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09/18/2009: "Nagaland KVK releases Vision 2020 morungexpress"

Nagaland KVK releases Vision 2020 morungexpress

Dimapur, September 18 (MExN): The Vision 2020 of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nagaland, was released by Nagaland’s Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Chumben Murry, on the occasion of the inauguration of the administrative building of KVK Aboi, in Mon, on September 15.
The ‘Vision 2020: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Nagaland’ is a document prepared in line with the NE Vision 2020. This document contains the details of thrust areas, yield gaps, technological requirements and Action Plan for the next few years for sustainable agricultural development planned through the KVKs. It also provides a better understanding of the present agricultural scenario, constraints, opportunities and challenges for agricultural development in the state.
Apart from the holistic vision for the state, a district-wise development vision has also been worked out by involving the respective KVKs. The document will guide the KVKs in their effort to plan out appropriate strategies for bringing out sustainable development in the state.
Other dignitaries present during the release included Minister for School Education, Nyeiwang Konyak, Mon Deputy Commissioner Dinesh Kumar, IAS, and Director of Agriculture, Dr. Supong Keitzar, and host of officials from the agriculture & allied sectors.
Booming China-India ties strained by border tension Agencies
NEW DELHI/BEIJING, September 18 (Reuters): Anger over troop deployments, reports of border incursions, and a high-pitched media debate have reignited strains between China and India over long-festering border disputes in the Himalayas.
The details of whether boots actually crossed borders are murky, but experts in both countries agree that tensions have risen, highlighting the fragility of relations between the giant neighbours jostling for dominance.
The two Asian powers have disputed their 3,500 km (2,200 mile) border since a 1962 war. In that war China seized much of the Himalayan high ground, worrying India which traditionally sees the mountain range as a strategic buffer against invaders.
Despite decades of mistrust, trade is booming and China is now India's biggest trade partner. The value of bilateral deals is expected to pass $60 billion next year, a 30-fold increase since 2000, raising the stakes in maintaining peace. While a new war is very unlikely, the unsettled border between the world's two most populous countries remains the biggest single impediment to better relations.
There have been 13 rounds of largely fruitless talks in recent years. "The temperature on the border is rising," said former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal.
"The situation is disturbing political circles." China has upgraded roads on its side of the border while India has boosted troop numbers on its more challenging terrain. Beijing tried to block a $60 million Asian Development Bank loan sought by India for development in one contested area, and has protested activities of exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama, who is based in India.
And in India, as the summer drew to a close, there were almost daily media reports of border incursions by China, presented as a sign China is growing more assertive. Brahma Chellaney, professor at the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research, says Chinese cross-border forays nearly doubled from 140 in 2006 to 270 in 2008 and have kept that level in 2009.
"The situation is now hotter than the Pakistan border," he said. China has not directly commented on the allegations, saying only that it sticks to an agreement to "safeguard peace and tranquility", but Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu did obliquely accuse Indian media of stirring up tensions.
"I have noted that some Indian media are releasing inaccurate information; I wonder what their aim is?" she said.
Cheng Ruisheng, former ambassador to India and now adviser to the Chinese government on relations with its neighbour, told Reuters there were no incursions.
"China is dealing with so many things, it has no idea of having any kind of military conflict with India," he said.
Taylor Fravel, a specialist in China's border and security issues at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said that even if the military are reporting border crossings, an apparent incursion can sometimes be a matter of perception.
"What one side views as a patrol along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), another side views as a violation, and vice versa.
" Chinese experts say increasing tensions have been fuelled by Indian fears and nationalism rather than aggression from Beijing.
"I think that the immediate cause is that the Indian armed forces increased around the border, and this can easily increase the mutual suspicion," said Shi Yinhong, professor of international relations at Beijing's Renmin University. Delhi has officially denied the reports of border violations, and like Beijing, has little to gain from friction.
"Our borders are secure and it serves no purpose to create excessive alarm," said Foreign Minister S.M Krishna. With the two countries trading in everything from high-tech to steel, ties couldn't be better, according to one expert.
"China-India relations are probably the best in 45 years," said Siddharth Varadarajan, strategic affairs editor of the Hindu newspaper.
Some analysts say the news of incursions reflects leaks by an Indian military worried about the Chinese army's growing mobility and strength in the border areas. India lags China both in terms of infrastructure work and military strength.
To counter this, India is raising two new army divisions, some 30,000 soldiers, for deployment in Arunachal Pradesh. It is also beefing up air defences in the region. The Indian buildup of troops on the one hand and beefed-up border patrols and roads by China on the other may be creating a cycle of mistrust that could undermine years of diplomatic work.
"If you ask me what is the major problem between China and India, it is neither the border question, nor the Tibet question – it is the lack of mutual trust," said former ambassador Cheng.
China strikes back on Arunachal

