Bru Refugees Issue Hogs Limelight in Mizoram

By H C Vanlalruata

Aizawl, Dec 21 : Issues related to rehabilitation of Bru refugees, Census officials facing opposition from religious fanatics and widespread forest fires kept Mizoram in news in 2011.

The third phase of the repatriation commenced on April 12, the day when 82 Bru families returned from Tripura to Mizoram and around 622 families returned till May 19.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram's plans to visit Bru-inhabited areas in May to oversee the process was cancelled due to inclement weather. It also resulted in stalling of further repatriation.

A massive fire broke out in the largest Bru relief camp - Naisingpara on March 19, killing 19 people and injuring more than 50 besides destroying over 3,000 houses.

The second phase of Census 2011 began from February 9 with 2,200 enumerators and 450 supervisors encountering religious fanatics who refused to be enrolled because of the fear of being identified or marked with the number of the Biblical Beast or Satan.

The first part of the year witnessed widespread forest fires which were followed by monsoon downpours causing landslides and perpetual road blockades and destruction of properties.

Former chief minister Brig. Thenphunga Sailo retired from active politics and was replaced by his son Lalhmangaiha Sailo, a retired IRS officer as the president of the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC).

While pneumonia became the largest killer disease in the state, the mysterious deaths of six villagers of Thanzamasora hamlet in Lunglei district in March alarmed the people of this southern district.

The superstitious villagers belonging to the Chakma community fled the hamlet and hid in the nearby forests due to the belief that black magic was casted upon them and the 'Bawlpu' or village medicine man could not drive away the evil spirits.

Doctors, who first suspected malaria, after sending the tissues and body fluids of the victims to the National centre for Disease Control in Delhi, discovered that the villagers died due to an extremely rare disease called Indian Tick Typhus.

Another lesser known disease known as Scrub Typhus, propagated by mites and ticks, killed three people in the state and all of them were infected in Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai district.

More than 30 people fell victim to the ferocious canine menace during October while the 'shoot at sight' orders issued by the authorities drew flak from animal activists.

The peace and tranquillity of the state known as 'an island of peace' was shattered by the abduction of two executives of Assam-based construction company Anupam Bricks and Concrete Industries Limited by suspected Bru militants on June six, 25 days before the state celebrated the 25th anniversary of the signing of the historic peace accord between the Centre and the erstwhile underground Mizo National Front (MNF). They were later rescued.

There was a change of guard at the Raj Bhavan in Aizawl as Vakkom B Purushothaman was sworn-in as the new governor on September 2 replacing Lt. Gen Madan Mohan Lakhera.

Polo Ponies May Be A Dying Breed In The Birthplace Of The Game

Loss of habitat and lack of resources threaten the survival of the agile animals of Manipur, writes RAHUL BEDI

DISTINCTIVE POLO ponies peculiar to India’s northeastern Manipur province, where the game associated with aristocrats and royalty originated thousands of years ago, are fast becoming endangered.

They stand 11-13 hands high or 3.6-4.3ft, are agile and enduring and are descendents of the Mongolian Wild horse crossed with Oriental and Arab stock. But Manipuri polo ponies are beset by loss of habitat and grazing grounds due to expanding population, inadequate breeding and veterinarian facilities and a desperate resource crunch which makes it difficult to keep them in nutritious fodder.

In addition, these specialised ponies had, over the years, been smuggled across the porous border to frontier towns in neighbouring Myanmar, barely 50km away, and yoked to carts for transporting passengers and material. Locals withdrew them from polo tourneys and dragooned them into hauling loads in remote and sparsely populated hill districts surrounding the lush Manipur Valley where the majority of the state’s 2.7 million people live.

Many ponies have died after being beaten up or knifed by local farmers for straying into their paddy fields, while more endure painful suffocation after swallowing discarded plastic bags.

“Polo is a common man’s game in Manipur but the majority of its proponents are unable to afford suitable upkeep for their ponies,” said Noren Singh, honorary secretary of the Manipur Polo Association.

