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‘China given evidence of its aid to NE insurgents’

2012-02-13T19:17:00.001-08:00

India has given China evidence — on several occasions — of its involvement in aiding insurgency movements in India’s northeast, government officials have told HT.

“There was evidence that insurgents from India’s northeast were meeting Chinese intelligence officials regularly in
Yunnan (China) and in Nepal. We tracked top NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagaland) arms procurer Anthony Shimray who had ordered a massive supply of weapons. The procedures involved in shipment, export orders, regulatory compliances, etc are impossible without China’s involvement,” said GK Pillay, former home secretary.

“We have also given China details of Ulfa (United Liberation Front of Asom) chief Paresh Barua’s travel to Yunnan, including airline tickets, period of stay, etc,” he said.

In the past, India had always distinguished between state and non-state actors when it came to Chinese involvement.

“On several occasions, we have given concrete proof of certain elements from the Chinese establishment aiding northeast militants. The Chinese government, at least at the prefecture (provincial) level, was involved in such activity,” said a senior government official, who did not want to be named.

The evidence was also submitted to the ministry of external affairs, which took it up during the January 16-17 talks in New Delhi between national security adviser Shivshankar Menon and Dai Bingguo, China’s special representative, the official said.

The evidence mainly pertained to regular interactions of the insurgent leaders with Chinese intelligence agencies regarding supply and shipment of weapons to rebel outfits like Ulfa, NSCN, United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur.

Intelligence reports say fresh consignments — comprising weapons like Heckler and Koch rifles (HK 33), T81 rifles — have landed in the hands of the rebels in substantial numbers.

What is more worrying for India is the coming together of forces. “We have information that top Chinese intelligence officials have told all these outfits to unite under a single umbrella and devise joint strategies. We are witnessing that unification move now,” the official said.

India to carry northeast essentials via Bangladesh

2012-02-12T17:12:00.001-08:00

Agartala, Feb 13 : In a very significant development, the Bangladesh government has decided to allow India to ferry food grains and essentials for the mountainous northeastern states via its territory, a Tripura minister said here today.

"After getting the green signal from Dhaka, FCI (Food Corporation of India) has initiated the process to transport food grains and essentials for the northeastern states using Bangladeshi port Ashuganj and roadways connected to the northeast," Tripura Food and Civil Supplies Minister Manik Dey told reporters.

FCI chairman-cum-managing director (CMD) Syraj Hussain informed this to the minister at a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.

"The FCI has already floated tenders to select the transporters. In the first consignment 5,000 metric tonne of rice, wheat and sugar would be ferried to Tripura from West Bengal's Haldia port via Ashuganj port in Bangladesh," Dey said quoting the FCI CMD.

The FCI would carry the food grain in association with Inland Water Transport Authority (IWTA).

The northeastern states have largely been dependent on supply of food grains from other states, specially Punjab and Haryana.

"Due to shortage of rail wagons, inadequate storage facilities and various other bottlenecks, the northeastern states have been suffering from poor supply of food grains for most part of the year, especially during the monsoon," the minister said.

During the monsoon season (June to September), road transport becomes very difficult in the mountain regions due to landslides, floods and other calamities.

Surface connectivity is a key factor as the hilly region is surrounded by Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and China, and the only land route to these states from within India is through Assam and West Bengal.

For ferrying goods, essentials and heavy machinery from abroad and other parts of the country, India has for long been demanding land, sea and rail access to the northeast through Bangladesh, which shares a 4,095-km border with India.

Agartala via Guwahati, for instance, is 1,650 km from Kolkata and 2,637 km from New Delhi. The distance between the Tripura capital and Kolkata via Bangladesh is just about 350 km.

Earlier, Dhaka had allowed state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to transport over dimensional cargos (ODCs) of the 726 mw Palatana mega power project in southern Tripura using the Ashuganj port, 40 km west of Agartala city.

The oversized heavy turbines and other heavy machines for ONGC's Palatana power project, carried on massive 140-wheeled trucks, had reached the site from Haldia port in West Bengal after being trans-shipped through Bangladesh.

National seminar on sustaining peace in Northeast India

2012-02-12T17:09:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI, Feb 13: A two-day national seminar titled ‘Sustaining peace in Northeast India: Changing Dimensions’ will be held in Guwahati on February 13-14. A Guwahati based Centre for Development and Peace Studies in collaboration with the British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata will organize the seminar. The Seminar is likely to be inaugurated by the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Former Union Home Secretary GK Pillai will deliver the keynote address. Sanjay Wadvani, British Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India will be the guest of honour. This is indeed a critical juncture for Northeast India: on one hand peace appears to be round the corner in states like Nagaland and parts of Assam with Centre at an advanced stage of peace negotiations with the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and several other ethnic rebel groups. On the other hand, an entirely new dimension is being added to the insurgency in the Northeast with a Maoist rebellion brewing and taking shape in the region. This is just one aspect of the ‘changing dimension’ in the peace and security scenario in the Northeast, stated a press release.

Naga CM expresses concern over rising number of migrants

2012-02-12T17:01:00.003-08:00

Kohima, Feb 13 : Expressing concern over theincreasing migrant population in the foothill areas ofNagaland, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today admitted that therewere "problems" in checking the influx under the presentregulatory mechanism. Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of a function here,Rio said, "Since inner line regulation can be enforced in thehill sections of the state, such inflow of migrants are beingregulated but the problem is in Dimapur and in the foothillsalong Assam-Nagaland border areas". Rio said the state government had informed both the UnionHome Ministry and the Assam government about the existence ofrebel camps in the disputed area belt (DAB) of Assam-Nagalandborder.

NGOs demand holistic impact assessment

2012-02-12T17:01:00.001-08:00

IMPHAL, Feb 13 – NGOs in Manipur have claimed that 25,822 hectares of forest land in the State will be affected by the controversial Tipaimukh Dam which will also lead to felling of 7.8 million trees and bamboos, and such action will not only have serious impact on community livelihood and survival but also excerbate species and induce climate change impacts due to destruction of absorption capacity of Green House Gases (GHG).

A one-day Review Meet on Tipaimukh Dam was held at the Manipur Press Club here today, jointly organised by Committee on Land and Natural Resources, Citizens’ Concern for Dams and Development, Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam, North East Dialogue Forum and the Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation.

At the discussion, the civil bodies affirmed, “Our rivers, forests, wetlands and lands are the sources of our life and not for plunder, invasion, and that we will strive to defend and protect the integrity of our land for survival of the coming generations.”

Calling upon the Government of India and the Government of Manipur in a draft resolution, they say they are concerned about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Government of Manipur, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam limited (SJVNL) on April 28, 2010 which was reaffirmed on October 22, 2011 without the prior consent of the indigenous people of the State as well as all the people, who are likely to be affected by the proposed dam, in Mizoram, Assam and further down in Bangladesh, it demands urgent revocation of the above MoU.

The resolution said the NHPC and SJVNL, companies which are likely to be involved in the project have extremely poor environmental and social accountability and human rights records from their previous projects such as Teesta V (Sikkim) and Loktak Project (Manipur).

The NGOs also demanded for the revocation of the Environment Clearance granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India on October 24, 2008.

The resolution further urges both the Central and State Governments to conduct Holistic Impact Assessment on socio-economic, environmental, cultural, health and human rights impacts likely to be caused by the proposed dam.

BNFC for greater ties among Bodos home and abroad

2012-02-08T17:44:00.001-08:00

Kajalgaon (Assam) Feb 9 : The Bodo National Festival Committee (BNFC) delegates from across the country today adopted resolution for greater ties among Bodo groups in India and abroad. As per the resolutions adopted at the fourth BNFC here, a dictionary would be compiled soon for Bodo linguistic groups and Bodo students from Mizoram, Nepal and Bangladesh would be sponsored for higher studies in Bodoland area of Assam. BNFC President and MP Biswajit Daimary told PTI that leaders of the Bodo groups would work together to resolve the problems of the Brus of Mizoram and the Meches of Nepal. In this connection a high level delegation from the councils of Bodo groups would undertake a fact-finding study for the Bru people living in Mizoram and also the Dimasa Kacharis living in Nagaland, the MP said. In Assam a BNFC delegation would go to Haflong in Dima Hasao district to discuss with Dimasa organisations and leaders for cooperation between the two ethnic communities, he said. Resolving to continue cultural exchange among the Bodo groups, the BNFC also decided to hold its fifth Bodo national festival in Dima Hasao district next year. Among the 10 resolutions adopted in this five-day festival was for the delegates to expand and reshuffle the executive body in which members from Bangladesh and Nepal, besides from other states of the country would be included, Daimary said.

'Northeast needs new road making techniques for growth'

2012-02-06T17:14:00.003-08:00

AGARTALA: To ensure enhanced rural connectivity, growth, investment and environmental protection, sustainable new technology must be adopted in road construction in India, specially in the mountainous northeastern region, experts and scientists said here Monday.

"New, alternative and superior technologies of road construction - including cold mix, tools using public waste, plastic waste, natural rubber, jute - have to be followed to get the better effect," said P.G. Rao, scientist and director of Assam's Jorhat-based North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST).

Rao said: "Around 70 percent of the terrain in the northeast region is mountainous. The region gets very heavy rainfall, ranging from 2,500 mm to 6,000 mm annually, which makes surface communication difficult."

"Unlike in the plains, the construction of roads in hilly areas is different, extremely difficult and much more expensive. It is important to innovate and use new technologies for making better roads," Rao told reporters.

Rao along with India's renowned scientists, experts and engineers was speaking here Sunday at a workshop-cum-seminar on 'Sustainable Technologies for Road Construction in the North-East'.

They said adoption of new and sustainable technologies would not only ensure enhanced rural connectivity - critical for growth - but also give a much-needed push to the central government-funded Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which aims to provide connectivity to all rural habitations in a time-bound manner.

"Natural rubber modified roads or roads using plastic waste are very useful in terms of longevity and cost," S. Gangopadhyay, director of the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), told reporters after the seminar.

He said that cold mix technology is considered greener, safer and facilitates faster roll-out suiting the climatic and terrain conditions of the northeastern region.

Gangopadhyay said: "According to the National Rural Road Development Agency (NRRDA) of the ministry of rural development, road construction and repair work done using hot mix technology is often sub-standard and there is a need to use cold mix for getting a better outcome."

The CRRI has developed a separate module for building roads in rural India and northeastern states under its latest 'code 800' scheme to be implemented in the 12th Five Year Plan period (2012-13 to 2016-2017) for covering areas that have population of 800 million people.

"The initial results of some such environment-friendly technologies, including cold mix, in Assam, which has been used to construct more than 1,000 km of roads in the last three years has been good and we are certain that this would encourage the other northeastern states to gain substantial progress and quality of rural and state roads," said P.K. Jain, scientist at the CRRI.

He said: "Often we have been sacrificing environmental aspects and health hazards of the workers while constructing the roads, but if the new technologies are adopted these harms would be restricted."

"The authorities while constructing roads should keep in mind that the northeastern region falls under the most vulnerable of earthquake-prone zones," Jain added.

The Geological Survey of India had earlier notified that the northeastern region could experience a devastating earthquake as the region, according to seismologists, falls in Zone V, the worst quake-prone belt in the world.

NE farmers unaware about crop insurance: Expert

2012-02-06T17:14:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI, Feb 7 : Farmers across India have been making claims for crop losses under the central government's National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS), but those in the northeastern states, mainly in Assam, are not even aware any such scheme exists, said an expert.

K.M. Buzarbaruah, vice chancellor of the Jorhat-based Assam Agricultural University, told IANS no claims at all have been made by the farmers of Assam and other northeastern states last year for their crop losses.

"The government of India settled crop insurance claims worth Rs.22,135 crore last year. However, out of all the settled claims, the share of Assam and other northeastern states remained nil," said Buzarbaruah. There was not even a single claim made by the farmers in this part of the country, he added.

Giving statistics, Buzarbaruah said that while the farmers of Andhra Pradesh topped the list by claiming Rs.4,099 crore, the farming community of Gujarat stood second in the list by claiming Rs.3,917 crore for their crop losses.

The farmers of Rajasthan claimed Rs.2,621 crore under the scheme, and those in Maharashtra claimed Rs.1,873 crore, followed by Bihar and Karnataka by claiming respectively Rs.1,794 crore and Rs.1,635 crore.

In terms of number of farmers benefiting from the settlement of claims, Buzarbaruah said that Maharashtra leads the tally with over 86.6 lakh beneficiary farmers followed by Andhra Pradesh with 59.9 lakh farmers.

A total of 52 lakh farmers benefited in Rajasthan while over 40 lakh farmers benefited in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

"The farmers of the Northeast, mainly Assam, have lost crops worth several crores of rupees last year due to drought and floods in various areas. Crops have also been damaged due to attacks of pests. Even then, there is no claim by the farmers and it indicates that there is no awareness among the farming community here about the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme," he said.

"I am sure many officers of the agriculture department also are not aware about the schemes of the government," he said, adding this has led to the situation where the farmers have suffered huge losses.

NE focus of seminar at Guwahati University

2012-02-05T16:49:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI: A two-day national seminar entitled 'Democracy and Diversity in North East India' will be held at Gauhati University (GU) on February 9 and 10.

The seminar will be organized by the department of political science of the varsity and sponsored by UGC-SAP (special assistant programme). It will focus on the northeast, which is one of the most diverse regions in the country, with eight states in its fold, and will explore the unique characteristics of each of the states and the impact of democracy on the region.

The intense political strife the region has faced and been subjected since Independence will also be a talking point in the seminar along with the rise of 'identity politics'. Professors from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Rajasthan University (RU), Orissa University (OU) and from Nagaland, Manipur and other universities and educational institutions in the region will take part in the seminar.

"The seminar is an attempt to analyse the impact of democracy in the region in the lines of creation of new states and that of autonomous councils as well. It will try to understand the problems of integration and why the issue of economic development could not be addressed properly, and will study the policies adopted by the state and the central governments with respect to diversity in the region," said Alaka Sarmah, seminar coordinator: Democracy and Diversity in North East India. "What we will seek through this national seminar is to understand the efficacy and credibility of a democratic political system and how it functions in dealing with differences cropping up within the political system, and other important aspects. Professor Balbir Arrora from JNU, Peter D' Souza, director of India Institute of Advanced Studies will take part in the seminar," added Sarmah.

China in mind, Govt plans to upgrade border roads

2012-02-05T16:34:00.001-08:00

Moushumi Das Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 6 : Worried over the frenzied road construction activity being undertaken by China in its border adjoining India, the union government is stepping up efforts to upgrade road infrastructure in border states.

The road transport and highways ministry has finalised plans to construct to upgrade an additional 3723-km stretch roads in the North-East, as part of the Phase B of the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North-East (SARDP-NE).

Of this, 931 km stretch of strategic road will come up in Arunachal Pradesh, the strategically-placed state on India’s eastern front, which shares a long disputed border with China. “The proposal is likely to come up before the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure shortly,” said an official.

Earlier, the ministry had approved upgradation of 4099 km of roads under the Phase A of SARDP-NE at an estimated cost of R21000 crore. Of this, 2355 km roads have already been either sanctioned or awarded.

But progress on Phase A of SARDP-NE has been dismal. Till October 2011, work on just 752 km stretch was completed. The entire Phase A is scheduled to be completed by March 2015, but sources said the way the project is progressing, it may not meet the deadline.

Once complete, these roads will not only improve internal connectivity within many of the land-locked north-eastern states, but also help the defence forces combat threats in border areas.

“It will improve connectivity to neighbouring countries,” said an official.

Arunachal hikes stipend for students

2012-02-01T17:40:00.001-08:00

ITANAGAR, Feb 2 – Arunachal Pradesh Government has decided to enhance the stipend money for meritorious students, a demand raised by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) time and again.

The AAPSU recently had threatened to launch a bandh call on February 2 next if the State Government did not enhance the stipends of the students immediately.

The decision to enhance students’ stipends was taken yesterday during a meeting here between Education Minister Bosiram Siram and AAPSU, official sources informed today.

As proposed, the stipend of meritorious college students has been enhanced to Rs 830 from existing Rs 380 per month, while the average students will get Rs 735 in place of present Rs 380.

Likewise, the school students’ enhanced stipend will be Rs 560 for class I to V, Rs 575 (class VI to VIII) and Rs 600 for class IX to XII (with an increase of Rs 200 in each category).

The government has also agreed to release the stipend on monthly basis. This is for the first time that the State Government has enhanced the stipend of students to such high, sources disclosed.

While appreciating the government for agreeing to meet the long-felt demand of the Union, the Union President Tatung stated that the AAPSU has deferred its proposed bandh call on Thursday.

During the meeting, the AAPSU president also called upon the Planning and Finance departments to make single window clearance system for the movement of files related to Education department, sources added.

Polls driving up demand for bulletproof cars

2012-02-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

Adding a safety feature such as a bulletproof glass raises the cost of a car by at least 50%Amrit Raj & Utpal BhaskarNew Delhi/Imphal: The assembly elections have kicked up demand from poll candidates for a not entirely unexpected commodity: bulletproof vehicles.

By Ramesh Pathania/Mint

Several executives at auto makers and after-market customization firms said they have seen an increase in demand for high-security vehicles in the run-up to the elections.While about 700 battalions of security forces have been deployed across the five states—Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa—to ensure the elections are free and fair, caution reigns among those in the fray, especially in the strife-torn state of Manipur.
The Election Commission has provided for 15 security personnel for each candidate in the state’s hill constituencies and 10 each in the valley.
“With the worsening security situation in the state, we have seen candidates bringing in bulletproof vehicles, such as ToyotaFortuner, which have been fitted with reinforced steel to ward off grenade attacks,” said a Manipur government official requesting anonymity.
Adding a bulletproof glass alone increases the cost of a car by at least 50%.
An after-market customization expert, who too didn’t want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed an increase in demand for additional safety features in vehicles. “Demand for such things pick up especially during the election time. Right now, we are doing it for a couple of customers with influential backgrounds from Uttar Pradesh, such as politicians,” he said, declining to name his clients.
While Ratnakar Baral, Manipur’s director general of police, said he was unaware of bulletproof vehicles being procured by candidates, Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd, said the company often gets requests for such vehicles during election time, indicating a recent spike in demand.
“But Toyota (Motor Corp., the Japanese parent) does not allow us to do customization. These customers are mostly very high-profile people such as politicians and businessmen,” Singh said. “Mostly, the requests are related to security and safety features. Such as somebody wants bulletproof glasses or security cameras to be installed at the front and rear. In that case, we advise them to get those done in the open market.”
Mint could not verify the quantum of increase in demand for such vehicles.
The poll season kicked off with elections to 60 assembly seats in Manipur on 28 January. On election day, seven people were killed when an insurgent opened fire at a polling booth in the state’s Chandel district.
Manipur has witnessed around 121 instances of violence since the elections were announced on 24 December. There have been media reports of Naga insurgent groups threatening opponents of the Nagaland People’s Front, which is fighting the state polls for the first time in the Naga tribe-dominated hill districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong.
Elections to 117 constituencies in Punjab and 70 in Uttarakhand were held on Monday without any instances of violence. Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state with 200 million people, will see a seven-phase election that will begin on 8 February and end on 3 March. Forty constituencies in Goa will go to the polls on 3 March.
The verdicts will be pronounced on 6 March.
About 2.2 million passenger vehicles are sold in India every year, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. Of these, 22% are utility vehicles such as Toyota Fortuner, Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio and Ford Endeavour.
Audi Security Cars International, an arm of Audi AG, showcased the security edition of the A8 L sedan—used by German Chancellor Angela Merkel—at the Auto Expo in the capital earlier this month.
Kept in a closed white room for a demo, the armoured car was shown only to special invitees that included government officials, politicians and top businessmen.
“Security is of utmost importance for high-profile people in this uncertain world,” said Fritz Pakleppa, sales manager, Audi Security Cars International. Pakleppa was in India during the 11th edition of Auto Expo in January to showcase A8 L.
“We invited very few people…around 15 a day, but more than 50 people enquired about this car every day,” said Pakleppa. “Most of them are high-profile politicians or government officials. I am sorry I can’t tell you the names of those people.”
Audi’s A8 L security edition—fitted with protection from chemical attack, sniper rifles and other weaponry in addition to the regular features found in such cars—costs Rs. 2.7 crore in Europe, against Rs. 80 lakh for the regular version. Around 500 of these cars have been sold globally since 2005.
In India, the President uses the armoured car S600 Pullman from Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd. The Prime Minister has the BMW 760Li.
“Whenever we sell vehicles to the chief ministers or senior politicians, they request us for some additional safety and security features. In that case, we guide them to some our vendors who have expertise in such features,” said a top executive at another leading car company, also requesting anonymity. “The demand goes up before elections.”

Defence Minister Antony to grace 'sensitive' Arunachal statehood festivities

2012-02-01T17:29:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, Feb 2 : With Sino-Indian relations on Arunachal Pradesh being tense, especially over the border issue, Defence Minister A K Antony will visit the sensitive state for two days and will also grace festivities linked to the silver jubilee of statehood.

The Rajiv Gandhi Government had granted statehood to Arunachal Pradesh on February 20, 1987. Antony is likely to undertake his visit on February 19 and will inaugurate the celebrations of statehood day at Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar on February 20.

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki accompanied by Member of Parliament Takam Sanjoy met Antony at the Defence Ministry on Wednesday to extend an invitation to him to attend the festivities.

"Defence Minister Antony has accepted our invitation to be the chief guest on the occasion to mark the statehood day," said Sanjoy, who represents Arunachal West in the Lok Sabha.

Arunachal is the largest state area-wise in the northeast part of India, having a 83743 sq. kms area and a long international border with Bhutan to the west (160 km), China to the north and north-east (1,080 km) and Myanmar to the east (440 km).

The northern border of Arunachal Pradesh reflects the McMahon Line, which has never been accepted by Beijing, and this has been the real bone of contention with India.

Antony's important visit to Arunachal Pradesh must be seen in the light of China often using the visa issue to raise the pitch.

In January, China denied a visa to Group Captain M. Panging, an IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter pilot posted at Tezpur, Assam, because he hailed from Arunachal Pradesh.

India has time and again conveyed to China that there should be no discrimination against visa applicants of Indian nationality on grounds of domicile and ethnicity.

China disputes the international boundary that it currently has with India in the eastern sector and has repeatedly staked a claim to approximately 90,000 square kilometres of Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh.

It has also been accused of stalling multilateral funded development projects in Arunachal Pradesh.