New Delhi, September 18 (Agencies): Barely weeks after it failed in its attempt to block Asian Development Bank (ADB) funds to a project in Arunachal Pradesh, China has successfully struck back. Last month, in a development New Delhi has been quiet about, China won a vote on a “disclosure agreement,” which prevents ADB from formally acknowledging Arunachal Pradesh as part of India. (A disclosure agreement is a formal notification of a project once it’s approved by the ADB Board).
On June 16, India had successfully isolated China — the entire ADB Board except Beijing had voted in India’s favour — and secured approval for its $2.9-billion country plan. China had raised objections to the plan because it included $60-million projects in Arunachal Pradesh. It argued that ADB cannot fund projects in “disputed areas” like Arunachal Pradesh.
Clearly, China did not give up after that defeat and the reversal is symptomatic of its growing clout. It’s learnt that India lost the vote despite US and most of the Western bloc voting in India’s favour. In what was relatively a narrow margin, the scales were tilted in China’s favour by Japan, Australia and a group of other South East Asian countries. Despite US support, India was also surprised by the fact that Australia chose to go with China. Pakistan, of course, also went with China.
In particular, sources said, the role of Japan has come as a shock to India. Being the current chair of the ADB board, Japan allowed the matter to be put to vote. Once that happened, Japan backed China indicating a shift in its political approach. It now transpires that since the first vote where China was humiliated, it left no stone unturned in increasing pressure on South East Asian countries, and Japan and South Korea.
The defeat has caused considerable concern in official circles here. One view is that India should not take the $60 million meant for projects in Arunachal Pradesh. It’s quite possible that India will not use ADB funding for the state. In future, sources said, India will also have to be careful when it lists projects in “sensitive areas” for external funding.
The more serious ramification is diplomatic. There is a view that after the June 16 victory, India didn’t anticipate the Chinese response and so did not plan its lobbying as well as it did the first time. Incidentally, before the June vote, India had sent demarches to all 66 countries represented at the ADB.
Sangtams celebrate Mongmong festival Staff Reporter (NPN):


Cultural troupe presenting a folk song at the Mongmong festival in The Oasis, Dimapur. (NP)
DIMAPUR,Sangtam community on Thursday gathered at the Oasis to celebrate Mongmong festival which was organized by the Sangtam Union Dimapur. Presentation of various cultural items and a huge feast of the festival were the main highlights of the programme.
Gracing the programme as chief guest DMC chairman, Khekaho Assumi mainly called upon the youth from the community to utilize the various resources and opportunities available to them.
He also asserted on the importance of education and on using it as the main source of strength. Pointing out that Dimapur was a place with a potpourri of people from different communites, Khekaho also added that there was a host of opportunities also. The chairman also highlighted the main aim of the government in taking out various road shows all over the state.
Former Medical Director Dr Meren enlightened the gathering on the significance of the festival while the Sangtam Thsingmüjanglarü Dimapur unit presented a folk dance.
Later after the programme, a demonstration on feeding of three stone in the hearth (Müshub Yangdühba) was also shown. It may be mentioned that the practice of feeding stone was to find out how the harvest of the year would be.
Folk dances were also presented by Alisopur Union Dimapur and Jingkhu Welfare Society.

