Stranger in my land – A film by Duyu Tabyo

STRANGER IN MY LAND, a hard hitting short film that talks of the undeniable racial profiling meted out to the people of the Northeast in and around India.

The film tries to portray the ignorance of the mainland Indians towards the existence of the place called the Northeast India, its rich and vibrant culture and the immense patriotism of the people of the Northeast India.

As a whole the film depicts a dark and an uneasy cloud of the evil called Racism that exists in the Indian society.

Written and Directed By Duyu Tabyo


Source: www.strangerinmyland.com

What Lies At The Heart of Assam-Nagaland Dispute

By Rajesh Ahuja/Digambar Patowary

A minor land dispute between an Assamese tribal and a Naga simmering for the last four months and militant groups taking sides in it seems to have led to full-blown confrontation at the border of Assam and Nagaland claiming 11 lives so far, say Union home ministry (MHA) officials.

According to a MHA report on the dispute, in Chetaigaon village that lies in the disputed area belt (DAB) touching Golaghat district at the Assam-Nagaland border, a piece of land belonging to a Naga was given to an Assamese tribal for cultivation.

In April this year, the Assamese tribal complained that the Naga owner has erected an illegal hut on the land.

The administration first decided that the hut would be dismantled and the Assamese tribal would not cultivate the land but two months later, the tribal started cultivating the land.

To sort the matter, the district administration later allowed erection of hut in the land with cultivation rights to the Assamese tribal.

Security personnel trying to stop activists of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) protesting inside Assam Legislative Assembly (ALA) in Guwahati on Wednesday

But in the meanwhile two tribal boys went missing from the village. In retaliation, on August 2, tribals with the help of cadres from militant outfit Adivasi National Liberation Army chased away the Naga land owner from the village.

Afterwards, the Nagas took help from another militant group NSCN (Khaplang-Kitovi) faction who allegedly abducted three tribal boys from Chandalashung area, say MHA officials.

Later Naga miscreants fired on tribals on August 12 and houses were set ablaze. So far 11 people have died in the ensuing violence.

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has put the onus on the centre.

 "In the DAB, a central force has been deployed as neutral force. It is Centre's duty to handle the situation in the border disputed areas", said Gogoi.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who was briefed by ministry officials on Wednesday, spoke to Gogoi and Nagaland chief minister TR Zelian. The Prime Minister's Office also sought report from the home ministry on the issue. Union minister of state for home, Kiren Rijiju is going to Guwahati on Thursday and would sit with Gogoi and Zelian to sort out the problem.

Truck drivers’ strike doubles retail prices in south-west Mizoram

By Adam Halliday

 

Private truck drivers in Lunglei have refused to ply the route in protest against the Tlabung Supplies storekeeper’s recent move to make truck drivers pay in kind (in this case rice) for any missing sacks of rice.

The drivers have demanded Lalruatfeli's transfer and a new storkeeper be stationed at Tlabung.

The three-week-long truckers’ strike has almost doubled retail prices in at least 15 towns and villages in south-west Mizoram. And adding to the woes, a government truck ferrying rice to the area broke down midway in an apparent sabotage.

Police have begun investigations into the apparent sabotage of the government truck after District Civil Supplies Officer R Vanrengpuia filed an FIR on Tuesday.

Residents at Tlabung town (near the Indo-Bangladesh border) have meanwhile said a kilogram of rice now sells for about Rs 40-45 at private shops (from Rs 20-Rs 25 per kilogram last month) due to a shortage caused by the absence of government supplies that was normally distributed at subsidised rates through government retailers in 15 towns and villages of the region.

A government truck that was sent from capital Aizawl to district headquarters Lunglei was on way to Tlabung town on Sunday evening with almost 72 quintals of rice when it developed a fault along the way and eventually broke down. A pile of salt was discovered in the fuel tank. Police have not arrested anyone yet.

Private truck drivers in Lunglei have refused to ply the route in protest against the Tlabung Supplies storekeeper’s recent move to make truck drivers pay in kind (in this case rice) for any missing sacks of rice.

