Climate change threatens to push more B’deshis into India

DHAKA, Nov 29: Many people from coastal areas of Bangladesh forced out of their homes by the effects of climate change have started migrating towards already over-populated and infrastructure-crippled cities — and to India for their survival.

“The climate refugees are moving towards cities. After Cyclone Aila in May 2009 many from Khulna (one of Bangladesh’s coastal districts) have moved to Dhaka and India,” Ainun Nishat, senior climate change adviser and one of those who drafted the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2009, told IANS in an interview.

“Another impact of climate change would be in the form of increase in river bank erosion. This will also push people out of their original settlements. For a densely populated country like Bangladesh, any further concentration of population in safe areas will not be desirable. Thus migration, first within the country, then to areas far beyond, is not to be ruled out,” he said.

Bangladesh is the world’s seventh most populous country with 112 million people, most of them poor. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Myanmar to the southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south.

Its major cities include Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barisal, Bogra, Comilla, Mymensingh and Rangpur. It is feared that up to 50 per cent of the land could be flooded if the sea level were to rise by a metre as a result of climate change.

In that case more people will move to the already infrastructure crippled cities and also to India, which is already facing a huge problem of illegal Bangladeshi migrants who are a burden on its economy.

Peter Kim Streatfield of an international health research institution in Dhaka said slums in the city are already growing at the rate of seven percent every year while the city itself is growing at the rate of 1.1 per cent. “It will add more burden on the resources,” he added.

According to the national action plan, the area that will suffer from major impacts of climate change will lose livelihood opportunities and face reduction in productivity in the agriculture sector. The worst affected area will be the coastal belt of the country. It would be impacted by the rise of sea level that could drown unprotected low-lying areas. The water in the whole coastal belt will become saline as the level of sea rises gradually. This in turn will affect the land areas by the increase in salinity level, resulting in significant reduction in crop production. The coast will suffer from the onslaught of cyclones and storm surges whose frequency and intensity are likely to increase.

Increase in frequency of cyclones will impact livelihood of fishermen as they will be required to come back to safer grounds as the sea becomes rough and will have to stay back in safe places till the sea calms down. Therefore, it is apprehended that population of coastal belt will face an adverse situation through a reduction in foodgrain production as well as lost livelihood opportunities. People will be forced to move to areas in search of safety and livelihood.

“The process of migration of climate change affected people, both inside and outside the country, needs to be monitored closely. Attempts should be made to provide safety against food insecurity and loss of land from submergence. However, soon such efforts may no longer be able to contain people in the difficult locations and actual movements of the affected people will start,” the plan added.

Mohamed Ziaul Haque, deputy director in Bangladesh’s Department of Environment, said: “We are aware that people affected by climate change are migrating. The problem is aggravating as the number of people coming to cities is increasing every day. But we do not have any systematic data to show how many people in the past have actually moved to the cities.”

Asked about the Government measures to tackle the problem, Haque said as per the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2009, the Government has adopted two strategies.

“First we are collecting data on how many people have been dislocated and how many are coming to the cities. The other is their rehabilitation and giving them employment.”

Saleemul Haq, senior fellow of the climate change group and also chairman of the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, said people are not aware of what the future holds for them.

“There is migration from rural to urban areas and climate change has aggravated the problem. Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change and in the next 20-25 years it will become a severe problem because of the increased flood frequency. The type of floods which we used to have once in 20 years are now occurring once in five years,” Haq added. IANS

Buta Singh to report plight of Assam Harijans to President

GUWAHATI, Nov 29: After an on-the-spot visit to the Harijan colonies in Guwahati today, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) chairman Buta Singh came down heavily on the Assam Government and said that he would report the pathetic plight of the Harijans in Assam to the State Governor, the Central Government and the President of India. Singh today visited the Harijan colonies at Ulubari, Fatasil Ambari and Dispur in Guwahati.

Talking to newsmen after the visit, Singh said: “The Harijans are living in a veritable hell in Assam. Even beasts won’t be able to stay in such a condition. When I met Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi yesterday, I informed him of the pathetic condition of Scheduled Castes in the State. I told the media also about the condition of Scheduled Castes here. I have to submit a report on the condition of Harijans in Assam to the State Governor, the Central Government and the President of India. I will visit Assam after a month again to review the condition of Harijans here.”  

Singh said yesterday the Planning Commission of India releases certain amount under the SC component every year. “I have found that the Central funds under the SC component have not been released to the departments concerned by the Finance Department as yet in Assam. There is no system worth the name to monitor implementation of schemes and utilization of funds meant for SCs in the State,” he said.   THE SENTINEL

India to take up Chetia issue with Bangladesh

NEW DELHI, Nov 29: At the Home Secretary-level talks between India and Bangladesh beginning in New Delhi here tomorrow, India will ask the Bangladesh side, led by its Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, to take steps to hand over jailed militants like ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia. New Delhi is believed to be happy over the “detention” of two top ULFA leaders, Sashadhar Choudhury and Chitraban Hazarika in Dhaka and subsequent “handing over” of them to BSF. PTI

ISRO to send Chandrayan-II in 2012-13

JORHAT, Nov 28: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is all set to send Chandrayan-II in collaboration with Russia to the moon in 2012-13, and the Government of India has already approved the proposal, said Dr Jitendranath Gos-wami, principal scientist of Chand-rayan-1, at the Guest of the Month programme of the Jorhat Press Club here today.

Goswami said that after the end of the first Chandrayan mission on September 30 this year, the ISRO had gathered a lot of information about the moon, thus making India stand as a proud nation at the international space platform.

Goswami said that in its first moon mission, the ISRO had spent Rs 300 crore and used two instruments of NASA and one each of Germany and Bulgaria. On Chandrayan-11, the ISRO will use a Russia-made lander to complete the operation, he added.

Born in Jorhat, Jitendranath Goswami had his schooling from Jorhat Government HS School and graduation from Cotton College. He took Master’s Degree from Gauhati University and PhD from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. He is currently working as Director, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. He is the only member of India in the NASA space centre. THE SENTINEL

Jorhat Book fair rescheduled to January

JORHAT, Nov 29: There is good news for book lovers here. The Jorhat Book Fair which was cancelled because of alleged clash of dates with the Trade Fair organizers, will now be held in January.

A cultural organization Aikyatan has taken upon itself the responsibility of arranging a book fair at short notice after the Assam Academic Centre scrapped their plans in October.

Aikyatan has applied for booking space in the Jorhat District Sports Association grounds in January and has gone into an overdrive to contact various book stores and agencies in the Northeast and elsewhere to set up stalls.

A member of the organization said that, may be stalls from Delhi and Kolkata would be less this time because of the time constraint but it hoped to put up a good show so as not to disappoint book lovers.

The cancellation of the biennial book fair had cast a pall of gloom over the people in general and the JDSA and Trade Fair organizers, Trivenee Club, were both being blamed for the date hotchpotch and non-adjustment.

The Trivenee Club wanted to hold the Trade Fair from December 5 to December 20 and the Academic Centre the Book Fair from December 18 to 28.

On request, the Trivenee Club adjusted the dates from December 1 to 15 but according to the Assam Academic Centre, the two-day gap in between was too less a period to set up its book stalls.

Jorhat MLA Rana Goswami who is also the president of JDSA said that, at the beginning he had no knowledge of the clashing of dates and that the secretary JDSA, who is at present undergoing treatment in Mumbai for cancer, had arranged the entire thing.

Goswami had asked Trivenee Club to adjust its dates from November 25 so that Assam Academic Centre got enough time to set up stalls.

However, Dr Zakir Ahmed, president of Trivenee Club said that the JDSA and the Assam Academic Centre’s stance was unfair.

“We have already backed down twice. The first time we adjusted from December 1 to 15 and the second time we cut down by one more day agreeing to dismantle our stalls by evening of December 14, leaving three days for the Book Fair to make its own arrangements”, Dr Ahmed said adding that it would not be possible to wind up before that as December 13 was a Sunday, a day when visitors were maximum to the fair.

