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08/12/2009: "Where is the Development? morungexpress"

Where is the Development? morungexpress

The second development seminar for the districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire has come out with a compilation of schemes especially with regard to infrastructure development in the core sectors of roads, health and education. Organized by the Government of Nagaland in collaboration with DoNER Government of India, the slew of proposals would look more like visualizing. It is not that one doubts the good intentions of the State government. But simply that past track record of fund use for Nagaland in general and the so called backward areas in particular does not give much confidence to be so optimistic. In fact just going through the development schemes on paper, if at all eastern Nagaland gets all these as stated, then the masses will benefit and this is what development should be all about—inclusive growth. The big plans afoot for the mega projects, especially in education, healthcare, roads, electricity and water supply will hopefully go beyond the paper exercise. For instance in the education sector, proposals are underway for opening of full-fledged Science College, not one but four, at Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Longleng. There is also proposal for the establishment of centrally funded College at Noklak/Shamator/Longkhim besides opening of Sainik School at Tuensang and a Technical College at Mon. Similar ambitious plans are in place for other sector of development.
It is clear that there are enough funds available to drive development in the Northeastern States including Nagaland and the backward regions thereof. And it is not that development funds are available only now—they have been flowing in since Statehood. But it is sad that even after more than forty years nothing has changed much in terms of economic progress leave alone the basic development needs such as proper roads, access to health care etc. And if the decades of fund allocations had been used in a judicious manner our small State should have reached a higher level of economic growth that is at par with some of the more developed States in the country. But all of us know that this is not the case. It was therefore not surprising to hear the Joint Secretary, DoNER, Jayashree Mukherjee, saying that notwithstanding huge funds doled out by Delhi, development in districts like Mon, Longleng, Kiphire and Tuensang have not been proportionate to the amount sanctioned by the Centre. This is the truth and all of us should hang our heads in shame.
Those in leadership position whether at the political or administrative level including the past and present leaders from the four districts should also take responsibility for the sorry state of affairs. And just look at the figures as disclosed by the DoNER—in addition to the state’s allocation of Rs 100 crore for these four districts, the Centre has sanctioned several hundred crores under special backward area development programme. There is also a special fund for development of areas on the Indo-Myanmar border. How well the present and future development funds are utilized will remain the determining factor—to ensure real development on the ground as well. We have to learn from the past and make sure that such funds are not merely hijacked by the politicians and their coterie. The public of the region should act as a watchdog making sure that there is transparency and accountability. Otherwise the tall claims of a developed Nagaland will remain a utopia.

