To Avoid Rape, Stop Dressing ‘Indecently’: Naga Women’s Body

By Samudra Gupta Kashyap

With the number of crimes against women increasing in Nagaland, a women’s organisation in the hill state has come up with a solution that seems to be inspired by the UP Khap panchayat that banned girls from wearing jeans early this year. The Dimapur chapter of Naga Women’s Hoho has asked women to stop wearing “indecent” and skimpy dresses so that they do not attract or provoke crime.

A resolution passed by the organisation in Dimapur last Sunday said it would take “suitable” action against women seen wearing indecent dresses. “This is not just an advisory to young girls but for the attention of all women, young or old. Our resolution has clearly said that it is important to dress modestly and decently. That may not be the ultimate solution to prevent crimes ranging from eve-teasing to molestation, rape and murder, but is definitely one of reducing such crimes,” Hukheli T Watsa, president of the Naga Women’s Hoho, said over telephone from Dimapur.

The organisation has identified video films, particularly those from Korea and Thailand, as another reason behind increasing crimes against women. “Korean and Thai video films in circulation in the state are full of sex and crime, and this has direct impact on young people. There have been reports of high school students experimenting with themselves after drawing inspiration from such films. We have asked the police to stop their circulation,” he added.

Sano Vamuzo, chairperson of the Nagaland State Women’s Commission, has supported the resolution. “It is a fact that girls and young women are seen wearing indecent dresses. It is one reason behind girls from the Northeast facing sexual harassment in the capital,” said Vamuzo from Kohima.

Nagaland, and more particularly Dimapur, has witnessed a sudden rise in the number of crimes against women. “At least one rape and murder is being reported every month in Dimapur. Recently we arrested one person in connection with a rape and murder,” said Mhapeni Lotha, a lady police officer in the crime against women cell in Dimapur police station.

Centre extends 'Disturbed Area' tag in Nagaland for one year

Kohima, Jul 7 : The State of Nagaland has been declared 'disturbed area' for a further period of one year with effect from June 30 under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.

According to the Central publicity sources the decision was taken in a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group held to oversee the implementation of Agreed Ground Rules on June 23 at New Delhi.

During the meeting it was unanimously decided to extend the agreement with NDFB (P) and DHD for a further period of six months up to December 31, Atul Kumar Mathur, as Director, North Eastern Police Academy, Shillong informed.

According to political observers this was a severe blow to the Nagaland Government's claim of being a peaceful state, inspite of unabated criminal activities in and around Dimapur and a set back to the Naga peace process, which is going on between the Union Government and the NSCN-IM.

Assam Implements Right to Education

Guwahati, Jul 7 : The Right to Education (RTE) Act has become a reality in Assam from today with the state Cabinet approving the Rules needed for implementing the Act.

With this, Assam became the 19th state in the country to implement the RTE Act of 2009.

Informing this at a press conference here, Education Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma said, ''The Cabinet has approved the Rules needed to implement the RTE Act and from now on elementary education will be ensured for every child by the state.

''The Rules were approved unanimously after extensive discussions for two hours in the Cabinet,'' he added.

The state government has already set in motion measures to implement the RTE Act.

''Under the Act, there must be a lower primary school within every 1 km and middle school within every 3 km. For this, the Sarba Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) will complete satellite and road mapping within three months,'' the minister said.

He added 300 people will be employed for the work and the list will be published in newspapers for the general public to make claims and objections.

There are currently 35,000 lower primary and 7000 middle schools in the state.

Militants Rejoining Mainstream of Manipur Society

Imphal, Jul 7 : Militants in Manipur are realizing the futility of carrying on with the armed struggle and are rejoining mainstream society.

On June 27, 33 militants surrendered their arms before security forces in Manipur.

Twenty two surrendered cadres were from Pakhan Reunification Army, 10 from the National Socialist Council of Nagalim both Isak Muivah and Khaplang faction and one from the Naga Nationalist Council laid down their arms at a formal ceremony organized at the Red Shield Auditorium at Leimakhong Army headquarter.

"In my opinion, I do not think I have surrendered. But I think I have come back home. I hope both the centre and the state governments will work together and come up with a solution," said Molum Anal Mate, commander-in-chief, PRA

The surrendered militants will be provided assistance in their rehabilitation process, officials said.

"This is again a landmark towards peace in the state. PRA is an important group and with their homecoming the districts of Churachandpur and Thoubal will be more peaceful than ever," said Y Joykumar Singh, Director- General of Police (DGP), Manipur

Over 170 militants have surrendered their arms in 2011.

The mass surrenders of the PULF (Umar Farooq faction) and KCP MC (Lallumba faction) and PRA have set an example for other outfits to find peaceful solutions and avoid violence.

