Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee sends relief to Mizos of Myanmar

Aizawl, Aug 13 :  In a noble move, The Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today sent relief services to the Mizo flood victims in Myanmar.

The relief materials included 400 bags of rice, 20 quintals of Dal, 40 tins of edible oil, two quintals of soya product and medicines total worth of Rs 8.20 lakh, a press statement issued by the MPCC said.

Two trucks were sent to Zokhawthar and Farkawn villages in Champhai district, the statement said, adding that the materials sent to Zokhawthar would be delivered at Tahan (Myanmar) and the materials sent to Farkawn would be delivered at Haka village (Myanmar).

The materials would be taken over by the Mizos at the Myanmar border, the statement said.

The central committee of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) had already sent 200 bags of rice to the flood victims in Myanmar last week.

Peace accord: Muivah seeks peace with Nagaland’s Neighbours

By Rahul Karmakar
Guwahati, Aug 13 : Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM), has asked the Nagas to “understand the problems of India” and respect the “rights of neighbouring states” while awaiting details of the Naga peace accord.

His appeal came during a 40-minute reception – subdued by Nagaland standards – outside the airport in Dimapur, the state’s commercial hub, on Wednesday afternoon. This was his first visit to Nagaland after the signing of the framework agreement earlier this month.

“What we signed was a framework agreement that paves the way for the final accord. All Naga groups and stakeholders would be consulted before the final deal is done,” Muivah said.

He insisted solutions to the six-decade-old Naga political crisis would be based on shared sovereignty, but indicated the NSCN-IM was keen on avoiding confrontation with Nagaland’s neighbours without naming Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur.

“Nagas will have their rights, but we should also respect the rights of the neighbouring states,” Muivah said, adding the Nagas should also understand New Delhi’s compulsions in arriving at a solution acceptable to all.

The governments of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur had welcomed the announcement of the framework agreement with the NSCN-IM. But they are wary of the contents in view of the NSCN-IM agenda of integration of Naga-inhabited areas under one administrative unit.

These areas of Greater Nagalim (Nagaland), as the outfit envisages, include four hill districts of Manipur, three of Arunachal Pradesh and large swathes of Assam bordering Manipur.

Mizoram Charity Concerts for Myanmar Flood Victims

The Zofa Global Network and the Green Mizoram Network organized mobile charity concerts for flood victims called “In Aid of Disaster Victims in Myanmar” on 6 and 7 August in Aizawl, Mizoram State, North East India.

Mizoram State's largest community-based organisation donated 10 tons of rice while local musicians held mobile charity concerts in five public squares in Aizawl, the state capital.

On 6 August, the mobile charity concerts were held at the Bawngkawn, Chanmari, New Market and the Millennium Centre in Aizawl.

On 7 August, the concerts were held at Thakthing Bazar (Mizzion Veng), Khatla Kawn, Vaivakawn and Israel Point in Aizawl.

Performing were the top Mizo singers Rosangliana (Zo Rock), Sawmtea, Manuna Chawngthu, Ronald Zothantluanga, Zualboihi, Sangkimi Khiangte, Lawmi Khiangte, Feli Fanai and Rosy Zorinpuii.

The Presbyterian Church also asked all churches in Aizawl to contribute towards the aid effort and asked those in towns and villages to also pitch in if they can. A local TV network has also called for contributions from viewers.

Two of the state’s main student unions, the MZP and the MSU, have also appealed to all students in the state to contribute one-day’s lunch worth of money to be sent as aid to the flood-affected people.
Another group of musicians is also planning a concert for later this month.

People United in Music with a Purpose (PUMP) has organised a Charity Concert for victims of the  flooding in Myanmar on 14 and 15 August in front of the Millennium Centre, in Aizawl.
The following singers and bands will be performing on 14 August: C.Luri, Zoramchhani, Mami Varte, Manunna (Hardray), Andrew Laltlankima, Henry Varte, Ruthi Ch.Ralte, Zorini Khiangte, Feli Thangluah, Dr.Zothansanga, DJ Lalvenhimi, Sawmtea Chhangte, Mizo Cardinal Choir, David Vanlalpeka, Lancy Remlalhruaii, Pratima, Spi, Michael M Sailo, Zualboihi, May-i, Ruatfeli (Triau Track), Hmingtea, and The Breeze.

