal violence against Nepali community with the Indian government and is closely assessing the situation there.

Various organizations in Nepal have protested the alleged killing and eviction of Nepali-speaking population in the troubled Langpih areas. On Monday, Youth Federation Nepal, the youth wing of the ruling CPN-UML, submitted a memorandum to the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, demanding security of the Nepali-speaking populace in the area.

[ via Asian Tribune ]