Dr Zakir Ahmed had explained that starting from November 25 also was not a viable proposition as sought by JDSA as major companies from outside had already been issued invitations and the formalities have been worked out with them. Moreover, most of the school exams would be on at that time. Soon after the Assam Academic Centre announced that it would not be holding the fair on the plea that even four days time in between was not sufficient for setting up stalls. THE SENTINEL

CM forms booth committees

JORHAT, Nov 29: Keeping in view of the forthcoming Assembly Election to be held in 2011, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has started the formation of his party’s booth committees in his home district Jorhat today. The CM today formed two booth committees at his own ward No. 10, of Jorhat town and appealed to his party workers to take up organizing works for the forthcoming Assembly Election. In his programme, Gogoi was accompanied by Jorhat LAC Legislator Rana Goswami, former Jorhat Municipality Chairman Dipti Hazarika, CM’s Advisor to the press Debo Kumar Bora, Jorhat Zila Parishad Chairman Putul Buragohain and Jorhat District Congress president Nabin Chandra Buragohain.

Gogoi also visited his home constituency Titabor for the formation of booth committees of his party today. He visited Rangajan area under Titabor LAC and took part in two party meetings held at Moran Koiborta LP School and Thengal Balika LP School respectively. Addressing the gathering Gogoi, appealed to the party workers to organize the party to ensure the win in the forthcoming Assembly Election. He said, the all round development in the State during his two consecutive terms would be the prime issue of the Congress party to woo voters. THE SENTINEL

Centre issues alert to NE States

AGARTALA, Nov 29: Union Home Ministry has issued an alert to the Northeastern States following inputs that the banned militant outfits of the region have been procuring Chinese weapons. Official sources here today said besides ULFA and NSCN, seven more outfits operating in the Northeast were involved in the racket and a few of them have spread the net of arms business across the Southeast Asian countries.

The weapons were procured from China and sold to smaller militant outfits in the Northeast, officials stated, adding that the militant outfits had also been bringing small arms and explosives like RDX from Bangladesh through Tripura. Reportedly, a huge consignment of explosives were imported from Bangladesh through northern part of Agartala taking the advantage of the unfenced border and in few other parts insurgents were continuing cross border movements.

Meanwhile, the Centre hinted at the possibility of some of the insurgent groups in the Northeast having forged links with Leftist militant groups who had been working for the past few months and asked the States to take adequate measures to manage the situation, officials added. (UNI)

AKRSU Assam bandh on December 1

TANGLA, Nov 29: The undivided Darrang District Committee of the All Koch - Rajbonshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) has called for a 12-hour Assam bandh from 5 am on December 1 in protest against government’s apathy towards the Koch-Rajbonshis in according the Tribal Status. The organizers, however, have exempted the essential and ‘special services’ from the purview of the bandh. This was disclosed in a press statement signed by Seemanta Deka, president of Undivided Darrang District Koch-Rajbonshi Students’ Union. THE SENTINEL

Akhil Gogoi bags RTI Award 2009

GUWAHATI, Nov 29: Ahkil Gogoi (34), bagged the RTI Award 2009 instituted by the Public Cause Research Foundation (PCRF). The award will be presented by Vice-President of India Hamid Ansari.

He is one of the best-known social activists of Assam, started an RTI investigation in March 2006, followed by a social audit, that led to the exposure of a Rs 1.25 crore scam in Sampoorna Gram Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) and Rs 60 lakh scam in Indira Awas Yojana in Gamariguri Block of Golaghat district.

It brought to light the corruption in administration of other schemes as well as the arrest of several officials. The expose rallied the people of Golaghat in protest against corruption in administration of Government schemes.

Subsequently, Gogoi faced the wrath of those who had been benefiting from corrupt practises. Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), a grassroots organization of which Gogoi is secretary, was branded an illegal group. Gogoi had to go underground for three to four months. Two KMSS members were arrested and kept in custody for three months each.

Another RTI investigation by Gogoi detected a chain of corruption from FCI godown to the fair price shop. The probe, which revealed that only five to fifteen per cent of wheat flour was reaching the intended beneficiaries also led to the arrest of several officials.

Assam Government set up three committees for inquiring into the matter. PDS system was reformed. This probe also resulted in threats to Gogoi to the extent that CIC suggested to the State Government to provide security to him.

Gogoi has used RTI and community mobilization in his several successful efforts to hold Government accountable for its actions. He is also credited with taking RTI to the masses. This was stated in a press release. THE SENTINEL

Need of the Hour Need of the Hour

The Indian politician is showing no signs of mindset reform despite the kind of words the public had used to condemn him in the aftermath of Mumbai 26/11. That public memory is short, has been taken for granted. The politician knows he can take many a poor, illiterate and backward soul for a ride; after all, he has developed hoodwinking methodologies into a fine art. However, there are exceptions, but so few and far between are they that they do not matter at all. A vast majority of our elected representatives still live in a warped world, with their feudal mindset refusing to evolve with time — which is of course a choice because all of them choose to behave like kings, and not like servants of their real masters (the people who elect them) in a democracy, as they are in politics not to serve anyone but themselves. Add to all this both criminalization of politics and politicization of crime. No wonder, the rowdyism witnessed in Parliament or State Assemblies does not surprise anyone any more. But should the people watch the ugly show stoically, as they are doing now, as if there is no relation between them and the conduct of their leaders? It is an instructive augury, for the crude and insensitive politician to mend his ways, that a section of people has turned activist. But unless there is an overwhelming outpouring of a democratically charged people into the streets to protest the political rot, it will keep sustaining. The people must call their elected representatives back to ask them a whole gamut of inconvenient questions. THE SENTINEL

Peace made Divisible

Several militant outfits of the Northeast are already on the talks mode with the Centre, as more and more such outfits are following their footsteps, the latest being the KLNLF. Till recently the Centre had no definite policy as to how to go about the so-called peace talks with the militants of the Northeast. But in the aftermath of 26/11, the Centre announced that it would not hold talks with any Northeast outfit unless they surrendered their arms, gave up their demand for ‘sovereignty’ and announced adherence to the Constitution. However, in the case of Jammu & Kashmir, the Centre said it is willing to talk to any outfit and organization, armed or unarmed, on any issue they would like to discuss, thereby clearly segregating the two groups into amenable and non-amenable types. Whether this way of discriminating against the Northeast militants would pave the way for peace, only time would tell, but the fact remains that this discriminatory attitude itself is violation of the constitutional guarantee of equality. It is one thing that the Pakistan-sponsored jihadi groups of Jammu & Kashmir cannot be equated with the insurgents of the Northeast, most of whom too have degenerated into terror outfits in recent times, or that the reasons for the rise of insurgency in the Northeast are vastly different from those of the Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir. But the fact remains that in both the cases the Centre must have a definite and single yardstick, not discriminatory. Perhaps the line dividing insurgency and terrorism is getting too thin to confound the country’s security establishment. But then is it not the mistakes of the country’s political establishment to differentiate between the reasons for Northeast insurgency and those of Kashmir’s, which is primarily to blame for the insurgents too having relapsed into the terror mode? And a frank admission of this fact too could open the gates to meaningful negotiations between the Centre and the Northeast militants, and eventually to a just and lasting peace in the region.

