More Forces Deployed For NH-39 and NH-53 in Northeast

New Delhi, Sep 2 : Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram said here on Wednesday that the Centre has deployed 12 additional companies of Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) for security of National Highways 39 and 53 on request of Manipur and Nagaland governments.

The 12 CPMF comprise six companies of Central Reserve Police Force and six companies of Border Security Force.

Speaking on the issue of internal security, the Home Minister informed reporters about the North East, Jammu and Kashmir, and on the issue of Left Wing Extremism.

About northeast, the Home Mininster informed that a committee has been set up on August 10, 2010 to examine various issues related to Chakmas / Hajongs, which include their settlement in Arunachal Pradesh and grant of Indian citizenship to eligible members.

A tripartite agreement was signed with a Meitei outfit in Manipur, the Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council) - Lallumba faction on August 6, 2010, he said and added: "As a result, 114 cadres surrendered with 81 weapons."

The Home Minister said, "Measures are being taken to rehabilitate all surrendered cadres."

He also informed that the tripartite SoO (Suspension of Operations) with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF) was extended by 45 days on August 22, 2010.

"This agreement has been in effect since August 22, 2008," Mr. Chidambaram informed this today while presenting the report card for the month of August.

Speaking about the Amarnath pilgrimage held in Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister said: "The annual Amarnathji Yatra concluded on August 24, 2010. Since July 1, 2010 a total of 458,000 pilgrims visited the shrine. Full security was provided to the yatra and no incident of violence was reported." (ANI)

Most Northeast Crafts Ignored at INA Metro Culture Gallery

By Subhendu Ray

New Delhi, Sep 2 : Northeast India, with its large number of craft-making tribes, is known for its varied handicrafts.

But the crafts and craftsmen of northeastern states got very small space in the first of its kind 'Crafts of India' gallery at INA Metro Station. The gallery, which showcases 58 panels made by

craftsmen and weavers from across the country, has just one hand-woven shawl from Manipur and Nagaland each. No other northeastern state has any representation in it.

In a bid to showcase the rich and varied handicrafts and handlooms of India, textiles ministry and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) jointly installed the gallery. Another reason for the gallery was to give a boost to the commercial activities at Delhi Haat, which is in vicinity of the INA Metro station.

Said textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran while inaugurating the gallery on Wednesday: "This gallery provides a platform to every state which have rich heritage of handicrafts and handlooms."

He said that keeping this in mind his ministry has ensured participation of all states whose craft works are rich.

DMRC managing director E. Sreedharan proposed that the textiles ministry install similar galleries at other stations and in some trains, too, to promote India's crafts and culture.

NC Hills Scam Funds Siphoned Off to Foreign Countries

By R Dutta Choudhury

Guwahati, Sep 2 : A substantial portion of funds allotted to North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council for the development of the hill district was siphoned off to foreign countries through hawala rackets, thus depriving the common people of the backward district of the fruits of development.

Highly-placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that the Enforcement Directorate has been investigating the case of money laundering in NC Hills Autonomous Council and during preliminary investigation, it was found that funds allotted to the Council were sent to Kolkata through hawala racket, where it was converted into dollars to be sent to Nepal. The commander in chief of the DHD (J), Niranjan Hojai used to stay in Nepal and after converting the money into dollars in Kolkata, the same was sent to Nepal for making payments for arms procurements.

Sources said that the person mainly involved in hawala transfer of funds from Guwahati has been identified but the National Investigation Agency (NIA) made him the witness in its case relating to siphoning off of funds to the coffers of militant groups.

Official sources said that the officials of the Directorate of Enforcement so far questioned nine of the 13 accused, 12 of whom are in judicial custody. But they could not question DHD (J) chief Jewel Garlosa, Niranjan Hojai and two other members of the militant group as they went on a hunger strike in protest against their arrest and had to be shifted to hospital. Sources said that the officials of Enforcement Directorate would try to question them as soon as possible regarding money laundering.

Sources, however, said that there would be a hitch in questioning Jewel Garlosa. The Court has granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate only to question the accused in the central jail, Guwahati. But Garlosa has been kept in a special jail in the headquarter of the Special Branch of the Assam Police and the Directorate does not have the court permission to question the militant leader there. The Directorate has written to the Additional Director General of Police, Special Branch asking as to when Garlosa could be shifted to the Central jail for questioning and the reply of the police is awaited.

Sources said that there were instances of payments of the council made in Guwahati itself in name of suppliers and in some cases substantial amounts were released to firms in advance. In one case, a firm was provided an advance of Rs 60 lakh and it is suspected that the money paid in such way went to the coffers of the militants.

The Enforcement Directorate is also trying to prepare a detailed list of all the accused in the case so that it can move the court for attachment and even confiscation of the properties acquired with the proceeds of crime. However, preparing the same would take some time as accused would not divulge the same easily. Sources said that according to allegations, Niranjan Hojai invested money in hotel business in Nepal and he even has investments in travel agency in that country and it is also alleged that he might have investments in Singapore. But the Enforcement Directorate is yet to get any conclusive proof of the same.

