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10/16/2007: "NPMHR reaffirms Naga week declaration on indigenous peoples The Morung Express"

NPMHR reaffirms Naga week declaration on indigenous peoples The Morung Express
Dimapur, October 15 (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR, South Sector) organized a one day “Human Rights Conference on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” on October 13 at Ukhrul. The conference deliberated on the significance of the declaration, the concept and definition of indigenous peoples and the right of self-determination. It was attended by the traditional/social organisations, Churches, NGOs, institutions, intellectuals and individuals. The conference reaffirmed the declaration and stand taken by the Naga people during the “Naga Week” in 1993 as one of the indigenous peoples of the world on the occasion of the “International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples”.
The key resource person was Gam A. Shimray, a member of NPMHR and a research fellow at Kimmage Development Studies Center, Dublin, Ireland besides other speakers. Phamhring Anal, Convenor, NPMHR South Sector officially released the translated Tangkhul version of a booklet titled “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” – A Human Rights Education Series (I) during the conference. The Convenor also updated the participants on the activities of the organization and appealed to the Naga community for support and cooperation.
In a press communiqué by Alung Rungsung, Ukhrul Coordinator of NPMHR stated that ‘It is in this light that the conference acknowledged the significant achievement made by the indigenous peoples of the world. This declaration also has come at a crucial time for the Naga people in their struggle to determine their own future. Hence, the conference decided to further propagate our right of self-determination and call upon the international community to firmly stand by their commitment and work towards the early realization of the declaration world over’. The statement added that ‘the international community also has moral responsibility in playing a proactive role in bringing about a just and honourable solution to the current Indo-Naga peace talks’.
The NPMHR extended its solidarity to the peoples of Burma in their struggle for restoration of Democracy and call upon the junta to resolve the long pending issue in a democratic and peaceful way.
Ceasefire between NSCN-K and Government extended by one year Govt, NSCN (K) favour truce Hindustan Times Press Trust of India
The Khaplang wing of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland has asked the government to "rein in" activities of its rival NSCN faction. The ceasefire between the Centre and Khaplang group of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) was n Thursday extended by a year. This was decided at a meeting between Home Ministry officials led by Special Secretary (Internal Security) Anil Chowdhry, officials of the Nagaland Government and representatives of NSCN-K, official sources said. A statement issued after the meeting said "a review of the ceasefire between the Centre and NSCN-K in Nagaland was jointly undertaken by the representatives of the Government, state Government and NSCN-K on Thursday.
"The discussion was held in a cordial atmoshphere. Both sides agreed to extend the ceasefire by a period of one year with effect from April 28, 2005," the brief statement said. The sources said that extension of ceasefire was seen by both sides as the only way in moving ahead towards a permanent solution to the Naga issue. The Khaplang faction had conducted prolonged parleys with representatives of the Centre before arriving at an agreement on April 11, 2001, to hold talks and cease violence.
A ceasefire monitoring board, comprising five persons each of the Centre and the NSCN (K), was set up at these talks and the ground rules for the ceasefire finalised. The Khaplang faction suffered a setback in 2003 when the Myanmar army ran over its camps, including its headquarters. The Centre is also into a ceasefire agreement with major Naga faction, NSCN (I-M). A Group of Ministers led by Oscar Fernandes is holding talks with them separately.
WSH plea to NSCN factions Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, OCT 15 (NPN): The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has appealed to both the NSCN factions to forgive the “National crime” that might have been committed by Goa Governor SC Jamir, School Education minister Imkong L Imchen and Commissioner and Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir, in the larger interest of the Naga national cause and the Christian spirit of forgive and forget.
Recalling the general amnesty earlier declared by the NSCN (I-M) Government to “forgive and forget those past mistakes in furtherance of the Naga National cause,” WSH president Hokiye Yepthomi and general secretary Akavi Zhimomi in a press release said the NSCN (I-M) had proclaimed the same declaration again on January 13, 2007. “While Naga people were feeling elated over this positive development, it is unfortunate to have issued the ‘decree’ against the people,” WSH said. It may be mentioned various other organizations, unions, village councils etc had earlier made similar appeals to the two NSCN factions but so far there has been no response from them. Earlier, both SC Jamir and Alemtemshi were declared “anti-national” by the NSCN (I-M) while Imkong Imchen was also similarly branded by the NSCN (K).