“We are constantly running from pillar to post for money to ensure the ponies’ survival and at times even contribute from our own pockets but that’s barely enough,” he added ruefully.

If something is not done quickly, the Manipuri polo ponies will become extinct, Singh warned. The majority of Manipur’s polo players are school and college students, farmers and labourers whose passion for the game is in inverse proportion to their limited finances.

According to Manipur’s 17 surviving polo clubs – down from about 25 a few years ago – there are some 500 ponies in the valley and just half that number in the adjoining hill regions, compared to around 1,100 in 2007.

The provincial government had established a breeding farm in the late 1980s but following recurring clashes between rival tribes it was taken over by one of the warring groups and all but disappeared.

Many of the ponies housed there died and the survivors suffered increasingly from a lack of wholesome fodder, a combination of diseases, timely medical treatment and, above all, an ineffective breeding programme.

But polo ponies are hardly a priority in Manipur, one of India’s most backward and insurgency-ridden provinces.

It also has the highest rate of heroin addiction – the narcotic is available cheaply, smuggled from Myanmar – and an alarmingly high percentage of HIV-positive victims.

Known locally as Sagol-Kangjei – sagol for horse and kangjei meaning mallet or hockey stick – polo originated in Manipur around 3100 BC and was played by royalty and the king’s cavalry.

Mounted on Manipuri ponies, locals wearing tight-pheijoms or sarongs tucked up to their knees; chunky, half-sleeved, jacket-like shirts; and thick white turbans played a game with minimal rules that appears to have been a hybrid of Afghanistan’s and Central Asia’s untamed tribal buzkashi horse sport and, surprisingly, a localised version of hurling.

With seven players to a side, no fixed field size or goal posts and no time duration, Sagol-Kangjei was a wild, uncontrolled melee in which any team member was free to catch the willow ball even in the air and gallop with it to score a goal even by hitting it, hurling-like in mid-flight.

Even the ponies were trained to carry the ball in their mouths and drop it victoriously into their opponents’ side.

The sport also helped hone the Manipur cavalry’s equestrian skills in their frequent skirmishes with their restive Burmese neighbours over territorial control.

In the mid-19th century, British soldiers and tea planters chanced upon it in Imphal at the world’s oldest existing polo ground and, over years, adapted it to the way it is played today.

In 1859, the British founded the world’s first polo club in nearby Chachar in modern day Assam state that no longer exists.

They also called the game “polo”, a derivative of pulu, the Tibetan word for willow, from which the balls were originally made.

Four years later came the Calcutta Polo Club – in the city that became colonial India’s capital – which is still active. Officers returning on home leave brought the game to England.

The first “official” polo match was organised by an officer from the 10th Hussars on Hounslow Heath in 1869 and five years later the game’s governing body, the Hurlingham Polo Association, drew up its first set of rules many of which are still in existence.

Federal Bank Opens Recruitment Gates

Federal Bank has started recruitment 2011-12 for officers.

Federal Bank, a private sector bank invites applications from aspiring personnel who are looking for a challenging work environment and progressive career.
The bank is inviting applications for the posts of Assistant Manager (JMG-S-I), Manager (MMG-S-II) and Senior Manager (MMG-S-III) with pay scales Rs.14500-Rs.25700, Rs.19400-Rs.28100 and Rs.25700-Rs.31500 respectively.

Only online applications are accepted for the above mentioned jobs.

The online application process began on December 7, 2011 and closes on December 26, 2011 (5pm).

The probation period would be an year. To be eligible, one needs to be any graduate with 60% and above.

As regards age, one needs to be upto 28 years (as on 01.11.2011) for asst. manager and upto 30 years (as on 01.11.2011) for manager/senior manager.

Work Experience (as on November 1, 2011) - 1 year for asst. manager, 2 years for manager and 3 years for senior manager.