The storekeeper, according to Food and Civil Supplies (FCS) Minister John Rotluangliana, is acting on orders from the government to enforce the new rules put in place to check frequent cases of consignments reaching their destinations with less bags than were originally loaded at various godowns across the state. Drivers were earlier pardoned if they paid for the missing bags in cash.
The drivers’ union has alleged Lalruatfeli, the storekeeper, is implementing this method arbitrarily, making only some pay in kind while allowing others to pay in cash.

They have demanded Lalruatfeli’s transfer and a new storkeeper be stationed at Tlabung.
With drivers of private trucks refusing to ferry rice, the FCS department has begun using its own trucks to ferry the rice and has also borrowed vehicles from other departments.

I Had To Stay Away From My Baby For The Longest Time: CWG medalist Sarita Devi

Boxer and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Laishram Sarita Devi talks of the pains she underwent en route and after the Commonwealth Games, eyeing gold at the Rio Games and her post-retirement plans…

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Laishram Sarita Devi plans to hang her boxing gloves after the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio De Janeiro.

"I am into the game for a long time. I have won five Asian championships and a lot of other medals, now its time to bid adieu. But the only thing I don't have is an Olympic medal, so I really want to participate and bring some glory for the country," Sarita told PTI on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old boxer also talked about how challenging it was for her to win a medal in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games after becoming a mother.

"It was very difficult for me this time, both mentally and physically. I was out of the game for such a long time, it was really tough to come back. But thanks to my family and the Almighty for being there with all through this time," she said.

"I have been boxing for a long time, but this time was the toughest. I had to stay away from my baby for such a long time, it was five months, and when I returned after the games, he came to the airport with my brother and mother to receive me, but the sad part is he could not recognize me," said the mother of an 18-month old baby boy.


Arjuna awardee Sarita was also proud about the Hindi film made on her friend and fellow-boxer Mary Kom.

"Now it is proved India is not only a cricket-frenzy nation. When I and Mary started together, people used to see us differently, because there was a common notion that women cannot come into a sport like boxing. But we fought, we fought hard and after overcoming so many hurdles today we are being recognised. This is a lot of encouragement," she said.

When asked about her plans after retirement, she said, "I already have an academy where I train young, potential boxers. After retirement I want to completely focus on it so that I can make new Mary Koms who will take boxing forward in this country."

Sarita, who comes from a family of farmers, also shared her concern for the next generation of boxers.

"A lot of young people are now aspiring to get into the sport and most of them come from humble backgrounds. Boxing is not at all easy, it needs a lot of strength, sincerity and diligence. The government is doing its bit but I think everyone should come forward to support it," she said.

Modern Democracy has no place for laws like AFSPA

A Manipur sessions court has ruled that Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been fasting to protest military atrocities in Manipur under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) since 2000, is not guilty of attempting to commit suicide, a criminal act under India's laws.

Fasting for political causes has been a hallmark of satyagraha, or non-violent protest, originally practised and preached by none other than Gandhi. But this acquittal really does not solve anything.

Even if Sharmila is released from detention at the Imphal hospital where she is incarcerated, she is unlikely to give up her fast. In that case, she will have to continue to be fed nasally, as she is now.

The hospital is probably a more sanitary place for this to happen. Ultimately the governments of Manipur, other northeastern states and Jammu and Kashmir — where AFSPA is imposed — — will have to take the decision to scrap the Act from their states.

But even that will not solve this problem. The Centre also has to agree to revoke the AFSPA, which gives draconian powers to the military to arrest and detain anyone without warrants.  It can also use unlimited force on people who live in areas declared 'disturbed.'

Nobody in the armed forces is judicially liable for any atrocities that happen under the AFSPA.

Whenever previous governments in New Delhi have tried to grasp this nettle, the military establishment has stepped in to argue that it cannot deal with insurgency in sensitive areas without the cover of this law, which was originally drawn up by the British to curb the freedom movement in 1942.

The government has to recognise that in a modern democracy, in the 21st century, there is no scope to retain legislation like the AFSPA.

Unlike a colonial ruler, whose wishes were imposed on a colonised people, democratic regimes survive on the will of voters.

Persisting with laws like AFSPA will actually prolong militancy and disaffection in the northeast and J&K, not end it. It is time the government scrapped this brutal relic from the past, to strengthen India's fledgling democracy.