Pochury region FGN clarifies- Nagaland post
Khrochu Fithu s/o late Shehshe Fithu of Reguri village was once a onetime national worker who served as Razou Peyu in Pochury Region (FGN). However, he deserted and collaborated with NSCN (IM) since May 2007. Thereafter he caused immense untold hardship to the Pochury region government and national workers. But as fact would have it, he was apprehended on October 9' 2007 Tuesday night and unfortunately he died while under statement in custody on October 10' 2007 Wednesday evening. Despite the incident, it has to be understood that at any cause, the FGN shall ever defend our national right. The government shall not bear with any anti national element at any time. In owing responsibility or unfortunate accident, the Pochury region government would like to inform the Pochury general public to beware of anti-social and anti-national characters and join hands in upholding the national right and cause.
Lutsutu, President, Pochury Rgeional Council, Naga National Council. - Victor M. Fithu, Midan Peyu, Pochury region, Federal Government of Nagaland.
Thousands protest against Naga encroachment Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Oct 15 – Thousands of people living in the Assam-Nagaland inter-state border areas today walked about 35 km from Sarupathar areas to submit a memorandum to the SDO (Civil) of Golaghat demanding steps to stop encroachment of Assam land by some of the Naga people. According to a press release of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, which organised the programme, the participants of the procession also staged a demonstration in front of the office of the SDO demanding a permanent settlement of the inter-state border dispute with Nagaland.

The Naga extortionists are levying ‘taxes’ on the people of the State living in the inter-state border areas, they alleged. They also demanded land settlement documents to the indigenous people living in these areas, said the press release.

