UPDS Lay Down Arms

568 cadres lay down arms

DIPANKAR ROY

Lengbart Ingleng, defence secretary of the UPDS, waves the outfit’s flag during the surrender ceremony in Diphu on Wednesday.

Diphu, Dec : The barrier broke just after the sun began its descent over the Karbi Anglong Sports Association stadium here today.

Hundreds of people — men, women and children — surged to the ground as soon as the ceremony to mark the laying down of weapons by the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) cadres was over and the officials — both military and civilian — had left.

Eighteen years after they, most of them, at least, had found meaning and shelter in the deep jungles of Karbi Anglong district and even beyond, they returned amidst their own, to the mainstream today.

No one made any effort to stop the tears that flowed down their cheeks freely — neither the battle hardened cadres nor the people — as they hugged each other, some fiercely, as if making up for lost time.

“I am so happy,” said Preeti Teronpi. The pause follows in quick time. “These are tears of both sorrow and joy; joy because we have come back to our families and sorrow because we have left another (UPDS),” she said, dressed in battle fatigues and a new gamocha around her neck like several hundred of her male counterparts.

Munsin Hanse, son of UPDS deputy commander-in-chief, at the surrender ceremony in Diphu on Wednesday. Picture by UB Photos

Then came the band and the musicians and the celebrations began. The musician emerged from the shell of the militant to add his voice to the band’s singers; Vojaru Mukrang, joint secretary, political affairs, who had shed tears unabashedly some minutes ago surrounded by his people was now singing to them with gay abandon .

Kachesong pensi kelong; MoS, MoS kachetok aloh along; puani arni penkachesong; lahenlo kemang ason; arjatphipsi dolang hemprek kemang, the song went, meaning the struggle has achieved something but there is still a long way to go till statehood is achieved.

Before the tears and the music had come the apology.

“We are fully conscious of the fact that every armed struggle has collateral damage and criminal tendencies that negatively impact society and the UPDS movement is no exception to the rule. There is no denying the fact that traders, government functionaries and even innocent individuals have had to suffer immensely because of our movement. It is, therefore, my solemn duty, on behalf of my organisation, to apologise for the pain caused by us intentionally or unintentionally… from today onwards, we pledge to stand by you and make Karbi Anglong a safer and better place to live in,” said UPDS chairman Longsodar Senar, addressing the people at the weapons laying down ceremony.

Senar recalled that they had embraced armed struggle to rescue the people from “oppression and neglect, to fight inequality and injustice”.

Defending the memorandum of settlement signed with the government on November 25, he said there was no reason to “grieve or grumble” just because it was not named “autonomous state” and instead, all should work to ensure its clauses were implemented sincerely.

While the arms were laid down symbolically only by some of the leaders, led by the chairman, the disbanding of the UPDS as slated did not take place.

Mukrang said the organisation would hold its last general council tomorrow and then announce the disbanding. “Nothing ceremonial. We will just issue a statement,” he said.

The UPDS handed over assorted weapons numbering 177 and ranging from the favourite of militants and security personnel alike, the AK series rifle (85), to a universal machine gun and a rocket launcher.

As for those who joined the mainstream today, there were 568 of them, including the top leadership and the cadres that included 22 women; the ranks ranged from colonel to lieutenant.

Among those present were Assam director-general of police Sankar Barua, GOC 4 Corps, Lt Gen. Shakti Gurung, and additional DGP (special branch) Khagen Sarma, besides other senior military, police and civilian officials.

Pointing at the uniqueness of Karbi Anglong, Khagen Sarma said the district has or has had the presence of several militant outfits, including Ulfa, erstwhile BLT, Kuki groups and others. “Hopefully, after the UPDS, others will also come forward,” he said.

Among the invitees of the UPDS was Niranjan Hojai, commander-in-chief of the DHD (J), from the adjoining Dima Hasao district.

“We are hoping we can also sign an accord soon,” he told The Telegraph. “Things are moving in the right direction,” he added. The DHD (J) has already laid down arms and has since been in talks with the government.

Assam Wants Independent Body To Monitor Hydro Power Projects in Northeast

By Supratim Dey

Guwahati Dec 15 : Against the backdrop of widespread opposition to construction of hydro power projects in neighbouring state of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam on Wednesday demanded formation of North East Water Resource Authority (NEWRA) as an independent body to monitor the development of all such projects, particularly in the upper reaches of river Brahmaputra.

Assam has also come up with few suggestions which the state wants to be adhered to while implementing hydro power projects in Arunachal Pradesh.

“We need hydro power projects to meet the fast growing power demands of both the region and the country, but there must be an independent body to monitor construction and development of such projects. We want NEWRA be set up soon,” said Assam’s power minister Pradyut Bordoloi.