Sources said that RH Khan, the prime accused of the case, was a CDPO of the Social Welfare Department, but he was allowed to officiate in a much higher post of Deputy Director and he was even given financial powers. The Enforcement Directorate is trying to make an assessment of the list of his properties and even the properties acquired in names of others would be listed. His brother has been summoned for questioning as Khan reportedly bought a luxury car worth more than Rs 20 lakh in his name.

via Assam Tribune

Bangla Bands Rocked by Economic Slowdown

Kolkata, Sep 1 : The economic meltdown has hit almost every sector of the economy and the Bangla rock band circuit is no exception. These bands, with their catchy combination of rap and rock sung in folksy Bengali idioms, have enjoyed considerable popularity among both domestic and overseas Bengali audiences. But with everyone short of cash, they’re finding themselves increasingly out of tune with the times — financially, if not artistically.

The problems started in 2008 when the slowdown was at its peak and several college fests were called off because corporate sponsorships dried up. "We did not do brisk business during 2008-09. The number of shows went down to 40 or 50 from about 100 per year and there were hardly any calls from abroad. In spite of this, we did not slash our rates," said Gaurav Chatterjee of Lakhichhara.

The problem is compounded by the fact that audiences from the US are still not inviting the bands. Last year, Lakhichhara had to cancel its US tour owing to new visa regulations and another band called Cactus cancelled its US trip for this Puja because they had confirmed performances from only three or four cities.

Bangla bands became a part of college fests in the 1990s and attracted corporate funding for promotional performances on product launches and related activities. "We do 80 to 100 shows in a year of which about half are for college fests.

"We charge around Rs. 70,000 to 80,000 per show," said Sidharta of Cactus. The approximate yearly turnover of a Bangla band is around 5 crore.

The journey of the Bangla band started with Gautam Chattopadhyay's band Mohiner Ghoraguli (Mohin's horses) in 1960 but it turned out to be an idea ahead way of its time.

The real alternative music evolved in the 1990s when Jibonmukhi songs (songs of life) became popular with their everyday concerns that established a direct connect with the common man. Solo artists such as Nachiketa and Suman Chattopadhay were to be credited for this unique musical experiment.

It was around the late 1990s that bands like Fossil, Cactus and Lakhichhara started a new musical movement by blending rock music with Bengali lyrics and rose to instant popularity among the youth. Bands like Bhoomi and Chandrabindu carried forward the legacy of Bengali folk. Their popularity transcended borders and they were invited to perform at various music festivals and events.

But faster economic growth has not improved the college fest scene significantly. The shortage of funds is forcing colleges to hire individual performers or opt for electronic music, both cheaper options, said Arnab Banerjee of True Colours, an event management firm. "As a result, most band members are stepping into new ventures of music production and compositions for serials and films," he added.

Not that the bands are losing heart. In the words of Gautam Chattopadhay, "Onek kichu korar ache (There is a lot to be done)."

Source: Business Standard

Social Networking Sites a Hit With Meghalaya Politicians

By Rituraj Borthakur

Shillong, Sep 1 : Popular social networking sites have become a hit with Meghalaya's frontline politicians who swear by their usefulness to stay connected to the masses.

Hailing from both sides of the political divide, the leaders, including Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Opposition Leader Conrad Sangma, are regular users of the sites.

An avid user of Facebook, Sangma said, “Technology should be utilized to reach out to people and be more accessible to them. Social networking has become a platform for the people to get their voices heard."

Stressing on the time-efficiency factor of the social networking sites, the chief minister, a medical practitioner who still finds time to attend to his patients, advocated the use of technology for the betterment of the state.

Education minister and the lone woman legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh found herself at one with the chief minister. "It is indeed a unique way to interact with the masses as our prime agenda is development of the state,” she said.

Among Lyngdoh's 261 'online friends', there are several students of the state staying outside.
“Students who study outside our state contact me, if they have any problem relating to scholarship or any such. I help them in that case,” she said.

Leader of Opposition Conrad Sangma, said, “It is a great way to connect with the people, but I don't think it is a platform for politics. I believe it is a platform for discussion.”

The senior lot of politicians also have their leaning towards the emerging technologies as in the case of Conrad’s father Purno A Sangma, a former Lok Sabha speaker and currently a state legislator.

The senior Sangma is known for his techno-savvy habits and advocates the use of technology for better changes in life.

SC Directs Security Forces To Vacate Educational Institutes

New Delhi, Sep 1 : The Supreme Court today directed the Centre to ensure that all schools and hostels of educational institutions occupied by the Army and paramilitary forces are vacated within two months.

An order to this effect was passed by a bench comprising Justices B Sudarshan Reddy and S S Nijjar during the hearing of the issue relating to the trafficking of 76 children from Manipur and Assam to Tamil Nadu.

While there was a specific direction to the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that the schools and hostels be freed from the occupation of the Army and central paramilitary forces, the bench asked the HRD Ministry to find out the list of schools occupied by the forces in two states.