KRA issues stern warning to I-M By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Oct 15: Taking serious note of NSCN (I-M) accepting one Thangkeng alias DT Haokip s/o Mangjahao of Saikul village, Sadar Hills as its cadre inspite of his past misdeeds and crimes, KRA has warned that the relationship between the two proscribed outfits may be at stake in case the NSCN (I-M) does not return the arms issued to him and all the properties at disposal which were acquired from the revenue of KRA and does not hand over DT Haokip in person.
In a statement, Th Misao of information and publicity of KRA informed that Thangkeng alias DT Haokip s/o Mangjahao of Saikul village, Sadar Hills, Manipur deserted from UNLF and was wanted by KNF (MC) on the ground of his wrongful collection of money in the organisation’s name but KRA had given him shelter on humanitarian ground as he had pleaded for amnesty.
After prolonged trial, as DT Haokip promised not to repeat his past misdeeds in God’s name, he was later recruited into KRA in 2002 by the then administrative secretary, Misao said.
He further informed that in 2006, with the understanding of NSCN (I-M) and the high command of KRA, DT Haokip was deputed as tax collector of transport in National Highway 39 at Dimapur. In due course of time, he had resorted to collecting Highway taxes, kidnapping and abduction of various persons and vehicles for ransom in collusion with a few drug addicts of NSCN (I-M)’s rank holders and deserters from valley based organisations of Manipur which is against the principles of KRA. Cores of rupees, he had collected had never been submitted to treasury department of the organisation while he used to serve his personal gains and interest. In this regard, DT Haokip had been relieved from taking in-charge of National Highways and was summoned to appear in person at General Head Quarters of KRA for explanation and interrogation for his misadventures.
At such a critical juncture, it is very much irresponsible and unlikely on the part of NSCN (I-M) as revolutionary partner to have accepted him as its cadre while shielding all his past misdeeds, crimes, etc, Misao said. In case the NSCN (I-M) does not return the arms issued to him and all the properties in cash well as in kind in his disposal which have been acquired from the revenue of KRA and DT Haokip in person, the relationship between KRA and NSCN (I-M) will certainly be at stake. Now the ball is in the court of NSCN (I-M), Misao added categorically.
Jassal refutes NSCN-IM charge The Morung Express
Dimapur, October 15 (MExN): Following the sharp reaction of the NSCN-IM to his article on the Indo-Naga issue, RS Jassal has responded with a statement to the outfit where he made clear that he is neither an “anti-Naga” nor “anti- NSCN GOI peace effort.”
He stated that objectivity was kept in mind while sequencing the developments from the signing of the ceasefire for indefinite period. Jassal regretted “advertents” use of words and terminologies. However, “but, the theme ruling my analysis revolves around killings deserves public notice.” He explained that ‘diabolic Process’ also relates to killings, not just to the “peace process” as appeared to have been construed.
“Since I do not resort to yellow journalism and I have written more than 150 papers (big and small) on various subjects, all are in my real name. And if this paper was to be on MI /RAW guidance, I would have done it with changed identity which is not. I therefore strongly refute the allegation that I am working for any agency” he stated.
Jassal also assured that he is neither an “anti-Naga” nor “anti- NSCN GOI peace effort.” He stated: “But if peace efforts witness bloody killings more and more to reach analysis calculus of a complex situation like this, certain strands of obscurity strayed here and there have to be picked up and re-arranged, hence various scholars interpret various presentations in different manners. But truth stands and nobody can deny that as on today majority are against killings.”
Strike affects life in Manipur Correspondent Nagaland Post
IMPHAL, OCT 15: Normal life in Manipur was affected on Monday due to statewide general strike imposed by the Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF), a joint body of three separatists groups of Manipur, to protest the state's merger with the Union on October 15, 1949.
The general strike, which commenced from 1 am last night concluded peacefully at 5.30 p.m without any untoward incident. Separatist groups in Manipur have been observing this day as “National Black Day” to mark the loss of independence of the people of Manipur.
Streets in Imphal city as well as other towns of the state wore a deserted look and market places were also empty. Educational institutions and private undertaking institutions including business establishments remained closed. Attendance in government offices was also thin. No inter-state and inter-district passenger buses arrived in the state capital today.
Media, medical, water supply and other essential services including religious matters were however excluded from the purview of the strike.
8 Dimasa rebels arrested OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telelgraph
Shillong, Oct. 16: Meghalaya police arrested eight militants belonging to the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel Gorlosa faction) early yesterday.
The special operations team of Meghalaya police first arrested a DHD activist, Ram Chetri, from Mawblei in Shillong. Two more members, Jitan Das and David, were arrested from a house near the Shillong Civil Hospital.
Five others, identified as Vimal Hansay, Sanjib Joshi, Dharam Chinthong, Nelson Teron and Martin Star were arrested after raids in other parts of the city. The police seized Rs 35,000, pistols and ammunition from the rebels.
The eight persons were produced before the court today. Assam Police arrived in Shillong today to interrogate the militants who were wanted in connection with several criminal cases in Assam.
Centre has no policy on North-east subversives By Jyotilal Chowdhury Organizer
The scenario of nexus is bewildering. One still remembers the devastating political report of the then Governor Lt. Gen. V.K. Nayar in mid 90’s who accused the then Nagaland Chief Minister S.C. Jamir of supporting NSCN (Khaplang). His report also charged the then CM of Manipur R.K. Dorendro Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Reishang Keishing with helping the insurgents.
Extortions, kidnappings, bomb blasts and killings by extremists have become quite frequent in the North-east. The graph on this count, according to official admission, overshadows Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, the terrorists have had the best of time. NDTV recently showed video recording of young men taken captives being brutally tortured to send message to their parents for ransom money and release. The UPA government enmeshed in crisis after crisis seems to have lost track of dialogue with the terrorist outfits initiated during NDA regime. National Socialist Council of Nagaland of Isac-Muivah and Khaplang factions, National Democratic Front of Bodoland, Dima Halam Daogah of Dilip Numisa, United People’s Democratic Solidarity and United Liberation Font of Assam are clueless about the intent and purpose of the Union Home Ministry. Bru National Liberation Front and Bru Liberation Front of Mizoram which on their own put down arms more than a year ago are confined in camps with no signal from the Centre or the State of Mizoram for their rehabilitation. Frustrated leaders and cadres of the two outfits have threatened to return to jungle.