No compromise in NC Hills: Zeme Council Zeme body warns against infringement of Zeme rights in DHD-Centre talks Eastern Mirror| EMN

DIMAPUR SEP 18: The apex body of the Zeme Nagas today cautioned the Centre and Assam government that any infringement upon their ancestral land at NC Hills arising out of the talks with DHD militants would simply mean inviting a direct confrontation from the Zeme Nagas.
While welcoming the move for talks between the DHD militants and the centre, the Zeme Council North East India, speaking on behalf of all Zeme Nagas to the media here in Dimapur, said compromising with land issues relating to NC Hills should never be the basis of the talks.
The Centre had declared September 15 as the last date for surrendering arms for the DHD militants to start the process of talks.
“If Assam and the Centre cannot bring justice, we, even though a minority is ready to confront any situation to protect our ancestral land and birthright,” President of the Zeme Naga Council Ngauputlak stated.
The Zeme body also blamed the centre for turning a blind eye on the ongoing violence at NC Hills and failing to protect the minorities from the bloodbath carried out by the DHD militants.
Instead of trying to protect the suffering minorities in the region and ushering in peace, the centre has brokered a deal with the DHD militants for negotiation, the Zeme representatives said.
Raitu Elu, Vice President of Zeme Council and President of Zeme Council Nagaland, said the centre should first solve the problems of the suffering minorities and then only touch on the issue of negotiating with the DHD militants.
“We can also toe the same line as that of the DHD militants with the centre, but we prefer to walk the path of peace, which is why we have refrained from doing anything unlawful,” he maintained.
“We are asking the centre to deliver justice according to the historical rights and British and Indian government records,” President of Zeme Naga Council stated.
The Zeme Council also reiterated their accusations of the army being hand in glove with the DHD militants in oppressing and harassing innocent villagers.
It may be mentioned that DHD and its breakaway DHD (J), two militant groups of the Dimasas, have been making some demands which include changing the nomenclature of NC Hills into Dima Hasau Rahi (Dimasa kingdom) and 80 percent job reservation to the Dimasa tribe.
Updating on the situation of the refugees at the various established relief camps, the Zeme council informed they are still frightened of returning to their respective villages despite the fact that their main oppressors had surrendered arms for talks with the centre.
“The reason behind this is that the Indian Army has been detaining and torturing the Zeme Nagas under suspicion of being a part of the NSCN-K and IM or considering them as insurgents,” they stated.
“We have on numerous occasions reiterated that the Zemes have no relations with either of the two Naga underground outfits. The Zeme youth took up arms to protect themselves,” the Council said.
Around 45 Zeme Nagas have been killed in the relentless violence unleashed by the DHD militants while more than 300 families have been displaced and around 30 villages deserted.
The Zeme Council has also asked the Assam government and the Centre to provide compensation to the displaced and affected victims of the violence so that they can re-establish in their villages again. “The government must also promise sincere assurances of protection to the villagers,” the Council demanded.
AGP asks Bordoloi if he is aware of Asomiyas paying tax to Nagas Sentinel “Bordoloi should make it clear whether it is in the knowledge of the State Government that the people of Asom have to pay taxes to Naga miscreants or not,” Atul Bora questioned.