Chargesheet filed against Porvorim parlour owners

2012-02-01T17:28:00.001-08:00

PANAJI: The women and child protection unit of the Goa police has filed a chargesheet against owners of Lotus beauty parlour, Porvorim, for allegedly bringing girls from Nagaland and Mizoram with a promise of providing them with jobs in a beauty parlour and then pushing them into commercial sex work.

The chargesheet has been filed in the Children's court as well as JMFC court, Mapusa, as of the 11 victims rescued, one was a minor.

Police had received information that the girls were forced into flesh trade while they were working at Lotus parlour and that the three victim girls from Mizoram had escaped from the parlour and taken shelter in Betalbatim. Police rescued the three girls, of which one was a minor, who informed that more girls are in flesh trade at the parlour.

Police then raided the parlour and rescued 8 girls from Nagaland, Mizoram and Belgaum. They arrested the parlour owner, Shanta alias Laxmi Mishra, 46, and her employees Rashid Khan, 22, Mohammad Khan, 25, Mohammad Khalid, 25, Mohammad Arif, 21, Nawab I, 27. Later on December 15, 2011, the police arrested Laxmi's husband Harikant alias Harish Mishra, 31. Another accused Alex Hayub from Nagaland is absconding. A case has been booked against the accused under various sections of Indian Penal Code, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA) and Goa Children's Act.

The chargesheet reveals that the girls have in their statement said that an advertisement had appeared in a newspaper in Nagaland for work in a spa in Goa and they had appeared for interview before Harish in Nagaland. However, they were brought to Goa and entrusted with the work of giving massage and as beauticians for both male and female customers. They also revealed that 3 girls from Mizoram were beaten up by the accused Laxmi as they refused to have sex with the customers.

Banishing darkness from Indian villages

2012-01-31T21:26:00.001-08:00

By Shailaja Sharma

Eureka Forbes, known for its water purifiers, is now out to banish darkness from Indian villages with its solar lighting products. Its Eurodiya brand of solar bulbs are made with US-based Nokero (short for ‘no kerosene’) that makes affordable solar bulbs, panels and chargers for communities that have no access to electricity.

Over 85,000 villages (or 63% of rural India) are without electricity. Eurodiya is expected to be an alternative to kerosene lamps on which rural households spend Rs3 a day (or Rs1,095 a year). In recent years, Philips and Mirc Electronics (of Onida fame) have also launched solar-powered lanterns and LED lights for rural India.

A Eurodiya bulb, once fully-charged through the day, can be used for up to six hours at a stretch, and is break-resistant and rain-proof. Priced Rs599, Eurodiya can be bought through micro finance schemes. Eureka Forbes has already piloted Eurodiya bulbs in Pune, Bhopal, Indore and certain parts of the North East, and is rolling them out across India now.

The firm will sell the bulbs in some Asian countries as well.

Overall, the bulbs are expected to contribute 5-7% to the total revenues in the second year of operation, says AV Suresh, the official concerned.

Eurodiya will mark Eureka’s opening salvo in solar solutions for homes. In the pipeline are generators to power refrigerators, water purifiers, fans and mobile chargers. Eurodiya will be an umbrella brand covering solar lanterns and emergency torches in the Rs1,000-2,500 range made by third parties.

Reaching out to villages with minimal help from distributors will likely prove a challenge, says Suresh. So, the company is setting up its own network of individual sellers and partnerships with NGOs.

Tie-ups with India Post and ITC’s e-Choupal network are in works. “In the first two years, we are looking at reaching at least 20, 000 villages. We are working with NGOs, students, colleges. We are also talking to gram panchayats (village councils) and the government on how we can take this ahead,” says Suresh.

Seminar on disaster management

2012-01-31T21:25:00.001-08:00

SHILLONG: Since most of the Northeast is situated in the high seismic zone five, a seminar on the 'Emerging Trends in Reduction of Natural Disaster in the North East' was organized by the All India Radio, North Eastern Service (NES), Shillong at the Saint Anthony's College hall here on Tuesday.

At the inaugural function, B P Domes, editor of a local paper said, "People must be made aware of disaster preparedness in case of disasters like earthquakes as Shillong has many high-rise buildings inspite of being located in a high seismic zone."

He emphasized that a strong public opinion is required to create such awareness. "The media can play an important role in creating awareness on disaster management among the people but improved technology is required to create such awareness," A Bhatnagar, deputy director general (E) of AIR, Shillong said.

In her welcome address, N Shadap, deputy director (P), North Eastern Service, AIR, Shillong hoped that this seminar will help design procedures for disaster management in the northeast. "The AIR has been playing a pioneering role in creating such awareness in the region," she added.

Three Myanmar nationals held in Manipur

2012-01-30T19:49:00.001-08:00

IMPHAL: The Assam Rifles nabbed three Myanmar nationals for not possessing valid documents on Sunday. AR, in a statement, said troops of the 35 AR noticed the movements of these illegal foreigners in Khaikul area of Churachandpur district and launched an operation to nab them.

The three detained persons - Md Yunus, Kofiufatulla (both 23) and Md Saffi (26) - were handed over to Churachanpur police, added the statement. It also said the AR had provided assistance to the government in maintaining security during Saturday's assembly election.

With reference to the shootout at Thampi polling station in Chandel district in which seven persons were killed, the statement said an NSCN (IM) cadre fired and killed four polling officials and a CRPF jawan and injured another civilian - R Anal of Chandel Christian village.

The statement added troops of 15 AR apprehended two cadres of the underound KCP from Top Chingtha in Thoubal district along with one 9mm pistol and three bullets.

Use northeast as springboard to Myanmar: Nagaland CM

2012-01-30T16:30:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, Jan 31 : Describing Myanmar as the "gateway" for enhancing ties between South Asia and Southeast Asia, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphu Rio Monday called for more investment in the northeast so that it became a "springboard" for enhanced trade ties with the eastern neighbour.

Rio, who inaugurated a seminar on 'Myanmar: Bridging South and Southeast Asia' at the Jamia Millia Islamia's Academy of International Studies and the Yangon-based Tampadipa Institute, said Myanmar is very close to the hearts of the Indian people, especially for people in northeast India, who have common borders and cultural affinities with the neighbouring nation.

Asking India to use the northeastern states as a "springboard" for its 'Look East' policy, he said the Indian sub-continent was to connect with the Asean countries through a corridor that would bring millions of people closer to each other.

"Bilateral trade has expanded significantly from USD 12.4 million in 1980-81 to USD 1,207.56 million in 2009-10. India needs to invest more and scale up its trade links as a big brother," he told a gathering of strategic affairs thinkers and international studies students here.

Referring to the economic crisis in Europe, US and the global markets, he said it is perhaps time to strengthen inter-regional trade times.

"As India and Myanmar are both signatory to the India-Asean Trade in Goods Agreement, signed in August 2009, I would call upon both sides to work out concrete steps to facilitate this positive development, including promotion of people-to-people contacts," he said.

Taking advantage of the proximity of northeastern states to Myanmar, Rio said the cross-border development of the two nation's people, cutting across international and historical divides, should help in bringing about a socio-cultural renaissance in the region.

"Peaceful and tranquil borders are best ensured through developmental efforts. Thus far, the border between the two countries is relatively safe and peaceful. There exists a goodwill on both sides and more importantly, the people across the boundaries are ready to reach out to each other and co-exist. This is certainly a plus-point for all stake-holders to exploit," he added.

Noting that India and Myanmar had "multi-faceted and comprehensive" relations, Rio said cooperation ranged from security to trade and commerce, with a number of major Indian projects in both infrastructure and non-infrastructure sectors such as information technology, roads, energy and education.

Under the aegis of regional cooperation organisations, BIMSTEC and Mekong Ganga Cooperation, the Nagaland chief minister pointed out, there is further scope for cooperation in tourism, culture, transport and communication sector.

"Energy cooperation, in particular, holds tremendous potential and I urge Myanmar to consider the use of the northeastern states' territory in India for transhipment of oil, gas and transmission of power," he said.

On border trade, Rio said two points at Moreh-Tamu in Manipur and at Zokhawthar-Rhi in Mizoram were operational. "Recently, an agreement was reached on the third border trade point in Avangkhu, which falls in Nagaland and Myanmar border.

Apart from these, he said, some grand projects such as the trans-Eurasian Highway and the Trans Asian Railway, which will pass through northeast India, will connect the South Asian and Southeast Asian regions.

"I invite both Indian and Myanmar business houses to invest in the northeast, and use the area as a natural springboard for trade and commerce," he added.

The two-day seminar is chaired by Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Najeeb Jung, with Academy of International Studies' Prof. Veena Sikri, a former diplomat, coordinating the proceedings of the event.

The meet also witnessed participation from several member of the Myanmar parliament, including Win Myint, adviser fo the Myanmar's ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, Tampadipa Institute Director Dr. Khin Zaw Win and Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) Director General Sudhir T. Devare.

Arunachal to get hydel project to counter China

2012-01-29T16:19:00.001-08:00

Chetan Chauhan

New Delhi, Jan 30 : China’s bid to have big hydel power projects along the border in India’s northeast may soon witness a counter with the Indian ministry of environment and forests set to approve a 1,750-MW hydel power project in Arunachal Pradesh. China has planned a hydel project in Zangmu, 140 km southeast of the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, in a bid to tap the hydro potential of the Brahmaputra river.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has planned hydel projects on five major rivers, which finally meet the Brahmaputra, to generate over 50,000 MW of power. Many of these projects are stalled because of protests in Assam stemming from fears that the projects will dry up the river in downstream areas.

However, the environment ministry is likely to approve one of these projects, the Demwe Lower hydel project in Lohit district of the state, despite its being rejected by the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife headed by minister in-charge Jayanthi Natarajan. The committee had rejected the project on the grounds that it will adversely impact wildlife in the Kamleng wildlife sanctuary and dolphins downstream.

Contrary to the committee’s view, ministry officials say there will be no submergence of the sanctuary even when the reservoir is full. The project has already received environment and forest approvals that are mandatory for making a project operational in a forest area.

Natarajan has reportedly decided to issue an order overruling the standing committee’s decision after Arunachal chief minister Naban Tuki met her recently. The CM argued that hydel projects in Arunachal were needed to counter China’s plans to develop mega hydel projects in Tibet. The minister agreed with his view.

Government sources expect the minister to issue an order regarding the Demwe project this month, paving the way for more hydel power projects in the state.

Bird flu reappears in Tripura

2012-01-26T17:02:00.001-08:00

Agartala: Bird flu has reappeared in Lembucherra area, about 45 km from here, official sources said Thursday.

Following reports of deaths of poultry birds in the area, blood samples were collected and examined and H5 strain of avian influenza virus was found, officials said.

More than 2,000 ducks and birds would be culled tomorrow in the area.

Meanwhile, the state administration has formed 16 rapid response teams to cull the ducks and birds in the area.

Sources said, BSF was alerted so that no poultry could enter into Indian territory. Tripura has 856-km-long border with Bangladesh.

Manipur vote kickstarts India's state elections

2012-01-26T16:56:00.003-08:00

NEW DELHI, Jan 27 : Manipur, India's most disturbed state after Kashmir, will Saturday elect a new 60-member assembly to mark the start of make-or-break elections in five states.

The staggered exercise, which ends with the vote in Goa and Uttar Pradesh March 3, will be this year's first major test for political parties. Along with Uttarakhand and Punjab, a grand total of 137 million voters will be eligible to exercise their franchise in the five states.

It will be an acid test in particular for Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is on an aggressive campaign trail in Uttar Pradesh in a bid to cut to size its ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party.

"If the Congress does well in Uttar Pradesh and other states, the UPA government will get a boost," Nisar-ul Haq, a professor at the Jamia Milia University here, told IANS. "The reform process will resume."

If the Congress fares badly, it will jostle the central government and raise questions about Rahul Gandhi's leadership qualities.

The elections will be equally significant for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Akali Dal and smaller political formations in Goa and Manipur.

The Congress now rules only Manipur and Goa among the five states. It is the main opposition party in Punjab and Uttarakhand. In Uttar Pradesh, where it finished a pathetic fourth in 2007, it wants to revive itself.

Pundits say that an overall poor showing will hurt the Congress, which has been hit hard by corruption scandals, rising food prices and uneasy ties with its key allies.

In contrast to 2009 when its victory in the Lok Sabha elections gave it newfound confidence, the Congress now rules only three major states on its own - Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Assam besides Haryana.

In contrast, the BJP, which rules Uttarakhand among the poll-bound states, is in an aggressive mood. But it has not recovered politically in a major way in Uttar Pradesh, where its ballooning growth of the late 1980s and 1990s, on the strength of the Ayodhya campaign, has been reversed.

Naturally, the BSP and the Samajwadi Party appear to be in close contest in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state accounting for 111 million of the overall 137 million voters.

Uttar Pradesh, which has a 403-seat legislative assembly, is the only state that will see staggered elections, spread over seven phases, from Feb 8 to March 3.

Punjab, ruled by the Akali Dal-BJP combine, will vote Jan 30 for a 117-member assembly along with Uttarakhand, which has a 70-seat house. Goa will see balloting March 3 for a 40-member assembly.

The outcome of the state elections, any which way, will not affect the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. But a poor result would make the Congress more vulnerable to its assertive allies.

The BSP and the Samajwadi Party have uneasy ties with the Congress. While propping up the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) on paper, neither will accommodate the Congress in Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh is thus the most important battleground: each of the four major contestants will like to prove its worth.

The BSP wants to hold on to power, the Samajwadi Party would like to regain office, the BJP is unhappy being a distant third and the Congress does not want to be an also-ran any more.

The Congress, some analysts say, would like to grab enough seats so as to play a kingmaker's role in the event of a hung verdict.

The Uttar Pradesh outcome will sow the seeds of Indian politics tomorrow.

China counter: Arunachal to get mega hydel project

2012-01-26T16:56:00.001-08:00

Chetan Chauhan

New Delhi, Jan 27 : China's bid to have big hydel projects along the Indian border in north-east may witness a counter with environment ministry set to approve 1,750 MW Demwe hydel project in Arunachal Pradesh.

China has planned to build at hydel project in Zangmu, 140 km south-east of Tibetan capital city of Lhasa in a bid to tap the hydro potential of Brahmaputra river. The river flows about 1,625 kms in Tibet, 918 kms in India and remaining 363 kms in Bangladesh before submerging into Bay of Bengal.

Arunachal Pradesh government has planned hydel projects on five major rivers in the state, which finally drain in Brahmaputra, to generate over 50,000 MW of power. Many of these projects are stalled because of protest against them in Assam claiming that these projects will dry the river in down stream areas.

But, the environment ministry is likely to approve one of these projects, Demwe Lower hydel project in Lohit district of the state despite it being rejected by the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife headed by minister in-charge Jayanti Natarajan.

The committee had rejected the project claiming that it will adversely impact wildlife in Kamleng wildlife sanctuary. Contrary to the committee's view, the ministry officials say there will be no submergence of the sanctuary even when the reservoir is full. The project has already received environment and forest approval, mandatory for making a project operational in a forest area.

Natarajan has reportedly decided to issue an order overruling the standing committee's decision after Arunachal chief minister Naban Tuki met her recently. The CM argued that exploiting hydel potential was an important economic incentive of the state, which is required to protect forest covering 70 % of the state's geographical area. Tuki was also of the view that hydel projects in Arunachal were a key to counter China's plans to develop mega hydel projects in Tibet.

Government sources expect the minister to issue an order regarding Demwe project this month paving a way for clearance of more hydel projects in the state.

Security measures for Republic day celebrations

2012-01-25T18:50:00.001-08:00

Aizawl: Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure peaceful celebrations of the 63rd anniversary of the Republic Day tomorrow, police on Wednesday said.

The venue of the main function in Aizawl was, for the first time shifted from the Assam Rifles Ground to the Ramhlun Sports Complex, around three kilometres away.

Aizawl district SP Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said that though more man-power was needed to enforce security due to the change in the venue, the main problem would be traffic diversions.

Despite boycott call by 12 insurgent groups in the north east including neighbours Manipur, Assam and Tripura, no particular security threats have been received by Mizoram police, Khiangte said.

Tripura university to set up Bangladesh Study Centre

2012-01-25T18:49:00.001-08:00

By Sujit Chakraborty

Agartala, Jan 26 : Tripura Central University will set up a Bangladesh Study Centre soon to teach Indian students more about the neighbouring nation, a top university official told IANS.

"A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed soon between the Tripura Central University, Dhaka University and University of Chittagong to establish the Bangladesh Study Centre. After the setting up of the Centre, the three universities would exchange scholars, faculties, academicians and curricula for the students," the official said.

The official, who was unwilling to be identified before the signing of the MoU, said the setting up of the Centre will also facilitate people to do research work on Bangladesh, Indo-Bangla affairs and related matters.

"Signing of the MoU is now in the final stage. Foreign ministry officials of India and Bangladesh are giving finishing touches to the agreement," the official said.

Tripura University would be the second after Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi to have a Bangladesh Study Centre.

The proposed Centre, the official said, would also help the people of the two countries to know more about each other and also to boost trade, economy, culture, language and life-style.

Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari conferred an honorary Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) of Tripura University on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her two day visit to the northeastern state on Jan 11-12.

"I am extremely grateful to the university and the people of Tripura for giving me such a prestigious honour," said Hasina after receiving the D.Litt. "The honour will inspire me to work more for the people of the (South Asian) region."

This is for the first time that the Tripura University has confered the honorary D.Litt on any person after the university was set up in 1987.

Hasina expressed her government's readiness to set up power plants in India's northeast and boost trade with India, Nepal and Bhutan.

She said Bangladesh would allow India to use Chittagong and Mongla sea ports as it wanted to improve all types of communication facilities with the adjoining countries to improve trade and commerce and people-to-people relations.

Five Indian states - West Bengal, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura - share a 4,095 km border with Bangladesh.

FURORE OVER MIZORAM GOVT POST RECRUITMENT

2012-01-25T16:27:00.001-08:00

Silchar, Jan 26 : The appointment of a candidate in the rural development department in Mizoram has drawn flak from several quarters, especially the media, which has described the recruitment as “unfair and tainted”.The Mizoram government has maintained a discreet silence over the issue.The post in question is that of a state coordinator for the North East Rural Livelihood Project, a contractual assignment for five years with a fixed monthly remuneration of Rs 20,000 and an additional Rs 10,000 towards travel and phone.Mary Jones Lallawmawmi, a post-graduate in social work from Mizoram Central University, landed this job after a screening, where the cut-off marks was 50 per cent and a written test.Robert L. Hauhnar, a BCom and resident of Tuikhuahtlang in Aizawl, who also appeared for both the written test and the personal interview afterwards, alleged that he was denied the job though he topped the merit list. Mary Jones came fifth among 10 candidates.Hauhnar alleged that rules were “flouted” during the recruitment. He also alleged that the rural development department had ignored the Mizoram Public Service Commission guidelines while conducting the examination,.K. Riachho, an IAS officer and secretary in the department of the rural development department, made it clear that since this post is temporary, the public service commission rules were not applicable in this case.Speaking over phone from Aizawl this morning, Riachho said during recruitment of a temporary employee, the eligibility of a candidate is determined on the basis of his or her general knowledge, English language capability, personality, intelligence, experience and other suitability criteria.He said there was no deviation from the rules while choosing the right candidate for this job and added that Hauhnar was levelling “false charges”.In Mizoram the job scene is bleak though the rate of literacy is over 91 per cent. So, it is no wonder that educated youths make a scramble for government jobs whenever a post is advertised.According to an official report, there as many as 54,080 permanent or temporary government employees.There’s an embargo on fresh recruitment because the government is strapped for cash.

Livestock disease alert in N-E

2012-01-18T17:36:00.001-08:00

Guwahati, Jan. 19 : The region that consumes 50 per cent of the country’s pork is staring at an outbreak of classical swine flu and a host of other dreaded livestock diseases in the coming two months, experts have predicted.

The project directorate on animal disease monitoring and surveillance, Bangalore, has warned that four livestock diseases, including haemorrhagic septicaemia, black quarter, foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever, will hit the Northeast in February-March.

The directorate, which is under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, uses a unique software under the national animal disease referral expert system which can predict outbreak of diseases in a particular state in the next two months.

“The forecasting is based on retrospective disease data and weather-based disease forecasting models using different techniques,” H. Rahman, project director at the Bangalore centre, told The Telegraph.

Data of the last 25 years has been considered for the current forecast.

The director has predicted that haemorrhagic septicaemia, black quarter, foot-and-mouth disease may occur in Meghalaya and Mizoram.

Foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine flu have been predicted in Assam for February and March and haemorrhagic septicaemia in March.

Rabies has been predicted in Nagaland and Meghalaya.

“Necessary steps are being taken to inform the state governments regarding the availability of such prediction to help them initiate suitable control measures,” he said.

“Forecasting/forewarning of the diseases will not only help in their prevention and control through timely vaccinations but also helps in taking steps to arrest the spread of the disease to other parts of the region,” he added.

“If we can prevent all these diseases, farmers’ income will increase,” Rahman said, adding that the diagnostic facilities in the region are not very satisfactory.

Livestock, especially pig and poultry, is a key livelihood ingredient in the Northeast.

A study conducted by the International Livestock Research Institute in 2007 found that there was an increase in demand of livestock products in the region.

In Nagaland, the demand for pork has increased from 15 to 25 per cent over the past seven years.

It has been estimated that 25 per cent of the pig population in the country is in the Northeast, 80 per cent of indigenous families keep a few pigs (generally two to three) and that the region consumes 50 per cent of the country’s pork, according to Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

“Accurate information about the health status of animal population is critical in the fight against livestock diseases and this forms the basis for initiating disease control strategies through optimal utilisation of meagre funds, veterinary resources and manpower,” Rahman said.

Prediction, however, is only the beginning of the battle.

“A large majority of farmers in Northeast do not get access to good veterinary facilities. If diseases hit the livestock of the farmers, it is a big loss for them,” said Rameshwar Deka, scientific officer at the Northeast office of International Livestock Research Institute in Guwahati.

7th Northeast Business Summit held in New Delhi

2012-01-17T17:28:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, Jan 18 : The 7th Northeast Business Summit was recently held in New Delhi on January 6-7, with an aim to discuss the possible opportunities for investment and trade in the region.

The forum provided a platform for a formal interaction between potential investors and government functionaries.

Over the years insurgency posed the biggest hurdle in attracting the investments to the region. But with many groups coming forward for talks now, the fear psychosis among the people has declined and investors are slowly looking forward to invest in the region.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, on the occasion, assured the industry stakeholders of state's complete intolerance to any kind of violence.

Chidambaram used the platform to invite other groups to come forward for talks with the government.