Apart form the UPA government’s lack of perception and policy on the problem, what is aiding and abetting terrorism and insurgency in the North-east is the nexus between politicians and ultras. And easy flow of money to the extremists’ coffers.

The scenario of nexus is bewildering. One still remembers the devastating political report of the then Governor Lt. Gen. V.K. Nayar in mid 90’s who accused the then Nagaland Chief Minister S.C. Jamir of supporting NSCN (Khaplang). His report also charged the then CM of Manipur R.K. Dorendro Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Reishang Keishing with helping the insurgents. The late Reishang got involved in what came to be known as ‘uniform scandal’ in Manipur. It was then alleged that uniforms of the Manipur Rifles worth Rs. 45 crore were gifted away to the NSCN at the behest of Reishang Keishing. While Jamir dubbed the report of the Governor a “heresy” and questioned the political wisdom and sagacity of the Governor, Keishing threatened to drag Lt. Gen. Nayar to court and vehemently denied ever supporting NSCN guerillas.

What could be termed as the first-ever drastic action by the Centre in the political history of the country was the sacking of the Nagaland Governor Dr M.M. Thomas for his being sympathetic to insurgent movement.

In his book My Presidential Years, R. Venkatraman, former President of India, writes about the ‘sneaking sympathy of the then Chief Minister of Manipur Reishang Keishing with the rebel insurgents’. He further mentions that the dissidents from Manipur led by Tompak Singh complained to him bitterly against the Chief Minister in 1987 charging him with being in league with the extremists. After a surprise attack on 19 defence personnel at Ukhrul in Manipur during combing operations, the Chief Minister came to him and complained to him against the army, though the army was the aggrieved party. “Ever after I talked to him several times to help the army maintain peace and security in the state of Manipur, he did precious little to assist them,” he stated.

Often the politicians themselves fall a prey to their own machination. Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) led by Jewel Gorlosa shot dead Purnendu Langthasa and Nindu Langthasa, two young and powerful political leaders of North Cachar Hills in Assam, whom they accused of trying to ‘buy us off’. Purnendu was the eldest son of Congress Minister Gobinda Chandra Langthassa and chief executive member of District Autonomous Council. Both of them were on poll campaign for their Congress party for the 28-member Autonomous District Council slated for June 12 last. DHD Gorlosa’s publicity secretary Phaiprang Dimasa went on record to say that the Congress leaders offered money to ‘buy peace’. Investigators agreed that money played a role in killings. Police officials said the terrorists had demanded Rs 2.8 crore from the ruling Congress and a dispute while trying to negotiate a deal led to the duo having been shot dead on June 5, 2007.

Another Congress member of the Autonomous Council, Prafulla Phanglo, was alleged to have gone to a DHD camp on April 26 to offer Rs 50 lakh on behalf of the party in order to ensure victory of their candidates. An altercation during the negotiation led to encounter in which a security officer M. Rahman was fatally wounded.

Extremists are known to have their safe havens in jungles near and beyond the international borders. They are often found in the official residences of MLAs. On August 17, Manipur police found 12 terrorists and an assortment of arms and ammunition from the houses of three MLAs and a former legislator of the ruling Congress in the state’s most heavily guarded zone. The three sitting legislators whose quarters were raided are W. Brajabadhu Singh, K. Meghachandra Singh and K. Bijoy Singh. All the three were at home as was their former colleague Sobhakiran Singh when the police came calling.

Eight terrorists of Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup were traced to the quarter of W. Brajabadhu Singh, two cadres each of Kangleipak Communist Party and People’s Liberation Army were arrested from the house of Meghchandra Singh. A terrorist each of the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak and Kangleipak Communist Party were arrested from the residences of Bijoy Singh and Sobhakiran Singh. The Chief Minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh refused to spell out if action would be taken against the MLAs. Besides arms and ammunition, extortion notices meant for Imphal-based businessmen were also recovered.

In the midnight of December 14, 2006, six cadres of the Islamic People’s United Liberation Front were intercepted by police at Imphal while they were transporting 200 woolen blankets and other items from the residence of Md. Alaudin Khan, Minister of Veterinary and Minority Affairs who was however quick enough to deny and clarify that the material in question was lifted from some other place.