There is no written exam. Selection is based on the basis of GD/PI at Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and other centers, depending upon the number of candidates.

Applications can be registered online by logging on to Bank's website www.federalbank.co.in and follow the link 'careers'.

Then click 'Current Openings-Recruitment for OFFICERS in JMG.S.I/MMG.S.II/ MMG.S-III. Then click 'apply online'. Then online application will open. Fill up all the details required in the application and click 'Submit' available at the bottom of the online application and the online application will be registered.

If the application is accepted a roll number and password will appear for the online registration immediately on the screen . An e-mail incorporating the roll number and password will be sent to the e-mail id of the applicant within three days from the date of successful registration.

For more infor, log on to http://federalbank.co.in/otherfiles/staff/Recruitment%20Notification.pdf

To apply online, http://careers.federalbank.co.in:8080/Recruitment/hrclientacl01.jsp

AIEEE 2012: How To Apply Online

As the last date to apply for AIEEE comes closer, you need not fret if you are unable to go to the designated centre for submission of forms etc. You can do that online.

The All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) is an all-India common entrance examination for admission to engineering and architecture or planning programmes at the undergraduate level.

The last date to apply is December 31, 2011.

One can apply through AIEEE website http://aieee.nic.in.

Here are the steps you need to follow to apply online:
1. Check your eligibility criteria.

2. Check the fee schedule and prepare a Demand Draft in favour of Secretary, CBSE, payable at Delhi/New Delhi. In case of Credit/Debit Card, keep your card ready for making online payment.

3. Fill in all the particulars as per requirement in the online application Form.

4. Submit Fee details and take printout of confirmation page.

5. Complete the confirmation page i.e. paste two photographs, signature(s), thumb impression, address and attestation from the principal of the school/gazetted officer. Send confirmation page to AIEEE unit by speed/registered post only.

Manipur Plans Law To End Bandh Culture

Imphal, Dec 21 : A House committee headed by the law and legislative affairs minister Th. Debendra has proposed passing of a legislation to prevent the culture of bandhs, road and economic blockades in Manipur.

Debendra tabled the report of the committee on the first day of the winter session of the Assembly, which began today at the new assembly hall inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on December 3 at Chingmeirong.

In the report, the committee proposed the Manipur Bandh, Blockade and Economic Blockade (Prevention) Bill 2011.

The House committee was constituted during a discussion on a private member’s bill moved by the Opposition, four members of the Manipur Peoples Party on July 23 last year.

The bill made sponsors of bandhs and blockades punishable with one to three years jail term with a fine ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

The bill proposed to make one of the sessions courts as the special trial court for speedy trial of the offender.

“Bandhs, road blockades and economic blockades called and held by a group of persons in the recent past have affected normal life, public and individual property and state economy in various ways resulting even to loss of life,” the report said.

It said the Supreme Court held calling of a bandh as “illegal and unconstitutional”.

“Members of all organisations, including political parties, are liable to be prosecuted for criminal offences and they are also liable for all the damage caused out of such bandhs, blockades and economic blockades,” the report said.

The House committee was constituted even as the United Naga Council (UNC) was imposing an economic blockade along the Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Jiribam highways after the Okram Ibobi Singh government prevented NSCN (I-M) leader Th. Muivah from entering Manipur in May last year.

The Sadar Hills District Demand Committee and UNC separately called a 120-day economic blockade on the same supply routes recently. Manipur is yet to recover from the impact of the longest economic blockade in the state.

The report was placed in the House today when a statewide bandh was called by a joint action committee of Irilbung locality in Imphal East against the killing of a government chowkidar and his son by cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party (Mobile Task Force, Kesho Meitei group) for a ransom of Rs 20 lakh from a senior engineer of the public health engineering department.

The Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council) has called a 36-hour statewide bandh beginning 5am tomorrow against the killing of the chowkidar and his son.

Chief minister Ibobi Singh today tabled the Manipur Lokayukta Bill, 2011, at the House.