"The big take away from 2010 to 2011 is that the most insurgent groups have come realized that violence will not yield the desired result and state will not tolerate any kind of violence and it is through dialogue that all the issues can be resolved amicably," said Chidambaram.

During the event, the participating members discussed the new government schemes and projects in line with the socio economic development of the region.

They stressed on the need for creation of better job opportunities, infrastructure, health facilities, tourism prospects, communication and connectivity, schools, colleges and professional institutions and other aspects that are needed for intensive growth in the region.

"The whole idea is to remove the poverty and generate employment. And for this we need to give importance to education and health sector. These are two important areas that we need to focus," said Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi.

Promotion of border trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh were among the key points of discussion in the summit.

Representative from both Bangladesh and Myanmar also expressed their concerns with the audiences.

Currently the trade between India and Bangladesh has crossed USD five billion mark in 2011 whereas with Myanmar, it is expected to cross USD three billion mark.

"We have to allow the exchange of goods produced within entire India and Bangladesh mainland, as this is the only way we can understand the intention of the two leaders," said U Tariq Ahmad from Bangladesh.

Ministry of Development of North East Region (DoNER) and Indian Chamber of Commerce jointly organized the summit to channelise these vast resources for the overall growth and development of the northeast region.

Indo-Burma talks in Naypyitaw on Jan 19

2012-01-16T16:41:00.001-08:00

DELHI: Issues relating to devising a joint strategy to deal with north-east insurgent groups and taking measures to check smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition will figure prominently during the home secretary-level talks between India and Myanmar which is to be held in Naypyitaw on January 19.

Home secretary R K Singh will travel to the Myanmarese capital Naypyitaw to hold the talks with his counterpart, where he will impress upon the neighbouring country to take action against the northeast-based insurgent groups and their cadres, including that of ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, having bases there.

New Delhi has long been pressing Naypyitaw for taking action against ULFA, NSCN, UNLF and other insurgent groups that have large bases in Kachin province of Myanmar. India shares a 1,640-km-long border with Myanmar which touches Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

ONGC Tripura gets green nod for transmission leg

2012-01-16T16:04:00.001-08:00

KOLKATA, JAN. 16:
In a move that may remove part of the hurdles before commercial generation from the upcoming 2 X 363.3 MW gas-based power station of ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC), the Union Government has recently granted forest clearance for larger part of the Palatana (Tripura) - Silchar (Assam) leg of the transmission project, according to sources.

With this, North-East Power Transmission Company (NEPTC) — a joint venture between OTPC, Power Grid and the beneficiary States — is now enabled to complete 238 km out of a total of 246 km evacuation facility.

The clearance for an 8-km stretch inside Assam is reportdly still awaited.

The Palatana-Silchar line would help enable OTPC to utilise full capacities of the first unit, now rescheduled to be on stream in May.

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION

Sources involved in power generation project commissioning suggest that commercial production from the first unit is due in July. OTPC previously rescheduled the project from December 2011 to February 2012.

Meanwhile, forest clearance on the second phase of the transmission line from Silchar to Bongaigaon in Assam is still pending.

The 415-km line, which will pass through Meghalaya and cross the Brahmaputra, will ensure evacuation from the second 363.3 MW unit, now expected to be commissioned in November 2012.

The oil and gas major ONGC in the meantime is on course to step up its production in the State from the existing 1.7 million standard cubic metre a day (mmscmd) to a little over 5 mmscmd in the hope of monetization of such resources by the power plant and the resulting inflow investment in the region.

The company has already brought a number of production wells into operation mode and is currently laying the gas transmission facilities to the OTPC power plant, which is slated to consume up to 2.8 mmscmd of gas.

“We are expecting the gas transmission facilities to OTPC be ready by February 2012,” an ONGC source said.

CPI-M expels 570 party members in Tripura

2012-01-15T16:14:00.001-08:00

AGARTALA: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has expelled over 570 leaders and cadres in Tripura as part of its rectification move while over 8,000 party members did not renew their membership during the past three years, party leaders said on Sunday.

“In all, 572 party leaders and cadres, including former deputy speaker Jitendra Sarkar have been expelled from the party for anti-party activities and as part of the rectification attempts,” party’s Tripura committee secretary Bijon Dhar told reporters.

“Out of the 6,000 CPI-M branch committees across Tripura, 15 per cent of the branch secretaries have been changed due to their non-performance and various other reasons,” he said.

“Over 8,000 CPI-M members did not renew their membership for numerous reasons, including reluctance to work for the party,” he added.

The Left leader was talking to the media persons ahead of the four-day long 20th state conference on Jan. 29 before the 20th party Congress is held at Kerala’s Kozhikode from April 4-9.

Dhar, a CPI-M central committee member, said that over 30,000 people have joined the Communist Party during the past three years and the new full-time party members have been increased by 16,000, taking the total to 78,000.

Group of rebel bodies steps up heat on Ibobi

2012-01-15T16:11:00.001-08:00

IMPHAL: Amid hectic canvassing for the coming assembly polls, the coordinating committee of seven rebel groups of Manipur, which has been attacking Congress candidates, workers and offices after imposing an indefinite ban on the ruling party, has brought a number of allegations against chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his government.

Comprising KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF, UNLF and UPPK, the apex body, known as 'CorCom', has accused the ruling Congress of destroying Manipur. It also warned of giving punishment to Congress workers involved in any poll activity like opening campaign booths, distributing money to public and house campaigns.

Terming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Okram Ibobi as "fathers of memorandum of understandings", the CorCom said none of these MoUs were ever translated into action as they never bothered to keep their words. In a statement, it said people, who are witnessing killings perpetrated under the Congress rule , are still living under an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. "Like Ibobi Singh, his cabinet colleagues are also playing with the lives of innocents by taking law in their hands," it added.

Aviva sees huge insurance market potential in N-E region

2012-01-13T18:44:00.001-08:00

Guwahati, Jan 14 : Viewing the North East region as a crucial market for potential growth, insurance major Aviva Life Insurance plans a foray into the rural markets to increase insurance penetration here. The industry has realized that there is growth potential in the region's Tier 3 cities and the rural markets which are under penetrated till now, Aviva India director direct sales force Munish Sharda told PTI here today. "We see a lot of potential for business in the North Eastern market. The dynamics of life insurance business have changed significantly with the increasing number of insurers. This has resulted in higher penetration in urban markets, including Tier 2 cities", Sharda said. Realising the industry has growth potential in the Tier 3 cities and rural markets, he said, "Aviva plans to hire nearly 1000 high performing agents to increase insurance penetration for bringing a large section of un/underinsured population within the ambit of insurance protection in the region". "The company is focusing on managing expenses and claims, controlling frauds and looking at selective risks where the pricing is appropriate in this market", Sharda said. "The N-E market contributes significantly to Avivas business but the company also sees a lot of potential for growth here. Our top performing branches are from the North East", he said. Despite considerable slowdown in the life insurance industry, the director said, Aviva has been recruiting agents to increase its distribution base in Assam and other North Eastern states. It has also been focusing on increasing the agent productivity to provide better service to the customers in the Northeast.

Tripura to get IIIT

2012-01-13T18:41:00.001-08:00

AGARTALA, Jan 14 – The Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has assured that Tripura will have an elite institute – Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT).

The Union Minister told me that the Central Government would take necessary steps to ensure setting up an IIIT in Tripura during the 12th Five Year Plan period, said Chief Minister Manik Sarkar here on Wednesday night.

Talking to reporters at Civil Secretariat after seeing off Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Union HRD Minister, Sarkar said that one meeting was scheduled with Sibal but he could not make it due to busy schedule.

“At Airport, I had words with the Union HRD Minister who gave assured me that the Centre would initiate process to set up IIIT”, he said.

“I requested the HRD Minister to give some relaxations in setting up the elite institute like IIIT considering the State’s backwardness. Many of the norms applicable for starting such an institute might prove tough for us”, Sarkar said.

“It is very significant and historic that Hasina, daughter of Sheikh Mujibar Rahaman, well known as father of Bangladesh nation landed here after 40 years of country’s successful liberation war”. “The visit will certainly have a long term benefit not only for Tripura but also for the entire Northeastern region”, he said adding that people seemed to be upbeat after getting official recognition of their contribution to the Bangladesh Liberation in 1971.

Tripura in process to set up primate national park

2012-01-09T20:09:00.001-08:00

Agartala, Jan 10 : With the increasing incidences of man–monkey conflicts over the year in different parts of the state, the Tripura government has mooted the intension to set up a Primate National Park in southern part of the state with an exclusive enclosure for monkeys.

According to report, the state forest department has already conduct the feasibility study for the proposed site spreading over about 500 hectares stretch, along the Indo-Bangladesh border to facilitate cross border movements of the animal and a project of Rs 71 crore was submitted to the Environment and Forest Ministry.

The department has pleaded for the proposal to control the movement of the primate species inside human inhabitations mostly in Atharamura and Baramura foothills over past few years and several efforts to contain the conflict between man and monkey went in vain.

The wildlife officials has now devised special costumes for employees, who would go near the monkeys in their natural habitat and offer foods, creating a symbiotic understanding between them to stop their movement in human habitation.

There are six species of monkeys found in Tripura – Rhesus, Pigtailed, Capped Langur, Spectacle Langur, Slow Lories and Hoolock Gibon.

Monkeys are been considered as holy animal since time immemorial and their presence in Tripura is not new, rather one of the oldest primate species available in the forest, wildlife officials said.

Leaving aside the wild food, they started eating foods like packet edibles, rice, meat-fish and other food waste of human population.

Basically, rhesus monkey is fogivorus - like to have flowers, fruits, leafs, roots and shoots but with the habitation change of the species, they became omnivorous and as a result, the amount of protein among the monkeys have increased substantially that augmented their breeding capacity almost double, which was considered as the biggest menace of monkeys in Tripura, said forest minister Jitendra Choudhury.

Human activities in forest areas in general and in particular as well as economic activities in the forestland have led to loss of monkey habitats in Tripura, complained NGO activists here adding that Tripura was the only state in the country, which allowed people to live in the reserve forest and use the forest produces.

Along with population growth and deforestation, the government sponsored forestry generation activities in degraded forest areas are believe to be responsible of habitat loss of monkeys in Tripura. Forest based activities like Jhum cultivation, firewood collection, collection of horticultural produces and generation of high-timber trees have adversely affected the composite natural forestry in Tripura, they argued.

In 1991 Tripura has started a participatory forestry activity in the name of Joint Forest Management (JFM) in the degraded forest land under the occupation of the forest department and so far about 1055 sqkm areas have come under about 400 JFM for livelihood management of about 33000 people.

The record estimate that the population of Rhesus monkey in Tripura was about 5000 in seven locations of the state though they did not carry out any survey.

There reported conflict between man and monkey in Tripura from September 2007 to January 2009 is 44 spreading various parts of the state, which forced the forest authority to issue public notification to manage the menace.

As per the record in hospitals in Teliamura, Khowai, Kailashahar and Shantirbazar, as many as 76 people, including 14 children, injured in the monkey attacks and huge amount of horticultural produces was damaged in the particular locations while the villagers killed 11 monkeys by using poison and arms in the areas during the period.

The proposed Feni Primate National Park would be housing monkeys poking their nose in human inhabitation along with endangered species of spectacled monkey, wild boar, different deer families and birds.

The Forest Department was reported to have already begun plantation of vegetation suitable for the food habit of these species and added that nuts, underground vegetables-roots, fruit plantations are supposed to be put in addition to the natural vegetation while special wildlife-friendly drinking water arrangements would be made.

The Tripura government has intended to declare the status of two national park–-Sepahijala and Trishna --and four wildlife sanctuaries in different parts of the state, but the final notifications were not issued yet by MoEF because public hearings was not yet completed.

Private tuitions by government teachers an offence: Tripura government

2012-01-05T03:46:00.001-08:00

Agartala, Jan 5 : The Tripura government, in a strongly worded circular here Tuesday, said it will not allow its teachers to take private tuitions for students.

"If any government school teacher is found involved in private tuition for money, severe action would be taken against the erring tutor," said the circular, issued by the school education department.

A senior Tripura school education department official told IANS: "There are many reports that the teachers of government and government-aided schools have engaged themselves in private tuitions, thereby resorting to earning money and hoodwinking the students during schooling hours."

"Taking private tuitions and similar such practices goes against the provisions of the service conduct rules in force, as the teachers are within the ambit of the said rules," the official added.

According to a report of the Delhi-based NGO Annual Status of Education Report Centre, 77.3 percent students from class 4 to class 8 in Tripura take paid tuitions, followed by 76 percent in West Bengal and 55.8 in Bihar.

According to the government notification, private tuitions by government school teachers have been prohibited under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which became operative with effect from April 1, 2010.

Meanwhile, Tripura school education minister Tapan Chakraborty said: "School teachers who take private tuitions for students deprive society. This is a punishable offence."

"The state government has been gradually expanding educational infrastructure in the state. All the 43,000 school teachers must cooperate with the government to improve the quality of basic education in the state," the minister said while addressing a conference of Tripura Government Teachers' Association (TGTA).

Urging the TGTA leadership to come forward to stop private tuitions, Chakraborty said that while the Tripura government despite its limited resources has been spending 20 percent of its budgetary allocation in the educational sector, the central government's expenses are 4.8 percent.

He said: "The Tripura government has decided to recruit 21,000 school teachers but failed to do so due to severe financial crisis in the state in view of the erroneous recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission."

Tripura sought around Rs.27,000 crore but the 13th Finance Commission had recommended the sanctioning of about Rs.16,350 crore in 2009. Its report was accepted by the central government last year.

Inter-state autolifters' gang busted, 5 held

2012-01-05T02:16:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) With the arrest of five persons, including a retired Army personnel, Delhi Police today claimed to have busted an inter-state autolifters' gang, allegedly involved in over 500 auto theft cases in the national capital. 54-year-old Kharka Bahadur Rana, a former Army jawan and the leader of the gang, was arrested from Guwahati last month, while other four members of his gang were picked up by police on various occasions. With their arrest, police said they have recovered 10 stolen vehicles and worked out more than 90 cases of vehicle thefts. Majority of the stolen vehicles were sent to North Eastern states like Mizoram and Manipur and the gang members frequently changed their contact numbers and even used SIMs of other states in Delhi to prevent the police team from getting an insight into their activities. During their investigation, Delhi Police came to know that Rana is the biggest receiver of stolen vehicles in North Eastern states and launched a massive hunt to nab him. The hunt was launched after one of the gang members Mohd Arman was arrested in September last year. Subsequently another accused Shekhar was arrested the next month and his interrogation lead the police team to another member Muzzafar. Police arrested Rana from Guwahati. Subsequently, another member Mohd Arkan was also arrested from Siliguri last month "The accused persons were then brought to Delhi on transit remand and produced in the court...so far 84 stolen vehicles of Delhi have been traced," Additional DCP P S Kushwah said. The gang used to take the stolen vehicles to Meerut and handed them over to one of their associates named Mulla, who used to replace the entire lock-sets of the vehicle. "If the stolen vehicle is the one ordered as per description of the total loss vehicle procured from insurance company, the vehicle was delivered to accused Muzzaffar," Kushwah said. The gang members used to prepare documents of the stolen vehicles under fake registration numbers of UP and Haryana. The vehicles were then sent to Kishanganj in Bihar. "Engine and chassis number of the vehicle were sent through SMS to Rana who got fake documents of the vehicle prepared pertaining to Assam and West Bengal number and brought the stolen vehicle to Guwahati," Kushwah said.

Indefinite blockade in Assam over Arunachal dam

2012-01-02T02:47:00.001-08:00

Guwahati: Over two dozen organisations in Assam on Monday launched an indefinite blockade of a national highway as part of their campaign to prevent the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) from constructing a dam and a 2,000 MW project in adjoining Arunachal Pradesh.

The protest is being spearheaded by two apex anti-dam groups -- the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and the Krishak Mukti Samaj Samity (KMSS) -- which are holding protests along the National Highway No 52 and preventing trucks from carrying machineries and equipment to the NHPC project site in Arunachal Pradesh.

The National Highway No 52 is the main lifeline linking Arunachal Pradesh to the rest of India via Assam.

"We shall not allow a single vehicle carrying equipment meant for the NHPC," AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya said.

Similar protests by hundreds of men and women squatting on the highway were witnessed at several places under the banner of the KMSS and other local organisations in eastern Assam's Lakhimpur district, about 300 km from here, adjoining the project site in Arunachal Pradesh.

"We shall intensify our movement if the government does not agree to shelve the NHPC project," said KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi.

The anti-dam lobby is opposed to the 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydro Power Project in Arunachal Pradesh, claiming the big dam would have an adverse ecological impact in the downstream areas in adjoining Assam.

The anti-dam groups have since the past one month been off and on staging road blockades, leading to delay in the construction of the power project.

"Surely, the frequent strikes are hampering our work," NHPC executive director AK Chabbra said.

The nearly Rs 10,000 crore project that began in 2003 is mired in a blazing row with several environmental and pressure groups in Assam making vociferous protests and demanding scrapping of its construction, citing adverse ecological and environmental impact in downstream areas in Assam.

"We have completed similar projects elsewhere in the country and we are confident all safety measures are being taken here and there should be no apprehension as far as safety aspects are concerned," the NHPC official said.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has signed memorandums of understanding with several private firms for 10 major hydropower projects to generate an estimated 30,000 MW power in 10 years' time.

The state, which shares international boundaries with Myanmar and the Tibet region, has the potential to generate an estimated 50,000 MW of hydropower.

Among the major projects currently being executed in the state are the Ranganadi project, the Subansiri project and the Taloh power project.

Despite stiff opposition, the Arunachal Pradesh government is determined to continue on with the construction of dams.

Three arrested with heroin of Rs 50 Lakh in Tripura

2011-12-29T22:06:00.001-08:00

Agartala, Dec 30 : The Assam Rifles jawans arrested three persons, including a school teacher and a Havildar of Tripura State Rifles(TSR), with one kg heroin worth of Rs 50 lakhs at Amarpur in South Tripura yesterday, police said here today. Superintendent of Police, South Tripura, Rajesh Sharma said the sample was sent to state forensic laboratory for necessary test.

The accused were identified as Debnanlal Kaipeng, Mojendra Reang and Harish Thapa, residents of a tribal hamlet in Amarpur.

Police said acting on a tip-ff, the Assam Rifles jawans conducted a surprise raid in the area and spotted the trio waiting near a market carrying a bag. The jawans surrounded them and seized the suspected heroin.

Arunachal adopts PPP Policy

2011-12-28T05:51:00.001-08:00

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh cabinet has unanimously adopted the state Public Private Partnership Policy, 2011, paving the way for private investment in various sectors of the state, official sources said today.

The policy, adopted yesterday, would open up the gates for development of various infrastructure both physical and social in the state through much-needed infusion of resources and managerial capability from the private sector in tandem with the overall vision of the state government.

Arunachal Pradesh, like the rest of its sister states in the north east has been a late starter in the public private partnerships and except for some limited experiments in the health sector like management of public health centers and community health centers, there are practically no PPP projects in the state.

A PPP cell was set-up in the planning department last year and it had drafted the policy. Inputs were taken from various departments and the approval of law and finance departments were taken before sending the policy to the cabinet for approval, the sources said.

The Planning Commission of India had assessed that the investment requirements in the infrastructure sector for the 12th Five Year Plan would be almost Rs 41 lakh crores, of which, at least 50 per cent would be through the private sector.

Arunachal urges for timely supply of textbooks

2011-12-26T20:31:00.001-08:00

ITANAGAR, Dec 27 – While apprising the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) officials of non-availability of textbooks in the State, Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister Bosiram Siram has urged NCERT for timely supply of textbooks.

Siram while addressing the 49th General Council meeting of NCERT in New Delhi also pleaded the NCERT to avoid mid-term price hikes, official sources said here.

Stating that Arunachal Pradesh has decided to upgrade the State Institute of Education (SIE) into State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT), Siram urged the Union HRD ministry and the NCERT to pay special focus on the newly created SCERT for its expansion and strengthening by extending financial, technical and academic support.

He also informed that the State would introduce teacher eligibility test (TET) – a prerequisite for recruitment of ‘quality’ teacher soon.

'India needs to play bigger role in civilisation harmony'

2011-12-23T22:28:00.001-08:00

By KG Suresh

Over 2,500 participants including heads of state, foreign affairs ministers, NGOs, civil society representatives, media, academia and the corporate sector met in Doha from December 11-13, to discuss how intercultural dialogue can boost development the world over.

They also discussed ways to improve relations across cultures, combat prejudice and build lasting peace through joint actions.

The opening ceremony of the fourth Annual Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations was addressed by Ban Ki-moon, secretary general, United Nations, Heinz Fischer, president, Austria, Michel Temer, vice president, Brazil, Christian Wulff, president, Germany and Jorge Sampaio, high representative, UNAOC and former president, Portugal.
India was represented by minister of state for external affairs E Ahamed, and NGOs including UNAOC’s Indian partners like Global Foundation for Civilisational Harmony (India), headed by Subhash Chandra, Chairman, Essel Group.
Under the theme ‘Intercultural Dialogue to Boost Development’, high-level debates on how advancing towards the goals of the UNAOC can contribute to foster sustainable development and, in particular, achievement of the MDGs, were conducted.
Ten years after 9/11, the Doha Forum also focussed on West-Islam relations, the raison d’être of the Alliance, and discussed means to counter rising discrimination, prejudices and hate speech that fuel tensions and extremism.
Partnership with a number of media organisations like Al Jazeera, Google, France 24, Euronews, National Geographic, MNCs like BMW for the intercultural innovation award, or research centers like the Brookings Institute was another highlight of the Doha Forum.
Brazilian vice president Temer projected the India-Brazil-South Africa dialogue forum as a model for development through inter-cultural dialogue. He repeatedly referred to Mahatma Gandhi and his vision of inter-cultural dialogue for establishing harmony and peace.
The UN Alliance of Civilisations, created in 2005, is an initiative of former general secretary Kofi Annan and the governments of Spain and Turkey. Its mission is to improve the quality of dialogue between nations and people of cultures and religions.
However, despite its history as a haven for all prosecuted religions and civilisations since time immemorial — from Jews and Zoroastrians in the hoary past to the Tibetans in the recent past — and the wide respect it commands for its pluralistic, multi-religious, multi-linguistic, multi-ethnic harmony, India is yet to play a major role in this highly influential forum.
Though it has been a member of the ‘Group of Friends’ of UNAOC since its inception and the Indian prime minister has been a regular invitee to the annual events, New Delhi has been deputing only its ministers of state for external affairs to attend them, which apparently reflects the foreign ministry’s underestimation of the forum’s strength.
Moreover, India, which has been liberal in funding UN bodies like UNESCO, has not contributed a penny to the AOC kitty till date.
The Global Foundation for Civilisational Harmony (India), UNAOC’s key partner in India, has offered to host a conference of spiritual leaders from the world over against terrorism. The foundation has also offered to support an intra-country project of the UNAOC on migration, wherein a video would be produced to bridge the communication gap between people in Northeast India and the rest of the country.
In 2012, India, as a role model for inclusive development and a millennia-old society of inter-cultural dialogue and harmony, should play its due role in the UNAOC.