Apart from politicians, the extremist outfits derive their sustenance from development funds. The Centre was briefed about how development funds fall into the hands of the extremist groups either through connivance with officials or through coercion. According to intelligence reports, a number of officials in the insurgency-infested states have taken voluntary retirements unable to sustain the pressure from the terrorist groups. A complex collusive arrangement between various legitimate power elites and terrorist groupings exist in every single theatre of terrorist strife and this arrangement facilities continuous transfer of resources to the underground economy.

A few illustrative cases can lend credence to the disturbing phenomenon. The subversion of the public distribution system in Assam provides an interesting example. Sources indicate a bulk of these commodities are simply diverted to open market, generating illegal revenues estimated at Rs. 600 million per month, a large proportion of which goes to the terrorist outfits. Rural development is another lucrative sector and it is estimated that as much as 70 percent of all funds available to the state of Assam under this head is systematically siphoned off under a well-organised network of terrorist cadres, contractors, civil servants and members of the political executive. Besides, direct and indirect extortions to which government departments, public enterprises and citizens succumb give rise to the emergence of terrorism itself.

In this milieu, more and more extremist groups are coming into picture. Besides 15 terrorist outfits active and dominating in the North-east, several others have joined the race for extortions. These have been identified as Pnar Liberation Army, Hmar People’s Conference, Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills’ Liberation Front, Karbi People’s Liberation Front, Kuki Liberation Front, Kuki Revolutionary Army and their number is on rise. The question is naturally being asked: When will terrorism come to an end?
United Protest against Mega Dam in Northeast Protestors brave the rain as they unite against Mega Dams in Northeast. The Morung Express
Guwahati, October 15 (MExN: Protesting against the Mega Dams in North East, more than 350 participants from various civil societies, people movements, students’ Unions from different parts of the North East Region have raised their voice against NEEPCO and other related institutions involved with the construction of mega dams in the region in front of NEEPCO Guwahati office on 15th October. People from different parts of North East including many activist and students gathered in unison under the aegis of ‘United Protest Against the Construction of Mega Dams in North East India.’ This massive protest was in response to the Ministry of Environment & Forest, New Delhi and NEEPCO attempt to clear environment clearance for the various projects in the region without gaining the free, prior informed consent of the local people.
‘Dams are the modern weapons of colonialism employed by the powerful against the weak that dole out as the root cause of uprooting the tribal and indigenous peoples, the most politically accepted means of snatching the traditional livelihood and means of survival, of dislocating the inhabitants and blatant violation of the people’s rights’ in a press statement issued by Kinderson Panmei, Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam and Keshav K Chatradhra, Peoples Movement for Subansiri Brahmaputra Valley, on Behalf of the United Protest Against Mega Dams Construction in North East India.
The statement further stated that they are against such socially, economically and environmentally destructive developmental project being planned and imposed upon our region without free consent, prior consent and informed consent of our peoples. The statement also accused the mega dam proponents of having imperialistic designs trying to denigrate the tribal and indigenous world views as primitive and undeveloped and of trying to destroy ‘the friendly and balance relationship with the natural world’. Focusing on the Tipaimukh Dam which the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India is considering for clearance, the statement stated that ‘the people of Manipur have rejected this dam for more than 30 years, since its conception’. The protest warn of dire consequences ‘to the so called Expert Appraisal Committee on River Valley Basin and Hydroelectric Project under MoEF’, that the process conducted at NEEPCO Guwahati office today was not acceptable as it was insensitive to the wishes of the people. The protestors questions how the MoEF can give clearance to some other dams when down stream study team is already there for the Lower Subansiri Dam. The statement further stated that ‘this has raised doubts in the mind of the people and showed that there is big conspiracy going on against the people of Assam and North East’.
The press handout appealed to all the people of the region to stand united against the authorities who are trying to implement things in the northeast without proper consultation with people.
The United Protest Against Mega Dams Construction in North East India consist of Peoples Movement for Subansiri Brahmaputra Valley (PMSBV),Krishak Mukti Sangram Sammittee (KMSS),Arunachal Citizen Right (ACR),North East Affected Areas Development Society, Assam (NEADS),Citizens’ Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) ,Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam (CATD),River Basin Friends (RBF),Assam State Dialogue Forum (ASDF),North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF),Zeliangrong Student’s Union, Guwahati (ZSUG) and Zelaingrong Student’s Union, Manipur (ZSUM).
China abetting insurgents in Northeast Nagaland Post
New Delhi, October 15: The insurgency in the Northeastern States has been compounded by suspected covert support from Chinese authorities and the prevailing geo-political situation in the immediate neighbourhood, particularly in Bangladesh and Burma, according to a confidential dossier of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
"Yunnan in China has emerged as a centre for procurement of arms by the militant groups... The ready availability of funds with militants facilitated easy recruitment of youth and procurement of arms from the South East Asian market, the IB's dossier on the deliberations at the DGPs and IGPs conference that concluded last week said while highlighting the various factors compounding the security situation in the Northeast states.