He added that Assam had been demanding formation of NEWRA since 2005, but due to opposition from Arunachal Pradesh, the proposed body could not be established yet.

“I feel the reason why Arunachal Pradesh opposes the setting up of NEWRA is that it feels it would be at a disadvantages position if NEWRA comes up. But then, Assam also has a future and we cannot compromise on it,” Bordoloi added.

Bordoloi said that the interest of Assam should not be by-passed while constructing mega-hydro power projects in Arunachal Pradesh. The state has demanded that rules be amended and clearances to hydro-power projects in Arunachal Pradesh, which would affect downstream areas in Assam, be given only after obtaining no-objection certificate (NOC) from Assam government.

“The central government should disclose us all the details regarding construction of every project in Arunachal Pradesh before giving its approval. Since, downstream areas in Assam could be affected by those projects, Assam should have a say in construction of those projects,” said Bordoloi.

Assam also demanded that Reservoir Regulation Policy (RRP) be made mandatory for all hydro projects in Arunachal Pradesh, by which every dam will have maintain a minimum flow of water in downstream areas. In addition, the Assam has also demanded that the present power sharing policy be amended to allow giving free power to downstream areas of a dam.

Bordoloi also cautioned Arunachal Pradesh that if Assam’s demands were not met, the state would take recourse to Inter State River Water Dispute Act, 1956, though the minister chose not elaborate on it.

Gas Deposits Found in Mizoram

Aizawl, Dec 14 : Though it is yet to be officially announced, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has struck gas deposits near Hortoki village in northwest Mizoram, according to officials of the state geology and mineral resources department.

The ONGC chief geologist, C Chakraborty, also confirmed that 'commercially viable' hydrocarbon deposits have been discovered, but refused to reveal the amount of gas found.

He said the details of the discovery would be revealed within a fortnight, adding the prospective locations comprise over 4,000 sq km in the northwestern part of the state.

State geology and mineral resources department officials said Mizoram, sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh, both of which are rich in hydrocarbon, falls under category number one or 'proven commercial productivity zone'.

A senior geologist said according to rough estimates, there could be about 170 million metric ton of crude reserves in the state.

The ONGC started looking for hydrocarbon deposits in Hortoki and Meidum areas of Kolasib district along the Mizoram-Assam border in February this year. After a global tender was floated, several exploratory giants, both in the country and abroad, were selected to take up hydrocarbon exploration at different locations in Mizoram.

Time Not Yet Ripe For Secular College in Mizoram

Aizawl, Dec 14 : Mizoram is not yet ready for a secular college, or such is the opinion of the Synod, the highest decision-making body of the Presbyterian Church of India, Mizoram. After deliberating for six days on the issue, the Synod rejected the proposal to establish a secular college in the state.

A Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod meet, which started on December 6 and concluded on Sunday night at Khatla in Aizawl, decided that "the time was not yet ripe for establishment of a secular college by the largest church in the state."

The Synod also decided not to join the World Council of Churches (WCC) - another outcome of deliberations at the meet - as 29 Presbyteries voted against the move while only 14 approved of the Presbyterian Church being affiliated to the international church body.

Spiritualists, evangelists and even some theologians were against the Mizoram Presbyterian Church joining the WCC, due to diverse reasons. Theologians like P C Biaksiama, a church elder, objected that the doctrine of the WCC clashes with the main tenets of Christianity.

Some spiritualists and evangelists even predicted that the WCC would become an instrument of the Devil as it is already marked with the number of the Biblical Beast as foretold in the Book of Revelations.

The Synod also approved in principle the amendment to the decrees regarding punishment and pardon of divorced couples and also of people of the same sex living together. The Synod executive committee was authorized to prepare the final amendments.

The committee, while screening the agendas to be deliberated in the Synod meet, earlier rejected the proposal to ordain women as priests and church elders.

Now Nagas Ban Railway Works in Manipur Hills

Guwahati, Dec 14 : Ban is the bane of life in the frontier state of Manipur that is plagued by myriad troubles ranging from insurgency, ethnicity to underdevelopment. Till ten days back the state was being crippled by unrelenting economic blockade along the two arterial national highways connecting it to the rest of the country.

Another ban of a different kind which will have adverse impact on its development process, is staring at the state.

The United Naga Council (UNC) of Manipur has imposed ban on construction of Jiribam-Tupul broad gauge railway line for two months effective from December 16 in protest against the recent statement of the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh about the Centre’s remaining committed to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur.

The UNC has also imposed ban on exploration of hydrocarbon that is being taken up by public sectors undertakings/private companies in Tamenglong district of Manipur with effect from December 16 till further notice.