Traders' stir in Tripura hits Indo-Bangla trade

2011-12-23T22:22:00.001-08:00

Agartala: An indefinite strike Indian exporters and importers have called to press their demand for upgrade of infrastructure along the India-Bangladesh border severely hit trade for the sixth day on Friday.

"India-Bangladesh trade has been badly affected as over 250 trucks filled with Bangladeshi goods have been stranded on the other side of the Akhaurah border and are unable to cross the Akhaurah land customs station (LCS) in view of the strike called by Exporters-Importers Association of Tripura (EIAT)," the custom official said.

EIAT general secretary Habul Biswas told reporters: "We have been demanding upgrading of infrastructure, especially dumping grounds for imported goods along the border. But the government is taking a long time to provide these basic facilities. Negotiation with the government is on to solve the problems and to resume trade soon."

Situated just adjacent to the heart of Agartala, Akhaurah LCS, 150 km east of Bangladesh capital Dhaka, is the most important international trading land port in northeast India with an average of 200 Bangladeshi trucks loaded with goods coming to Tripura every day.

"Due to the strike and closure of Indo-Bangla trade through Akhaurah LCS, the central and Tripura governments have been losing revenue of Rs.one million in customs duty and sales tax every day," said Biswas.

According to Biswas, on an average, business worth Rs.15 million takes place through the Akhaurah LCS every day.

Tripura Industries and Commerce Minister Jitendra Choudhury told IANS: "After discussions with the importers and exporters, the state government has temporarily stopped dumping of goods at the Akhaurah border as construction work for the ambitious Integrated Check Post (ICP) is going on there."

The construction of the Rs.80-crore ICP has to be completed within 18 months.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in May this year had laid the foundation stone for the construction of the ICP at Akhaurah LCS to boost trade with Bangladesh and facilitate trans-border passenger traffic.

The important goods being traded through the Akhaurah LCS include fish, processed food items, cement, plastics goods, sheet glass, dry fish, furniture, domestic items, stone chips and machine parts.

NE: Trucks carrying essentials to exempted

2011-12-23T22:14:00.001-08:00

Itanagar: Anti-dam activists of Assam who havelaunched an indefinite economic blockade in Lakhimpur against NHPC dam at Gerukamukh, has given an assurance to a students delegation for exempting trucks carrying essential commodities and fuel to three Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh from the purview of the blockade.

A delegation of students from East, West and UpperSiang districts yesterday convened a meeting with theactivists requesting them to allow movement of truck carryingessential commodities to the districts which have been badlyaffected due to the indefinite blockade, which entered itseighth day today.

The anti-dam activists led by All Assam Students? Union(AASU) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) have launchedthe blockade in Assam against the Lower Subansiri HydroElectric Project protesting construction of the big dam whichthey claimed would badly affect the people living in thedownstream of the river.
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The trucks carrying essential items and fuel tankersmeant for East Siang, West Siang and Upper Siang districtswill be allowed to move from today,? KMSS leader Akhil Gogoisaid.

Gogoi gave this assurance to the students delegationwhile responding to the request made by the latter for liftingthe blockade at Lakhimpur last evening, said All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) spokesperson Tobom Dai, wholed the students delegation to meet the activists.

AAPCCA urges govt to stop 'illegal' cane trade

2011-12-22T21:07:00.001-08:00

Itanagar, Dec 22 : All Arunachal Pradesh Cane Contractors Association (AAPCCA) has expressed its resentment over the rampant sale of raw cane outside the state by some businessmen with vexed interest is ''total violation of a Cabinet decision as well as a department order.''

In a letter written to the Parliamentary Secretary of Forests and Environment yesterday, AAPCCA said around 50 to 60 cane-laden trucks were always stocked near the Military Engineering Service (MES) camp located in Dhemaji district of Assam for its further export to Kolkata, AAPCCA sources said.

These canes are extracted from the jungles of Upper Siang and West Siang districts and driven past the two check gates at Ruksin and Likabali, the sources added.

The canes were often offloaded near the MES for their onward export to Kolkata, the association said.

The canes were then taken to Kolkata by the contractors of Bharat Cane Expo, the association alleged.

''The transit pass (TP) challan issued for the canes is valid for Arunachal Pradesh only, however, how the canes land up in Kolkata remained a big mystery,'' the AAPCCA said.

Demanding immediate action against the illegal practice, the Association further alleged that the Forest officials of Dhemaji seize the cane-laden trucks, stock the confiscated canes at the MES camp and then issue new TPs so that the canes could be transported to Kolkata.

Alleging nexus between the police personnal manning the check gates, officials of the Forest department and contractors, the AAPCCA asked who were levying the additional 15 per cent royalty on these illegal exports of cane outside the state.

''This unhealthy practice not only hits the cash-starved state like Arunachal, but it also seeks to arrest the growth of cane-based industries in the state. The local cane industries are already on the verge of closure for want of raw cane. If it continues it will directly hit the local entrepreneurs and large work force engaged in the sector,'' he said.

Assam dam protest triggers crisis in Arunachal

2011-12-21T21:50:00.001-08:00

ITANAGAR, Dec 22 – Food and fuel crisis loom large in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh following blockade of NH-52 by anti-dam activists in Assam against execution of Lower Subansiri hydro electric project.

Official sources today said supply of fuel and essential commodities were affected in East, West, and Upper Siang districts due to the blockade by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad and others.

The organisations have been blocking movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities and fuel tankers at Lakhimpur which had caused acute fuel and food crisis in the Siang belt as NH-52 is considered as lifeline for the people of the three Siang districts, the sources said.

The protestors were opposing construction of a dam on Ranganadi river by National Hydel Power Corporation apprehending that it would harm people staying downstream and destroy the State’s resources.

East Siang Deputy Commissioner Talem Tapok has urged his Lakhimpur counterpart for releasing the stranded vehicles which are on their way to Arunachal.

The Lakhimpur DC has assured us to allow the vehicles after a negotiation with the protestors,” Tapok said.

The Siang districts have been hit by shortage of fuel for the second time this year.

Earlier, the three districts had faced acute shortage of essential commodities and petroleum products for a fortnight in August after floods in Dhemaji district of Assam disrupted transport on NH-52.

MARGAO: Table-toppers Churchill Brothers' campaign suffered a jolt as they went down to Pune FC 0-2 in their 11th round I-League match at the Nehru Stadium on Wednesday. Keita Manjdou (62nd) and Gurjinder Kumar (84th) scored for the visitors. Earlier, both the teams fought on an even note in the barrren first half as the hosts made clear their intention to extend their lead on top of the table through an aggressive display. Lanrindika Ralte came up with a fierce shot from the top of the box only to see his shot hitting the bar in the second minute. Five minutes later rival custodian Abhara Mondal had to come and thwart Henri Autchouet from scoring off a cross from Lalrindika. Mondal came to his side's rescue again when he blocked the ball off a freekick taken by Roberto Silva. The visitors slowly settled into the groove and launched a series of moves and had three clear chances to surge ahead but Karma Tsewang failed to find the mark from close and later defender Chika Wali failed to convert twice. After the change of ends, Churchill Brothers were unlucky when Lalrindika's shot hit the bar off a long pass from Denzil Franco from the right. Thereafter, the momentum shifted in favour of visitors who controlled the midfield and kept on having better ball possession and took the lead in the 62nd minute. A quick build up on the right which saw Srikant Ramu send a measured cross into the rival box which defender Naveen Sudhakaran allowed to get past. Striker Keita Manjdou, who was following the move, met the ball with a glancing header to find the back of the net. Lester Fernandes, who played a dominant role in the midfield, played a one-to-one pass with Keita Manjdou on top of the box and the former, on entering box, took a shot which Churchill's keeper Felix D'Souza managed to block. Pune FC made the issue safe when they scored again in the 84th minutes to seal Churchill Brothers' fate of any comeback. Following a build up in the middle, Keita Manjdou took a crack at the goal from inside the box but Churchill custodian Felix, who left his charge, managed to block the shot. However, defender Gurjinder Kumar found the net with a stiff grounder off the rebound. The win takes Pune FC to fifth place with 18 points from 11 matches. Churchill Brothers remained on 23 points from as many matches. Dempo, who are two points behind them, have a good chance to regain the top spot if they beat Sporting Clube de Goa on Thursday.

2011-12-21T21:47:00.001-08:00

krishnan srinivasan

Forty years of freedom is a good juncture to reflect upon the achievements and failures of Bangladesh-India relations. Rarely, if ever, has a nation emerged from such a legacy of discrimination and bloodshed as did Bangladesh on December 16, 1971 — whatever may be said by revisionist writers such as Sarmila Bose to mitigate the horrors of Pakistani repression. There are many, as participants or onlookers, who remember those heady days of victory with exhilaration, combined with grief for those who lost their lives in the struggle for independence.
Bangladesh and India have had an uneven relationship marked by upswings and downturns; openings and opportunities have been lost on both sides, and errors committed through negligence and ineptitude. There have been periods of mutual indifference and veiled hostility; often bureaucracy has not followed where the political class has bravely ventured. Frustration has frequently been the prevailing mood in both capitals. Almost always, bilateral relations have been dependent on the character of the political party in power in Dhaka or New Delhi; it has not been possible to separate the quality of ties from the complications and vagaries of party politics. In the process, the fundamentals of the cultural, linguistic, historical, ethnic, economic and geo-political imperatives for good relations between the two countries have too often been lost sight of and made hostage to populism and third-country involvement. A prominent academic once wrote: “India should forget history, and Bangladesh should forget geography.” He was castigated on both sides of the border for this aphorism, but there is much truth in his observation.
There has lately been a great deal of interaction between the two countries during the Tagore anniversary. Apart from that major exercise, there have been top-level political visits and the holding of learned seminars in both nations that have kept the relationship under a high degree of scrutiny. The ruby anniversary was the occasion for a conference in Calcutta, and the West Bengal chief minister, General J.F.R. Jacob and a previous army chief were invited to attend, as were sundry dignitaries from Bangladesh. These are worthy enterprises deserving attention, but they obscure the fact that all is not well between Bangladesh and India, and a lack of consensus on how to take the relationship forward is still prevalent in both countries.
With Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s overwhelming victory in the last general election in Bangladesh, and congenial counterpart in power in New Delhi, the stage was set for a major stride in building confidence, addressing each other’s national priorities and consolidating a cordial state of relations for the future. Indeed, many positive moves were made since that election and some of these are worth recording, since they show what can be accomplished if there is a degree of clear political direction, goodwill and effective implementation on both sides. Thanks to Wajed’s commitment in curbing terrorism and militancy, the situation within Bangladesh and in the Indian Northeast has greatly improved and cooperation of the two countries in this field has set very high standards. Trade has reached new levels owing to the liberalized import regime agreed to by New Delhi. Twenty-four hour access to the Bangladeshi enclaves across the Teen Bigha corridor has taken effect. A one-billion-dollar credit line extended by India to Bangladesh has enabled some projects to be earmarked to build infrastructure. One border haat has been opened and an integrated checkpost at Benapole/Petrapole will serve as examples for others to follow.
But the glass still remains half-full, and Wajed is not being helped by the fact that other expected Indian actions are still pending. The building of cyclone shelters in Bangladesh is yet to be completed; Bangladesh’s equity in power projects in India remains to be finalized; the wanton killing of Bangladeshis by the Indian border security force continues because fail-safe preventive measures have not been devised, and power supplied from the Indian grid will flow at the earliest in 2013. From Bangladesh’s side, Anup Chetia, the Assamese militant in Dhaka, is still to be extradited, and the Wajed government is hastening slowly on the arrangements for multi-modal connectivity that will benefit not only Bangladesh in terms of revenue, but provide vital access routes for land-locked Nepal, Bhutan and India’s Northeast as well.
Two big missing pieces of the jigsaw are still to be delivered by New Delhi for reasons that Dhaka may understandably find inexplicable. The first is the finalization of the land border agreement that has been close to completion for a number of years and was accelerated by a decision of the two prime ministers. It appears that, owing to ill intention or inefficiency, the strip maps for the West Bengal-Bangladesh sector are yet to be provided by the Indian authorities for the formality of joint signatures. The second is the question of a water-sharing agreement on the Teesta and Feni rivers that flow downstream from West Bengal to Bangladesh. Both capitals have stated that they will work towards putting the stalled accord in place, and the authorities in Dhaka have claimed that the Teesta agreement would be signed, as previously envisaged, and within the next few months. They did not indicate the basis for this optimism. From what is known, they may be assuming too much. For its part, New Delhi has not shown much energy in the matter; all too often, it regards the symbolism of state visits as sufficient, and follow-up action gets lost in the after-glow. The West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, has set up a committee headed by Kalyan Rudra to examine the matter, and Rudra’s early comments are hardly encouraging. That there is a shortage of water in the dry season is obvious; the issue revolves around the upper riparian humanely accommodating the requirements of a friendly neighbour that has the misfortune to be the lower riparian. If India is not in a mood to accommodate Bangladesh generously, it must not expect bountiful terms from China.
Teesta is not the only common river causing problems. Manmohan Singh had promised that India would not take any steps that adversely affect Bangladesh in constructing the multi-purpose Tipaimukh Dam on the Barak/Meghna, which has ecological, human and economic implications that need careful study. But in October the news was revealed of a ‘promoters agreement’ between Manipur and two companies, the NHPC Limited and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, to form a joint venture. This has raised a predictable political storm in Bangladesh. Even if the proposed joint venture is only a statement of intent with no certainty that the dam will be constructed, the episode reveals an amateurish lack of public relations and communications skills in New Delhi, which has also chosen to keep the post of Indian high commissioner vacant since the departure of the previous incumbent. Khaleda Zia, the leader of the opposition to Sheikh Hasina Wajed, with a feeble minority in parliament, is ever looking for a pretext to take her followers to the streets, and she has not failed to agitate against the Tipaimukh issue in her accustomed manner.
Wajed is now more than halfway through her term in office, and with the price rise and power blackouts, she does not need New Delhi to give additional ammunition to her political opponents. India has always taken the view, in slight modification of the Gujral Doctrine, that if India’s neighbours keep our basic national concerns in mind, it will be ready to go the extra mile in accommodating their basic interests as well. No impartial observer can deny that Dhaka has largely delivered and New Delhi has not. Positive measures and goodwill gestures can unfortunately be severely diminished or derailed by political manoeuvres from opposition parties in India and Bangladesh, or by coalition partners in India who have no direct stake in foreign relations. In any asymmetrical relationship, it is axiomatic that failures and delays in delivery by the bigger country will loom larger than its accomplishments, and provide grist for populist demands in the smaller country. India and Bangladesh are both suffering: from poor governance in the former, and misplaced priorities in the latter. Corruption is vitiating development. Both governments are feeling beleaguered and already circling the wagons defensively, although general elections are still years away in the future. The great expectations could still be realized, but look much less likely than they did a year ago. Even if a government’s term is for five years, every prime minister knows that he or she has a very narrow window of opportunity in which to make a game-changing break from the past. Whether that window has already slammed shut for New Delhi and Dhaka, only history will tell. Well-wishers of both countries will hope not.
The author is former foreign secretary of India

Power projects allotted to travel agency!

2011-12-20T21:03:00.001-08:00

NEW DELHI, Dec 21 – The Centre has confirmed that Arunachal Pradesh Government has allotted two power projects in the State to a travel agency.

The allocation of power projects in the State had threatened to snowball into a major controversy and landed the ruling Congress party in a tight spot. The BJP had highlighted the so-called scam in allocation of power projects in Arunachal.

Two projects namely 15 MW Papum Hydroelectric project and 12 MW Poma Hydroelectric project have been allotted by the Arunachal Government to Patel Tours and Travel Pvt Ltd on December 12, 1998, admitted Minister of State for Power, KC Venugopal in the Rajya Sabha.

But the Minister quickly added the State Government has denied sanctioning any projects worth Rs 400crore to any newly-formed companies with small capital of Rs 1 lakh.

Meanwhile, NTPC, which was entrusted for preparation of Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of 9,750 MW Siang Upper Hydro Power Project in Arunachal Pradesh has completed and submitted it to the State Government.

Till date, Government of Arunachal Pradesh has not given direction for implementation of Upper Siang Hydro Power Project by NTPC, the Minister added.

Based on the studies for re-assessment of hydro-electric potential of the country, CEA has identified 58,356 MW hydro capacities in Northeastern region. It constitutes about 40 per cent of the total identified hydro capacity.

29 Myanmarese sent to Tripura jail

2011-12-16T21:44:00.001-08:00

Agartala, Dec 17 : A court in South Tripura has sent 29 Myanmarese nationals, including nine children and six women, to judicial custody for investigation on charges of infiltrating into Tripura from Bangladesh.

Police said here today that the detainees entered India through Sabroom border in South Tripura yesterday and took shelter in a house in Shantirbazar between Agartala and Sabroom.

Acting on a tip-off, police raided the house and detained all of them, but the house owner managed to escape. Police seized a Bangladeshi SIM card, Bangladesh currency and a Bangladeshi nationality certificate.

The detainees said they left Myanmar following 'army atrocities'.

They fled to Bangladesh a few days ago and were on their way to New Delhi via Guwahati, police, quoting the accused said.

They added that the group consisted of women aged between 14 and 25 while the men were aged between 14 and 40.

However, two women claimed the motherhood of all the children aged between 2 and 5 years. Police could not rely on them considering the age of the mothers and said, ''We are trying to find out whether they have any link with trafficking gang''.

Last month, six Myanmar nationals were arrested in Agartala and are in jail.

Looking for jobs and to visit Buddhist sites, the Myanmarese, along with the Bangladeshi citizens, illegally cross over to western Tripura through the unfenced Sonamura border from eastern Bangladesh.

''Occasionally, the Myanmarese Army has unleashed atrocities on a section of nationals, especially Rohingya Muslim and Buddhist communities, which forced them to leave the country for survival,'' said police officials.

According to report, over 50,000 Myanmarese had been living in different parts of neighbouring Mizoram, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, and working at various shops and factories after obtaining work permits. Since mid-1990s, more than 225,000 Myanmar nationals had been sheltered in the Teknaf region in Cox’s Bazar district of southeastern Bangladesh.

As many as 50 Myanmar nationals and about hundred Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested in Tripura so far this year.

Notice to pvt operator after irregular air service

2011-11-26T22:28:00.001-08:00

Kolkata: The air service with Cooch Behar district in West Bengal which had resumed recently after a gap of 16 years has come to a halt.

Formal services on the route had began on September 5, but private carrier North-East Shuttle ran it irregularly for just eight days citing various reasons, Transport Secretary BP Gopalika told PTI here.

The last flight took off on October 3, and the operator assured that it would resume operations from the middle of November, but did not do so, Gopalika said.

The West Bengal government has issued notice to the private operator last week for its failure to provide regular services on the air route.

"The airlink between Kolkata and Cooch Behar failed due to total breach of trust by the North-East Shuttle," he said.

Gopalika said irregular service by the operator was a gross violation of the agreement and it could no longer claim subsidy.

"We have given a notice to the operator asking why the agreement signed by the state government should not be terminated because of breach of trust," he said.

"If the operator fails to comply, the agreement with it will be scrapped and we will find a new one on a long term basis," he said.

The air connectivity with the north Bengal town was announced with much fanfare by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on July 19 at a function in Siliguri and the state government projected the area as prosperous industrial growth centre and a tourist destination.

The crumbling infrastructure at the Cooch Behar airport, which was lying idle after the lone Vayudoot flight was withdrawn in 1995, was refurbished at a cost of Rs 40 crore by the Airports Authority of India.

Banerjee had also announced that operations would be subsidised by reserving eight seats per trip taking into consideration the initial loss in operations.

Earlier, the launch of an air service between Cooch Behar and Kolkata on July 15, 2010 by private operator Deccan Charters was deferred to August 16 that year.

It was further postponed because of non-availability of clearance by the Airports Authority of India and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, a wing of the DGCA.

Deccan Charters then promised to start daily air service by end of July, 2010, but it was also put off.

Move for separate High Courts in NE States

2011-11-26T21:08:00.001-08:00

NEW DELHI, Nov 27 – Decks have been cleared for setting up of separate High Courts in the three Northeastern States of Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura. Union Law and Justice Ministry proposes to introduce Bills for the purpose during the on-going Winter Session of the Parliament.

According to sources, Union Home Ministry is to pilot the Bill proposing amendment to the North Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971, to set up separate High Courts in Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya. The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared the Bill, which has been pending for long.

The three States would have separate High Courts in Shillong, Imphal and Agartala.

Currently, Gauhati High Court has the jurisdiction over the seven States with provisions for separate Benches for each of the States.

Meanwhile, the Home Ministry is also likely to go for bifurcation of Manipur-Tripura cadre. The Union Cabinet has already cleared the proposal and a separate Bill proposing amendment to the North Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971 is also expected to be tabled during the Winter Session, said sources.

Sources said the Centre decision was forced by the pressure from Manipur and Tripura Chief Ministers, who have been pressing the Centre to bifurcate the joint cadres. Like Manipur and Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya too share a common cadre.

Food processing industry can help northeast

2011-11-24T03:35:00.001-08:00

AIZAWL: Food processing industries can play "a very important role" in the development of India's northeast, Mizoram Governor V. Purushothaman said Thursday.

He spoke while inaugurating a one-day industrial summit organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).

The governor said: "Food processing industries can play a very important role in the economic development of India, specially in the far flung areas of the northeastern region."

To encourage investors from outside to set up projects, such a summit will assimilate medium, small and budding entrepreneurs with various government schemes, he added.

The governor said the agro-climatic condition of Mizoram was conducive to agricultural and horticultural crops.

Currently, Mizoram has no major or medium-scale industry.

Assocham senior director Ombeer S. Tyagi said: "Assocham can play a synchronising role between the central, state governments, investors of outside the state and local entrepreneurs to set up joint venture projects in Mizoram and elsewhere in the region."