The following singers and bands will be performing on 15 August: Lawmi Khiangte, Lungmuana Chhangte, The Prophets, Stacy VL Muanpuii, Forever Young, The Keys, Hlimhlimi, Henry Varte, Rosy K. Remsangpuii, Temi Sailo, Betea, TBZ Choir, leprosy Mission Choir, Mizo Cardinal Choir, Feli Fanai, Laikai ROCK, Tribal Power, Hexatone, 3rd Eye, Radiowave and Kroashia.

source: bnionline.net

Mizoram: Local group ask Gov to remove Army Colonel to prevent ‘civil-military conflict’

Aizawl, Aug 11 : Colonel Ravinder Singh, who is posted at the Army's Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS), was arrested by Vairengte police for threatening a man in a shop last week with a knife.

Locals in Mizoram’s Vairengte village have asked state Governor Nirbhay Sharma to help remove an Indian Army Colonel to prevent “civil-military animosity and conflict” after the Colonel was arrested for the second time in a month by police due to his alleged violent behaviour, including threatening a local man with a knife.

Colonel Ravinder Singh, who is posted at the Army’s Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS), was arrested by Vairengte police for threatening a man in a shop last week with a knife. He had been arrested and later charge-sheeted for allegedly assaulting a fellow-Colonel in the school campus a month before.

The local unit of the Young Mizo Association, the state’s largest community-based organisation with members in bvirtually every household, on Monday submitted a letter to Governor Sharma asking that the Colonel be removed from the school and listed out complaints by villagers.

These include the Colonel playing football outside church buildings during Sunday church services, moving around the village with guns, machetes and other weapons and terrifying residents, presenting gifts to women after they make it clear they do not want them and visiting them at odd hours in their shops, workplaces and even homes, knocking on locals’ doors late in the night and one time removing a porch light-bulb, and general public drunkenness.

“Our young men have developed a sense of enmity against him,” the YMA wrote in the letter to Governor Sharma, adding the Colonel’s continued presence might lead to “unwanted commotion breaking out in the village”.

Northeast Sees 40% More Foreign Tourists

New Delhi, Aug 11 : Despite deterrents such as poor connectivity and lack of decent hotels, foreign tourist flows to northeastern states jumped nearly 40 percent in 2014 over the previous year, even as efforts are on to promote the sector there, parliament was informed on Monday.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma said the number of foreign tourist arrivals in the eight northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura in 2014 was 118,552 compared to 84,820 in 2013 -- marking a 39.76 percent increase. In 2012, the figure was 66,302.

"Some of the factors responsible for poor tourist inflow to the destination are lack of connectivity, non-availability of reasonably priced hotel accommodation, absence of tourism infrastructure and carrying capacity of the destination."

He said the government has included the northeast in two new tourism schemes that have been launched.

Apart from the Northeast Circuit under the 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme, two other circuits under the scheme - Buddhist Circuit and Himalayan Circuit - can be linked to the region

According to the minister, Kamakhya in Guwahati has been identified under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (Prasad) scheme.

Sharma said as against the required 10 percent budgetary allocation of every central government ministry for the development of the northeastern region, the tourism ministry has been providing more than that in the last three fiscal years.

In 2014-15, the ministry allocated Rs.144.68 crore (Rs.1.44 billion) from its Rs.1,100-crore budget in 2014-15 or 13.15 percent of the total budget. In 2013-14, it was Rs.149.16 crore out of Rs.980 crore and in 2012-13, it was Rs.113.72 crore out of Rs.950 crore.

This apart, the ministry has undertaken several initiatives for the promotion of tourism in the northeast, Sharma said.