Mizoram People's Conference Party On Verge Of Split

Aizawl, Jul 6 : The 36-year-old Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) founded by Brig (Rtd) T Sailo is on the brink of split with its veteran leader and former finance minister quitting it.

Lalhmingthanga, who is ousted from the MPC party he co-founded in 1975, today claimed that he has the support of 80 per cent of the party members across the state.

"About 80 per cent of party members are on my side. In Lunglei sub-headquarters, about 98 per cent of party members are ready to quit the party once the party president accepts my resignation," Mr Lalhmingthanga told a press conference here today, a day after he tendered his resignation to the MPC president.

Claiming that he remained loyal to the party through thick and thin during those 36 years, the former finance minister said, "The party has gone through difficult times. When the party was at the rock bottom and many of my colleagues left for greener pasture, I remained with the party." Lalhmingthanga recalled that he was the founding chairman of Lunglei sub-headquarters of the Human Rights Commission founded by retired Army brigadier T Sailo in 1974 to mitigate the army atrocities during the peak of Mizoram insurgency.

"I was again elected president of Lunglei sub-headquarters when the Human Rights Committee was transformed into a political party christened People’s Conference in 1975," he said.

''Despite my loyalty for 36 years, the PAC (political affairs committee) has forced me to quit the party which I loved and cherished most,'' he added.

On the recent party elections, which was the rootcause of his alleged anti-party activities, Mr Lalhmingthanga alleged that supporters of president-elect Lalhmangaiha Sailo, who was nominated from the floor, employed electoral malpractices to ensure that Sailo, the just retired bureaucrat, got elected.

"They transported about 160 non-MPC members from the rural area to cast votes in the presidential elections. It was the first time that such malpractice took place in the party elections," he alleged. When these 'non-party voters' could not arrive on time, Mr Lalhmangaiha’s supporters postponed the voting to 1400 hrs from the scheduled 1230 hrs, with lame excuses, he said.

Mr Lalhmingthanga, who was official candidate for the president post, was defeated by floor candidate Lalhmangaiha Sailo, son of MPC patriarch Brig T Sailo.

According to Mr Lalhmingthanga, the incident angered a large number of MPC loyalists who threatened to quit the party. "I have tried effort to calm them and pleaded them to remain loyal to the party. Ironically, I have been accused of hatching a conspiracy against the president-elect," he fumed.

"They served me a showcause notice. Even after I gave an explanation and proved that the allegations levelled against me were baseless, the PAC still decided to strip me off the party membership,'' he stated.

Mr Lalhmingthanga also expressed shock over the leaking of the showcause notice to the media which was supposed to be kept confidential.

He had allegedly convened a meeting of party leaders who disliked the newly elected president. That was the reason he was served the showcause notice. "As a politician, I am supposed to have visitors who would come to my house. Do I have to ask for the party’s permission to have visitors," he asked and maintained that he has not violated the party’s constitution.

Mr Lalhmingthanga, however, remained tightlipped over floating a new party. Sources have said that he is floating a new party which he has christened People’s Conference.

MNF Cries Gross Fund Misuse in Chakma Area

Aizawl, Jul 7 : The Chakma district Mizo National Front today alleged gross misuse of public money by the Congress-ruled Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in southern Mizoram.

Addressing a public meeting at CADC headquarters Kamalanagar, MNF district headquarters president and member of district council (MDC) Rasik Mohan Chakma accused CADC chief executive member (CEM) Kali Kumar Tongchoya and his younger brother and MDC Hiranand Tongchoya of siphoning off crores of rupees meant for development of the Chakma area.

According to Rasik Mohan, Rs 3.40 crores had been released against construction of a cultural hall-cum-museum at Kamalanagar whereas the works done by the contractor can hardly be of Rs 60 lakh.

''The materials used were of substandard and even before commencing the works, the contractor was made to purchase 15,000 bricks locally manufactured by Kali Kumar Tongchoya, which was a clear misuse of power and position,'' Rasik Mohan alleged.

Moreover, the CEM allegedly diverted Rs one crore against the work, which was actually sanctioned for payment of arrear to the CADC employees. '' It is surprising that this contractor has been given undue favouritism by the CEM even at the expense of his own employees,'' he said.

The MNF leader further alleged that since 2008-2009 fiscal, Rs 103.8 lakh has been spent on maintenance and blacktopping of Kamalanagar town road. However, hardly half a km of road has been blacktopped during the last three years, he said.

It was also alleged that the K K Tongchoya-led Congress government in CADC has sanctioned since 2008 Rs 200 lakh for procurement and distribution of fish breeds, Rs 50 lakh for coconut seedlings, Rs 80 lakh for areca seedlings, Rs 10 lakh for orange seedlings and Rs 200 lakh for potato seeds. He alleged that gross violations of rules have been committed in these procedures and the state planning board and district council affairs of the state government were also involved.

