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03/25/2006: "Rio admits failure of prohibition policy"

Rio admits failure of prohibition policy Nagarealm.com
Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday admitted in the floor of the house that the prohibition policy on liquor was a failure in the state. Replying to a cut motion, Mr Rio said that increasing excise departmental staff will not solve the problem of bootlagging as there was huge demand for liquor. He said it was the duty of all to create awareness against liquor abuse in every society. Institutions and churches will only discourage the bootlaggers, he added. Replying to another cut motion on land allotments, Mr Rio admitted that government lands were illegaly alloted to their relatives by some government officials and it was difficult to regain those land now. The Chief Minister informed the house that he has already issued directions to all the departments not to allot any government land to any individual and to get land documents of all the government lands in the state. (UNI)

Indigenous groups oppose Tipaimukh dam From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, March 24 – Indigenous bodies have appealed for a united fight against the construction of controversial Tipaimukh dam project.

Recently, 36 organisations representing different communities from Manipur staged a sit-in demonstration against the proposed construction of this Rs 6,000 crore multi-purpose project along Manipur-Mizoram border.

“No to Tipaimukh dam” is the common demand of these bodies. Aram Pamei, a protestor said, “NEEPCO claimed that only 7 villages will be submerged by the Tipaimukh dam, but studies has revealed that more than 16 villages will be submerged affecting more than 1 lakh people in four districts of Manipur”. However, the people of Manipur’s Tamenglong area argued that the Dam would permanently submerge an area of more than 300 square km Manipur and Mizoram, displacing 70 villages of indigenous and tribal groups like Zeliangrong, Hmar and Mizo people and a portion of National Highway 53 in Manipur.

They will be uprooted from their traditional occupations and cultural heritage. Citing the extinction of the fish species in Loktak Lake due to construction of the hydro electric power project, the activists alleged that Manipur is going to lose many rich species once the dam comes up.

However, Ramthing who is one of the affected villagers under Thoubal dam area shared that the project commenced in 1980 is yet to get the environmental clearance till date. Joy Nongmaithem of United People’s Front stated that the indigenous identity and resources will be lost to the outsiders once such a dam is constructed.

Indo-Bangla ties Assam Tribune
There was a lot of expectation that preceded Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s three-day visit to India. Over the years, the relations between the two most populous countries in South Asia have been strained, largely owing to Indian suspicions that Bangladeshi politicians were patronising anti-India forces and sheltering Indian insurgent leaders with the active support of the Bangladesh Army and its intelligence agencies. The visit yielded some positives in the realm of enhanced economic relations but left unaddressed, except for some vague assurances, India’s core concerns. The visit was not a disaster. But it was certainly not a huge success. Coming soon after President George Bush’s high profile visit, Zia’s trip did not hog the media spotlight even though improved Indo-Bangla ties are vital for the region’s security. Also India’s open backing of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over the years was not the perfect background to talk of enhanced ties with her rival. No wonder Zia visited India at the fag end of her term making clear that India was at the very bottom of her priorities. Her visit was necessary though as she holds the position of chairperson of the SAARC. There are a lot of issues that the two countries still need to thrash out. Relations between them still remain volatile. By all indications, Indian insurgent groups like the ULFA, NDFB, ATTF and NLFT will continue to find a safe haven in Bangladesh. What is also certain is that the push by infiltrators will continue.

It is a tragedy that Indo-Bangla ties, that started off on a high note in 1971, after the birth of Bangladesh, have plummeted in recent years. It did not take long for the goodwill that India generated in Bangladesh, after helping liberate the then East Pakistan, to pave way for anti-India sentiments, especially for India’s perceived big-brotherly attitude. Actually, it was a repetition of what has been happening in Pakistan since several decades earlier. The murder of democracy following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the successive military dictatorships needed a rhetoric to justify it. India came into the picture with Gen Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda’s husband, and then Gen Hussain Mohammad Ershad accusing India of interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, especially when it was battling Chakma insurgents in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The return of democracy could do little to reverse the anti-Indian sentiments that had already taken deep roots. The looming influence of the ISI, especially in the Bangladeshi establishment, and the growing Islamic fundamentalism worsened the situation. Bangladesh soon became the launching pad for anti-India activities in its eastern and northeastern parts. India has repeatedly pointed out to Bangladesh the presence of over 150 Indian militant camps in its territory. Influx of Bangladeshis into India was another major concern. Bangladesh simply denied it all. It still does.