These include provision of complimentary space to the northeast in India pavilions set up at major international travel fairs and exhibitions and 100 percent central government financial assistance for organising fairs and festivals in the northeastern states.

"The ministry of tourism, as part of its ongoing activities, annually releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international and domestic markets, under the Incredible India brand line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country, including the lesser known destinations which have tourism potential," the minister said.

"The ministry of tourism undertakes special campaigns on northeastern region on TV channels to promote tourism in the region."

He said the International Tourism Mart (ITM) is organised annually with the objective of showcasing the largely untapped tourism potential of the northeastern region in the domestic and international markets.

"In addition, a series of promotional activities are undertaken in important and potential tourist generating markets overseas through the India Tourism Offices abroad with the objective of showcasing India's tourism potential."

Under the 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme, an amount of Rs.20.35 crore has been allocated to the state government of Manipur in 2013-14 fiscal for the "Integrated Cable-Car and Lakeside Tourism Development Project at Loktak Lake".

"Under this scheme, funds are allocated under public-private partnership," Sharma said.

In reply to another question, the minister said the North Eastern Council had conducted a study for the identification of tourism circuits in the northeast and the same has been shared with the respective state governments.

He said the Arunachal Pradesh government has also sent a proposal for integrated development of adventure tourism in the state under the 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme.

Northeast Airports Lack Night Landing Facilities: Minister

New Delhi, Aug 11 : Representational Image (Getty Images) Four major airports in the northeastern states of Assam, Mizoram and Meghalaya do not have night landing facilities, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said on Monday.

"Presently, the airports at Shillong (Meghalaya), Lengpui (Mizoram), Jorhat and Tezpur (both in Assam) in the northeastern region are not equipped with night landing facilities," Sharma stated in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

He said that while Shillong airport belonged to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Lengpui airport belonged to the Mizoram government and the Tezpur and Jorhat airports were owned by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

"Upgrade of airports, including provision of night landing facilities is a continuous process, which is undertaken by the Airports Authority of India depending on the operational requirements at the concerned airport, demand from airlines, technical feasibility, availability of land free from all encumbrances etc.," he said.

According to the minister, though the Kumbirgram airport at Silchar in southern Assam is equipped with night landing facilities, it belongs to the IAF and permission for night landing flights for civil operations at this airport rests with the IAF.

Sharma said that domestic air services have been deregulated by the government and airlines were free to operate anywhere in the country, subject to compliance of route dispersal guidelines (RDGs) issued by the government.

"The government has laid down RDGs with a view to achieve better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for remote and regional areas of the country.

However, it is up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places, depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability," he stated.

RTI Plea Seeks Details of Naga Pact From 'Clueless' MHA

By Bharti Jain

Such requests can always be turned down as the RTI Act exempts the govt from making disclosures that can impinge upon national security.

New Delhi, Aug 10 : As the Congress and chief ministers of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh question the 'shroud of secrecy' over the Centre-NSCN (IM) accord signed last Monday, an RTI application has been moved from Assam asking the Union home ministry for details of the "historic" agreement.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Bibhuti Bhushan Borthakur on Thursday sent a letter to the home secretary seeking details of the agreement signed between interlocutor for Naga talks RN Ravi and NSCN (IM) general secretary T Muivah. The letter sought to know why the signed agreement was not made public so far.

Though sources indicated that such requests can always be turned down as the Right to Information Act exempts the government from making disclosures that can impinge upon national security, the home ministry may have to perforce reject this as it knows little about the terms of the "framework agreement" signed on Monday.

Though Ravi did brief home minister Rajnath Singh and home secretary LC Goyal on the Naga accord on Thursday, explaining that it was only a "framework" to proceed with further negotiations on the terms of a final 'accord', this has done little to dispel confusion within the home ministry brass on the "agreed way forward".

In fact, its limited knowledge of contents of the Naga pact forced the home ministry to write to the interlocutor on Friday, seeking details of the accord and its impact on the ceasefire ground rules in force in Nagaland. This was after the Indian Army approached the home ministry for clarifications.