Further, the bench asked the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) to hold meetings with seven North Eastern states on various aspects of development.

The directions were passed on the recommendations of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) which was asked by the court to inquire into the trafficking of children from Manipur and Assam to Tamil Nadu on the pretext of providing them better education.
The bench also asked Manipur, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka to respond to the recommendation of the NCPCR to shut down unregistered charitable houses running schools and hostels.

It asked Manipur and Assam to file an affidavit in response to the suggestions given by NCPCR.

The court also accepted the plea of the NCPCR seeking authority to review the matter with the state government.

The bench posted the matter after two months.

The names of the 76 children were furnished by the Tamil Nadu government. They have been repatriated to their home in two North Eastern states.

The court had asked the NCPCR to inquire into the matter on March 31 while hearing an application based on a media report about recovery of 76 such children.

The Tamil Nadu government had earlier stated that the probe by the Kanyakumari Superintendent of Police has established that the 76 children from Manipur and Assam were brought to Tamil Nadu by one Rev Paul from the north-eastern region on promise of providing them better education.

Manipur Farmers Taking up Pineapple Farming

Imphal, Sep 1 : For farmers like J Hechuon, 62, of Bunglon village pineapple cultivation in his two hectare plot on the slopes of Khousabung hill range in Manipur’s Churachandpur district is his main occupation since the last five decades.

In the eighties, he used to get a profit of about Rs 20,000 annually from pineapple cultivation but now it has increased to Rs 50,000.

“This year, I am expecting a profit of not less than Rs 60,000”, Hechuon, head of a 10 member family told The Assam Tribune during the 3rd Manipur Pineapple Festival which concluded recently.

Like him, almost all the 60 households of Bunglon village including Heshiah(50), a teacher by profession earn similar income from pineapple farming.

The farmers of the neighbouring villages such as Khousabung having around 80 households are also taking up pineapple cultivation. “In the past there was no encouragement from any quarter to go for pineapple farming”, H Soizalal, Chairman of Manipur Pineapple Festival Committee (MPFC) said. But after the introduction of the Pineapple Festival, now more than 10,000 farmers have taken up cultivation of pineapple producing about 10 lakh fruits.

Farmers of Khousabung area mostly women including a young lady Denila Kom, 27 of Phungchongjang village actively participated in the Pineapple exhibition cum sale at the two- day festival.

According to MPFC chairman, around 72,000 metric tonnes of pineapples were produced from a farming area measuring around 80,000 hectares in Manipur, of which 40,000 metric tonnes were consumed locally while the remaining were exported outside the State.

Two most-sought-after varieties of pineapple – Kew (big size) and Queen (small size) are produced on commercial scale in Manipur.

The eight month availability of pineapples in Manipur makes the State highly advantageous for setting up of processing and export units. The Kew variety available here is known for it’s distinctive taste and flavour. This variety is most suited for canning. Thus canned pineapples form a part of the exports from processed fruit industry from this region.

Tips From Heartland, South For Craftsmen

Visitors admire jewellery at the Cluster Conclave in Guwahati on Monday.

Guwahati, Sep 1 : Woodcarvers of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and goldsmiths of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh have helped the carpenters of Baktawng in Mizoram and jewellery makers of Manipur to add quality to their products for better market and value.

The products were displayed at the Cluster Conclave organised by the IIE (Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship), which concluded in Guwahati today.

The artisans from Mizoram and Manipur said the training has provided them access to new technology, which will help their products secure better markets now.

“We did not have access to better tools and hence our products lacked quality. The trip to Saharanpur has helped us to acquire designing skills and gather knowledge to make our products more competitive in the market,” Mawiluizela, a resident of Baktawng of Mizoram, told The Telegraph today.

Baktawng is 70km from Aizawl and is famous for its fine carpentry and wood carvings.

The total number of households in the villages is 140 of which 85 are engaged in wood carpentry.

The training in Saharanpur, internationally famous for its wood carving industry, has helped the artisans of this Mizoram village to enrich the designs and the quality of the wood carvings, which were earlier considered simple.

The finished wooden products of Baktawng cluster include door panels, ventilation frames, tables and dining tabless.

A common facility centre at this village in Mizoram has been sanctioned by the Union ministry of micro small and medium enterprises, which would help them in getting necessary tools.

“It has also helped them in opening up their world outlook and learning new facets, which would help them in getting good markets,” said Sriparna Baruah who heads the Regional Resource Centre that is responsible for cluster development at the IIE.

Similarly, the artisans from the Greater Imphal Jewellery Cluster had gone to Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh to learn about the tools for jewellery.

“We had engaged a new designer for the cluster and she has given 15 new designs by blending the intricate Manipuri designs with modern looks thereby introducing costume jewellery in the cluster,” Baruah said.

The Greater Imphal Jewellery Cluster has two villages within its fold, Malom and Kanglambam, which are spread within a radius of 5km.

“People of Manipur love gold jewellery. There are units in the cluster that exclusively make ornaments, which are intricately and traditionally designed for various occasions,” Baruah said.