Longest train to halt in Salem, Coimbatore

2011-11-23T21:35:00.001-08:00

COIMBATORE/SALEM: Vivek Express, which covers the country's longest rail route from Dibrugarh in Upper Assam to Kanyakumari in far south, will reach Salem on Tuesday at 5.10 am and stop for three minutes on its first journey. It will reach Coimbatore at 8.10 am and halt in the cotton city for five minutes before proceeding to Kanyakumari via Kerala.

Katpadi is also among its stops in Tamil Nadu, where the train will reach at 1.30 am. It was on Saturday, the train was flagged off from Dibrugarhby Union Minister of State for Development of the North Eastern Region Paban Singh Ghatowar,

"It is the eighth longest train route in the world. This weekly train covers 4,286 km between Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari. To pass such a distance, it takes eighty two and half hours and the speed would be 100 km per hour,'' said GVVenkatesan, PRO of Salem railway division. The train has 52 stops including Guwahati, New Jalpaiguri, Malda Town, Asansol, Bhadrak, Duvvada, Coimbatore, Ernakulam Town and Thiruvanandapuram Central.

"As the train stops for only a few minutes in Salem and Coimbatore, no celebration is planned in these places. However, Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy will receive the train in Thiruvanandapuram Central. The train will reach Kanyakumari at 8pm on Tuesday.

"The second round of Vivek Express will begin from both Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari on November 26. One train will leave Dibrugarh at 11.45 pm while another will leave Kanyakumari at 2pm.

The train which will leave Dibrugarh, will reach Kanyakumari at 10.25 am on 30th November (Wednesday). The express which leaves Kanyakumari will reach Dibrugarh at 3.30 am on Wednesday.

It has 18 compartments including two-tier and three-tier AC coaches, 7 sleeper coaches and six general class coaches.

Plan panel approves 25 NE road projects

2011-11-23T20:40:00.001-08:00

NEW DELHI, Nov 24 – As against the North Eastern Council’s (NEC) 56 road projects proposals, the Planning Commission has granted ‘in principle’ approval to only 25 projects.

In a Lok Sabha reply, Minister of State for Planning, Dr Ashwini Kumar said of the 25 approved projects, at least 15 have been sanctioned by 11th Finance Commission. In addition, Planning Commission has given approval for the ‘North Eastern Region Community Resources Management Project’ to cover Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

Currently, proposal for development of five airports including Guwahati, Jorhat, Imphal, Barapani and Dibrugarh is under examination for approval by the Planning Commission, the Minister added.

The NEC has been mandated to act as regional planning body for NER and the projects proposed under the NEC plan are of inter-State nature involving two or more States.

Committee formed for taking up tribals' cause

2011-11-23T20:34:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI: The Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, North East Zone (ICITP-NEZ), has formed a seven-member committee to take up the issue of implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in the country with the Centre. ICITP-NEZ president Jebra Ram Muchahary will head the committee.

India was one of the signatories in the UNDRIP, that was signed on September 13, 2007. The ICITP-NEZ, however, alleged that since the signing of the declaration, India has "done nothing" for implementing the UNDRIP for the sake of indigenous communities of the country.

The general meeting of the ICITP-NEZ's was held here recently. "We have already started our advocacy and lobbying exercises, especially with the tribal members of parliament, from last month. We had deliberations with 32 tribal MPs last month. Many MPs have actively backed our move, and assured us of raising the issue in the parliament. From Sunday, our seven-member committee will be in New Delhi for stepping up our efforts," Muchahary told TOI.

Altogether 182 countries had signed the UNDRIP, which upholds the rights of indigenous people for leading a life of dignity without discrimination, so that they can enjoy and practice their cultures, customs, religions, languages and strengthen their political, economic and social institutions. USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which initially refused to sign the declaration, later reversed their position. Bangladesh is yet to endorse it.

NE states default on spending

2011-11-22T21:49:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI: The seven north-eastern states and Sikkim, which get grants-in-aid from the Centre under non-lapsable central pool of resources (NLCPR) scheme, have failed to submit utilization certificates (UC) worth crore of rupees.

In a reply to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, DoNER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar said the outstanding utilization certificates and unspent balances till June was worth Rs 748.27 cr.

Ghatowar said, "The ministry of DoNER monitors utilisation of expenditure by the non-exempted ministries and departments against lump sum provision for the north-eastern region. However, it does not monitor state-wise utilization."

On the unspent amount, he said, "The main reasons behind delayed complete utilisation of released funds to the northeastern region in a particular year are shorter working season, inclement weather, shortage of professionals, geographical disadvantages, etc."

The minister said statutory audit of the schemes by Comptroller and Auditor General of India is being conducted annually.

"In addition to the statutory audit, internal audit by the departmental accounting authorities is also being carried out regularly," he added.

According to the DoNER ministry, the amount of outstanding UCs and unspent balances against Arunachal Pradesh is Rs 160.38 cr, Rs 107.95 cr against Assam, Rs 65.77 cr against Manipur, Rs 97.58 cr against Meghalaya, Rs 71.69 cr against Mizoram, Rs 61.33 cr against Nagaland, Rs 85.93 cr against Sikkim, and Rs 35.1 cr against Tripura.

About the funds released under NLCPR in last three fiscals, the minister stated the eight states received Rs 660.41 cr in 2008-09, Rs 668.62 cr in 2009-10, Rs 772.33 cr in 2010-11 and Rs 368.09 cr till November 16 for 2011-12. The financial package for Bodoland Territorial Council was Rs 67.03 cr in 2008-09, Rs 3.15 cr for 2009-10, Rs 50 cr for 2010-11 and Rs 15.09 cr till November 16 for 2011-12.

The statement on funds utilization show the eight states spending Rs 571 cr in 2008-09, Rs 536.78 cr in 2009-10, Rs 569.29 cr in 2010-11 and Rs 305.85 cr in the current fiscal till November 16.

DoNER study for NE tourism development

2011-11-22T21:48:00.001-08:00

SHILLONG: A study has been conducted by the Union ministry for the development of the northeastern region (DoNER) for identification and development of tourism infrastructure in the region.

The official statement issued during the recently concluded regional conference of tourism ministers of eastern and northeastern states held here said the Union ministry of tourism has taken a number of initiatives for the development of tourism in the northeastern states.

"During the 10th Five Year Plan, a sum of Rs 364.29 crore was sanctioned to the northeastern states by the tourism ministry under the Product Infrastructure Development of Destination and Circuits scheme and Rs 566.40 crore was sanctioned to the region for infrastructure projects in the 11th Five Year Plan," the statement pointed out.

"The ministry has taken several initiatives towards promoting and marketing tourism development products of the northeastern states," the release read.

As per official estimates, women comprise 70 per cent of the low and semi-skilled work force employed in the tourism sector while 50 per cent of the work force comprise youth under 25 years of age. About 53 million persons were estimated to have been employed in the tourism sector in India in 2010 and it is projected to grow to 77.5 million in 2016.

"In January this year, the Union tourism ministry provided stalls to all northeastern states including Sikkim free of cost in an international exhibition held in Delhi," the release read.

"In 2010-11, the ministry of tourism provided central financial assistance of Rs 26.38 lakhs to the state government of Mizoram for the production of tourism literature and documentary film for promotion and publicity of tourism in the state," the release added.

India to launch shale gas exploration bid during 12th Plan

2011-11-22T02:25:00.001-08:00

NEW DELHI: Joining the global race to tap unconventional hydrocarbon sources to meet energy needs, India will launch its maiden bid round for exploration of shale gas during the 12th Plan Period (2012-17).

"The Government of India is planning first round of shale gas during 12th Plan Period (2012-17) after assessment of resources is completed," Directorate General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) Director General S K Srivastava said at the Shale Gas India 2011 conference here.

Shale gas or natural gas trapped in sedimentary rocks (shale formations) below the earth's surface, is the new focus area in the US, Canada and China as an alternative to conventional oil and gas for meeting growing energy needs.

As per the available data, six basins -- Cambay (in Gujarat), Assam-Arakan (in the North-East), Gondawana (in central India), KG onshore (in Andhra Pradesh), Cauvery onshore and Indo Gangatic basins, hold shale gas potential, Srivastava said.

DGH has initiated steps to identify prospective areas for offering, he added.

"Legislative changes will be required for shale gas exploration," Srivastava said, adding that simultaneous exploitation of different sources like shale gas and coal bed methane is required.

Currently, the policy allows exploration and production of conventional oil and gas and coal bed methane (CBM).

However, shale gas exploration faces several challenges such as the availability of water and vast tracts of land.

He said 3-4 gallons of water is required per well for hydraulic fracturing (pumping liquids down a well into subsurface under pressures that are high enough to fracture rocks to enable movement of hydrocarbons to the well bore).

Also, shale gas production requires drilling of large number of wells where land availability is an issue, he said, adding that disposal of water is also a challenge.

Oil Secretary G C Chaturvedi said India's gas demand is likely to rise from 290 million standard cubic meters per day in 2012-13 to 470 mmscmd in 2016-17. Against this, domestic supply will increase from 124 mmscmd to 220-230 mmscmd only.

The rest of the demand has to be met by either imports or through unconventional energy sources like shale gas, he said.

"Water availability and disposal will be a huge problem in shale gas exploration," he said, adding that India has signed an MoU with the US for assessment of shale gas resource and developing policy framework to exploitation of the resource.

Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) Chairman and Managing Director Sudhir Vasudeva said emissions from use of shale gas are higher than natural gas coal and so the environment impact too would need to be assessed.

NSD reaches out to northeast for unearthing talent

2011-11-18T21:38:00.001-08:00

Agartala - India's premier theatre school, the National School of Drama (NSD) is reaching out to young people in the northeast to search for hidden talent, its director Anuradha Kapur said here Friday.

"Theatre is being integrated with the normal educational system. The NSD through various means would reach out among the talented young boys and girls of far-off places of the country," Kapur told reporters.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar late Thursday evening inaugurated a NSD center in Agartala, the second of its kind after the one in Karnataka.

"To protect Indian culture, give young people a rich cultural mindset and to draw attention to unexploited traditions, the NSD has of late modified its entire programme," Kapur said.

She said the NSD would organise workshops very frequently in the northeastern states for the tribal performers, artistes and actors of the region, that would tap the unexploited talent in the state.

"The approach should be to change the mindset of the people to come out of their self-centeredness and become real human beings. Such attempts would help in creating socially conscious people," the chief minister said.

The New Delhi-based NSD, under the union ministry of culture, was set up by the Sangeet Natak Akademi as one of its constituent units in 1959. It became an independent entity in 1975 and has been organising drama festivalS, workshops and theatre-related programmes across the country.

600 crore proposed for tourism development in NE

2011-11-18T21:08:00.001-08:00

SHILLONG, Nov 19 – The Union Tourism Ministry has proposed a package of Rs 600 crore in the 12th five year plan for development of tourism in the Northeastern region.

Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai said here today that tourism sector holds great potential in developing the region. He said his Ministry has therefore sought Rs 600 crore during the 12th five year plan.

Altogether, the Union Ministry has proposed a package of Rs 2,200 crore from the Planning Commission for development of the tourism sector in the entire country.

“All the Northeastern States are being asked to develop the sector so that tourist flow into the region is doubled from the current figure”, Sahay said after the 2nd Inter-State Regional Conference of Tourism Ministers of the East and Northeastern States.

He said as part of the larger plan to develop the fledgling tourism sector in the region theme parks showcasing the region’s heritage, culture together with modern amenities would be brought under one roof. “All the Northeastern States would have such theme parks in the coming years,” Sahay said.

The Union Ministry, he added, has targeted inflow of tourists in the country to 73 million by 2016 from 2010’s figure of 53 million. “The current figures are just not acceptable for a country like India, we must increase the inflow of tourists,” the Minister stated.

Sahay said that the tourism sector has the potential of creating 25 million new jobs and women would be the biggest beneficiaries.

The Minister urged the North- eastern Tourism Ministers who attended the conference to develop tourism on a mission mode and lauded Meghalaya’s effort in this regard.

The Union Minister also promised tourist police, taking personnel from the Coast Guard and other security agencies to guard vulnerable areas like beaches to protect foreign tourists.

He said awareness campaign would also be undertaken in schools, colleges and at the local administrative level so that tourists are given their due respect.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Government today announced that special packages would be developed to encourage tourists from West Bengal to visit the North- eastern region.

NE infrastructure build-up not to counter Chinese

2011-11-18T21:07:00.001-08:00

ITANGAR/BANGALORE, Nov 19 – As an airfield in the border state of Arunachal Pradesh was reactivated today, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said beefing up infrastructure in the North-East is not to “counter” the Chinese, reports PTI.

Browne also said the Vijaynagar airfield, located at the country’s easternmost tip at the tri-junction of India, China and Myanmar, is too short to operate fighter aircraft.

The Air Chief said in addition to AN-32 cargo planes, which will be in operation now, there will be C130 transport flights in due course from the airfield.

The airfield is “too small for fighter aircraft,” Browne told reporters in Bangalore.

It was reactivated today in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh Governor General (retd) JJ Singh.

Asked whether the infrastructure plans in the North-East were to “counter” the Chinese, Browne said: “It’s not to counter anybody. All that we are doing is to provide tremendous amount of accessibility to the North-East region”.

He pointed out that the region had not developed because of inability to transport people and provide access to certain hinterland areas. The increased accessibility would lead to all-round development of the North-East, he said.

“And while we (IAF) are there, we will also support the Army”, he added.

The use of Vijaynagar airfield was discontinued in 2009 for carrying out repairs there.

The airfield is used for air maintenance and will help in mobilising troops and equipment at a faster pace as and when required.

This is the first Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in the North-East to be upgraded in what is seen as India’s efforts to match Chinese military infrastructure development activities.

ALGs in Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting and Ziro as well as several helipads in Arunachal are also being upgraded.

IAF has so far activated its ALGs in Ladakh including Nyoma, Daulat Beg Oldi and Fukche and is planning to convert Nyoma in to a full-fledged air base.

AFSPA debate: Disarming the state

2011-11-17T21:10:00.001-08:00

Maj Gen Dr G D Bakshi

NEW DELHI: The AFSPA debate in this country has recently been ramped up by many decibels.

There appears to be a concerted campaign on the part of some foreign-funded NGOs to demonize the Army and delegitimize its Counter Insurgency (CI) and Counter Terrorist (CT) operations.

It must be remembered that the Army is the instrument of last resort of the state and it has successfully tamed insurgencies in the northeast and vicious terrorist movements in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. It is brought in only once the local police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have failed to control the situation. Its operations have to be within a legal framework, which sets the rules of engagement, and also provides basic protection from prosecution (as available to the police under Section 45 and 197 of the CrPC) for personnel acting in good faith. This is precisely what the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) does and hence is a critical enabling legislation. It was enacted in September 1958 and has stood the test of time in its operations over the last six decades.

There is a concerted campaign that seeks to label this act as draconian. In reality, it contains the bare minimal powers essential to deal with highly militarized and well-armed terrorists and insurgent groups, with extensive foreign support and sanctuaries. The scale of militarization of the current internal conflicts is not generally understood. In J&K alone, the Indian Army has since 1990, recovered over 80,000 AK series rifles; over 1,300 machine guns; over 2,000 rocket launchers; some 63,000 hand grenades and 7 million rounds of ammunition.

This is no peaceful civil protest - it has turned J&K into a virtual war zone. Few people are aware that since 1990, the Indian Army has lost 5,108 officers, JCOs and jawans fighting Pakistan's proxy war. The Army conducted concerted operations and eliminated over 20,000 terrorists, a large proportion of whom were foreign terrorists. The constitutional validity of this act was challenged in the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights versus Union of India (UOI) case. A five-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court of India upheld the validity of the act.

In fact, having considered the real circumstances under which the armed forces have to act, the honourable court extended the scope of the powers vested under Section 4 and 6 of the AFSPA and added the power to interrogate a person arrested and retain the weapons seized. The Supreme Court, thus, did not find the powers excessive but short of what was really needed. The SC is the most respected institution in this country and has upheld the need and validity of this law. Far from being draconian, AFSPA is the bare minimum warranted in view of threats faced by the security forces.

The Supreme Court's appraisal was realistic and took note of the ground realities. It is a great pity that some foreign-funded NGOs have brazenly put themselves above the Supreme Court of the land; in demonizing the Army, they are also trying to discredit this magnificent institution in which the nation reposes so much faith.

There is a concerted campaign to question the validity of this act and thereby delegitimize the operations of the Army. The Indian scene cannot be seen in isolation from the rest of the world.

After 9/11, the US and its allies have waged a war against terror. There are 13 International Counter Terrorism Conventions in force, ranging from hijacking, piracy and intelligence sharing. The UN Security Council resolutions have called for legislative reforms by countries to combat terror. These are resolutions that are binding on member states.

In response, democratic countries like the USA, UK and European Union states have enacted stringent anti-terror laws to include preventive detention, control orders and warrantless searches. After 9/11, these laws were made even more stringent and included provisions to track funds and tap phones. The US Patriot Law is far more stringent than the AFSPA. The result is for all to see, after 9/11, there has not been a second terrorist attack on the soil of continental USA. Unfortunately, in India, it has now become commonplace for 2-3000 citizens to perish each year at the hands of the terrorists and Maoist insurgents.

Very surprisingly, the liberal lobby in India has taken the very opposite approach. While there is an outcry about the human rights of the terrorists, the liberal lobby demonstrates a blase attitude towards the lives of their innocent victims. Kasab and Afzal Guru are the causes celebre of this bleeding-heart lobby.

This lobby even exerts pressure on the government to scrap the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). The only act now remaining in the state's armoury is the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967 (which needs to be greatly strengthened).

Having got rid of TADA and POTA, the foreign-funded NGOs have set their sights on the AFSPA. There is a concerted assault upon the state's will to use legitimate force to protect its citizens from violent armed groups whose lethality is increasing by the day, in terms of the support they get from state actors like Pakistan and China.

World over, the approach of nations in tackling terrorism and insurgency is akin to the one followed by our own government. To that extent, it was incorrect on the part of Omar Abdullah (CM of J&K) to ignore the written advice of his military commanders. The entire Pakistani terror infrastructure is intact and thriving. There are some 2,000-2,500 terrorists in training camps. Some 700-850 are on the launching pads and hold camps near the Line of Control (LoC). Around 230 terrorists made 35 attempts to infiltrate this year. Nearly 50 terrorists have been killed in 2010 so far, 19 in the last two months alone.

The situation is clearly not conducive to premature declaration of victory and we need to guard against any sudden deterioration.

The Americans are withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2014. In 1989, once the Soviets left Afghanistan, a massive number of out-of-job HUA (Harkat-ul-Ansar) and HUJI (Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami) terrorists had been diverted to J&K and all terrorist training camps had shifted from PoK to the AfPak border region. Will history repeat itself after 2014? It is highly premature to lower our guard.

Partial removal of AFSPA from selected districts only creates sanctuaries, which the terrorists exploit to the hilt to rest, regroup and strike again. The CM has stated that the Army has not operated in Srinagar and Budgam for over three years. This is incorrect. Each morning the Army and eight companies of the CRPF sanitize the strategic road through the city for our logistic convoys to Kargil and Ladakh for the critical winter-stocking tasks.

Not only the road, an area of nearly 3 sq km on either side has to be sanitized. The airfield in Srinagar is a critical target and a 2km cone on either end has to be sanitized to ensure that no SAMs or RPGs are fired at the aircraft.

Srinagar is the pivot of all political activity in J&K. All the terrorist command-and-control and financial (hawala) networks operate from here. Most intelligence, even about LoC crossings, is gathered in these urban centres. Premature removal of the act from these areas would be highly counterproductive. Once removed, AFSPA cannot, in practice, be reimposed in a hurry.

In a quiet summer, the state government should have consolidated its position on governance and delivery front. Unfortunately, the hunt for populist gimmicks has prompted the beleaguered state politicians to target the Army in a most irresponsible manner. They have tried to manufacture causes for the separatists to exploit. It is a tribute to the tenacity of our Army that terrorism has been so drastically curtailed in J&K. We have won all the battles on the ground. We should not lose the war by self-inflicted goals and premature declarations of complete victory.

India re-activating air strip in Arunachal Pradesh

2011-11-17T05:34:00.001-08:00

NEW DELHI: Wary of China's military infrastructure and capabilities build up in Tibet, India will Friday "fully re-activate" an advanced landing ground (ALG) at Vijayanagar in Arunachal Pradesh.

The third such base in the border state after Tuting and Mechuka, it will facilitate operations of Indian Air Force (IAF) fixed wing aircraft like the Soviet-era AN-32s, officers said here Thursday.

The "upgraded" Vijayanagar ALG is located at the tri-junction of India, China and Myanmar in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It will help India in quick mobilisation of troops and equipment to the borders during crisis situations.

"An IAF AN-32 carrying Arunachal Governor Gen. (retd.) J.J. Singh and Eastern Air Commander (chief) Air Marshal S. Varthaman will land at the ALG Friday to mark its reactivation," an officer said.

"The runway and other facilities have been upgraded to ensure operation of more types of IAF aircraft from there," the officer said.

The Vijayanagar ALG will be the fourth such facility India has created along its border with China in the last three years.

India had earlier opened Daulat Beg Oldi, Fukche and Nyoma ALGs in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir on its Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the norther areas.

Vijayanagar will be the first such facility that IAF opens in the eastern sector along the LAC with China in recent years.

IAF also has plans to upgrade other eastern sector ALGs such as Pasighat, Walong and Ziro as well as several helipads in Arunachal Pradesh soon.

These efforts are part of India's military infrastructure build up to match up such efforts by China.

India has raised two new mountain divisions in the northeast and stationed them in Nagaland and Assam.

It has also based its frontline fighter planes, the Su-30-MKI, in Tezpur and plans to have another squadron of the aircraft in another air base in Assam soon.

Two new Akash missile squadrons too have been approved for the northeast in recent months.

North East Crafts Fair inaugurated

2011-11-17T01:33:00.001-08:00

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The North East Crafts Fair 2011 was inaugurated by Mayor K Chandrika at the Arjuna Foyer, Chandrasekharan Nair stadium, here on Wednesday.

The exhibition is organised by the North-Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited sponsored by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) Union Ministry of Textiles.� The exhibition, display and sale of exquisite crafts from North-Eastern states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim are on at the stadium. Ethnic handicrafts and handlooms from these states are the highlight of the exhibition.� “Through the exhibition we intend to find market for the handicrafts and create awareness among people,” said C George Varghese, deputy director in the Union Ministry of Textiles, at a press meet here.