ULFA-NDFB ‘tie-up’ rings alarm bells Agencies
JORHAT, August 11 (Agencies): With just a few days left for Independence Day, security forces in upper Assam are on their toes to thwart any attempt by ULFA to carry out subversive activities in the state. But what is worrying security forces are latest intelligence reports that NDFB militants may assist the banned outfit in fulfilling its evil designs. Police sources said latest intelligence inputs have revealed that NDFB has come to sort of an "understanding" with ULFA's top leadership agreeing to help the former to create an impact in its heartland before August 15.
This assumes a lot of significance as ULFA was trying to make its presence felt by taking help of another banned organization in its erstwhile stronghold on the eve of Independence Day, a source added. August 15 continues to be an occasion for militant outfits to show their strength by carrying out subversive activities. Sources said the ULFA's poor cadre strength following the death of many rebels in the hands of security forces might have necessitated the move. Another important factor was "A" & "C" companies of the 28 battalion came forward to hold talks with the government. These two companies are considered ULFA’s two most lethal units.
SP (Jorhat) Deepak Choudhary said apart from stepped-up measures taken to tackle any kind of situation arising out of the threat, police had been carrying out random checking of tenants, boarders at hotels, lodges and students' messes, especially in urban areas. Choudhary said garages, too, were under scanner. He said traders' bodies, too, have been requested to ask the community to keep an eye on market areas and adjoining parking lots. Checking of vehicles and people had been carried out randomly.
The SP said security forces had intensified patrolling and raids were being carried out on basis of specific information in Majuli to nab possible ultras taking shelter to strike on the eve of Independence Day. Similarly, security has been tightened in neighbouring Sivasagar district, which shares a boundary with Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. SP (Sivasagar) Shymal Saikia said police had received information of three IEDs being sent to Charaideo sub-division by ULFA leaders in Myanmar through couriers to trigger blasts.
Assam to hold talks with Dimasa rebels
GUWAHATI, August 11 (Agencies): Modalities are being worked out for suspension of ongoing security operations, even as the Assam Government has agreed to start peace talks with the rebel Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel faction), said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Asserting that the State Government would hold talks on its own terms and conditions, Gogoi, however, clarified that DHD (J) rebels are eager to start the peace process.
Gogoi said: "We are in touch with all the factions of Dimasa rebels. There are some differences over the terms and conditions which are being sorted out." The CM added that in principal, the Assam State Government has agreed to engage the DHD (J) rebels in the peace talks. Declining to announce any specific date for the suspension of operations against the outfit, Gogoi informed that the Union Home Ministry has also laid down certain terms and conditions for holding peace talks. "They will have to abide by all these ground rules to start the peace talks," Gogoi said. The State government is in process of finalising safe passage for separatist leaders and for working out modalities for the peace talks, sources said.
NDFB drops ‘sovereignty’ Nena
The National Democratic Front of Boroland leadership today admitted that it has dropped its demand for sovereignty and is even trying to coax its former chief, the reclusive Ranjan Daimary, to talk peace.
NDFB chairman B.. Sungthagra, in a telephone interview told a national daily that Daimary parted ways with the present leadership last September as he was averse to the idea of giving up the demand for a sovereign Bodoland and settle for a separate state for the Bodos.
“He (Daimary) is not convinced about the futility of the sovereignty demand and so he parted ways with us to form a splinter group,” Sungthagra said, explaining the reason for the split in the outfit.
“But through sympathisers and other channels we are trying to convince him to give up the demand and join the peace process,” he added.
The outfit’s efforts, however, have so far failed to break the ice, Sungthagra said, while attributing the ongoing law and order problems in the Bodoland area to the splinter group headed by Daimary.
The NDFB chairman said the outfit, in a revised memorandum submitted to the government in September last year, had broached its decision to settle for a “homeland for the indigenous tribal people within the framework of the Constitution of India.”
Sources said it was this turnaround by the NDFB leaders, who were holding discussion with the Centre, which infuriated the Bangladesh-based Daimary and he ordered the serial blasts of October 30, 2008 to demonstrate his strength.
The NDFB leadership based in the state subsequently replaced Daimary with Sungthagra.
The outfit’s information and publicity secretary, S. Sanjarang had, however, earlier refuted a claim by Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi that the outfit had given up the demand for sovereignty.
“The NDFB, which is in the peace process with the government of India, had a meeting with the Centre on September 30. At the meeting, the Indian government showed its willingness to resolve the Bodo issue. Both parties had considered a roadmap to speed up the process of negotiation. The NDFB, however, has not given up the demand of sovereignty,” Sanjarang had said.
Sungthagra’s revelation today cleared the ambiguity about the NDFB’s stand on the “sovereignty issue”, which had been a prime hurdle in initiating political talk with the Centre.
“We have given up the sovereignty demand as we do not have the requisite infrastructure for it,” Sungthagra said.
He said now that the outfit has dropped its “sovereignty demand,” it was hopeful of commencing a political dialogues with the Centre.
The NDFB is in a ceasefire with the government since 2005. The present term of the ceasefire will expire on June 30.
Sungthagra said his organisation was also trying to meet various MPs from the region to lobby for its “statehood demand” with the Centre.
In Kokrajhar, the president of Bodoland People’s Progressive Front, Rabiram Narzary, appealed to the government to create a congenial atmosphere for a lasting solution of the Bodo problem.

Imphal protest fire refuses to die down OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Women protesters block a road at Khurai in Imphal East on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Imphal, Aug. 12: Five hundred women defied curfew and marched down the streets of Imphal West today as the embers of protest against the July 23 killings refused to die down despite the governor and chief minister’s pacifying overtures.
A former militant, Ch. Sanjit, was gunned down by police commandos in an “encounter” in Imphal city on July 23. Rabina Devi, a pregnant woman, was also killed in indiscriminate firing when the commandos were chasing the former rebel.
Though protests against the “fake encounter” began rending the air soon after the deaths, the agitation heightened after newspapers in Manipur published pictures released on a web portal showing police commandos dragging a calm Sanjit into a medicine store and emerging with his body.
Since then, hundreds of people having been defying curfew and marching down streets in both Imphal districts led by Apunba Lup.
The Okram Ibobi Singh government announced a judicial inquiry and suspension of seven personnel involved in the incident.
But the government salve failed to calm the agitators.
Rallies, sit-ins and demonstrations continued in most districts and were especially violent in Greater Imphal.
Though a security cordon and curfew managed to thwart a massive rally planned by Apunba Lup on Monday, the police allowed a five-member delegation from the organisation to meet Governor Gurbachan Jagat and submit their memorandum.
The memorandum demanded dismissal of the Ibobi Singh government, punishment to the commandos responsible for the deaths and release of the protesters arrested by the police.
An uneasy calm enveloped Imphal for a while today till it was broken when 500 protesters, led by Meitei, Kabui and Kuki Apunba Lup and Rongmei Women Union under the aegis of the Apunba Lup, marched 4km from New Keithelmanbi to Moidangpok village.
The protesters dispersed after the police fired in the air.
“We will continue to support the Apunba Lup agitation until the demands are met. We demand punishment of the commandos, resignation of Ibobi Singh and release of the arrested protesters,” Panti Golmei, a women activist, said.
A team from the Sanjit action committee met leaders of Rabina action committee to chalk out the next course of agitation.
“We have decided to continue the agitation until the commandos are punished, but no specific programme has been fixed yet,” Th. Anita of Sanjit committee said.
The Opposition Manipur Peoples Party president Nimaichand Luwang today reiterated the party’s demand for resignation of Ibobi Singh.
He said the MPP would soon hold a “public dialogue” on alleged fake encounter killings and file a public interest litigation in the Imphal bench of Gauhati High Court against the imposition of curfew.
Protesters also staged a sit-in at the gate of private residence of Congress MLA, E. Kunjeshore Singh, at Wanbgkhei in Imphal East when the curfew was relaxed between 9am and 2pm.
Another sit-in was staged at Naoremthong of Imphal West.
There was another rally at Wangoo in Bishnupur to protest alleged harassment of civilians by Assam Rifles personnel in the area.
But the rally broke up when the police fired teargas shells and burst mock bombs.
Protests against fake encounter continue Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Aug 11 – Police today fired teargas shells to disperse a group of people, who defied indefinite curfew to launch a sit in to protest the killing of a youth in an alleged fake encounter in Imphal East district, reports PTI. The protestors, including women, gathered at Thumbuthong near here in violation of the indefinite curfew which is in force for the last eight days, and launched a protest against the killing of 27-year-old Chungkham Sanjit by police commandos in an alleged fake encounter on July 23 at the Imphal market complex.