A section in Bangladesh still regarded partition as an unfinished agenda and nurtured dreams of integrating Assam with Bangladesh. Moreover, there was a perception (in Bangladesh) of India harbouring imperialist ambitions. These factors had facilitated setting up of several training and transit camps of Northeast UG (under ground) groups inside Bangladesh," according to the confidential minutes of the DGPs / IGPs conference prepared by the IB.
A senior Assam police official had last year named China as one of the main sources of weapons for the rebel groups active in the State. A senior police official had reportedly said militant groups were procuring weapons through a "strong network of arms smugglers" active in China. But he did not hazard a guess whether the same was happening in connivance with the authorities there. The Chinese connection to the militancy in the Northeast was also suspected at the height of Naga and Mizo insurgencies.
The IB report is a reaffirmation of the suspicion about China's role in the prevailing insurgency in the Northeast States and the security officials are concerned over the fact, as China has been laying claims over parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Commenting on the likely future trends, the top officials, according to the minutes of the meeting, opined that "the loss of social resonance to militancy would continue to increase although a favourable change in the external environment was unlikely in the near future. Islamic militants would strengthen their ground as illegal migration from Bangladesh would continue."
Referring to the problem of Islamic militants, Director General of Police of Meghalaya highlighted the recent spurt in Muslim population in certain pockets due to infiltration from Bangladesh. "It was also important to keep in mind that Burma viewed an unstable Northeast as a lever for negotiations with India, a Joint Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) told the top police brass of the country at the conference. "External support from Bangladesh and Myanmar, coupled with the easy availability of arms has compounded the problem. There had, however, been notable success stories and emergence of zones of peace", said the IB official at the conference and appreciated the Army for the recent successes against the insurgents in the Northeast. Other problem areas in the Northeast include use of Nepal and Bhutan by the leaders of ULFA, NDFB and other Naga groups for safe shelter. Besides, Lohit, Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Myanmar that have emerged as safe havens for terrorist groups constitute another reason for concern.
As many as 25 militant outfits are currently active in the Northeast with 20,000 men and 15,000 weapons. Over 800 persons have lost their lives so far this year in insurgency-related violence, according to the dossier. With 98% of borders in the Northeast being internal, effective border management was underlined. Concluding his presentation, the Joint Director of IB underscored the importance of State police in dealing with the situation and opined that excessive dependence on the Army had resulted in collateral damages.
Director of Intelligence Bureau and chairman of the conference PC Haldar stressed the need for vigil on the entire area of the Chicken's Neck, North Bengal and North Bihar, which held strategic importance in terms of connectivity to the Northeast region. Any disruption to the narrow corridor of Chicken's Neck would have huge implication for the region and developments including the formation of smaller organizations and institutions needed close monitoring, Haldar said at the conference. (Courtesy: Pioneer)
From illegal timber to tiger skins, Myanmar is destroying its environment for a quick buck’ MICHAEL CASEY AP Environmental Writer
Truckloads of illegal timber cross the Myanmar border to sawmills in China, while markets along the Thai border openly sell bear paws, tiger skins and elephant tusks. Further inland, the repressive military regime plans to dam one of Asia's purest rivers, and allows gold and gem mines to tear up hillsides and pollute groundwater for quick cash.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, has become notorious in the region for ignoring international and its own environmental laws in a single-minded effort to make the money that environmentalists say helps keep the regime in power. "They may have laws on the books but they mean extremely little," said Sean Turnell, an expert on the Myanmar economy with Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. "I would say environmental considerations mean zero to them. It wouldn't even enter their heads."
After decades of self-imposed isolation, the junta in the late 1980s began courting foreign investors with offers of stakes in gem mines, forest tracts and hydroelectric projects. Foreign investment allowed the regime to double its military to 400,000 soldiers while offering neighbors like China and Thailand access to cheap raw materials and energy to feed their growing economies. A Myanmar government spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on its environmental record. Chinese government officials could not be reached for comment and Thailand denied its investment in Myanmar contributes to the country's environmental destruction.
Hardest hit in the rush to develop the country have been its rivers and forests, environmentalists say. Over the past decade, they say, two dozen dams have either been built or are scheduled to be built mostly with the help of Chinese and Thai firms. They accuse the government of uprooting tens of thousands of villagers to make way for the dams to provide electricity mostly to Thailand and China. Among the planned dams are at least five on the Salween, which rises in Tibet and is considered one of Southeast Asia's last untamed rivers. A first dam is also planned on the Irrawaddy, which activists fear will result in the forced relocation of 10,000 villagers and the decimation of its shoreside fishing communities. "This region is one of the world's biodiversity hot spots," said Naw La of the Kachin Development Networking Group, a coalition of environmental groups watching Myanmar. "If this dam is built on the Irrawaddy, the fish populations will decrease. A lot of people will be suffering because their livelihoods will disappear." Along Myanmar's border with China, illegally felled timber is transported to China, according the Britain-based group Global Witness. From there, it becomes flooring and furniture for European and American homes.