A wide variety of handicrafts are awaiting the visitors at the exhibition. Cane furniture, cane and bamboo basketry, cane sofa sets, cane woven and knitted items, wood and bamboo carvings, hand- knitted woollen carpets, materials on jute, Assam, Manipur silk and cotton sarees, chunnies and bed spreads are on display. The festival also provides a stage for the live demonstration of craft making by skilled and award winning craftsmen of India. The exhibition will conclude on November 30 and is open to public from 10 am to 9 pm .

Arunachal CM expands Ministry

2011-11-16T22:10:00.001-08:00

ITANAGAR, Nov 17 – Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today expanded his 15-day old Ministry by inducting 11 Ministers including four new faces.

Governor J J Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-inducted Ministers at a simple ceremony held in the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan here.

The four new faces are Deputy Speaker Tapang Taloh, Kamlung Mosang, Rajesh Tacho and Jarkar Gamlin, brother of Jarbom Gamlin whom Tuki replaced.

Six others – Setong Sena, Atum Welly, Tanga Byaling, Bosiram Siram, Chowna Mein and Pema Khandu – who were in the Ministry of Gamlin were also inducted.

The 11th minister was Newlai Ting Khatra who had served as Minister in Gegong Apang, Mukut Mithi and Dorjee Khandu Ministries.

Stating that the new portfolios would be distributed in a day or two, Tuki told the media persons that Ministers would work in team spirit, visit villages along with MLAs to bring a visible difference in the process of development.

AICC general secretary Dhoniram Sandil who arrived here from Delhi to attend the function, said despite “little setback”, the Congress Government would prove its worth soon.

Tuki took oath on November 1 after months long dissident activities led by him against Gamlin.

Tripura seeks fiscal package of Rs.14,600 crore

2011-11-15T21:26:00.001-08:00

Agartala - Stricken with severe fiscal crisis, the Left Front government in Tripura has sought a Rs.14,600 crore ($2.8 billion) financial package from the central government to tide over the crisis, an official said here Tuesday.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar accompanied by state Finance Minister Badal Choudhury met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi Monday and submitted the demand.

"The central government recently decided to provide huge financial support to the West Bengal, Assam and Mizoram governments, but it is yet to even react to the Tripura government's demand for an additional financial package," the official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

"Sarkar had written a letter to the prime minister and also union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee for fiscal aid to overcome the unprecedented financial crisis facing the state in view of the erroneous recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission (TFC)," the official added.

According to the official, in view of the serious economic crisis, developmental works, new recruitments in government departments and outstanding payments to 212,500 government employees and pension holders are likely to be affected.

Tripura sought around Rs.27,000 crore but the TFC had recommended the sanctioning of about Rs.16,350 crore in 2009. Its report was accepted by the centre last year.

Choudhury, also a member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) central committee, had asked: "If the central government considers support and grants financial assistance on political outlook, how would the federal structure of India's governance be strengthened?"

Referring to the central government's decision to give financial packages to the Trinamool Congress-led government in West Bengal and Congress-ruled Assam and Mizoram governments, the state finance minister had said: "The centre should also respond to our demand positively."

The opposition Congress in the state blames the financial crisis in Tripura on the "financial mismanagement of the Left Front government".

Congress with an eye to the state assembly elections in early 2013 has demanded an emergency audit of the Tripura government's accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath said the Left Front government had been undemocratically challenging parliament and a constitutional body like the finance commission.

"Like in West Bengal, the Left Front government in Tripura before the assembly polls in 2013 has been trying to exhaust the state's financial exchequer," the Congress leader alleged.

Six Myanmarese held in Tripura, sent to jail

2011-11-07T20:36:00.001-08:00

Agartala: Six Myanmar nationals arrested for illegally entering Tripura from Bangladesh were Monday sent to jail for 14 days, police here said.

There were three women among those arrested, all between the ages of 55 and 60. They told police after their arrest in western Tripura Sunday night that they had crossed over in search of jobs and to see the Buddhist sites in northeast India.

"Acting on intelligence information, Tripura police arrested the Myanmarese from a motorstand in western Tripura Sunday night. On Monday, the detainees were presented before a local court, which sent them to 14 days' jail custody," a police official told reporters.

After the 14 days in jail, they would be pushed back to Bangladesh.

"In search of jobs and to visit the Buddhist sites, they illegally crossed over to western Tripura through the unfenced Sonamura border from Bangladesh and attempted to leave for elsewhere in India via Guwahati," the official said, quoting those arrested.

They told police officials that authorities in Myanmar were indifferent to the plight of the people living in the hilly areas bordering India and Bangladesh. "Intermittently, the Myanmarese Army have committed atrocities on a section of nationals, especially Rohingya Muslim communities," the official said after speaking to the Myanmarese nationals.

Alleging starvation and torture, they said they had fled from Myanmar to northeastern Bangladesh and then come to India. They were not allowed to travel from one place to another within the country without permission from the army and could not even get married without a nod from authorities.

Over 50,000 Myanmarese have been living in different parts of neighbouring Mizoram, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.

A Mizoram home department official said: "With the approval of the union home ministry, the state government has given temporary stay permits to these Myanmarese, who work in jewellery shops, vehicular service centres, shops, restaurants and cloth factories and at construction sites."

Since the mid-1990s, over 225,000 Myanmar nationals have been sheltering in the Teknaf region in Cox's Bazar district of southeastern Bangladesh.

India's four northeastern states of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh share a 1,643 km unfenced border with Myanmar.

Court orders Rs.10 lakh relief for raped minor girl

2011-11-06T20:58:00.003-08:00

The Gauhati High Court has asked the central government to pay Rs.10 lakh compensation to a minor girl whose school principal raped her in 1998 in Tripura. The girl, then a class 8 student, delivered a baby in hostel the next year, an official said Sunday.
"The high court in a judgment Friday asked the human resource development ministry to pay a compensation of Rs.10 lakh to the sufferer," an official of the Tripura women's commission told reporters here.
Convict Harishankar Tiwary, former principal of central government-run Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Kakraban in southern Tripura, is now serving life term in a Tripura jail.
The victim was the classmate of the convict's daughter, the official said.
"The family of the victim and the Tripura women's commission had filed a joint writ petition before the high court seeking compensation of Rs.50 lakh for the girl," said the official.
The high court in June 2005 upheld the life sentence awarded to Tiwary by the district and sessions court of South Tripura.
"The court has also asked the human resource development ministry to constitute an expert committee to supervise the functioning of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country," the official added.

Tripura govt opposes Food Security Bill

2011-11-06T20:58:00.001-08:00

Agartala, Nov 7 (PTI) The Left Front government in Tripura today opposed the draft food security bill claiming it denied food security to a large number of people. "Since a large number of people will be denied food security in the draft bill, the state government feels that there should be universal coverage of Public Distribution System (PDS) and all people in the state covered," state Food Minister Manik Dey told reporters. In its present format, the Bill covers up to 75 per cent of the total population with 46 per cent belonging to priority households in rural areas and up to 50 per cent of the total population with 28 per cent belonging to priority households in urban areas, the minister said. He said as per provision under Section 14, the central government would prescribe guidelines for identification of priority households and general households including criteria for the purpose of the entitlement. "The state government feels that identification of priority group should be made by the state government and the national criteria by the union government", he said. Dey said there was provision for formation of State Food Security Commission, but the state government was of the opinion that this could be done by the state government itself.

Will take a relook at hydro projects: New Arunachal CM

2011-11-06T20:41:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, Nov 7 : Controversial hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh will be examined on a case-to-case basis, newly appointed CM of Arunachal Pradesh Nabam Tuki told HT in an exclusive chat. "While I don't want to negate whatever policy the previous governments have taken, we will systematically
examine on a case-to-case basis all the projects wherever there is public opposition," he said.

Stressing on a policy based on sustainable development, Tuki said: "The opinion of the people will be taken at every step. We cannot allow such things (people's disenchantment) to happen."

About 168 mega dams in major rivers and tributaries of the state are being planned, some in various stages of construction, to install a

planned capacity of about 68,000 MW. About 124 MoUs have already been signed between the state and various private power companies and PSUs.

This is going on even as a powerful movement is slowly building up in Arunachal and in downstream Assam on grounds of environmental, tectonic and socio-economic concerns. Besides, trampling upon indigenous and traditional rights of local tribal communities is another cause for worry.

On whether he will sign more MoUs for such dams, Tuki said: "More MoUs will be considered on the basis of feasibility, sustainability and requirement."

The CM also emphasised that he will take firm steps to ensure that the guidelines framed in the MoUs are adhered to by private entities.

Developing transport and infrastructure will also be accorded priority, besides building connectivity with China, Myanmar and Bhutan.

Tripura not to allow tea gardens to go for rubber

2011-11-05T21:59:00.000-07:00

AGARTALA, Nov 6 – Tripura Government on Friday made it clear that it would not allow tea garden owners to go for rubber cultivation in the tea estates citing economic viability.

As per the government norms, at least 70 per cent tea estate land should be covered with tea and rest 30 per cent may be used for other purpose like cultivating cash crops.

Tripura has 55 tea estates spreading over 14,000 acres of land. However, a section of tea growers have started raising rubber trees within the tea estate on the ground that tea is no longer a viable business.

Alarmed by the trend, Industries and Commerce Minister had meetings with tea planters to make them understand the government stand on tea estates.

During a survey, it was found that about 70 per cent land earmarked for tea cultivation is virtually left barren. “The government wants tea planters to act as per the guideline and not to go for rubber plantation”, said the Industries Minister here.

Talking to reporters at Civil Secretariat, Chowdhury said that sizable area of tea cultivation allotted land remained as barren year after year. “The government will not tolerate this kind of act on the part of tea planters. The government may acquire the ‘barren’ land if tea planters fail to utilise the land as per the norms”, he said.

Chowdhury further said, tea planters have been trying to clarify their stand saying shortage of labourers emerged as major problem after introduction of NREGA.

NE nation’s power store house: Venugopal

2011-11-05T21:58:00.001-07:00

SHILLONG, Nov 6 – Terming the Northeastern region’s 58,000 MW of unexplored power potential as the nation’s power store house, Union Minister of State for Power K C Venugopal today said, if this untapped potential is explored it can transform the socio-economic conditions of the people besides contributing to the development of the nation.

Venugopal, who was in Shillong on Saturday to attend a conference organised by North East Power News dwelt on the hydel, thermal and gas deposits in the seven sister States that is about 40 per cent of the untapped hydro potential of the country.

The Union Minister stated, “Development of hydro potentials in the region will help in achieving a better fuel mix”, while commenting on the challenges related to coal and gas shortage which the country is facing.

Pointing at the rich coal and gas reserves in Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura, Venugopal said, “If we could effectively tap these resources, this region will be the power house of India”.

However, in course of his speech, the Union Minister referred to the daunting task in executing the hydro projects due to geological surprises, forest clearance, land acquisition and others, but he was hopeful that the Government of India will be able to deal with such hindrances through discussions with Chief Ministers and Power Ministers of the North East region.

“Oppurtunities always come with challenges and only a committed, systematic approach and persistence can help us identifying and avail the oppurtunities”, stated Venugopal.

PTI adds: Venugopal said that the per capita consumption of power in the country was the lowest when compared to other countries.

Addressing the conference on opportunities in power sector here, Venugopal said the Centre proposed to improve the per capita consumption of power above 1,000 units.

Venugopral said that since more than 75 per cent of power is generated from coal and gas based stations, the development of hydro potential would be very important.

The region is rich in power potential, but the execution of hydro project has always been a difficult task, he said.

This is due to the geological surprises which is one of the major challenges faced by many of the hydro projects, especially in the Himalayan region.

Neepco asked to stem erosion of machines

2011-11-05T01:34:00.001-07:00

Shillong, Nov 5 : The Centre today directed the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (Neepco) to take up with the Meghalaya government plausible ways to stem the erosion of the corporation’s machines because of the acidic water flowing from coal mines into the Kopili river.

The Kopili flows through Umrangsu in the Dima Hasao district of Assam bordering Jaintia Hills. The Kopili hydro-electric project was the maiden venture of Neepco when it came into existence in 1976. The project generates around 275MW of power.

Unscientific mining in Jaintia Hills district has not only affected aquatic life but has also eroded Neepco’s machines. The acidic water from the mines has corroded the machines that are used for power generation from the Kopili river.

The directive came from Union minister of state for power K.C. Venugopal who was here along with the parliamentary consultative committee for the power ministry to review the power scenario in the Northeast.

“We have directed Neepco to get in touch with the Meghalaya government to explore ways and means as to how the acidic water flowing from the mines should not hamper the machines installed in the Kopili river for power generation,” Venugopal told reporters after a two-hour meeting.

The unscientific rat-hole mining in Jaintia Hills has degraded the surrounding greenery, besides polluting rivers and other water bodies.

Asked about the projects undertaken by Neepco in Meghalaya, Venugopal said the corporation, with its headquarters in Shillong, has three projects — Mawphu hydroelectric project (stages I & II) and a thermal project in East Garo Hills.

“As water is a state subject, the Centre is willing to provide support to state governments who approach for assistance in the development of power projects,” Venugopal said. The statement assumes significance especially when Neepco, a public sector undertaking under the power ministry, recently bagged power projects in Meghalaya, even after 35 years of its existence in Shillong.

Joint secretary in the ministry Sudhir Kumar sought to remove apprehensions on the several dam projects coming up in Arunachal Pradesh.

“There have been several misconceptions about the projects, but most of the dams will be small in nature, which will store water for only 24 to 48 hours,” he claimed.

In the meeting, the participants reviewed the work undertaken by Neepco and the Union minister stressed on the need to provide further boost to the power sector in the region.

“The region is bestowed with immense and untapped hydro potential, the development of which will help in achieving a better fuel mix in the country. This is very relevant considering the recent problems faced in power generation due to fuel shortage,” the Union minister said.

Venugopal added that other than hydro, the region is also rich in coal and gas reserves.

He said Meghalaya has good coal reserves, while Tripura and Assam are blessed with natural gas reserves, which are a cleaner fuel. He further stressed that in the coming years the region can become the “power house of India” and can transform the socio-economic conditions of its people thus contributing immensely to the development of the nation.

Arunachal CM to give transport infra main priority

2011-11-05T01:00:00.001-07:00

New Delhi: New Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Friday said developing transport infrastructure like road, railways and aerial network would be his top most priority, besides ensuring economic prosperity for the state bordering China.

Tuki, who was sworn in as new Chief Minister of the state on Tuesday, said he will also accord priority to strengthening telecommunication infrastructure and speedy completion of hydel power projects in the state.

"Enhancing transport infrastructure will be my top most priority along with ensuring overall economic prosperity of the people of the state," he said here after being felicitated by North East Youth Forum.

Asked about China's often repeated claim over Arunachal Pradesh, Tuki said "the state is an integral part of India and all its people are proud Indians. The question of such claim does not arise at all."

Queried about Chinese company TBEA distributing map of India minus some parts of Kashmir and Arunachal here at a function yesterday, Tuki refused to comment saying he does not have the details "officially".

Tuki, the first chief minister from the Nyishi community, had led dissent against his predecessor Jarbom Gamlin forcing the latter to resign. Tuki was chosen as Gamlin's successor by the Congress high command.

He said maintaining peace and communal harmony among all tribes would also be his area of focus as "development cannot take place without peace."

The Chief Minister said he will finalise his council of Ministers after holding talks with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. "I will also discuss about certain infrastructure projects with her."

Gamlin, who was sworn in as chief minister on May five after the death of former CM Dorjee Khandu, had resigned following majority of Congress legislators led by Tuki dissented against him.

He said certain construction work at some hydel power projects have been affected due to opposition from certain groups in Assam which have been opposing for environmental reasons.

"I would appeal to them not to oppose the projects," he said.

As per estimate Arunachal Pradesh has the potential to generate 55,908 MW of power from hydel power projects. The government has allotted hydro power projects with a capacity of 19,712 MW to various Central organisations and private power developers.

Asked whether he would bring a Lokayukta Bill on the model of the one brought by the Uttarakhand government, Tuki said all states will have to set up Lokayuktas as per provision of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Assam, Arunachal discussion on cards

2011-11-03T21:43:00.001-07:00

ITANAGAR: The chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam would soon seek special packages from the Centre for infrastructure development in the two states.

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who called his Arunachal counterpart Nabam Tuki on Wednesday, agreed to meet the latter soon to discuss various issue confronting both the states, including the decades old boundary dispute, a source said here on Thursday.

Tuki discussed inter-state welfare issues during the telephone conversation and drew Gogoi's attention towards the lack of basic infrastructure in both states. Tuki pointed that such meetings would foster harmony between the two states, the source added.

In the afternoon, Tuki he made a survey of the CM's official bungalow and later attended a party meeting at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan. While talking to Congress workers, he said he worked with dedication for the party right from hi student life. He told party workers that the AICC is yet to accept his resignation as party chief and that he would be holding the post till a new incumbent is appointed.

In the evening, a one-point resolution was adopted in the first CLP meeting held after Tuki assumed office as its leader. The CLP members present at the meet unanimously endorsed the decision of AICC president and also expressed full faith and unstinted support to Sonia Gandhi and Nabam Tuki.

Apart from the support and cooperation for all-round development of the state, they affirmed to strengthen Congress at the grassroots level across the state.

Orang Wildlife Park Beset By Negligence

2011-11-03T02:16:00.001-07:00

Guwahati: The famous Orang wildlife sanctuary in lower Assam is facing an uncertain future because of official apathy. There are no adequate forest staff to man the sanctuary which is a natural habitat for the endangered one-horned rhinos. Popularly known as the Rajiv Gandhi national park, the sanctuary, situated on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, also hosts some other rare animals. Recently, at least 25 home guards, who had taken leave during Durga Puja, refused to join duty complaining that they had not been paid their regular wages, sources in the wildlife park said. The park has a total forest guard strength of 200, including 68 home guards. The picturesque park, only a couple of hours' drive from Guwahati, stands in sharp contrast to the Kaziranga National Park, Pabitora game sanctuary and Manas tiger reserve which have attracted funds and attention from the state government. Similarly, 49 casual staff, who work in 40 different anti-poaching camps, were not paid monthly wages for the last five months.

The blockade in our minds

2011-11-02T01:46:00.001-07:00

In any other part of India, a 92-day economic blockade would have created a firestorm big enough to singe the central government, leave alone the state government in question. But Manipur is an exception because it has long ceased to be a 'normal' state. Its resilient people have weathered many
ethnic clashes, demands made by underground groups and crippling economic blockades. The latest economic blockade, which was called off partially on Tuesday, lasted for three months and two days. This time, the issue was the demand of the Kuki tribes, who dominate the Sadar Hills, for the bifurcation of the Naga tribes-dominated Senapati district. The Kuki groups have called off the strike after the state government's assurance to the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee that their demand will be met. But the Naga body - United Naga Council - which wants to be included in the talks is yet to make any announcement. So at best, the peace deal is a tenuous one. The demand for a separate Kuki district is not new - it's nearly 20 years old. So why didn't the state government anticipate this problem and try to avert it? Your guess is as good as ours. To press for their demands, the two groups closed down the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar highways. With two lifelines blocked, prices of essential items skyrocketed. A sample: tomatoes were being sold at Rs 80 per kg while petrol was Rs 180-200 per litre and an LPG cylinder anywhere between Rs 1,500-2,000.

Such closures have been the usual modus operandi of different protesting groups for a while. The last major highway blockade was for 60 days from April 2010. The blockade was triggered by the opposition to the NSCN(I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah's proposed visit to his ancestral village in Ukhrul district of Manipur. So why isn't the Indian Army deployed to keep the highways open so that trucks bearing goods can pass without fear? That is possibly because a non-performing government, like the one at present in Manipur, would not want such problems like these to end, lest the focus shift to its lack of governance. But politicians, unlike common people, usually see the glass half full. The Union home minister said that the government has ensured the safe passage of 1,100 supply trucks. He added that the "supplies are okay" but the problem is of "high prices". Could someone please tell the minister that prices remained high simply because there was a supply-demand mismatch.

Manipur has been oscillating between ethic issues and militancy for far too long. The Congress must ask the present chief minister Ibobi Singh, who has been in power since 2002, to answer for the serious lapses that happen so often. The Opposition has demanded President's Rule in the state. Though that should the last resort, the idea might gain a lot of support given the dire straits that Manipur is in.

BSF ready to guard Indo-Myanmar border: DG

2011-11-01T00:32:00.001-07:00

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is considering a proposal to entrust the border guarding duty along the Indo-Myanmar border to the Border Security Force (BSF). Presently, the 1,640 km Indo-Myanmar border is being guarded by Assam Rifles.

The proposed move to guard the Indo-Myanmar follows a proposal from the BSF to take over the role by raising 45 new battalions, one headquarter of additional director general, four frontier headquarters to be headed by an IG rank official 12 sector headquarter to be headed by DIG level officials.

“I was asked by the Home Ministry whether BSF would like to take it over or not. We said we would like to take it since it is very close to Bangladesh border. We were asked (to give) a proposal which has been sent,” outgoing BSF Director General Raman Srivastava told reporters here on Monday.

Srivastava said, “The proposal is under consideration. It has been sent to the CCS. We have not yet got any decision as to (whether) Indo-Myanmar border will be with Assam Rifles or will be given to us. I am confident that BSF should get it.” He, however, said there was no time limit for taking a decision on the issue.

BSF guards India-Bangladesh and India-Pakistan borders besides being involved in anti-Naxal operations in the country.

On a question about the presence of Indian insurgent groups in Bangladesh and incursions attempts being made along Indo-Bangla border, Srivastava said the Government there was “actively cooperating” in tackling the matter.

“There are a number of Indian insurgent groups which are having hideouts in Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs is in touch with Bangladesh and Bangladesh Border Guards (BBG). Bangladesh Government has made it very difficult for these Indian insurgents groups to continue to operate from there.

“Raids are being conducted by them day-in and day-out. Bangladesh is actively cooperating to trace and dislodge them from the camps,” he said.

Srivastava said that the BSF and the Indian Government share cordial relationship with their counterparts BBG and Bangladesh Government respectively. “I don’t think infiltration is a major issue on that border. It is well under control,” he said.

The DG declined to comment when asked about the controversy over the issue of removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some areas in Jammu and Kashmir.

UK Bansal, Secretary (Internal Security) in the Union Home Ministry, will take over the charge of the border guarding force on Tuesday.

Pledge to work for development of North-Eastern region

2011-10-31T01:02:00.001-07:00

The North East India image managers (NEIim) held an assembly for hope and peace at Jantar Mantar here on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the serial blasts in Assam in 2008.