A police team from Imphal police station rushed to the area and fired teargas shells to disperse the gathering, official sources said.

Curfew, which was relaxed for four hours this morning, was re-imposed from 9:00 am.

The police also foiled an attempt by social organisation Apunba Lup, which has been demanding the resignation of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh over the issue, to submit a memorandum to Governor Gurbachan Jagat, they said.

Authorities yesterday also foiled Apunba Lup’s attempts to submit a memorandum and take out rallies by defying the curfew.

The authorities were on an alert after reports that hundreds of persons were trying to defy curfew at various places to launch sit-ins.

Police commandos and security personnel were deployed in strength around the Chief Minister’s office and Raj Bhavan and at all entry points to the state capital.

Reports said some people tried to defy curfew in peripheral areas of the city, but were immediately dispersed by the police.

Later, five members of the Apunba Lup were allowed to submit a memorandum, demanding resignation of chief minister O Ibobi Singh on moral ground, to Governor Gurbachan Jagat.

The memorandum also demanded dismissal of police commandos involved in the July 23 incident and stringent action against those police officers under whose supervision the commandos were deployed.

Our Correspondent adds: In the meantime, the CPM, Revolutionary Socialist Party and Forward Block in Manipur have urged their respective MPs to visit the state and assess the ongoing situation in Manipur in the wake of alleged fake encounter.

CPI(M) state secretariat member Kshetrimayum Santa disclosed this in an interaction with The Assam Tribune on Tuesday. We’ve urged our party leaders and MPs to visit the state assess the situation,Santa said.An eight member left MPs had visited Manipur in the aftermath of mass uprising in June 2001 and took up the issue in the parliament.

On August 6 last,CPI(M) MP from West Bengal Dr Ramchandra Dome had raised the ongoing unrest in Manipur in the zero hour of the parliament after Tehelka magazine alleged that July 23 shootout in Imphal was a fake encounter.

The issue sparked protest in the state after local dailies republished the Tehelka report and its 12 photographs.It even forced the congress led ministry in the state to institute a judicial probe into the incident.

However CPI(M) is not happy with the imposition of indefinite curfew in state capital since August 4 night and detention of protestors under National Security Act without any trial.

We condemn the anti-people and undemocratic practice of the ruling parties,says Sarat Salam,CPI(M)State Secretary.He added as a result weve decided to part ways with CPI which is the lont ruling partner in the congress led ruling ministry in the state.Other state unit leaders of RSP and Forwards Block also shared a similar sentiment.

On Monday,Communist Party of India (CPI) State Secretary,Langol Iboyaima reacting to a newsreport clarified that there is no question of the CPI withdrawing from the Congress-led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government in Manipur.

He said, it is a different matter that different opinions are expressed from the grass-root level of the party. However, the party has not taken any decision to split ways with the Congress and resign from the ministry.

He said that the matter has been discussed thoroughly during a meeting between the two parties-congress and CPI and both agreed that the report was without basis. Any misunderstanding due to the report has been cleared, he added.

India says Myanmar must expedite political reform
door indoadmin — Laatst gewijzigd: 11-08-2009 22:00
August 11, 2009: Mumbai, India called for political reforms in army-ruled Myanmar on Tuesday after a court sentenced opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to 18 months in detention, a verdict that has drawn widespread condemnation.
Sources: Reuters
India is one of the few countries that has trade ties with Myanmar, helping provide the ruling junta with an economic lifeline, alongwith China and Thailand.
The Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement it had seen reports of the sentencing of Suu Kyi after an American man breached the terms of her house arrest by swimming uninvited to her lakeside home in May. [nBKK516236]
"India has emphasised to the Government of Myanmar the need to expedite their political reform and national reconciliation process, and have noted the various steps taken so far," the Foreign Ministry said.
"We have maintained that this process should be broad based, including the various ethnic groups. In this context, the issue of release of political prisoners will no doubt receive due attention," the note said.
India, analysts say, is following a policy of engagement with Myanmar, partly driven by concern over the neighbour's ties with China.