Global Witness said most of the logging takes place in an area described as "very possibly the most biodiverse, rich, temperate area on earth," home to red pandas, leopards and tigers. About 95 percent of Myanmar's total timber exports to China are illegal, Global Witness said, costing its treasury US$250 million a year. Much of the profits go to Chinese firms as well as regional military commanders and ethnic guerrilla groups, it said. The borders along China and Thailand also are host to massive, unregulated markets that sell everything from illicit gems to animal parts. At the Tachileik market on the Thai border and Mong La market on the Chinese border, vendors openly sell tiger and leopard skins, bear paws, ivory and live turtles.
The markets are filled with Western tourists looking for souvenirs and Asia businessmen supplying traditional medicine and food markets in China and other Asian countries, activists said. "Given the high demand and extent of the trade in Myanmar, many species will be lost," said Chris Shepherd, a senior program officer for conservation group Traffic. "Rhinos in Myanmar are probably already extinct due to trade. Tigers are on a huge decline. Elephants are in huge decline. The list goes on and on." Even the few environmental success stories in Myanmar seem to have a dark side.
The junta in 2001 created the world's largest tiger reserve in Hukaung Valley with help and funding from the U.S.-based Wildlife Conservation Society. It contains as many as 150 tigers - about a third of the total in Myanmar. But the Kachin group says the junta has allowed widespread gold mining in the reserve. Three gold mines are polluting the rivers through the valley with mercury, cyanide and other chemicals, the group said in a report released this year.
Agenda for NE spelt out in 2020 Vision India By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Oct 15: Rich in natural resources and a treasure house of floral and faunal bio-diversity, North Eastern region including Manipur was a gateway to East and Southeast Asian before attainment of India’s independence from British rule. However, after independence and the subsequent trauma of partisan in 1947, the development of the region has been taken backward by 30 years besides placing hurdles on the future economic progress, according to the draft report of the vision document for the development of the region.
These points among others have been elucidated for consideration in the Vision Document, ‘Peace, Progress and Prosperity in the North East Region: Vision 2020, prepared by the New Delhi based National Institute of Public Finance and Policy at the commission of the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
The Vision Document which is still a draft report takes a holistic approach to the development of the region unlike other previous voluminous Government reports that merely state the obvious.
Troubled by history and geo-politics, the draft report noted that the Northeast has remained one of the most backward regions of the country and the entire economic landscape changed after independence and partisan. By confining connectivity to the heartland through a narrow 22 km wide Siliguri corridor, all the natural transportation routes and markets of the region have been sealed.
The vision document for the development of the NE region which is significantly sharing 4500 km long border with neighbouring countries like China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan underlined 5-point strategies to remove the perennial dependence for resources on the Central Government and the patronising culture to placate the region so that the region can participate in the global economy by 2020. The 5-point strategies are, firstly, participatory development articulated though grassroots planning in which focus should be to develop the sectors and sub-sectors with comparative advantage; secondly, augmenting the capacity of the people to participate productively in the economic activities and cation and development of the institutions to design and implement developmental programmes as desired by the people; thirdly, augmenting infrastructure, particularly connectivity and transport infrastructure to facilitate two-way movement of people and goods within the region and outside and open up markets for the produce in he region, attract private investments and crate greater employment opportunities and choice for the people of the region; fourthly, ensuring adequate flow of resources for public investments in infrastructure, implementing a framework for private participation in augmenting infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for the flow of investments to harness the physical resources of the region for the welfare of the people and lastly, transforming the governance by providing a secure, responsive and market friendly environment including protecting the property rights of the investors and ensuring a corrupt free administration.
The draft report of the vision document calculated that in order to bring up the income level of the region at par with rest of the country by 2020 from its present status of below 30 percent National average, the annual growth rate of the region should be accelerated to 11.8 percent. In order to achieve this target, the draft report divided the plan periods till 2020 into three and expected that the desired growth rate of 13.11 percent may be achieved by the 13th Plan.
Taking recognisance of the need for human resource development, the vision document noted underdevelopment in rail and road communication in the region as the main reason for all pervading sense of alienation of the region from the mainland. Consequently, it mooted that all the highways should be made four-laned and implementation of the Central Master Plan for road connecti- vity of the region by 2015 as well as connection of all the sub-divisional headquarters by all-weather roads.
Apart from keeping the target for increasing the foodgrain production of the region, the draft report also took note of the need to restore normalcy and bring about peace in the region along with stepping up the activities for bringing about economic growth.
PREPAK to end fund drive Oct 9 next year; Offers to give up struggle if unsuccessful by 2015 By : A Staff Reporter Imphal Free Press