People lit candles and diyas praying for hope and world peace and took a pledge to work for development of the North-Eastern region. They also signed on a wall paper demanding swift justice by bringing the culprits to book. The assembly was attended by a large number of people from the region based in the Capital.

On this day in 2008, Guwahati and many other parts of Assam were torn apart by serial blasts and a large number of innocent lives were lost. It was one of the most gruesome attacks on the innocent people of North East India.

Gathering on the solemn occasion, participants denounced all forms of terrorism and violence. They underlined the importance of freedom and peace and pledged to work towards achieving them.

While disputes and issues are natural, the means to address them are keys towards their very solution, they said, adding that no one gains ground when someone resorts to violence and terrorism.

Tripura demands amendment of no detention in RTE

2011-10-21T03:22:00.001-07:00

The Tripura government has demanded modification of section 16 of Right to Education (RTE), described as no detention at elementary-level, while asking Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to extend a reasonable time for implementation of the Act. Attending the meeting of National Advisory Council (NAC) on October 19 at New Delhi, State Education Minster Tapan Chakraborty had expressed fear in implementation of the provisions and said it might lead to less attention in the class regularly from both teachers and students. Prepare for lessons prescribed at different levels and finally appearing in test have become a convention, but suddenly replacement of the practice by comprehensive and continuous evaluation (CCE) might not be effective because of inadequate infrastructure in the northeastern states, Mr Chakraborty pointed out. He however, suggested more over; the practical experience in small states likes Tripura revealed that training, orientation and motivation to the teachers for this exercise should take some more time because compliance of CCE would require at least 45 hours class in a week, engagement of sufficient trained teachers to reduce teachers pupil ratio and good infrastructure, which were absent in most of the states. The state minister asked to consider suitable modification in no detention provision or offer some relaxation for a reasonable time so that most irregular children or not suitable for graduating from elementary level could be taught separately. He also stated that northeastern states had been suffering due to lack of teachers at training institutes and for instance, Tripura was having five training centres, including IGNOU, where only 775 teachers impart training from six months, but RTE clearly mandates for two years of rigorous training for each of the teachers. We have 21,000 teachers at elementary-level and how we accommodate them for training and during training period how shall we run those schools, he remarked. Referring to the infrastructure inadequacy, he pointed out, There are 4,635 recognised schools in Tripura of which elementary classes were attached to about 800 high and higher secondary schools and to meet the RTE standard we had to create separate infrastructure for them, which would require huge fund flow, land and time.

Draft paper focuses on NE issue

2011-10-20T21:34:00.001-07:00

NEW DELHI, Oct 21 – While acknowledging the region’s slow pace of economic growth, the draft approach paper of the Twelfth Five Year Plan has highlighted the need for new and innovative solutions for resolution of complex and sensitive issues of the region.

The National Development Council (NDC), under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, is meeting on October 21 to deliberate on the draft 12th Five Year Plan titled ‘Faster, Sustainable and more Inclusive Growth’. The Chief Ministers of all NE States are scheduled to attend the crucial meeting.

The Draft Approach Paper talks about exploitation of hydro power, a regional growth strategy, besides expansion of road, inland waterway, railway and air connectivity. The draft says that the NE region has special challenges, which need new and innovative solutions.

Development of infrastructure, better connectivity, improved access to trade with the rest of the country and ‘Look East’ window to Bangladesh and South East Asia will yield rich results, the draft paper has said.

The low levels of private investments in the region are due to the perception of limited opportunity and difficult logistics and access. These are complex and sensitive issues for which imaginative solutions must be found during the Twelfth Plan, the draft paper said.

There is good potential for development of hydro power in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and other States of the region. A regional growth strategy needs to be developed for this purpose. Evacuation of power from hydro plants which are being completed at different times would pose many challenges pertaining to environmental and peoples’ concerns, which need sensitive handling, the Planning Commission drafted paper said.

Development of road infrastructure is critical for faster completion of many of these power projects because movement of heavy equipment to remote areas is not possible without an effective road linkage. Another important area is upgrading and expansion of the transmission grid in the region, so that it can both receive and transfer power to the rest of the country.

The ‘Look East Policy’ should lead logically to special efforts at developing road connectivity to Thailand, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Such initiatives are imperative for developing border trade and economic activity in the region.

“There is need to develop policies, which strengthen our mutual dependence with the neighbouring economies, particularly, Bangladesh. As we expand our power potential in the North-east, we can transfer surplus power to Bangladesh,” the paper said.

NE records 33 per cent deficiency in food grains

2011-10-19T21:20:00.002-07:00

Despite high yielding of food grains, Northeastern states have recorded about 33 per cent deficiency in production, ICAR Director, Northeast Region, Dr S V Ngachan today said. Addressing the fifth annual review meeting of the integrated agro-met advisory service, Dr Ngachan said even though Tripura had recorded highest ever rice production in 2010-11, there was still a deficiency of 23 per cent in supply chain. Ngachan however, stated that ICAR, Tripura Centre, had started Agro-met Advisory Service (AAS) in 1996 with an aim to minimise the impact of adverse weather on agriculture, fisheries and animal health and to make use of crop-weather relationship to boost production. To ensure the efficiency in the service among the farmers, Tripura ICAR has introduced the dissemination of bulletin through SMS in the state, which has emerged to be an effective tool, Dr Ngachan said, adding that 1000 farmers had been registered for the SMS and more than 3.5 lakh would be receiving the service soon. Meanwhile, highlighting the future plan Dr K K Singh, scientist, IMD Pune pointed out that ICAR had already become the nodal agency along with IMD to integrate the information on water, energy, bio-diversity and rural livelihood among Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India to draw the road map in the wake of climate change. To enhance the weather forecasting among BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), IMD has launch information sharing network on weather data for combating climate change and mitigation, Dr Singh added.

NSD to set up centre in Agartala

2011-10-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

Agartala, Oct 20 : India’s premier theatre school, the National School of Drama (NSD), will set up a centre here for actors and performers of the northeast, an official said Wednesday.

‘To boost traditional as well as contemporary drama, the proposed NSD centre would help young performers, artists and actors of the northeast,’ NSD director Anuradha Kapur told reporters here.

The New Delhi-based NSD had earlier set up a centre in Karnataka.

She said the NSD would organise a workshop later this year in Agartala for the tribal performers, artistes and actors of the region.

Kapur came here earlier this week and met Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Anil Sarkar and senior officials to finalise the modalities for the proposed centre.

Agartala to emerge as 2nd IT hub in NE

2011-10-19T21:19:00.001-07:00

Agartala: The state capital is going to emerge as second IT hub after Guwahati in the North-East with the sanctioning of Rs 37 crore by the Centre for construction of its building, official sources said on Wednesday.

"The central government has recently sanctioned Rs 37 crore for construction of the building for setting up the IT hub", Chairman of Tripura Industrial Development Corporation Ltd, Pabitra Kar said today.

"Many IT companies like Wipro and IBM have already expressed their interests in setting up IT centers. Construction of the building will star from next month and it will be completed within two and half years," Kar said.

North-east a goldmine for international trade

2011-10-18T23:19:00.001-07:00

Shillong, Oct 19 (PTI) Minister for Development of NorthEastern Region (DoNER) Paban Singh Ghatowar today describedthe area as a goldmine of opportunities for internationaltrade. "The various trade engagements and agreements likeIndia-ASEAN, FTA and BIMSTEC will definitely play a major rolein attracting investment from the neighbouring countries tothe north-eastern region in the long run," Ghatowar said,adding that it could develop as an international trade hub. He said the North East Vision 2020 emphasises onconnectivity and infrastructural development and the Centrehas taken the initiative to develop the National Highways,major district roads and state highways by adding over 3000kms to the existing network. "As tea and oil would remain the mainstay of theeconomy of the north-east, the focus of an integrated growthof the region has to remain on ago-based sector and smallscale industries," Ghatowar added.

Meet on N-E development

2011-10-17T20:19:00.001-07:00

Shillong, Oct. 18 : A two-day workshop, Northeast: Development Paradigms, beginning here tomorrow, will search for solutions to make the region more vibrant.

Organised by the Research Centre for Eastern and Northeastern Regional Studies, Calcutta, and supported by, among others, The Telegraph, Calcutta, the workshop will witness a galaxy of policy-makers, security experts, planners, and industrialists airing their views on development and security. It will be held on the premises of the North Eastern Council (NEC) here.

Union minister of state (independent charge), DoNER, Paban Singh Ghatowar, will inaugurate the workshop.

According to the approach paper to the workshop prepared by the research centre, “A combination of various factors, dating back to the British era, has made the Northeast a disturbed area with serious security problems. The only semblance of development available in the region was in the field of oil, gas and tea in both public and private sectors.”

“The long years of violence have not only bled the region, its economy and security, but also denied the country of enormous prosperity that lies in the womb untapped and varied natural and mineral resources in one of the world’s most bio-diverse region. This has made the people of the region and India despondent and disillusioned,” the research centre said.

To overcome the bottlenecks, the workshop will search for solutions like a composite policy framework for the entire region so that each state is integrated socially and economically, simultaneously addressing the hurdles to security and growth, it said. “Without a sense of genuine feeling of safety and security, it will be difficult to woo investment from both private and public sector.

“The Look East Policy can bring in fresh air of confidence and courage only when conflict is managed and good governance is ensured. The workshop will try to identify the initiatives that can be taken to start the engine of growth and development keeping a sharp vigil on the security front in the Northeast,” it added.

Former Intelligence Bureau chief Shyamal Datta, former Assam governor Lt. Gen. (retd) S.K. Sinha, former chief of staff HQ Eastern Command Lt. Gen. (retd) J.R. Mukherjee, former Gujarat governor Naresh Chandra, former Indian ambassador to Myanmar Aloke Sen and other prominent personalities will attend the workshop.
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Digital track on Bhutan rivers

2011-10-12T22:09:00.001-07:00

The Torsha and (above) Kaljani rivers originate in Bhutan and flow through the Dooars. File pictures
Jalpaiguri, Oct. 13 : The governments of India and Bhutan will jointly prepare a digital map of the rivers that originate in the neighbouring country and flow through north Bengal to track their course, primarily to check floods and erosion in the region.
Chairperson of the North Bengal Flood Commission, Narayan Chatterjee, said the decision to prepare the map was taken at a meeting held in Shillong earlier this month.
“During the monsoons, several areas of Bhutan — Phuentsholing, Pagli Bhutan, Samsi, Gomtu and the adjacent areas of Totopara — are flooded by rivers like the Torsha, Raidak, Sankosh, Reti, Sukriti, Basra, Gabur Basra, Diana, Hollong, Muznai and Dima that originate from Bhutan. The rivers also carry boulders and debris with them that gets stacked in different parts of the Dooars in Jalpaiguri district,” said Chatterjee.
He said the digital map would indicate the areas that are affected by erosion caused by the river, damaged portions of embankments and siltation.
“The committee has decided to prepare the map to get a clear picture of the course of the rivers and inform the engineers who will take necessary steps to avoid damage,” said Chatterjee, who is also a member of a joint technical committee that monitors the movement of the rivers in the region.
“We will take help of the previous surveys conducted by the engineers in this regard and if required, there will be fresh surveys. These things will be decided in our next meeting that will be held in Siliguri later this month. The meeting will be attended by the irrigation officials from both the Central and the state governments and engineers from the Brahmaputra River Division and the central water commission,” said Chatterjee.
He added that the digital map is expected to be ready by next year.
“We would like to complete the map before the next monsoon so that we can take necessary steps to control floods in north Bengal and neighbouring Assam next year,” he said.

Tips on how to handle visitors to Northeast

2011-10-12T22:07:00.001-07:00

sikkim trains seven states in tourism management
BIJOY GURUNG

Some of the trainees who took part in the course conducted by TAAS in Gangtok on Wednesday; and (below) Nathu-la, a popular tourist destination in Sikkim. Picture by Prabin Khaling
Gangtok, Oct. 12: Sikkim has taken the role of uniting the Northeast through tourism so that it benefits all eight states. As a first step, nearly 30 youths from across the region participated in a short course on setting up travel agencies.
The course on “tour operators” started on September 24 and concluded today. Three youths from Manipur, six from Arunachal Pradesh, one from Meghalaya, two from Nagaland, one from Assam and 13 from Sikkim took part in the course conducted by the Travel Agents’ Association of Sikkim (TAAS) in Gangtok.
The course is the first of the 10 such programmes outlined by TAAS, an apex body of tour operators in the state, to share its tourism promotion skills with stakeholders of the industry in the seven northeastern states.
The programme is being held under the “capacity building training for tourism stakeholders of Northeast region” funded by the North East Council (NEC) for Rs 1.46 crore and supported by the Sikkim government. All the courses will be held in different parts of Sikkim and the final programme has been scheduled for January 31 next year.
Experienced members of TAAS, along with the other resource persons who had been invited, shared with the participants some of the basic knowledge on different aspects of tourism, promotion, handling clients, hospitality and marketing. The participants were taken to West Sikkim for field lessons on eco-tourism and homestays.
“We came to know that tourism uplifts our culture and benefits the state. We will fully use the wonderful training we received here when we go back home. It is just the beginning of a long journey and while we thank TAAS for the training, we want them to continue to train us and help us promote tourism in our state,” said Likha Talu from Arunachal Pradesh during the valedictory programme in Gangtok.
Menbi Riddi who is also from Arunachal Pradesh said he wanted more youths from his state to join the programme.
For Nagaland participant Lanumeri, it was the homestays that caught the attention.
“When I go back, I will start homestays in my village. Nagaland has rich potential not only in terms of homestays but also in adventure sports, the basics of which I learnt here,” said Lanumeri.
The next batch of 40 students is already in Gangtok. Their classes started yesterday.
With Sikkim being the leading tourism-driven state in the region, TAAS had been selected by NEC to conduct the capacity building training for the interested candidates. Some 300 youths will be trained in different avenues of tourism like trekking, hospitality, homestays, cook, eco-tourism, marketing and air ticketing.
“We need to work together to promote the whole region. Most of the participants of the first batch will start their tour agencies and I have told them to link up together so that the whole region is promoted,” said TAAS president Lukendra Rasaily.
TAAS vice-president Sailesh Pradhan said he had impressed upon the participants the fact that tourism is not an isolated activity. “Promotion must be done linking up with neighbouring areas. We need to work together,” he said.
Adviser to TAAS and senior tour operator Paljor Lachungpa assured the tourism stakeholders from the other states that TAAS would support them. “If everybody in the Northeast promote tourism together then global tourists will come to the region. You can send surplus tourists to Sikkim and we can send our excess visitors to your states,” he said.

Fake recruitment racket busted

2011-10-12T21:34:00.001-07:00

New Delhi, Oct 13 : The crime branch of the Delhi Police have arrested two persons including a woman for duping over 1,000 job seekers of more than Rs 10 crore by promising them jobs in Assam Rifles and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India.

The woman, identified as Archana Singha, was the mastermind and had appointed agents in different parts of the country to lure job seekers.

“In 2007-08, recruitment of Assam Rifles was held in Jorhat where she came in contact with a doctor who was a major in Assam Rifles. She succeeded in getting three-four persons appointed and earned Rs 10,000 to Rs 15, 000 per candidate in this recruitment,” Ashok Chand, DCP (crime) said.

In 2008-09, the recruitment of Assam Rifles was held at Cooch Bihar and Singha collected money from several candidates but only a few candidates could be selected. “She then began to appoint agents in different parts of India,” Chand added.

The agents used to lure innocent persons by promising them jobs. They used to collect Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh per candidate as advance.

“To make it look like a genuine recruitment process Singha used to organise a medical checkup camp at Jorhat with the help of fake doctors and officers,” Chand said.

“After that she used to ask candidates to go back and wait for the result and appointment letters. To make more money, she would send a photocopy of provisional appointment letters to her agents and would ask them to deposit rest of the money before giving them original appointment letters,” Chand said. This fetched her Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per candidate from the agents.

During the same period she also came in contact with one T Israil who told her that he has contacts in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. At the instance of T Israil she also collected money from hundreds of candidates for getting them jobs in the ministry. She paid Rs 1 crore to Israil but no candidate could be selected.

But she succeeded in getting proforma of appointment letters and seals of the ministry.

“When candidates mounted pressure for their jobs, she issued fake appointment letters to them and even arranged a training program at Byrnihat (Meghalaya). The similar program was conducted at Institute of Physical Health and Hygiene at Mahipalpur, Delhi,” he said.

Ravindra Chauhan, who was also part of the racket, arranged the training program in Delhi. He has also been arrested and police have seized 90 bank accounts. Chauhan used to pose as a major of Indian Army. His father is a retired naib subedar from Rajasthan Rifles and he was selected in Rastriya Rifles as constable in 2003.

In 2007, while he was posted at Baramula, he injured his right hand and was declared unfit for further service in the Army.

China build-up across border may change NE scenario

2011-10-12T21:25:00.001-07:00

R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, Oct 13 – Growing Chinese build-up across the international border has become a matter of concern for India. Meanwhile, if the militant groups of North East having bases in Myanmar join hands at the behest of China, the security scenario in the North East may deteriorate.

Highly-placed official sources in New Delhi told The Assam Tribune that over the last few years, China has been building up infrastructure along the international border including roads and railway lines, while, in recent times, troop deployment has also increased considerably, which is a matter of concern for India. Sources said that China has also built up supply lines to the international border areas and the neighbouring country is now in a comfortable position as compared to India.

On the other hand, the infrastructure development in India is far behind China and the construction of roads remains way behind schedule and new deadlines are being announced for the completion of the roads. Sources said that though Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, during his visit to Arunachal Pradesh in 2008, announced a number of schemes including construction of new roads, the actual implementation of the projects are yet to be started and only the survey work has started. No deadline has been finalized for completion of the projects, sources added.

On the issue of the militants of the North East receiving help from China, sources said that according to intelligence reports, Chinese authorities asked the major militant groups of the region to come to a common platform. If all the militant groups having bases in Myanmar join hands and start receiving help from China, the situation in the region may deteriorate, sources added.

Sources said that almost all the militant groups of North East are using Chinese weapons and the Manipur based militant groups have already joined hands, while, the militants belonging to the hard line factions of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) are living in Myanmar with the help of NSCN (K).

Till date, there is no direct proof of the Maoist rebel groups receiving weapons from China, but as the outfits have strong connections with the PLA of Manipur, the possibility of the Maoists receiving weapons from China through the Manipur based group cannot be ruled out.

Central damage assessment team in Sikkim

2011-10-11T23:54:00.001-07:00

GANGTOK, Oct 12 – A nine-member Central damage assessment team has visited the earthquake affected areas in West Sikkim district, official sources said today.

An earthquake of 6.8 magnitude had rocked Sikkim and several areas of North East and neighbouring Nepal on September 18, killing over a 100 people.

The Central team, headed by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Shambhu Singh, visited several areas of the district in two groups yesterday, the sources said.

The team mainly assessed the damage caused to houses, roads, water and power supply structures besides agriculture and livestock.

The team also visited relief camps and interacted with people lodged therein, sources said. Meanwhile, more than 70 per cent of house damage compensation for the September 18 earthquake victims has been disbursed in Sikkim, an official said today.

“The compensation has been disbursed among seventy per cent listed victims who have claimed various degrees of house damage,” Relief Commissioner B K Kharel said adding the remainder will be distributed by October 15.

The total amount claimed by people who suffered house damages was about Rs 50 crore as per figures compiled from the districts, he said.

Any complaint of inadequate or late disbursement of compensation would be verified and erring officials punished, he said.

While in North Sikkim district, the compensation is being handed over by the area MLA and panchayats, in other districts the job is being carried out by Block-level officials.

Down the Irrawaddy

2011-10-11T23:46:00.001-07:00

Shyam Saran

President Thein Sein of Myanmar is on a three-day official visit to India. Since assuming office, the Thein Sein government has tried to win domestic and international legitimacy through a series of political initiatives. These include the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, the
initiation of regular conciliatory dialogue with her, a commitment to release political prisoners languishing in jail and a pledge to be more responsive to public sentiment and opinion.

These moves were, until recently, met with a degree of scepticism. After all, Sein has been a general in the powerful Myanmar Army, which, despite the recent political changes, retains overwhelming authority. Now there is grudging acknowledgement that he appears committed to reform, incremental as it must be.

The most important driver of this perceptional change is Sein's 'postponement' on September 30 of the $3.6 billion Chinese-financed Myitsone hydro-electric power project, the first in a series of dams on the upper reaches of the country's main river system, the Irrawaddy, in response to strong public opposition. Chinese reaction has been one of "astonishment". By taking this somewhat risky political decision, Sein achieved two things at a stroke: one, he successfully portrayed his government as being responsive to public opinion; two, he sent out a powerful signal that Myanmar was no docile, client State of China. Suu Kyi has welcomed the decision and has said that she is convinced that Sein is genuinely committed to a more democratic form of government.

India has found itself somewhat defensive in developing closer relations with a military and authoritarian government. In reaching out to Sein, India will no longer face such political inhibitions. The changed relationship between the government and Suu Kyi also opens the door for India to engage with the latter and support her measured steps to expand the political space for civilian, democratic political forces.

India has been worried about the expanding presence of China in Myanmar. This is not surprising given the sensitive nature of our 1,400 km-long land border with Myanmar, encompassing the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Myanmar and India also share the strategic waters of the Bay of Bengal.The good news is that even the generals who directly ruled Myanmar over the past two decades were always uncomfortable with China's dominating presence and looked to India, on the one hand, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on the other, to counter-balance Chinese influence.

In 2001, the year I left Myanmar after a four-year tenure, Senior General Than Shwe conveyed to me his decision to allow India to open a consulate in Mandalay, where only China had such a privilege. Our request had been pending since 1998 and we knew that the Chinese had strongly opposed this. With Sein, India may find Myanmar even more responsive to Indian initiatives.

The weak point in India's Myanmar policy lies in our inability to deliver quickly on projects that we have committed ourselves to. These include the Tamanthi hydropower project on the Chindwin river, the cross-border highways linking Mizoram with the towns of Tiddim and Fallam in Myanmar's adjoining Chin state, and the ambitious Kaladan multi-modal transport project, which would provide access to India's Mizoram. The project would allow both water transport along the Kaladan river as well as a highway linking the old port of Sittwe with the southern road system in Mizoram. We need to address this quickly and one hopes that the proposed aid agency being set up by India's foreign ministry will help in this regard.