  It is unfortunate that the Centre, despite all its tall talk about the Look East Policy vis-à-vis the Northeast, still perceives the people of the region as expendables in matters of devising a development strategy for the region. It would conceive and finalize projects in Delhi and force them on the Northeast people, without any regard to whether they, the stakeholders themselves, would accept them, as indeed it is happening in the case of the mega power projects in Arunachal, or the uranium mining in Meghalaya, or the hydel projects elsewhere in the region. Even in matters of day-to-day political-administrative issues, the Centre’s discrimination against the Northeast is too palpable for even the layman to miss. And this situation had not arisen all of a sudden, but had been given the stamp of the country’s state policy since Independence, as the question of security was, and is still, given a lopsided priority over development issues in the region. Perhaps the Centre is still waiting for the realization to dawn on it that it can no longer treat the Northeast as the country’s hinterland inasmuch as the people as expendables, if it really wanted a secure, peaceful and prosperous land in this part of the country, and thereby revise its strategy for peace in the region. But then, for this to happen, it cannot wait any longer as the environment is getting charged up in the region and internal strife taking ever new, unpredictable contours with each passing day.  The issue is too serious to be left on the bureaucrats and generals to decide. THE SENTINEL

NEIIM 2010 : Social Evening, Cultural function, Bonfire & Dinner

NEIIM 2010 : Social Evening, Cultural function, Bonfire & Dinner

Friends,

You will be pleased to know that a social get-together is being organised on 11 January 2010 for the delegates of North East India International Meet (NEIIM 2010). The venue chosen for this gala evening is the beautiful, well maintained Greenwood Resort. This is a classic example of how a local lady entrepreneur can excel with hard work and business acumen. Top class accommodation is also available at the Greenwood Resort. Any delegate interested to stay at the resort may let us know for discounted rates.

Greenwood resort is conveniently located on the outskirts of Guwahati city, very near to Khanapara area of Guwahati city. It has ample parking space and beautiful lawns, a swimming pool and is surrounded by green hills.

On the evening of 11 January 2010 the get-together will start at 6 pm. There will be a cultural function representing all the 8 NE States. It will be followed by a dinner of ethnic dishes. Also we have arranged for bonfire.

Delegates will be able to enjoy the cultural function by sitting in open air or from under a covered roof. Delegates will not be confined to one room during the cultural function rather they will get enough space to stroll around and network with each other. Well stocked paid bars will also be available.

Friends, let us make this evening a memorable one. We are sure this evening will be an opportunity to meet old friends who are scattered across the globe and also an opportunity to make new friends and go back home with sweet memories.

Cheers !

Bidyananda Barkakoty
General Secretary, Organising Committee, NEIIM 2010
Guwahati
Cell : +91-9435046211
Email : neiim@yahoo. com 

Floating of tender mandatory: AARCA

ITANAGAR, Nov 28: The All Arunachal Registered Contractors’ Association (AARCA) has drawn attention of all work departments of the State government that floating tender was mandatory for all contractual works implemented by them.

In a statement today the Association claimed that it was necessary to maintain transparency and judicious utilization of funds sanctioned for Central schemes like SPA, TFC, CRF, NEC, SSA etc., besides doing away with the ‘pick and chose’ policy in allotting work to contractors and firms. Citing an order from the offices of the State Chief Secretary making floating of tender mandatory, the Association urged the departments to implement the order and invite tenders for all works still pending with respective departments. THE SENTINEL

BJP State chief escapes assassination bid

ITANAGAR, Nov 28: State unit BJP president and sitting MLA from Pasighat West, Dr. Tangor Tapak narrowly escaped a bid on his life when unidentified persons fired at his convoy from close range last night at about 8.30 pm at 7 Mile while on his way to Rani village from Pasighat in East Siang district.

Into the last leg of his maiden tour of his home constituency, Dr Tapak’s convoy was fired upon by unknown miscreants that damaged window panes of both sides of his personal Hyundai i-10 car. Fortunately for Dr Tapak, he was traveling in another car in the convoy. Apparently, his younger brother was traveling ahead in the car targeted by the miscreants. However, no one was injured while one bullet pierced through the car coming out from the other side. Police sources told The Sentinel that preliminary investigation revealed that 9 mm bullets were fired at the car. Without divulging details, the sources said that police was working on few leads but denied identification of any suspects.

“Nothing can be said conclusively at the moment as the area of incident is covered with dense forests and falls along the Arunachal-Assam boundary. Home Minister Tako Dabi today rushed to the spot and assured the aggrieved people gathered of prompt action by the State government. He said that the culprits involved would be booked and put them behind bars soon.

Condemning the unbecoming threat on the life of an MLA, Dabi asserted that the government will not spare such anti-social elements.

Meanwhile, the State BJP has strongly condemned the incident and demanded adequate security for its president. While welcoming the prompt response of the Home Minister, it also urged him to launch a thorough investigation into the incident to uncover the elements involved. THE SENTINEL

Work on Harmuti-Itanagar railway line right on track

Governor makes aerial survey, Railways likely to take over from Nov-end

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Nov 28: Papum Pare deputy commissioner Bidol Tayeng today informed that the land acquisition process for the 11.45 km railway line from Harmuti in Assam to Naharlagan would be completed by the end of this month, thereby paving the way for the Indian Railways to start its construction. He said the district administration is expediting the process to handover the 10 km length of land to NF Railway by November-end.

Accompanying Governor Gen (Rtd) J J Singh on an aerial survey of the project site today, Tayeng informed that earth filling works for the broad-gauge railway track are likely to be completed before onset of the next monsoon, which is tentatively by April 2010 next.

He said the seven-pillar 270-metre-long concrete bridge over River Dikrong is also likely to be completed within this winter. The bridge would be the biggest on the proposed route that would connect Doimukh with the State capital. The total length of the first phase railway line is about 11.45KM.

Governor Singh, who is personally monitoring all the projects being implemented under the special PM package for the State, today aerially surveyed the progress on ground of the railway line, besides the site earmarked for the proposed Greenfield Airport at Karsingsa. Accompanied by MLAs Nabam Rebia (Doimukh) and Techi Kaso (Itanagar), Tayeng and Civil Aviation assistant director Toko Audil, Singh took stock of the excavation and earth filling works along the proposed broad gauge railway line from Gumto to Borum, which is going on full swing.

The team flew over Borum, Tarajuli, Tigdo, Yupia, Doimukh, Emchi, Amba and Gumto villages under Doimukh division, the route of the railway line, besides the proposed site of the Greenfield airport.

Interacting with the team later, Singh emphasized timely completion of the railway project. He directed the deputy commissioner to remain in touch with the Railway authorities and get the construction work expedited. The Governor also stressed the need to keep the options open for the proposed board gauge line to reach Itanagar in the second phase of the project.

“It should be made clear that the line is not supposed to end at Naharlagan,” he added. THE SENTINEL

Shabby extraction of Tiniang uranium, Government asleep

SHILLONG, Nov 28: The controversy over uranium mining in Domiasiat, Wahkaji and Mawthabah areas of West Khasi Hills district is more than two decades old, while various social organizations hit the headlines for spearheading movements to counter any move to mine the ore in those places. However, amidst the controversy, a small hamlet Tiniang appears to have been forgotten, sand-witched as it is perhaps by the three big names, rich in uranium ore.

Tiniang, in West Khasi Hills is situated about 138 kms from Shillong. A visit to Tiniang is a test of skill and endurance for drivers and passengers alike. At Tiniang, the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) had set up a camp where they conducted exploratory drilling for rock samples and relevant information had been collected since 1995. It was found that Tiniang had uranium deposits of around 4,000 tonnes. But, the AMD camp at Tiniang village revealed shocking facts when journalists and the Nongtre Youth Development Organization, led by general secretary Ricky Jumiong visited the area on Friday.

Sheds constructed with galvanized iron sheets formed the AMD Tiniang Camp. Inside the three sheds, hundreds of boxes, each measuring about three inches in thickness, 12 inches broad and 6 feet high, packed with uranium ore were found. But the ores appeared to be crushed into sand like substance. There were black ore in the bags too. The sand-like substances were also found in packets and open plastic bags, the substance scattered. The doors of the sheds were marked with ‘Store 15.3.2001.’