Mizoram Assembly Panel Orders Probe Into Rajiv Stadium Works

Aizawl, Dec 20 : Doubtful over an expenditure of Rs 100 lakh in the ongoing construction of Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium at Mualpui here, the Mizoram assembly subject committee IV has ordered a probe into it.

In its report to the recent winter session of the state Assembly, the subject committee chaired by Congress legislator K Lianzuala said that the Mizoram state sports council (MSSC) in its annual report claimed to have spent Rs 100 from the 2009-2010 state plan on the construction of the full-fledged stadium.

The committee wanted the investigation be completed within the three months.

While the MSSC officials told the subject committee that Rs 100 lakhs was spent for procurement of land for parking lot, the state PWD officials said the fund for acquiring land for the purpose had already been included in the estimated cost of the entire project.

The PWD was also not aware of the said expenditure of Rs 100 lakhs by the MSSC. On the contrary, the PWD informed the subject committee that Rs 400 lakh had been spent on construction of the parking lot, which included procurement of land.

The Assembly committee has also found that there was no coordination among the works department, MSSC and state sports & youth services department on the project.

The Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium, the first full fledged sports complex in Mizoram, is expected to be completed next year.

The sports complex will comprise of a football ground and an eight lane athletic track of international standards. It is being constructed at a cost of 150 crore rupees.

The project began in 2009. The 12th Finance Commission had granted Rs 25 crore for the construction of the stadium in the hilly state of Mizoram.

Meghalaya Hospitals Told To Fit Safety Tools

Shillong, Dec 20 : Following the AMRI hospital disaster in Kolkata, Meghalaya government today directed the state hospitals to install facilities for the safety of patients and personnel in the event of an emergency.

Terming AMRI incident where 93 persons, mostly patients, were died of asphyxiation earlier this month as an eye-opener, Additional Deputy Commissioner D M Wahlang said, "It is important that we have every safety plan in place in any case of an emergency."

This was more important for the North East as the entire region lies in seismic zone 5, areas with the highest risks of earthquakes, Wahlang said "having fire safety and emergency response team in place are of prime importance."

He had a meeting with representatives from at least 10 private hospitals at his office during the day to discuss how to improve safety measures.

The hospital authorities have consented to have fire alarms and smoke detectors installed at each room of every floors, he said.

"We will write to each hospital to have special teams from the fire department and the electrical department of the PWD to inspect their infrastructure," Wahlang said.

Woodland Hospital managing director W Kharshiing said, "The government should come up with guidelines for hospitals, especially those who are in the pipeline, to stick to strict safety measures."

Other suggestions by hospitals included training of staff on safety in an emergency situation, regular drill, having bright indicators on the floor to guide patients to the exit and forming an expert panel to set guidelines.

Schedule Tribe Status For 6 Manipur Tribes

New Delhi, Dec 20 : A few weeks before Manipur begins preparation for Assembly elections, the Centre today passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2011 granting Scheduled Tribes (mostly Hills) status to six communities.

The bill grants ST status to Inpui, Rongmei, Liangmai, Zeme, Thangal and Mate communities of Manipur.

With the addition of these six tribes, the Schedule Tribes list of Manipur now has 39 communities.

The amendment will meet a long-standing demand for considering grant of Scheduled Tribes status to these communities.

The bill also renamed a Scheduled Tribe in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh from Galong to Galo.

The tribe may have long offloaded the suffix “ng” but Parliament made it official today.

The residents of the district already know it is improper to say Galong.

Indeed, Along, the district headquarters, is now known as Alo, the “ng” deemed a distortion.

“Galong is a distorted version of the original world Galo. A change is, therefore, required in the list of ST in Arunachal Pradesh,” the bill stated.

The state government has long been recommending that Galong be substituted with Galo.

The bill to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 was passed within a few minutes as Opposition members shouted slogans against a move by a Siberian court to ban the Bhagwad Gita.