For Sein, the world's largest democracy playing host will strengthen his credentials as a leader committed to reform. India could play a role in encouraging the US and Europe to begin dismantling their long-standing policy of isolating and sanctioning Myanmar. India, therefore, has some additional leverage in pursuing its interests in Myanmar that include the elimination of the remaining sanctuaries of North-east insurgent groups across the border.

On the economic side, much more can be done to establish mutually beneficial long-term economic ties. Myanmar still possesses large unexploited oil and gas reserves whose development would contribute to our energy security. It has vast tracts of vacant arable land, which could produce both cereals well as pulses for India's growing market as also to contribute to regional food security. And Myanmar could become the most convenient transit for India's rapidly growing trade and investment relations with both South-east Asia and southern China.

That will, of course, require a major connectivity project that will span several years of effort. Thein Sein's visit offers a most timely opportunity to explore these initiatives in earnest.

Shyam Saran was Indian ambassador to Myanmar, 1997-2001. The views expressed by the author are personal.

Myanmar is changing; will New Delhi reach out?

2011-10-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

The India in government has tread a careful line in its relations with Myanmar. When Myanmar's President Thein Sein visits India from October 12 to 15, it will be a further step in the slowly expanding relations between the two countries, writes Shubha Singh
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The Myanmar government's decision to suspend the Chinese-funded Myitsone hydroelectric dam project caused a flutter in western capitals, where it was seen as a sharp snub to the Chinese government.

The Myitsone dam is the largest of a series of six dams to be constructed on the mighty Irrawady river, which are to produce electricity for consumers in China. The project, which would have resulted in submersion of rain forest and displacement of villages of the Kachin minority, had been opposed by environmentalists and political activists.

It is a widely held perception in the west that China, Myanmar's largest foreign investor, is its closest ally. But it is unrealistic to see the suspension as causing serious strains between the two neighbours.

Myanmar has, on occasions, taken steps that are not to Beijing's liking; these have sometimes served to show Myanmar's independent posture. But such disagreements have been 'settled' through negotiations without undue fuss.

The suspension of the Myitsone dam project was the first decision taken by the new Myanmar government that has shown it to be sensitive and responsive to public opinion on a major issue. It is a sign that Myanmar is changing. Elections last November were widely dismissed in the west as a flawed exercise carried out by the military regime while remaining firmly in control behind the scenes.

The elections were a lost opportunity for national reconciliation as Nobel laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy did not participate in the elections.

The military regime's new constitution had effectively debarred her from contesting and her NLD was disbanded as it did not register under the new rules. But it brought in a government in civilian garb that promised political and economic reforms.

Among the steps the new government has taken is the setting up a 15-member Human Rights Commission. Opposition leader Su Kyi has been released from house arrest and restrictions on her movements have been lifted; she has been receiving foreign visitors and has also met Myanmar ministers as well as President Thein Sein.

Myanmar has been taking small steps to open up to the wider world; its elected government is proving to be less isolationist in its stance than the previous military regime. The Myanmar government is interested in getting the western sanctions lifted and also preparing itself to assume chairmanship of the Association of South-East Asian Nations in 2014.

When Myanmar's President Thein Sein visits India from October 12 to 15, it will be a further step in the slowly expanding relations between the two countries. It is the Myanmar leader's second visit abroad after becoming president; his first foreign visit was to China in May.

The new President, a former general and prime minister in the military regime, had announced an agenda of reforms shortly after he had been appointed in March this year.

The Indian government has tread a careful line in its relations with Myanmar. After full throated support to Aung San Suu Kyi during the 1988 military crackdown after her NLD party had swept the polls, New Delhi changed its stance in the early 1990s and began a slow engagement with the Myanmar government.

India and Myanmar share a 1643 km long land border along India's four northeastern states as well as a long maritime border. Insurgent groups in the north-eastern states that freely used Myanmar territory as safe havens to escape the Indian security groups forced a rethinking in New Delhi's policy of minimal relations with the military regime in Myanmar.

There were also concerns about China's increasing influence in Myanmar.

The slow process of engagement flowered into to brisk economic and political interaction during the past decade, even though the western countries were insistent on isolating the military regime. The policy of engagement led to cooperation along the border region, reining in the free access that the insurgent groups enjoyed earlier.

New Delhi has held that it is more effective to talk quietly and persuade the Myanmar government rather than impose sanctions or hector it publicly on democracy.

At the time when the Nargis cyclone devastated vast areas in the country, Indian ships, relief materials and medical assistance were readily accepted by the Myanmar government while it rejected aid from other countries. This approach has helped India and Myanmar enhance their political, economic and strategic cooperation, but New Delhi has not been able to build its leverage to be anywhere near Myanmar's other two neighbours, China or Thailand.

During a recent visit of Myanmar's Commerce Minister, U Win Myint to Delhi for the fourth meeting of the Joint Trade Commission, the two sides set a target of doubling bilateral trade to US $ 3 billion to be achieved by 2015.

India obtains a significant part of its imports of pulses from Myanmar as also timber. Another border trading point in addition to the Moreh-Tamu trading point is likely to be opened soon at Zowkhatar in Mizoram while there is potential of opening trading points at the Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland borders in the future.

The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport project being constructed in Myanmar by 2013 will provide another access route to India's northeastern states. It will allow direct transport of goods by sea from India's eastern ports to Sittwe port in Myanmar and upcountry through inland river transport followed by road transport to Mizoram.

Myanmar has become a link, however weak, in India's Look East policy. But the slow implementation of various projects has hampered progress in the relationship.

Indian business has also been slow to take advantage of the business opportunities opening up in the neighbouring country. An Indian business delegation is due to visit Myanmar in November.

A new government in Myanmar that is ready to usher in market economy should be the opportunity for India to set a faster pace in the bilateral cooperation.
Shubha Singh in New Delhi

Myanmar Port to Open Up North East India Trade

2011-10-11T05:43:00.001-07:00

$120 million port and mulitmodal project aimed at opening up isolated region

A $120 million port and multimodal transport project in Myanmar will open up international trade with India’s isolated North East provinces.
As part of a recent bilateral trade deal signed by Myanmar and India, the two countries pledged to complete the scheme linking the provinces to Sittwe port in Myanmar overland via India's Mizoram by 2013.
The port requires extensive dredging and the construction of new terminals but once operational will offer direct sailings to enable shippers to pick up mainline services Kolkata. The two countries also pledged to double bilateral trade to $3 billion by 2015 by reducing trade tariffs.
The North Eastern states, commonly known as the Seven Sisters, have failed to benefit from India’s rapid economic growth, not least because they are only linked to the rest of the country and its ports via the Siliguri corridor, which skirts around northern Bangladesh through the Hamalaya mountains. The 932-mile journey to the nearest major Indian port – Kolkata – can take a week overland.
India has also been rebuilding its fractured relationship with Bangladesh, where the latter's port of Chittagong also offers efficient access to the Seven Sisters.

India-Myanmar relations: New beginnings

2011-10-10T23:32:00.000-07:00

PM Heblikar

Myanmar President Thein Sein’s visit to India on October 12 is significant considering he is the first civilian head of state in several decades to do so after then Prime Minister U Nu last came here.

President Thein Sein has visited China and Jakarta after assuming office in April following parliamentary elections. The presidential entourage includes a large ministerial delegation and the presence of major economic ministries in the delegation underlines a greater desire to engage and invite India to participate in that country’s development agenda. The powerful military is represented by the third senior-most general in the armed forces. This is a significant departure from the past when the military formed a major part of the entourage of senior general Than Shwe during visits to India. A slew of important agreements on economic and trade matters are expected to be signed and there will be expressions of satisfaction over the improved security environment on respective land borders.

President Thein Sein’s first six months in office have been remarkable and several unprecedented events have taken place. Relations with the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) has seen a sharp departure from the past and reports suggest an emerging détente that if maintained could be a precursor for the future. The recent decision of the government to suspend work on the controversial Myitsone dam in Kachin state is an expression of the fact that the civilian government is serious in addressing concerns of ethnic minorities. It serves both Myanmar and China to improve stability along their contiguous borders since any untoward incident will create unnecessary tensions that neither side can afford. These are baby steps and it is early days as yet and more time is needed to assess the way forward especially that the civilian government would need to carefully choreograph its moves as not to raise the military’s hackles. A cumulative analysis of developments over the past six months points to a good report card for Sein and his civilian government.
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In strategic terms, president Sein’s visit augurs well for Indian interests in this sensitive region. He will no doubt brief his hosts on his future road map for Myanmar, security issues and other regional and international matters. On India’s part it would perhaps be fruitful to seek Myanmar’s support to bring the insurgency in the NorthEast under control and eventually ensure peace and tranquility in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Denial of sanctuary in Myanmar to Indian insurgent groups will help considerably in addressing the situation. Myanmar may like to follow the example of Bangladesh where the Sheikh Hasina government has sent the Indian groups packing. Several of these are now in various stages of negotiations with the central government. Assam has benefited by this to a large extent. Assam along with Bangladesh and Myanmar can turn out to be the engine for regional development. India may also offer assistance to Myanmar to develop its civilian nuclear energy program so as to reduce threats of it becoming a major issue in the future and avoid involvement of third countries.

India’s assistance to Myanmar should not be underestimated. Since 1993, New Delhi has made steady progress despite the military’s antipathy towards offers of assistance. India gave Myanmar a $10 million line of credit in 1997 even as the western bloc intensified its economic sanctions. India played a huge role in ushering the BISTEC subsequently BIMSTEC which gave Yangon access to economic benefits.

There are several other initiatives as well. Also the private sector, synonymous with India Inc has not fully realised the vast potential that awaits them in Myanmar. They have missed several opportunities earlier. Also India Inc needs to introspect and plan to invest substantially in Myanmar.

President Sein’s visit along with at least nine economic and infrastructure ministers is a golden opportunity worth exploiting, there is a need for them to step up to the plate.

With the possibility of the west allowing more access to Myanmar, there will be a rush to make good of the opportunity. Considering Myanmar is keen to diversify its economic dependence and is looking for partners, India Inc needs to respond. As far the public sector is concerned, a need to avoid past mistakes is advocated especially in the oil and energy sector.

— The writer is a recently retired Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, New Delhi and now a Managing Trustee of the Institute of Contemporary Studies Bangalore

Study suggests $258 million HIV program may have prevented some 100,000 infections in India

2011-10-10T23:31:00.002-07:00

By Associated Press

An estimated 100,000 people in India may have escaped HIV infection over five years thanks to one of the world’s biggest prevention programs, an encouraging sign that targeting high-risk groups remains vital even as more donors focus on treatment, a new study suggests.

While the initial findings regarding the $258 million Avahan project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, come with large uncertainty due to data limitations and methodology, the study’s authors say the overall message is clear: that investing in prevention can make a dent in one of the world’s largest epidemics, with an estimated 2.4 million Indians infected.

The program was assessed from 2003 to 2008 in six Indian states, home to 300 million people and the country’s highest HIV rates when it started. It involved needle exchanges, safe-sex counseling, condom distribution and other interventions to reach vulnerable groups, including truck drivers, injecting drug users, men who have sex with other men, and prostitutes, along with their clients and partners. The project’s aim was to reduce the number of infections infiltrating the general population by targeting those who posed the highest risk.

The assessment published Tuesday in The Lancet medical journal suggests that higher Avahan grants per infected person correlated with fewer HIV cases in the general population in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. However, that was not the case in southern Tamil Nadu and the small northeastern states of Manipur and Nagaland.

Part of the difference may be linked to the epidemics, with sex the main mode of transmission in the crowded south and injecting drug use the top driver in the remote northeast, said co-author Dr. Lalit Dandona, a professor at the Public Health Foundation of India. In Tamil Nadu, the authors, who are also from the University of Washington, note that HIV levels were already lower there because other prevention programs were already running when Avahan began.

In Karnataka, the program was linked to a 13 percent drop in overall HIV rates, the largest observed. Maharashtra saw the smallest decline, just over 2 percent.

In all six states, an estimated 100,178 HIV infections were averted due to the program, which is the best possible outcome with the available data, Dandona said.

The study, also funded by the Gates Foundation, explains that the conclusions do come with a degree of uncertainty, mainly because pregnant women from antenatal clinics were used as the data source even though corrections for this were factored into the calculations.

Dr. Prabhat Jha, director of the Centre for Global Health Research in Canada, who has conducted large-scale HIV studies in India, said those data are typically used to monitor trends or changes in the epidemic, not to estimate infections averted in the general population.

“Right from the start, it just doesn’t work,” he said. “I’m not going to judge how high my plane is flying by how many times my ears pop. It doesn’t tell you where you’re at.”

Jha also noted that other prevention programs were in place before Avahan began and that HIV infections were already in decline. Instead of focusing on infections averted, he said it makes more sense to assess the program more broadly.

“There is substantial evidence that most new HIV infections in India arise from sex work, so taking sex work seriously means it will generate benefits,” he said. “Even if these are hard to quantify.”

Avahan, which translates from Sanskrit as “call to action,” has been criticized by some for throwing large sums of money at the problem and creating more waste than results. As the Gates Foundation’s largest HIV prevention program in a single country, the organization donated an additional $80 million to the project in 2009. The Indian government is expected to take it over.

In an accompanying commentary, World Health Organization experts Ties Boerma and Isabelle de Zoysa said that despite many remaining questions about the project’s overall success, the findings are an encouraging first step. “However, seven years into the project, many questions remain unanswered,” they wrote.

Man on the defensive

2011-10-10T23:31:00.000-07:00

S. Indra Sathiabalan
EVER wonder what drives a normally docile elephant to go on a rampage or why tigers pounce on people?
Tune into Discovery Channel's latest series World's Deadliest Towns, which premieres on Tuesday, and follow hunky Dave Salmoni as he attempts to find the answers.
This zoologist, animal trainer, television presenter and producer with his own South African-based production company, Triosphere, has hosted and contributed to a number of Animal Planet and Discovery Channel programmes such as Rogue Nature, Predator vs Prey, Into the Lion's Den and After the Attack.
World's Deadliest Towns is a three-part series that focuses on elephant issues in parts of North East India; hippos killing entire families in Zambia's Zambezi River; and Royal Bengal Tigers killing people on a daily basis at the Sundarbans in West Bengal.
Salmoni said this is the first time on any of his shows that he is able to show the story from both sides.
"To understand the entire picture you have to see both sides. You can't think that the evil ones are humans and the animals should be left alone or vice versa."
Speaking at a press conference Salmoni, who was in Kuala Lumpur recently to promote World's Deadliest Towns, said in some areas in West Bengal, the local people go to sleep at night worrying about elephants smashing their house down and dragging them out of bed.
In the Sunderbans, the people walk around bushes with the feeling that they are being 'hunted'.
In the case of the menacing hippos in Zambia, said Salmoni, the locals eke out a living fishing in the rivers where the hippos live.
One of the scariest and saddest stories that Salmoni shared took place in the Assam region of India where tea plantations have taken over forests in which elephants used to roam.
There it is common for farmers to chase the gentle giants out of their villages, forcing the elephants to literally run around in circles.
"One of the scariest stories I was told involved a female elephant which was part of a stampede in which her calf was killed. She then not only started killing people but eating them too.
"It's truly terrifying to hear of a herbivore turning into a maneater," said Salmoni. He and his crew shot shot there for 15 days and during that period nine people were killed by elephants.
Asked why he chose to zero in on North East India, the Sundarbans and Zambia for his series, Salmoni said places like the Sunderbans were something he had been reading about since he was 14.
He said since a bulk of the wild animals versus people problems occur in India, he decided to devote two episodes to that country.
He said this project became his passion ever since he got the opportunity to make the series for Discovery.
"I came to understand better the man-eating species of animals. In fact they are taught by their mothers to kill. It's a culture passed down by generation after generation."
In the case of hippos, he pointed out, people generally do not think of them as dangerous probably because cartoons portray them as lovable creatures. "But hippos are in fact some of the most dangerous animals in Africa," he said.
For future episodes, Salmoni hopes to cover other countries which have their own problems with animals, such as Great White Shark attacks in certain places in South Africa.
Having made World's Deadliest Towns, who would Salmoni blame for all those attacks - humans or animals?
He explained that at the end of the day, humans are indeed encroaching into the territories of wild animals, and now the animals are fighting back.
He said it is impossible for the people to get out and move to other safer places.
"In India there are over a billion people competing for space. When you see a father with four children you know he should be able to do anything he can to feed his kids. Then you see the elephant and her calf and you believe that she should do anything to feed her little one.
"Normally on Discovery Channel we take the side of the animals and that's what I usually do but I've been challenged over the years to tell the whole story."
His serious work aside, Salmoni does not mind being featured in People magazine as one the most beautiful people in this world or showing up on The Tyra Banks Show in a loin cloth.
He said he has no problems with such publicity as he hopes they will enlighten people who normally do not watch channels like Discovery on the plight of animals in the wild.
Kevin Dickie, the senior vice president of content group, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, said Salmoni represents one of those presenters whom they refer to as "credible insiders".
Like other wildlife specialists such as Jeremy Wade of River Monsters and Bear Grylls of Man vs Wild, these presenters are also experts in their respective fields and viewers tune in to watch their programmes because they are credible.
World Deadliest Towns will premiere on Discovery Channel (Astro channel 551) on Tuesday at 9pm.

6 feared dead in bridge collapse

2011-10-10T23:29:00.001-07:00

ITANAGAR, Oct 11 – Five women and a child are feared to be dead after an under-construction wire rope suspension bridge over Tawang Chu river in Tawang district bordering Bhutan collapsed, police said.

Two wire ropes snapped from the anchor bolt of the bridge being built at Khetnallah recently when seven persons were crossing the bridge which was still not ready for use, Tawang deputy commissioner Kemo Lollen said.

While five women and a child fell into the river and were washed away, Thinley Norbu, 23, held on to the bridge’s dangling suspenders and was later saved by the locals.

The missing persons were identified as Langha Drema, Tashi Yangchin, 21, Thutan Yangzom, 21, Nima Chongzom, 27, Dorjee Chozom, 23, (all women) and a three-year-old Tenzin Phuntso of Gyamdong village.

Meanwhile, a junior engineer in-charge of the bridge has been taken into custody and a magisterial probe ordered into the case.

Northeast: Train services suspended

2011-10-10T08:34:00.001-07:00

Agartala: The northeastern states of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and parts of Assam were cut-off from the rest of the country on Monday after the railways suspended all train services passing through southern Assam, officials said.

The services were suspended by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) after the Indigenous Peoples Forum (IPF) called a 12-hour shut down in parts of southern Assam against the formation of proposed Dima Hasao Territorial Council (DHTC).

"Several trains -- Lumding Barak Valley Express, Hill Queen express, Lumding express, Agartala express, Lumding Cachar express - which connect (Tripura capital) Agartala, parts of Manipur, Mizoram and southern Assam with the rest of India have been cancelled till Tuesday," an NFR spokesman told reporters at Silchar, in Assam.

Many passengers, bound for Guwahati and the rest of the country, were stranded in Agartala, Jiribam (Manipur), Bhoirabi (Mizoram) and southern Assam's Badarpur, Silchar and Lumding.

Many shops, business establishments, government offices and educational institutions remained closed and roads wore a deserted look in Dimahasao district and adjoining areas of southern Assam.

The central government has proposed to constitute DHTC for the all-round development of tribals living in Dimahasao district and adjoining areas, 350 km south of Assam's main city of Guwahati.

Bamboo tissue culture helping Tripura cultivators to boost production

2011-10-10T00:36:00.001-07:00

Agartala, Oct 10 : Scientists at the Van Gaveshana Sadan in Agartala, Tripura, are helping bamboo cultivators to meet the shortage of planting material available for bamboo cultivation through tissue culture propagation.

Traditionally, Tripura has been dependant on other states for planting material. The tissue culture procedure is not only solving the problem of planting material, but also helping to increase production of bamboo saplings within a short span of time.

"This year we have collected over 50 kilograms of bamboo seeds from different locations of Tripura. We have developed a good stock in forest research division in Agartala," said Atanu Saha, a forest range officer.

"You can see here, more than 2 lakh of bamboo seedlings are grown here. Out that 1.5 lakh bamboo seedlings are from seed only. Rest we are doing bamboo seeding by tissue culture technique," Saha added.

Scientists at the centre have not received complete training on the tissue culture procedure, but are making efforts to come up with a micro propagation technique that facilitates supply of bamboo saplings in large numbers.

Today, the Van Gaveshana Sadan has given a new lease of life to Tripura's bamboo crop, it is significant step for the state's economy as over 1.5 lakh rural households are engaged in different works related to bamboo production and depend on it for their livelihood.

Arunachal tribe branded Maoists to check anti-dam protests

2011-10-10T00:32:00.001-07:00

Rahul Karmakar

Guwahati, Oct 10 : The local administration in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley district has allegedly branded members of the Idu Mishi tribe as Maoists in a bid to stop their opposition to a mega dam project. The branding was reportedly behind the police firing on Durga Puja revelers on October 5 that left
nine students seriously injured.

According to anti-dam activists, the Maoist tag has given the license to the police and CRPF personnel to strike at will. "The unprovoked firing inside a Durga Puja pandal isn’t just a slight on religious sentiment but also a terror tactic toward muffling voices against the 3000MW Dibang Multipurpuse Project," anti-dam activist Bamang Tago told HT from state capital Itanagar on Sunday.

The Dibang Project, proposed on river Dibang, is being pursued by the National Hydro Power Corporation. The public hearing for this project is scheduled at Roing, 550 km northeast of Itanagar, on October 24.

Anti-dam activists said local people were being labeled Maoists and linked to underground organizations to sabotage their movement against the massive hydropower project that "will bring ecological disaster". They accused deputy commissioner Garima Gupta and superintendent of police Veenu Bansal of working on behalf of the dam lobby to get the public hearing done at any cost.

Gupta and Bansal had a few days ago issued a statement saying: "Ulfa and Maoists are establishing links with local people to oppose power projects proposed in Dibang Valley." Their assertion followed the arrest of nine alleged Maoists from adjoining Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh on September 22.

"This (Ulfa and Maoist connection) has been planted to mobilize additional troops for forceful conduct of the public hearing," said Roing Zill Parishad chairman Chiliko Meto, accusing the DC and SP of keeping public representatives in the dark on security matters.

The All Idu Mishmi Students Union (AIMSU) and other organizations, while lodging an FIR against Roing magistrate Mirpi Tato for the October 5 firing in the Durga Puja pandal, have written to Arunachal Pradesh home minister Takar Marde resenting the Maoist slur on the peace-loving Mishmi tribe.

"Apart from cancellation of the public hearing on the Dibang power project, we have sought action against the DC and SP for misusing their administrative power in a religious function," said AIMSU president Malo Linggi.