While no officers were present to explain about the usage of the packed uranium ore and the sand-like substance, journalists also failed to get a reaction from Starwin Sangriang, a security guard and Ferdinand Paliar a mining head, who were employed since 1990, in the area. However, a resident of the area Relina Puwein informed that the land was given on lease for Rs 10,000 annually. Asked about the period of the lease, Puwein said, “The clan elders would know about it. But I also learnt that the period had ended but the AMD had got it extended for another three years.”

According to Relina, the Puwein clan bifurcated into two sub-clans- Puwien Nonglanglieh and Nongpathar. The Nongpathar clan ratified leasing of land to the AMD, she said, adding, “I don’t know what uranium is, I don’t know if it’s good or bad. Though I don’t subscribe to leasing of land to the company but I have to listen to what the elders say.” THE SENTINEL

Khasi youths’ lack of interest in armed forces worries forces

SHILLONG, Nov 28: The Khasi youths’ lack of interest in the armed forces needs a serious introspection, felt several senior Army officers here. According to Director of the State Rajya Sainik Board Brigadier (retd) WJB Sturgeon, even though the number of Khasi youths joining the armed forces had risen marginally, yet in terms of community representation, it was still miniscule. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Shillong-based 101 Area, Major General KS Sethi rued that the youths from the Khasi community had not been showing keen interest in the recruitment rallies conducted in the State. “It’s the youth from the Garo community, who are rather forthcoming than the Khasis”, the GOC said, pondering over the reason for this lackadaisical attitude of the Khasi youths towards joining the armed forces. An officer in the Indian Air Force said, “I wonder why the Khasi youths are not using the headquarters of the Assam Rifles, the Indian Air Force, BSF and even Army’s 101 Area all of which are located in Shillong itself”.

General Sethi felt that it could be the low awareness level that is the main reason for the lack of interest displayed by the Khasi youths in joining the armed forces. The GOC denied that his command had not done its job in motivating the youths, but he also accedes that more of awareness campaign should be carried out to attract the educated youths into the armed forces. While the Army assured to go for a more pro-active campaign, the Eastern Air Command has already started it awareness programme by visiting the colleges in the city.

While the top brass in the armed forces is looking for the reasons that make the Khasi youths less enthusiastic about joining the armed forces, some of those who had appeared for the recruitment rally alleged that the recruitment personnel were discriminatory. “I knew I had all the standards to be a complete jawan, but the end results didn’t go my way”, stated one aspirant who appeared at the Assam Rifles recruitment rally in Laitkor in 2007. Some other youths who had given a try in the armed forces recruitment rally even alleged that the recruitment meant solely for the State of Meghalaya had entertained candidates coming from other states of the country. However, a senior officer said, “Barring perhaps stray cases, the armed forces never discriminate against anybody on caste, creed religion or regional lines”.

Interestingly, to ensure better response to a recruitment rally, the office of the publicity wing of the Defence Ministry has started a campaign. Ahead of the Air Force recruitment rally scheduled next month, Defence PRO, Wing Commander Ranjib Sahoo has assured to come out with success stories on the local personnel in the armed forces in order to motivate the youths. THE SENTINEL

Sixth annual conference of AXX from Feb

NAGAON, Nov 28: A discussion meet was held at Nagaon recently to sort out the preparations for the ensuing four-day sixth annual conference of the Asom Xahitya Xabha (AXX) to begin from February 1, next. The meeting was presided over by Dr Naren Kalita and was attended by several officials of the Baithalangso Conference Reception Committee (BCRC).

While addressing the meeting, BCRC secretary Hang M Hanshe detailed about the preparation of the meeting and said that the committee will host the conference in a clear way by keeping up with the image of AXX. A souvenir will also be published in English during the conference. An adarani was constituted in the meeting with Phanindra Gayan and Dharma Kakoti as its president and secretary respectively. THE SENTINEL

Bangladeshi apprehended

HATSINGIMARI, Nov 28: A Bangladeshi youth Ishadul Khan (24), son of Wazir Khan of Majerhar village under Olipur Police Station was apprehended by troops of the 3 Sikh regiment recently. He was apprehended from Hazirhat village under Sukchar PS in Dhubri district. He has been sentenced to judicial custody through Sukchar PS. THE SENTINEL

11 new projects get approval

KOKRAJHAR, Nov 28: The Central Government has cleared 11 projects with an estimate cost of Rs 108.25 crore from the list of schemes submitted by the BTC under the additional package of Rs 250 crore for BTC areas.

Of the cleared projects, the highest Rs 25.94 crore has been earmarked for an IT park at Kokrajhar, along with setting up of model dairy, fishery, horticulture, poultry farms and training centres in Kokilabari in the Baksa district at a cost of Rs 11.46 crore, setting up of food processing plant at Karigaon in Kokrajhar at the cost of Rs 9.96 crore, Rs 9.07 crore integrated agro-processing park at Lalpool in Udalguri, establishment of sports complex at Mushapur in Baksa (rupees five crore), upgrading of sports complex at Kajalgaon in Chirang (rupees five crore). The other projects includes construction of cold storage at Baram in Baksa, construction of three RCC bridges, one each over Gurufella River on Gossaigaon-Sapatgram Road, Gangia River on Dotma-Bhawraguri Road and Putimari River at Dolonghat (Dhulabari in between Baksa and Udalguri).

At the same time, the NLCPR also retained 21 projects for Assam at the cost of Rs 150.36 crore of which four projects fall in the BTC area at a cost of around Rs 51.03 crore for the year 2009-10. The project under the NLCPR includes a tourist resort-cum-amusement park at Manas National Park at a cost of Rs 34.78 crore, construction of RCC bridge in Dotma-Balajan Road over Saralbangha River in Kokrajhar at the cost of Rs 1,060.50 lakh, construction of RCC bridge over Laska, Daulaguri–Dotma Road at the cost of Rs 147.46 lakh and improvement of Kadamtola-Nikasi Road from Kuchighar to Bhalukdonga.

Expressing happiness over the sanctioning of Rs 108.25 crore to BTC for as many as 11 development projects, chief of BTC Hagrama Mohilary thanked the Prime Minister, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on behalf of the people of the BTC. He urged the people to come forward for smooth completion of the projects. THE SENTINEL

‘Influx a threat to indigenous people’

KOKRAJHAR, Nov 28: The Indian Confederation of Indigenous Tribals People (ICITP), North East Zone expressed serious concern that one of the serious threats to the forest of BTC and Assam is the ongoing unabated illegal influx from Bangladesh and other neighbour in the State and Bodoland Territorial Council is not an exception to this threat. The ongoing silent aggression of the external population slowly and gradually outnumbered and marginalized the local indigenous people and local communities in the districts like Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta and Nagon, the ICITP said adding that, this was a crystal clear indication of threat to the integrity and security of the indigenous and local communities of Assam and its life sustaining resources of land, forest and water. BTC borders with Dhubri and Barpeta districts to the South and as a consequence, thousands of new faces of illegal immigrants can be seen initially temporarily settling particularly in the sar areas and then moving towards the forest areas.

This study also finds that thousands of immigrants belonging to Santhal communities from West Bengal and Jharkhand backed by community militant organizations are continuing to flow freely in the forest areas of BTC, who have already successfully encroached a large area of forest of BTC and occupied large areas of forest lands in various places of Bishmuri, Kachugaon, Saralpara, Lungsung and Sidli of Kokrajhar and Chirang districts. In some places like Kungring in Kokrajhar and Sidli Range in Chirang, the encroachers are of mixed communities like Boros, Santhals, Rajbongshis and other communities. The increasing population pressure due to influx and population transfer from other neighbouring States of India who have succeeded to continue to freely encroach and occupy forest areas in BTC has prompted the local indigenous and tribal communities too in indulging themselves to further encroach the forest areas adding a new dimension to the already severely degraded situation. The actual situation at present is like a competition for clearing the forest and occupying it.