As the home ministry deals with requests from the Army and even the affected states on details of the Naga accord, it would obviously like to know whether there is any change in the government's or NSCN (IM)'s stand on some of the latter's contentious demands.

In 2011, negotiations had come unstuck primarily over two controversial issues: the NSCN (IM) demand that postings of officers within the Naga-inhabited autonomous areas be decided by the state governor and another seeking an integrated body to decide on issues like culture and language of the Naga tribes living in other states.

Both these demands ran into opposition from states having Naga-inhabited areas, like Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh was livid at the thought of ceding his government's right on postings and transfers, calling this a ploy to "create a state within a state". The states also resisted the demand for an integrated body for Naga tribes, arguing that it would open a Pandora's box with other non-Naga tribes also seeking a similar arrangement.

Though the NSCN (IM) has dropped its demand for sovereignty and even 'Nagalim' (Greater Nagaland) comprising Naga-inhabited areas of states other than Nagaland, the home ministry would be curious to know if the latest 'accord' signed by Ravi and Muivah raises the aforesaid contentious demands or has agreed to set them aside. In case of the former, it also remains to be seen if Manipur and other states will show the magnanimity to accommodate the very demands that held up a settlement after an understanding was reached in 2011 between then interlocutor R S Pande and NSCN (IM).

Key Link To Indo-China Pangolin Smuggling Nabbed From Mizoram

By P Naveen

Bhopal, Aug 10 : Madhya Pradesh forest department arrested another key link in the Indo-China international pangolin smuggling racket from Mizoram. The accused, Laltlan Kunga, a resident of Kolasib district in Mizoram, was brought on transit remand to Madhya Pradesh and produced in Chhindwara court on Saturday. One kg of pangolin scales were confiscated from his house. Blood, meat and scales of pangolins are sold to traditional medical practitioners at a premium in south-eastern countries.

Ritesh Sirotia, in-charge of state forest's special task force (STF) wildlife crime, told TOI that Kunga is a mediator between pangolin traders in India and China. "We have identified two Myanmar nationals, who are part of the poaching syndicate. Efforts are on to arrest them through Interpol," he said.

He was into this trade for last five years. "Kunga was getting commission from poachers in India and Myanmar. He was assigned with task of smuggling pangolins and its scales to China," said the officer.

As many as 38 people from seven states have been arrested, including 23 from Madhya Pradesh, seven from Maharashtra, two from Odisha, two from Andhra Pradesh, one from Chhattisgarh, two from West Bengal and one from Mizoram.

Another key player of the gang has been identified as Amir Hussain Laskhar of Assam. He is absconding. Laskhar moved an application for anticipatory bail in the court. STF is also trying to arrest his female associate, Zobi Hmar, who is a tribal and part of the global smuggling ring.

Last month, STF arrested Ashfaq Hussain, 63, a leather businessman from Odisha's Berhampur area. A Kolkata-based marine engineer and a corporator involved in smuggling Indian pangolins to China and Vietnam were arrested during previous operations. Accused allegedly confessed to poaching and trafficking 100 pangolins from Madhya Pradesh to China in the last 12 months.

Those arrested from Kolkata have been identified as Jamal Iqbal, 59, and his son Danish, 24, a marine engineer. Eleven others, including an independent corporator were arrested from Chhindwara district.

"Tribals were used to pick up pangolins from forests and paid Rs 400-500 per kg for scales. It was then forwarded to Jamal between Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 and then shipped to China where it's sold for around Rs 1 lakh and more.

The operation to bust the pangolin racket was carried out by special task force (STF) of state forest department led by Chhindwara chief conservator of forests, Ritesh Sirothia, range officer Nitin Nigam and forest guard Chandra Sekhar Sharma.

This ant-eating mammal with armour of keratin scales has been listed under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species. Experts said, "If poaching continues, pangolin could go extinct."

In traditional Chinese medicine, roasted pangolin scales are used for detoxification of blood, draining pus, curing palsy and stimulating lactation while its blood is used to treat asthma, cancer and reproductive problems.