IMPHAL, Oct 15: In an extraordinary message to the press by Chinglemba Mangang of the PREPAK, the underground organization said it would stop all coercive collection of funds from next year October 9 (2008). The PREPAK also set itself the deadline of 2015 to fight with all its might to achieve its cherished goal of restoring independence to Manipur, failing which the it would leave the path of revolution forever. Giving details, it said from October 9 next year, it would end all practices of garnering government contract jobs and selling them off to registered contractors for a commission of 10 percent of the contract amount, the message said.
The organization would also give up deducting 2 to 5 percent of the cheques issued by government departments or any percentage cuts from salaried employees etc, it said. Further, it would also no longer impose taxes on shops, vehicles plying the highways or on goods transported into the state. It would then depend for the organisation’s sustenance only on voluntary contributions from those amongst the public who have faith in the cause they are fighting for. It further said, even under this head, it would not accept more than Rs 15,000 a year from anybody who wishes to contribute out of goodwill.
Individual gifts in cash or kind to individual cadres of the PREPAK’s Red Army, would also be accepted only if it is worth Rs 500 or less. On the second proposal of giving up the armed struggle if it fails in its mission by 2015, it said those in the organization who do not believe in the policy are free to retire. It however said, others who believe in the objective and wishes to join its ranks are welcome.
The message said the current internal strife within the PREPAK is unfortunate and a way must be found for an amicable reconciliation. It also extended its willingness to be part of any move for the revolutionary organizations in the state to unite and put up a common front.
Further, the message said capital punishment would be avoided to the extent possible. In events of grave offences by individuals, dialogues at the personal levels would be the first resort to set the offender on the right path. If this does not succeed, his or her family would be taken into confidence to broker a solution. If even this does not succeed, local meira paibis would be called upon to intervene. Only if none of this is able to bring about a solution would capital punishment be considered, it added.