The president of the ICITP– NE Zone Jebra Ram Mashahary in his thesis- “Bodoland Territorial Council New Forest Law of India and its lack of conceptual clarity leading to conflicts and the current threat to the forest of Bodoland Territorial Council”, which was submitted to Kangwon National University, South Korea recently organized by UNEP-Eco-Peace Leadership Programme clearly said, the influx from outside the country and immigration from the different States have threatened the existence of forest resources of BTC as well as of Assam. He also said, the department concerned still lacks sustainable measures and management to tackle the forest menace.

This study of Mashahary confirmed that, the problem adversely affecting the management of forest in BTC is tremendous and multifaceted one. Lack of proper sustainable forest management policies, effective laws and awareness for public co-operation through inclusive of full and effective participation to implement various projects and schemes are some of the factors affecting the forest management. BTC Forest Department claims that to mitigate the various problems, the department has prepared schemes to involve villagers in the protection and conservation of forest through Forest Development Agency schemes. Under these schemes, the Joint Forest Management Committees have been formed. The committees are provided funds to carry out plantations. They are also entrusted with a specified area of forest for protection. According to the department, at present three Forest Divisions are implementing these schemes since 2004-2005, Mashahary said.

According to the Forest Department, during the last financial year, the Forest Department has also made a modest start to rebuild the infrastructure by contracting and repairing the Forest Rangers’ quarters and offices at Bashbari, Kuklung, Mushalpur, Kumarikhata and Udalguri. A number of forest camps have also been constructed at strategic places such as Nayekgaon, Bishmuri, Superighat, Athiabari, etc. They claim that, at least 352 structures will be required to reconstruct to bring back the infrastructure of the Forest Department that existed prior to 1980 and the approximate cost required for the reconstruction is about Rs 11 crore for which the BTC does not have sufficient fund but have to rely on the State and the Central Government.

The president of the ICITP– NE Zone said, it was sad to find in this study that the Forest Department currently does not have adequate forces to meet the increasing challenges of protecting the forest. The usual Government norms of providing hardly one dozen forest guards per division with a mere few 303 rifles is too inadequate at this complex situation. Though Assam has armed Assam Forest Protection Force, it lacks advance training, sophisticated weapons, modern communication equipment, etc. They also lack proper accommodation facilities and sufficient vehicle for their transportations, Masahary said adding that, it was worth mentioning here that while interviewing few of the forest guards of Haltugaon Forest Division, they expressed seriously that due to these reasons they fear of their own security of life since they believed that poachers and the miscreants possess more sophisticated weapons than themselves and therefore they are forced to stay away from the forest areas. Further, due to lack of necessary fund, it is not possible to effectively mobilize the forest staff and forest protection forces required to support the field staff for the protection of forest. In the absence of forest staff, and taking advantage of disturbed situation prevailing in the area, the miscreants and timber smugglers got opportunities to freely indulge in illegal felling of trees and poaching wild animals till date, he added. THE SENTINEL

Revolution as Business

On Friday, the Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) announced a unilateral ceasefire from December 1, 2009 to March 1, 2010 in an attempt to get a positive response from the government. “We have taken this decision for the sake of peace in Karbi Anglong. We want a political solution to the problems afflicting the hill district,” said Jijak Dera, publicity secretary of KLNLF. “Ours is not a problem of unemployment, but a political problem that needs to be solved politically. We appeal to all MPs and MLAs of the State to help bring back peace in Karbi Anglong,” he added. This is typical of how ‘revolution’ or ‘insurgency’ has been turned into a business or industry in the Northeast. A group of youths finds a ‘cause’ that can have local backing for militancy; the group starts recruiting young people until there is a respectable number of 300 or 400 cadres. With just a few weapons to intimidate people, they raise enough money to buy more weapons that enable them to take intimidation to a totally different level where they can intimidate district council officers into siphoning development funds from the Centre to buy weapons for the outfit and much else for the leaders, as the DHD(J) has managed to do. In other words, these revolutionaries are able to use arms to coerce the administration into subsidizing an anti-India revolution with public money! And just when things start getting too hot for the outfit it is time to talk about unilateral ceasefires and offering to have talks with the government so that the district or region may return to peace. Well, the district did have peace before you decided to pick weapons to start a revolution that you had no intentions or means of sustaining. And a group that denies that there is a problem of unemployment actually knows there is such a problem. As ordinary students or dropouts they know they have no chance of getting any jobs. So they rely on the bad precedent created by the government of creating jobs for those who took up arms against the government and then said a partial farewell to arms rather  than to those who never picked up arms at all. There is a major aberration working in favour of those who have ‘rebelled’ and wanted to return to the mainstream, and they are capitalizing on this charade of revolution for turning it into a business. THE SENTINEL

Dismal School Scenario

It is all very well for grown-ups to absolve themselves of all responsibilities to their society and country and dump it all on the frail shoulders of “our future generations” without providing them the kind of education to prepare them for the onerous task. Remember the aftermath of the Assam Movement that was kicked off in 1979? We are still suffering from the fallout of that major social blunder of grown-ups abdicating their responsibility and passing the buck to immature youths. And 30 years down the line the scenario is getting more dismal by the day because of what we have done to our primary and secondary schools and to our children of school-going age. It makes more sense to begin with what much-flaunted “abhiyans” have done to our children of school-going age. Almost two lakh children of Assam (199,187 out of the 5,595,095 children in the State to be precise) constituting 3.56 per cent of the State’s total child population, are deprived of primary education for one reason or the other. And even if the authorities are quick to claim that their parents do not wish to send them to school, the responsibility for this ought to devolve on the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) for failing to make parents realize how education opens up the prospects for the future of their children. Right now they cannot visualize any future for their children performing the ritual of attending ramshackle one-room schools often without a teacher for just an hour or two every day. When they begin to see schools where the kind of learning that makes them fit for today’s world takes place, they will all encourage their children to attend school without fail.

Not to speak of primary schools, what is the state of the 2,060 government-run secondary schools of Assam? Only 43 per cent of these schools have electricity, 66 per cent have libraries and only 1.6 per cent have science laboratories. Strangely enough, more schools (2.3 per cent of them) have internet facilities. Where is our sense of priority? We have a situation where some schools without science laboratories have internet facilities. Does the Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan (RMSA) honestly believe that internet facilities rate a higher priority than science libraries? Here is a clear case of priorities being settled not by well-formulated policies but rather by the dictates of what the supplier finds easier to set up in a school or what yields better kickbacks. As with the SSA, the RMSA’s total lack of concern for the priorities of secondary education is appalling. Nothing seems to matter except how much money is earmarked for any aspect of our educational infrastructure. The human resource aspect — competent and trained teachers with aptitude for teaching — does not seem to matter at all

Does this scenario imply that children who have stopped going to schools that do not function have ceased learning? It certainly does not. They learn what is needed to cope with life today outside school. They do not always learn things very systematically or properly. But the irony is that they learn in spite of the teachers they left behind in the schools that they dropped out of. Perhaps there is scope for the question that surfaces in Ivan Illich’s book Deschooling Society: Who needs such schools? THE SENTINEL

For ‘Brain Gain’

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has used his trip to the US as an opportunity to invite all Indians settled abroad to return home. During his interaction with prominent members of the Indian American community in Washington on Wednesday, he used the coinage ‘‘brain gain’’ for ‘‘reverse brain drain’’ and extended ‘‘an invitation to all Indian Americans and non-resident Indians who wish to return home to India in one capacity or another’’, because ‘‘modern technology and our flexible policies have opened possibilities of working in both places’’. But why did those Indians leave their motherland in the first place? It is because of lack of infrastructure and the right ambience to do justice to their merit. While some infrastructure has been put in place, especially after the reforms initiated in the early nineties, but which is again nothing compared to what they get in developed countries, there is still a long way to go as far as the right ambience is concerned — that is, in the matter of things like meritocracy, autonomy beyond a stifling bureaucracy, interdisciplinary flexibility and a modern, pragmatic academic regime. Why should, for instance, a brain decide to return home when there are caste-based quotas in such centres of excellence as IITs and IIMs too, so much so that the HRD Ministry would have such quotas in recruitment to the faculty as well? Such perverseness and retrograde ‘‘affirmative action’’ road map is unique to this country whose leaders otherwise talk of a knowledge society. For what the Prime Minister says ‘‘brain gain’’ to happen, he should rather heed the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) and implement all of its radical recommendations. But will the politician allow this to happen? THE SENTINEL