Indian hopes that Prime Minister Khaleda’s visit will see a breakthrough in these core issues were belied. In the talks between Zia and her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, the presence of militant camps in Bangladesh figured prominently. The outcome was nil. The two sides simply agreed that they were both victims of terrorism and need to join hands to fight it. There was, however, something to cheer about in the trade and commerce front. The two sides agreed to open transit routes, holding a lot of promise for the North East. The Revised Trade Agreement, initialed by the two countries, promises to expand trade relations and correct the trade balance that is heavily tipped in India’s favour. A bilateral free trade agreement is still a long way off though. Facing general elections in the next few months, Zia could not have been expected to concede much to India. Khaleda’s Bangladesh National Party has always taken an anti-India stand ahead of elections. Perhaps Bangladesh Finance Minister Saifur Rahman’s parting shot was most illustrative of the rough path that the two countries still have to tread. “For so long you have an erroneous impression of insurgent camps in Bangladesh, about Bangladeshis entering India—if you persist with this misleading erroneous impression, it will be very difficult to have harmonious relationship,” he said. The contentious issues notwithstanding, India has to cultivate Bangladesh and ensure that the country does not come into the hands of Islamic fundamentalists. India also has a stake in ensuring Bangladesh’s economic development. That is probably the only way to stop the ongoing demographic invasion. Like it or not India just cannot wish away its neighbour.

Governor urges women to play greater role as peacekeepers The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Mar 24: "In the year 2005 sixty percent of the violent incidents in Northeast India had been reported from Manipur alone."

This was stated by the governor of Manipur Dr S Sidhu inaugurating the 2-days workshop on "role of women as peacemakers in Manipur and the economic cost of terrorism" at Hotel Nirmala today.

He observed that in the face of violence becoming the order of the day for the last 30 years, the present generation must think seriously and "the saner section of the society should consider and reflect on the culture of bandh and agitation".

The governor asserted that "the women of Manipur are capable of anything, in terms of bringing positive social changes in the society." He added that potential of the people and the land can be used productively only by changing the mindset of the people.

Here too, the governor highlighted that the women can play an important role. As an example he mentioned the initiative taken by some women group to disallow insurgents to enter their village and the role taken by women in the construction of the NH 53.

Lauding the role played by Manipuri women in uplifting the social and economic conditions of the people, Dr Sidhu said, "I hope they would now pay greater attention in maintaining peace in the present turmoil society of Manipur".

Observing that more than being considered as guardian of human rights violation, Prof C Amuba, vice chancellor MU, the guest of honour, said the women organisation in Manipur are also accepted as peacekeepers and their role in conflict resolutions are accepted by the masses.

Seated on the dais were Prof Gangumei Kamei, academician and social activist; Karuna Singh of American Consulate; Prof Anuradha Dutta and Prof Abu N S Ahmed of OKD. The workshop was organised by Peace Studies, Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development, Guwahati in collaboration with the Public Affairs Section of the US Department of American Consulate, Kolkata.

In the technical session Dr Bhabananda Takhellambam of CI College presented a paper on the legacy of women`s movement in Manipur and Pradip Phanjoubam, editor Imphal Free Press, on women and media.

Dhanabir Laishram, guest lecturer MU; Taruni, president Nupi Samaj and Lokendra Arambam were the discussants. Today`s technical session ended with an open discussion on economic cost of terrorism in Manipur.

AR must keep up with the changing times: Patel The Imphal Free Press

Shillong, Mar 24: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said that the Assam Rifles` should orient itself in tune with India`s Look East Policy, saying, the oldest paramilitary force of India would have a major role to play in future.

Speaking on the occasion of Assam Rifles` 171 Raising Day �t the Assam Rifles headquarter in Shillong at a Special Sainik Sammelan, the Union home minister said, the Assam Rifles must `move on with changing times in view of India`s Look East Policy".

The Union home minister reiterated that the northeast with its `natural and human resource` has a major role to play in India`s Look East Policy. Likewise, the Assam Rifles should orient itself to keep pace with the changing scenario.

The Home Minister predicted that the Look East Policy would bring about qualitative changes in the region and the oldest paramilitary Force should keep itself abreast with the change, be it in terms of technological enhancement, adherence to human rights, taking up welfare activities, or any such relevant factors.

Patil further said that the Assam Rifles Act, 1941 is being amended. The amended Bill would be placed in the next session of the Parliament after being cleared by the Parliament`s standing committee.

"The bill is with the parliamentary standing committee and is likely to be placed in the next session of the parliament and be passed", Patil said while adding this is being done to keep the paramilitary force in tune with the time.

He further added that steps were being taken to `bridge the gap` between the Assam Rifles and the Indian Army.

On militancy, Patil said, door for peace talks `was open` for any outfit provided they `abjure violence`. "Peace and people`s cooperation is needed for overall development", Patil said.

Regarding Bangladesh continuing to harbour militant camps and the charge that India is adopting a soft stand on the matter, Patil maintained "we are not soft or harsh on any country, but correct with our approach with all neighbouring countries to build an atmosphere of give and take".