The UNC which supports the Naga rebel group NSCN-IM’s demand for a ‘greater Nagalim’ comprising all Naga-inhabited areas of the Northeast including those in Manipur, has been frustrated by the PM’s statement made in Imphal on December 3 last.

The UNC which has close links with Naga rebel group NSCN-IM , has been engaged in dialogue with the Centre as well as Manipur government over is demand for an alternative administrative arrangement for Nagas in Manipur.

The ban on works on the railway tracks construction comes close on the heels of suspension of the 120 days economic blockade by the UNC on Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Silchar highways just ten days back.

It was called from August 21 by the UNC to stymie creation of a separate revenue district for Kuki-tribe dominated SADAR hills areas in Naga –majority Senapati district of Manipur.

The PM during his public address in Imphal on December 3, also said that works on the 125-Km railway line from Jiribam via Tupul was under progress and likely to be completed by March ,2016, after completion of the Jiribam-Tupul portion by March, 2014 .

According to sources in Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) here, the construction of Jiribam-Tupul board-gauge railway line was started from 2003-04.

There will be nine stations between Jiribam and Tupul at Jiribam, Bolakhan, Keimai road, Kambiron, Thingu, Molsang, Noney and Tupul.

Construction of 10 out of total 35 tunnels to be built has so been completed and with the completion of survey works, construction works for another five tunnels have started.

Fourteen large bridge and 73 small bridges are being constructed along the railway line.

The longest bridge (500 meter) on this stretch is being constructed across Maku River while the longest (5.9 km) tunnel is located at Kambiron.

Endosulfan Poisoning Rivers of Northeast India

Endosulfan is a pesticide gradually being phased out from use all over the world because of its toxic properties and health hazards to humans and animals.
But in Northeast India, it is the same chemical that is being used in deathly doses by people to poison rivers and catch fish.

India is world’s largest producer and exporter of the hazardous Endosulfan. But the chemical’s use was hotly debated almost all this year as it was found to cause health hazards in humans as well as wildlife. In India the Supreme Court banned the use of Endosulfan in May 2011.

But despite the ban, the poison is still used extensively and much to the disbelief of environmentalists it is being used abundantly in the North east states of India by men who simply mix the pesticide in rivers upstream. When the deadly water flows down, it kills fishes, turtles and other amphibians in hundreds each day.

Illegal use of Endosulfan has been especially recorded in River Manu that originates from the state of Tripura. Traders, in order to make a fast buck mix the pesticide upstream and then it is carried by the current all the way down to Bangladesh where the River Manu merges into the River Kushiara.

Aquatic animals like fish, mollusks and amphibians have been found to be affected by endosulfan most drastically. Bioaccumalation is a constant threat and because the chemical can easily flow and retain its properties for a long time, its effect may be felt quite far from the area of origin.

Many fish species resultantly of the area are doomed. Some have already become extinct and of few others, the numbers are shockingly low.

In the list of the vanished species are Tiger fish, Dwarf Goonch and Ar – giant fishes that the river was once famous for. Even Sind Danio, Wallogo, Indian river shad, and turtles which were commonly found even 10 years ago are now extremely rare.

Natural Poison

Locals living on the riverside villages though have a siginificant information to share. They say that the tradition of poisoning rivers was always followed in these parts of the country. It was a convenient way to catch fishes in large numbers.

But what has changed over the years is the kind of poison used.

According to Renuka Dutta, a local, “Every winter – around January/February, people used to collect vishlat – a poison ivy found in abundance in the nearby forests and extract the juice to put that in the river as due to cold fishes would not come to the surface too often. Once mixed in water, the juice would blind the fish temporarily, but would do no harm to humans.’

Now though the traditional herb has been replaced by a chemical leading to much more tragic endings.

Amar Mitra, a local farmer and a fishing enthusiast says, “When poison ivy was used, we could see fish thrashing around in the water blindly. But now we see dead fish floating.”

Killer at Large

Endosulfan is still easily available in local markets. It is also very easy to sprinkle the chemical in the river waters and wait for the fish to just gulp down the poisonous water and die. With fish being a staple, the market demand too is quite high with one medium size fish easily fetching Rs.300-350.

Hence, the rampant use of chemicals by illegal traders. In the past one month alone thee have been four incidents recorded of river poisoning.

But the cases of human poisoning too have risen.

More people are suffering from water borne diseases such as dysentery and gastroenteritis in villages along Manu, as well as Deo – a tributary of river Manu which has also seen fishing by endosulfan poisoning. Once seen as ‘monsoon sicknesses’, now such diseases are also becoming common in winter, thanks to endosulfan.