The Next Step Forward

The vibe emanating from Washington DC over the past couple of days has been one of a shared world perception in relation to the world’s largest democracy. While addressing guests at the White House on Tuesday along with visiting Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, US President Barack Obama pointed to the future when India would play a ‘‘pivotal role’’ in Asia, with the US-India ties taking such a shape as to be the ‘‘defining partnership’’ of the 21st century. He also admitted, though not explicitly, the US’ blunders in Pakistan in the past: ‘‘There were probably times when we were just focused on the (Pakistani) military... instead of (engaging its) civil society.’’ The following days would witness both Obama and Dr Singh explore a gamut of issues and possibilities that the two democracies could use to further the cause of a new world order. As a joint statement said, the two leaders ‘‘reiterated their intention to realize the full potential of the India-US agreement for cooperation concerning the peaceful use of nuclear energy through the implementation of its provisions’’, while at the same time vowing to continue pursuing mutually beneficial defence cooperation through the existing security dialogue, service-level exchanges, defence exercises, trade, and technology transfer and collaboration. The statement said that they had recognized the scope for cooperation in the areas of non-traditional threats to security, peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief, and maritime security and protecting the sea lanes of communication. On Wednesday, addressing the Indian American community at a reception hosted by the Indian Ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, Dr Singh harped on the ‘‘five Es’’ that would be emphasized to provide a new direction to India-US relations — economy, energy, environment, education and empowerment — even as the two countries ‘‘further strengthen their ties in defence, security and counter-terrorism’’.

However, all of the above will be meaningful only when the US shuns the long-practised double standard in international politics, and nearer home, most decisively, only when it asks Islamabad to mend its treacherous ways in dealing with and responding to New Delhi’s concern over Pakistan’s new status — the epicentre of jihadi super-terrorism. If Obama wants to script a new world narrative, with India poised to play a role no less than China’s in Asia and the rest of the world, he cannot afford to vacillate. The US wields direct  influence over Pakistan, its ally in the so-called war on terror, and therefore, Obama has the mandate to even directly address the Pakistan Army’s notorious Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and ask it to correct its terror course or face the music, the jihad enterprise in Pakistan being a grandiose ISI project to bleed India by a million cuts. The crux of the matter is that India-US relations are not dynamics in isolation, but rather part of an intriguing matrix comprising Pakistan and its use of terror as an instrument of state policy. What use are India-US relations if the US does nothing about Pakistan’s diversion of US aid to concretize its anti-India infrastructure, both the military and jihad arrangement? Let Washington realize this first. THE SENTINEL

Excessive security concerns deprived Arunachal of development: ACR

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Nov 26: A leading human rights NGO of the State, the Arunachal Citizens’ Right (ACR) has rued that the pressing need for infrastructure development vis-à-vis the basic minimum services for the State has been put on the backburner for more than four decades owing to Government putting a premium on national security over development of the State.

Attending the two-day seminar on Tribal Unrest in India and Empowerment for Self Rule at the International Youth Hostel at New Delhi yesterday, ACR Chairperson Bamang Tago said that road communication in the border State has been left untouched for decades depriving the citizens of basic amenities like health, education and information.

“Till the 80s, even construction of mule and porter tracts had to be cleared by the Ministry of Defence,” he informed.

While appreciating the recent ‘change of attitude’ from the Centre towards infrastructure development of the State, Tago, however, lamented that the so-called new jest for accelerating the pace of development of the North-east displayed by the Government was attributable solely to the country’s geo-political strategic compulsions. This is amply borne by the fact that these projects were being implemented without involving communities and stakeholders in the decision-making and planning processes, and thrusting the projects on them.

Citing that China’s repeated claims over Arunachal has created a fear psychosis in the minds of Arunachalees living in the border areas, Tago expressed deep distress that Arunachal was being made a pawn in the power struggle between the two Asian giants.

“The fact is that whether it is the Chinese or any other, tribal rights on land, river, forest and mountains are defined in the tribal mythology, traditional convention and migratory history. Hence, the question of having boundary disputes doesn’t arise at all in Arunachal,” he asserted.

During the two-day discourse, the seminar identified dispossession of life supporting resources including land, forest, water and culture in the name of ‘public interest’ and aggressive national development policies in the form of mining, industry, power plants, big-dams, wildlife sanctuaries and military installations threatening the very survival of the indigenous and tribal people. It pointed these as the main issues leading to internal colonialism by dominant society over the tribals.

The seminar, which concluded last evening, was organized by the Dimasa Peoples Council and All Dimasa Students Union, in collaboration with the Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal People, with an intent to understand the root-causes of the tribal unrest in India and more particularly in the North-east states. Various issues were discussed during the two days to promote solidarity among different groups, social activists, students, scholars, academicians and political leaders locally, regionally, nationally and internationally in the matters that effect them directly or indirectly with the sole objective of improving the quality life of the indigenous and tribal people of the country. More then 300 tribal community leaders from across the country participated in the seminar. THE SENTINEL

Churches for action on violence in NE

SHILLONG, Nov 26: The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) has suggested a pro-active action plan to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

The recommendation was arrived at during a three-day regional consultation on ‘Violence and Violation of Human Rights: Patterns and Perspectives for Peace’ which concluded in Shillong today. Observing that the North-east is reeling under violence and violation of human rights the 35 delegates drawn from various churches and States of the region dwelt on the seriousness of the problems connected with the continuance of the AFSPA in the region.

“There is a pattern in the denial of justice as visible in human-rights violation cases by security forces or in the failure of the government to protect women, children and other marginalised groups,” the delegates observed, while also referring to the impact of development projects such as uranium mining in Meghalaya, and construction of mega dams in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur and the failure of the Central and State governments to implement laws such as the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, etc.

While suggesting that the people of the North-east should be assertive of their respective identity claims, they also should see to it that they do non impinge on the identity rights of others. The churches need to carefully study the intrinsic relationship between development and the rights of the local people in different parts of the region, they further said.

Recommendations for action plans for the NCCI was also placed wherein it would advocate abolition of all so-called “religious freedom” laws enacted by various State governments, initiate steps for bringing churches together at various levels to form joint fronts for tackling issues of violence and violations of human rights, racial profiling of all people, particularly those of the region residing in other parts of the country, proactive action for implementation of various laws enacted to protect tribal and minority rights and interest, and to have a manual on human rights education which should be translated into different languages and dialects.

The consultation was organized by the NCCI in partnership with South Asia Ecumenical Partnership Programme and the Presbyterian Church of India. THE SENTINEL

Rs 31 Crore No Joke

That the Maharashtra Government has already spent Rs 31 crore to put in place a foolproof security grid for the lone surviving Mumbai 26/11 attacker, Ajmal Amir Kasab, points to the pace with which his trial should be expedited and justice rendered to the souls of the innocent victims of the Pakistan-exported terror. The special cell inside the high-security Arthur Road Jail, where Kasab stays, is so designed that even if a truck laden with explosives were to ram into it, the cell would remain intact. But for what is this huge infrastructure and expenditure? For a trial that is only believed to take yet another couple of months, even after the clear revelations of the terrorist as to his training in Pakistan by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commanders under the very nose of the establishment there and clear instructions to him for the 26/11 operation? As for Pakistan, it has only now merely framed charges against LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and six others in the Mumbai attack case, while LeT founder Hafiz Saeed is a free man and delivering hate speeches against India in his Friday sermons. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has rightly told Pakistan not to expect any positive peace gesture from India unless Islamabad dismantles all of the terror infrastructure there. This in fact requires dismantling of the ISI itself. But Kasab must be punished first, fast, and exemplarily. There is no use wasting the Indian taxpayer’s money on him now. THE SENTINEL

Whose Mandate?

ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa cannot be unaware of the depleting strength of his outfit, the rapid erosion of its support base, its mutation from an insurgent outfit to a terror group, and what a vast majority of the people of the State have long thought of the organization — a front in the ISI’s firm grip. But Rajkhowa is trying to give a different impression, forced as he is by the changed circumstances. On Wednesday, reacting to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s statement in Parliament a day before that the government will hold talks with militant outfits only after they give up violence, lay down their arms and jettison their demand for ‘‘sovereignty’’, the ULFA chairman said that the minister’s comment only proved the Centre’s lack of ‘‘logic and courage’’ to initiate a discussion on ‘‘sovereignty’’. In a statement e-mailed to the media, he said: ‘‘Otherwise, it (Centre) would not have made such an irresponsible statement to stay away from the political process and solve the issue. Our stand is clear — ULFA won’t bow before India for dialogue. We want a political solution of the issues we are fighting for...’’ Rajkhowa also warned: ‘‘If the government wants to settle the conflict with us militarily, it should let us know by making a statement in Parliament, and we’ll continue to fight to establish the rights of the people of Assam.’’

Interesting indeed. It passes our understanding as to why New Delhi, as the ULFA chairman believes, should be short on ‘‘logic and courage’’ to deliberate on the sovereignty of Assam. The likes of Arabinda Rajkhowa should rather visit Assam, leaving their luxurious cocoons on foreign soil, and hear what the people of the State, and more importantly its new generation, will inform them of: that Assam is already sovereign because it is a part of India and India is sovereign; that the sovereignty of Assam stems from the sovereignty of India. This is the logic for the people of Assam at this point of time, barring of course for those for whom the notion of Assam’s sovereignty independent of India’s is just an expedient to be in the limelight (such as the few organizations in the mainstream that are only ULFA’s frontal outfits) or a means of being a stakeholder in the industry of so-called insurgency. The people of Assam cherish their sovereignty for which their past generations had sacrificed their lives and freed their beloved motherland from the grip of British imperialism. Did the Assamese freedom fighters and martyrs sacrificed so much for a sovereignty independent of India’s? Not at all — a reality that the ULFA leadership too cannot be unaware of but which its pretence and an imagined separate-nationality notion must distort. Therefore, there is absolutely no question of anyone lacking ‘‘logic and courage’’ to talk on Assam’s sovereignty. We are already a sovereign people of an evolving democracy called the Indian nation-state, despite its aberrations that are only too natural in a developing system.

That said, the ULFA chairman has talked of a ‘‘fight to establish the rights of the people of Assam’’. This is more interesting because we do not know of any mandate that the people of Assam have given to the ULFA to stage such fight. If there is any, let the outfit enlighten us on. But how about returning back to the long-abandoned motherland (now about to be taken over by nationals of the same country where the outfit has had its flourishing base for long, Bangladesh), joining the mainstream, doing a lot of hard and honest work to contest elections, and thus winning the mandate of the people to righteously fight to establish their rights? Time has come for the ULFA to take this as food for great thought. THE SENTINEL

Upper Assam bandh on December 1

DIBRUGARH, Nov 26: The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Parishad (AJYP) has called for dawn to dusk 12-hour upper Assam bandh on December 1, in protest against the State Government’s apathy towards their demands.

In a statement issued to the press, the vice-president of AJYP alleged that the illegal syndicate run by a section of goons with the active support of the State Government was the chief cause of the steep price hike of the essential commodities. The parishad demanded that the State Government’s Food and Civil Supply Department should play an active role in initiating punitive steps against black marketers and make it mandatory for all businessmen to display their stock and rate of the various essential commodities. The parishad demanded stern action against those supply officials who fails to oblige the department’s directives.

The demands of the parishad were– scheduling of six ethnic communities, introduction of full autonomy and dual citizenship besides to contain the steep price hike of the essential commodities. THE SENTINEL

Pro-talk faction apologizes

DIBRUGARH, Nov 26: The pro-talk faction of ULFA’s secretary Jiten Dutta has apologized for the unwarranted situation created at an Assamese daily office at Tinsukia on November 23.

One of the member of the pro-talk faction ULFA, Prabal Neog had threatened the staff and employees of an Assamese daily office at Tinsukia with a gun and locked the office at his whim. The incident had invited wide spread condemnation from all quarters of society. Jiten Dutta begged apology not only from the entire staff and employees of the publication but also from the people of the State for such uncalled-for situation at the Tinsukia office of the Assamese daily.

Dutta further humbly requested all not to mention the pro-talk faction of ULFA members as surrendered militants. THE SENTINEL

‘Stop big dam projects to save us’

JORHAT, Nov 26: “The Central Government must stop the big dam projects erected on Suansiri River in Arunachal Pradesh for the greater interest to save the people from a horrendous affect in the near future”, said Dilip Pegu, president of Namoni Suansiri Jalabidyut Prakalpa Birudhi Oikya Mancha, a united body of  thirty-six organizations of Assam after the successful completion of 36-hour Majuli, Dhemaji and Lakhimpur bandh at 5 pm today. He said, “We, the 36-organizations of the State unanimously protest the decision of the Central Government to build up a number of big dam projects on Suansiri River in Arunachal Pradesh without thinking about the people of Assam those located in the lower part of the river. He said that, despite Arunachal Pradesh being an earthquake prone region of the country, the Government has been trying to build up the biggest (116 metre high) dam project with the capacity of 2,000 megawatt in the region, which will cause to be major affect of as many as 936 villages of Dhakuakhana, Majuli, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji areas. Apart from this, the Government also proposes to take up another 104 nos. of dam projects in the said areas ignoring the very fact that if the dam would break down, lakh of people would be submerged by the flowing water within a few minutes.

Coming down heavily on the MPs of Assam due to their failure to present the matter into the Parliament, the organization said that, the MPs of Assam are not skilled enough to present the burning issue in the floor of the Parliament. The organization urged the Assam Government as well as the MPs of Assam to take the matter seriously and to induce the Central Government over the matter. They said that, they would organize public meeting from corner to corner of the State in support of their demands and to take up serious agitation immediately failing to fulfil their demands. THE SENTINEL

Trekking camp conducted

Our Staff Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, Nov 25: All India Trekking Camp for NCC cadets was conducted by the NCC Group Headquarters, Dibrugarh on behalf of NCC Directorate, North Eastern Region from November 1 to November 20. The trek involved the move of the participating cadets from Ledo in Assam to Miao (AP) via Kharsang (AP) a distance of 50 kms one way. 1,000 NCC cadets from all over the country participated in the trek.

The aim of the trek was to inculcate a spirit of adventure amongst the cadets, promote National integration and to develop respect for local customs, tradition and culture. Cultural programmes were conducted as part of the daily camp activity which saw enthusiastic performances by the participating cadets. The local talent was invited to perform in these functions with an aim to expose the cadets to the rich and multi-ethnic culture of the Northeast.

During their stay, the cadets got an opportunity to visit the places of interest in the area. The cadets visited Tirap open cast coal mine, Mulong Naga village, International Buddhist Monastery and NEFA Tea Factory at Ledo and Wildlife Museum, zoo, Oil India Ropeway across the Dihing river. The Tibetan resettlement camp and carpet factory was also visited by the cadets during their stay at Miao.

Col Ashok S Ingleshwar, Director, NCC Directorate, NER visited the trek from November 7 to November 10. The visiting officer was fully satisfied with the preparation and conduct of the trek. During his talk before the flagging off of the second batch, he encouraged the cadets to do well in their careers.