Manipur Demands Implementation Of Inner Land Permit

Imphal, Aug 21 : The agitation for the implementation of the Inner Land Permit System has gained ground in Manipur, even as non-Manipuris without proper identity proof and those settling illegally or otherwise have been banned in the Thongju Part I and II areas in Imphal East district.

Earlier this week, 15 clubs representing Thongju Part I and II, under the aegis of the Thongju Chigonglei Makhong Development Club, organised a mass rally, which was followed by a sit-in protest and a human chain.

The rally condemned the indifferent attitude of the state government regarding the movement of people and demanded the implementation of ILPS in the state.

The bans in Thongju Part I and II are being seen as a first step in the implementation of a state-wise ILPS in Manipur.

Violence at Assam-Nagaland Border Worsens, Two Killed in Fresh Clashes

By Urmimala Bhattacharjee

Violence near the Assam-Nagaland border has left at least 18 people dead in the last week.

Guwahati, Aug 21 :  Two people have been killed in fresh clashes between the police and protesters today in Golaghat near the Assam-Nagaland border. The police said a mob of about 4000 adivasis or tribals, carrying bows and arrows and spears, attacked policemen and set fire to a picket.

The police opened fire, allegedly killing two protesters. One more protester, who was allegedly injured in the firing, died later, said local sources.

The situation is tense amid growing anger at police action against protesters; on Tuesday, the police had opened fire, after using batons and tear gas, at student protesters blocking the National Highway that leads to Nagaland.

21 people were injured and one was crushed to death under a truck during the clash. The police had asserted that no one had been injured in the firing yesterday; they claimed that they had used rubber bullets to control the mob. One constable has been suspended over the death of the protester.

Angry protesters have since then blocked the National Highway 37 by burning tyres and felling trees at several sites on the road. Trucks and a police jeep were also reportedly burnt by protesters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the home ministry for a report on the situation. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has blamed the central government saying it "was not proactive in helping us."

Assamese students and other groups had blocked the highway on Tuesday to protest against the killing of at least 15 people in a wave of violence by Naga insurgents in seven villages along the border in the last week.  About 10,000 villagers have taken shelter in relief camps.

There is a 50-year-old dispute over these border villages between Naga and Assamese people, which continues despite a Supreme Court-backed mediation process.  A temporary pact places the disputed area under central forces, but local people say they don't feel safe.

Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, will travel to Assam tomorrow to assess the situation. "It is a dispute between Assam and Nagaland. They should sit together and resolve it," he said today.

He will meet both Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his Nagaland counterpart TR Zeliang, who are scheduled to discuss the border problem tomorrow.

Centre Directs Meghalaya to ban all forms of Smokeless Tobacco

Shillong, Aug 21 : The Centre has directed Meghalaya and two other states in the North East region to impose ban on all forms of processed/flavoured smokeless tobacco to save people from oral cancer, an official said today.

"Please pass necessary notification under Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to implement the ban on all forms of processed/flavoured/scented chewing tobacco," Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in a letter to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma recently, the official said.

Similar instructions were also issued to the chief ministers of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh.

Seeking to report to the Ministry after passing the order in this regard, Vardhan said this is to ensure safe and wholesome food to people which was also endorsed by the Allahabad High Court that tobacco is food.

The Union Minister, however, said all forms of tobacco causes oral cancer and the ban would save people of Meghalaya in particular and the region in general from the dreadful effect.

According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2010 conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in association with the World Health Organisation (WHO), 55 per cent population of Meghalaya consume tobacco in some form or other, while national consumption rate of tobacco products is 34 per cent.

"The substances, whether going by the name or form of gutkha, zarda, may be banned under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006," Vardhan said in his letter earlier this month.

"Smokeless tobacco is the most prevalent form with 206 million Indians using it as such consequent burden of mortality and morbidity due to consumption of smokeless tobacco is very high in India," he said.

The Union health minister also stated that sweet-flavoured processed smokeless tobacco is attracting vulnerable groups like women and children.

Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Commissioner and Secretary M R Synrem said that the state has banned gutka and pan masala.