Yet again, rash and inconsiderate practices taint man’s hands with blood of innocent creatures. If the chemical’s use this way is not stopped immediately, it can only bring death and devastation to an ecologically significant region of the country.

Lives in Peril: Inside Manipur's Drug Zone

Churachandpur (Manipur): A litter of cigarette stubs, abandoned syringes and used contraceptives greet a visitor to one of the four drug hangout joints in Manipur's second largest town where red-eyed, stoned and slightly feverish youngsters huddle together.

Churachandpur, 60 km to the south of state capital Imphal, is a hub of injecting drug users (IDUs) thanks to its proximity to the Golden Triangle, notorious for opium and heroin production. The Golden Triangle, in narcotic parlance, includes the contiguous border area of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar from where drugs are sourced and peddled to northeast India and beyond.

"The injecting drug users mix heroin with water and inject in their body with the help of a syringe," a member of the NGO SHALOM, which works with drug users, told IANS.

The town, along with Ukhrul and Chandel districts, have the most number of IDUs in the state. There are an estimated 38,000 IDUs in Manipur, which has a population of around 2.5 million.

Heroin, locally known as No.4, a small chit of heroin costs anywhere between Rs.50 and Rs.300 in Churachandpur.

"Lack of socio-economic development and proximity to drug trafficking routes make the problem worse for youngsters who are unemployed. They get into drugs and never come back," Chhakchuak from SHALOM told agency.

Manipur recently saw a crippling economic blockade for over 120 days that worsened the situation for residents.

There are four hangout zones -- locally known as hot spots -- in Churachandpur where the IDUS indulge in drugs.

At one of these places, a 16-year-old fiddles with a syringe which contains some fluid. Her kohl-lined eyes are burning red, not with anger but with the effect of drugs. Ask her what her name is and she tells you to "get lost" without batting an eyelid.

What is most concerning is that these drug users share needles with each other, increasing the chances of contracting HIV. Locals say these places also see a lot of sexual activity.

According to NGOs in Manipur, out of 38,000 injecting drug users in Manipur, 5,000 are female and highly vulnerable to HIV.

As per independent estimates, HIV prevalence among IDUs was over 15 percent in seven districts of the country in 2008.

While Amritsar topped with 30.40 percent, Churachandpur was second, with 28 percent of IDUs suffering from HIV.

"A majority of the female IDUs are sex workers who peddle drugs in the state from neighbouring Myanmar," said an NGO functionary in Imphal.

According to the state Narcotics Control Bureau (Imphal Unit), heroin manufacturing units have mushroomed in Manipur.

In a press conference in Imphal earlier this month, Bijoy Shahni, assistant director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (Imphal Unit), said heroin was being illegally transported from Myanmar through Manipur to other parts of the country via Nagaland and Assam.

Likewise, he said drugs like Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine tablets are also smuggled to Myanmar through Manipur.

To reduce the looming health threat local NGOs like SHALOM and SASO provide fresh needles to IDUs and advise them not to share needles. While they have been able to make some impact, Manipur still has a long way to go.

New Land Use Policy Scheme Pays Dividend in Mizoram

Aizawl, Dec 13 : The new land use policy scheme (NLUP)of the Mizoram Government is helping to generate employment for thousands of people living in the rural and far flung areas of the state.

After being unsuccessful in getting a job, Rinawma, a young graduate living in the Kolasib district of Mizoram, registered himself under the New Land Use Policy Scheme of the state government and got a loan of Rs 20,000 with which he started a video making business.

“Since the state government introduced this scheme, I have received help from them to start my business. And, I am hopeful that I will be successful in life,” said Rinawma.

Today, he earns enough to take care of his family.

The New Land Use Policy Scheme is a state government project.

It consists of eight departments – agriculture, industry, animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture, industries, sericulture, soil and water conservation and environment, from which people can receive help.

Rinawma received help from the industry department.

There are about 3813 beneficiaries in Kolasib district alone who have received monetary and technical support.

The help provided to beneficiaries depends on several parameters like marketability of the product and physical condition of the area.

Niharika Rai, Deputy Commissioner, Kolasib District, Mizoram, said NLUP helps in providing permanent livelihood to those who have no source of earning a livelihood or involved in Jhum cultivation.

“We are in New Land Use Policy Scheme and under this we provide a permanent source of livelihood to those who do not have it all and are involved in the Jhum cultivation,” said Rai.

The scheme has been successful in reducing employment and given impetus to development activities in the region.

Development activities in Mizoram have picked up pace after militant activities came to an end in the state two decades ago.

Both the state and the centre are making concerted efforts to speed up the development process in the region by implementing various schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, and Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Program.