In his valedictory address, Group Commanding Officer, Col Rakesh Kumar lauded the Coal India authorities, Margherita for their immense help and support for successful completion of the trek. He also appreciated the help provided by the civil administration, the State Police, CRPF, Assam Rifles and the Army. THE SENTINEL

Obsolete education system creates unemployment: Borgohain

From our Correspondent

JORHAT, Nov 25: “Due to the lack of modernization in education system of Assam, the Assamese youths become hopeless and out of work. This outmoded education system makes superfluous youth year after another and increase the figure of the educated unemployed. In fact, a new odd section of people called educated unemployed has been created by this education system”, said Homen Borgohain, editor of an Assamese daily and a prominent litterateur of the State while participating as chief guest at a farmers’ meet titled– ‘Farmers to farmers dissemination programme’, held at Boloma Moran Gaon, under Teok Revenue Circle of Jorhat district today. Borgohain said that, India is a country of unemployed youth and the situation of Assam is too poor among the other States of the country. But the people of Assam as well as the Government is yet to understand the very fact that they should pay attention on the development of agriculture for the greater interest of economic growth of the country. Pointing out a comment of Sumerset Mom, a foreign litterateur, regarding the cultivation system of India, Borgohain said that, despite 80 per cent people of India has been depending on cultivation but the people has been adopting the old methods of agriculture in the last 5,000 years.

Drawing a comparison between the Western countries and India Borgohain claimed that, due to the short-sightedness of Indians, the development is at a snail’s pace in the last many decades. He also vehemently criticized the existing Governments of both Centre and State for their false promises in case of providing basic amenities to the people. He said, “Despite the tall claims of the Government as the ‘Sanitation for all by 2012’, Borgohain said that, after completion of 62 years of India becoming independent, the people are still crying for health, potable water, sanitation, etc. for some worthless practices of the Government. He mentioned that, out of one crore people of the country, more than 66 lakh are yet to get proper sanitation till date. But in China, only three lakh people still lacks sanitation on date. He said, only a good health can help to become a Nation stronger, wealthier and wiser to be dedicated to a good job. Therefore, he also laid emphasis on good health of the people and to provide basic health care facilities to the people of the State.

Appreciating the good efforts of the farmers of Boloma Moran Gaon to create a green revolution in the area, the prominent journalist of the State said that, the effort should be rewarded of the educated farmers of the village. He said, “Only one man can make a big difference”. He further said, “The more educated youth come to agriculture, the more development will be witnessed”.

Presiding over the programme, Jorhat Deputy Commissioner LS Changsan informed that, the projects of Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) have been taken up in the district since 2005, and many developments have been witnessed in the district so far. Terming ATMA as a successful agency in Jorhat the DC however said that, it happened for the good response of the farmers. She said, “Gradually the mind set of the farmers have been changed”. Admitting the very fact that, the lack of irrigation system hits the cultivation in the district the DC assured that, the process are going on and it would be completed soon.

In the meeting, chief guest Homen Borgohain also released a souvenir titled– Krisok Bikshan, published on the occasion.

Earlier, the programme was started with the demonstration of crop field of Boloma Moran Gaon where the invitees from various parts of the State have witnessed a success story of a group of farmers– ‘Seuj Sangha Krishi Sewa Group’, followed by an interaction programme with the farmers. Eight successful farmers participated the ‘Farmers to farmers dissemination programme’, while Dr Imran Hussain of ATMA and Dr Dilip Gogoi of Assam Agriculture University and Jorhat ZPC chairman Putul Buragohain attended the programme as invited guests of the meeting. THE SENTINEL

Why not AIIMS-like institute in Assam / North East ?

There are several Assamese doctors working in AIIMS and several other premier medical institutions of the country. An AIIMS-like institution can definitely be established in the North East. It can be modeled somewhat like the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad, which was opened by the alumni of Ivy League b-schools of the US.

The initiative is not likely to come from the government, since as you have rightly observed, the Chief Minister is in a deep slumber.

Here are, I believe, some of the threats that entrepreneurs are likely to perceive before starting such a venture: security, infrastructure, profitability (since the region lags behind economically than, say, Delhi or Mumbai, in spite of the abundance of natural resources), etc..

Security is something that the government can provide, unless they hire a Blackwater-like company to outsource their security requirements. As for infrastructure, we can try attracting construction companies such as DLF, or hospital chains such as Fortis. Tagging on to these big names is definitely hard, but at least they might be interested if we show them the money!

As for the money and profitability, I feel that we need to base it on a bottom-of-the- pyramid model. C K Prahalad had broken the misconception that there is no profitability in serving the poor. As he rightly observed, the bottom-of-the- pyramid model turned out to be profitable to MNCs such as Unilever and Proctor & Gamble, and domestic companies such as Amul and Annapurna. The same model had been applied in eye-care by Sankardev Netralaya, which has branches in Assam. Such a model can be extended to holistic healthcare.

However poor one a patient, s/he would always require medical services unless the costs are prohibitive enough that s/he chooses death over paying up! Here we are looking at economies of scale. Hence, greater the number of products, or in our case services, greater is the profit without making the costs prohibitive. a simple look at the population in the NOrth Eastern region would tell you that there is no dearth of patients (potential consumers) in the region.

Of course, there are many obstacles but we cannot keep looking towards a lame state government to satisfy every need that we have. If the region wants to develop itself economically, we need to CREATE jobs, not ask the government for it. We need more entrepreneurs to start off new ventures in the region. The only help we need from the government is to LET US do all this, and not mire us in red-tape.

Best regards,

Arunjana
source: northeastindia@yahoogroups.com

Haldar Mission

Will former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief PC Haldar, appointed by the Centre as interlocutor for peace parley with Assam’s pro-talks militant outfits, succeed in unfolding a new chapter of order in the State? His mandate is to broker peace with the pro-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD). This excludes the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) — the Alpha and Charlie companies of the outfit’s 28 Battalion that have been on a unilateral ceasefire mode for more than a year. This is apparently because the government has not entered into any ceasefire pact with the ULFA faction. Haldar has already held discussions with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Chief Secretary PC Sarma, and, as reported, will inform the Union Home Ministry of the ‘‘status of the rebel groups in ceasefire with the government’’. Thereafter, the Union Home Ministry will initiate a peace process so as to arrive at solutions of the problems ‘‘within a year’’.

To iterate, and which we deem it our duty to remind the people of, the peace process will actually be a negotiation with outfits that have conveniently changed roles as insurgents and terrorists to suit their own purpose, with their ideology — whatever that may be — eventually jettisoned for the making of the commercial enterprise of insurgency. Have the Bodos, who now have a territorial council to cater exclusively to their needs, given any mandate to the NDFB to espouse their cause? Or does the UPDS really represent Karbi aspiration? Or how does the Jewel Garlosa faction of the DHD, which till the other day was butchering innocent construction workers, claim to being the most dedicated Dimasa representative? What is the legitimacy of such outfits? Has any people given them the responsibility of advocating mass grievances? Yet, there must be peace talks because we live in a democracy. Given the theory, it will be interesting to see what really the outfits in question harp on after having successfully bled the State and the very people whose cause they ostensibly champion.

However, what must not be lost sight of is what has stoked armed rebellion in this part of the country: underdevelopment, poverty, backwardness, the mainland-hinterland divide, a sense of deprivation and alienation from the rest of the country, unemployment, unemployability, injustices and corruption — the unemployed, unemployable, frustrated youth, who has no reason to believe he can live a dignified life in the mainstream, has always been the best militant recruit. Here ideology never counts. What matters is the lucrative option of being able to survive with a sense of power flowing from the barrel of a gun and to be part of the industry of insurgency as committed employees earning far more than what many well-educated youth in the mainstream cannot. This is the reality of ‘insurgency’ here. How about a meaningful peace process then, which will eliminate the factors responsible for armed rebellion-turned-criminal terrorism? A peace process other than this cannot be tangible. THE SENTINEL