The district MNF also rapped the Congress-led Chakma council for remaining a 'silent spectator' to encroachment on government lands such as Kamalanagar Children Park and teak plantation at Kamalanagar by private parties who fell trees against the Supreme Court order.

Israel To Allow Immigration Of Jews From Northeast India

Israel is again ready to welcome Jews from north-eastern India, commonly referred to as Bnei Menashe, after a ministerial committee on immigrant absorption decided "in principle" to let them in to undo the "historical injustice" suffered by them.

Some 1,700 Bnei Menashe have already immigrated to Israel, but the process was halted in 2007 after questions were raised on their "Jewishness".

However, Israel's Ministerial Committee on Immigrant Absorption, led by foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, recently decided to appoint an inter-ministerial team of director-generals to prepare an operative plan of action to
bring all Bnei Menashe members, living in parts of Manipur and Mizoram, to Israel, Ynetnews reported.

It has reached an "in principle" decision to resume the process and the plan is likely to be brought to the government's approval this month.

Lieberman and Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver have now decided to undo the "historical injustice" suffered by the Bnei Menashe community and bring all of its members to Israel, the report said.

"This is clearly a Zionist issue," Lieberman told Hebrew daily, the Yedioth Ahronoth recently.

"Even those of Bnei Menashe who have already immigrated have proved to be Jews and Zionists for all intents and purposes," he added.

"Even Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar has ruled that they belong to the people of Israel. I hope we can bring them here in a move which will benefit both them and the State of Israel," the Israeli foreign minister stressed.

The ministers were briefed by Michael Freund, Chairman of Shavei Israel organisation, which has been instrumental in bringing Bnei Menashe to Israel.

All the participants in the ministerial meeting are said to have supported the move to resume the community's immigration to Israel.

The Bnei Menashe community practices Judaism and claim to be descendents of the tribe of Menashe, which was one of the 10 lost tribes of the kingdom of Israel and was exiled to Assyria in the eighth century BCE.

Reopen Stilwell Road As Gateway to SE Asia: Northeast CMs

By Zarir Hussain

Guwahati, Jul 6 : Regional heads in India's northeast have urged the central government to reopen the historic World War II Stilwell Road, linking the region with China via Myanmar to boost trade with southeast Asia.

"There is no second opinion among the regional heads of the northeastern region to allow this legendary road to reopen," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS in an interview.

"We hope the central government takes steps to make this dream of the people turn into a reality which in turn would boost trade and commerce."

The 1,726-km-long Stilwell Road was a vital lifeline for the movement of troops of the Allied Forces during World War II to free China from Japanese occupation. It starts in Assam and cuts through the Pangsau pass in Myanmar to Kunming in South China. It touches almost all the important Southeast Asian capitals.

The road was built by Chinese labourers, Indian soldiers and American engineers, and named after American General Joseph Stilwell who led the task and completed it in 1945 after three years of hard work.

The Stilwell Road on the Indian side is about 61 km. The major stretch of 1,033 km lies within Myanmar, while the Stilwell Road in China is 632 km.

China has completed constructing its stretch of the Stilwell Road. "The road on the Assam side is in good shape and the only hindrance is from Myanmar as the road on their side is not complete. The Indian government needs to convince Myanmar to help rebuild the road on their side," Gogoi said.

"Myanmar is keen to rebuild the road but the major hindrance for them is funds and other resources," an Indian foreign ministry official told IANS, not wishing to be identified.

The state governments in the northeast agree that the Stilwell Road would bring economic prosperity to the underdeveloped region.

"Free trade with Southeast Asian countries and India's northeast would be possible only with the reopening of Stilwell Road," Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told IANS.

"Our region would then have the potential to become the hub of business activities and the gateway to Southeast Asia."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had earlier said his government was keen on furthering the country's 'Look East Policy' aimed at allowing border trade with Southeast Asian nations.

Indian automobile components, fruits, grain, vegetables, textiles and cotton yarn find a strong demand in almost all these countries.

In the other direction, Indian traders are strongly interested in importing electronic gadgets, synthetic blankets, teak, gold, and semi-precious stones. Assam, the gateway to the northeast, is about 2,000 km from New Delhi and some 3,000 km from the country's biggest commercial centre, Mumbai.

Yangon, Bangkok and even some Chinese cities are much closer to most northeastern states than Delhi or Mumbai. For instance, Kunming in China is only 1,726 km from Ledo in Assam where the Stilwell Road begins.

Pushing for road links to Southeast Asia, the northeastern leaders have pointed out that only 250 km out of the region's 5,000 km outer perimeter touches India. The remaining 4,750 km represents international boundaries with China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China and Nepal.