JORHAT/GUWAHATI, Sept 18: A representative group of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) visited Bihubar and its adjoining areas along the Asom-Nagaland border in Sivasagar district today. The team comprised Birendra Prasad Baishya, party chief spokesman Atul Bora, general secretary Hitendra Nath Goswami, Pradip Hazarika, Hiranya Konwar, Hemanta Kalita and Renupoma Rajkhowa.
After visiting the border areas, Baishya, who is an MP, said: “The Centre and the State Government are not keen to solve the Asom-Nagaland border disputes. We always want to maintain peace and harmony with the neghibouring States, but the government is not worried over the border disputes that have soured our relations with the neighbouring States. The Central Government should take up the matter seriously and solve it immediately.”
Atul Bora said: “The Nagaland government has been carrying on an unauthorized administration in the border areas of Asom. The Government of Asom and the district administrations have failed to protect lives and properties of the common people living along the bordering areas.”
Coming down heavily on minister Pradyut Bordoloi for his recent statement on the Asom-Nagaland border, Bora said: “Bordoloi should make it clear whether it is in the knowledge of the State Government that the people of Asom have to pay taxes to Naga miscreants or not. If it is in the knowledge of the Government, what steps has it taken to prevent it? If one visits the Asom-Nagaland border, he won’t feel the presence of the State administration there where only the writ of Naga miscreants runs. Instead of criticizing the AGP, Bordoloi should engage himself to set things right on the border front.” Pointing referring to statements of people residing along the Nagaland border in the Bihubar area of Sivasagar district, Bora said Naga miscreants have been collecting regular taxes from the people of Asom under the very nose of Sivasagar district administration, but the State Government is not at all worried about the matter.
However, the AGP team also revealed that the situation in the Bihubar area is under control and there is no report of any untoward incident.

Bodoland is the Den of Death Now By: Pramod Boro Kangla on Line
The words like administration, law, security, police are like shaggy dog story for the people of Bodoland as there is no safety and security of common people in BTC. It is a matter of indignity that people in Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) are not safe in spite being an area under 6th schedule where the local self governance is foremost. The democratically elected government in the council and state have failed to provide safety and security to the people of BTC.
The first ever separatist movement in demand of a separate state of Bodoland started in 1987 which had a tremendous impact on the lives of people living in the BTC area and some other parts of the state. More than 1135 Bodo people lost their lives during the movement. There were atrocities by Police and Para Military forces on people who fought a democratic struggle without arms and ammunition. There were clash amongst Bodo people as the community had two groups with different ideology. The largest being the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and the other group was Plain Tribal Council of Assam (PTCA). The clash between ABSU and PTCA also took lives of some people in the area. After a long democratic movement under the leadership of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma and some other leaders a separate autonomous council named ‘Bodoland Autonomous Council’ was formed under the state Government. The BAC was formed in the year 1993.
The second phase of Bodo Movement started in 1996 with similar demand for a separate state. At that time Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) was formed. Prior to the formation of BLT there was another banned group named National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Formerly Bodo Security Force). At that time there was clash amongst BLT and NDFB members. Both these groups were banned group as they used arms for their demands. There were ideological clash between these two groups which had resulted in killings of members from the banned outfit and innocent people of the area. The clash between the groups had threatened the society as many leaders of the society including political and social leaders were targeted. There was absence of security amongst the common citizen of the area. Many people had to leave their places and moved to other parts of the state for their shelter and precautions. There were internal displacement and the economic growth of the area had to suffer. The educational scenario was pitiable due to absence of healthy environment and people were unable to breathe in peace. There was no guarantee of life. The police or the state government did not take adequate steps to arrest the culprits. There were negligence from police and state administration. BLT declared ceasefire in the year 1999 and the peace talk began with the government of India with the participation of other civil society organisation. ABSU played a major role in peace talk in a democratic manner by involving different social organisation and individual for demanding separate state for Bodo people. After 4 years of long negotiations amongst central and state government ultimately Bodoand Territorial Council was declared under 6th schedule of the constitution of India in the year 2003. The separatist mindsets of the Bodo people were changed after the declaration of BTC with a hope that there will be peace and development in the BTC area. People were positive and optimistic that the region will prosper and they can be part of nation building. In 2005, NDFB declared ceasefire with the government which bought new hopes amongst people as ordinary citizen felt that permanent peace would come back to the BTC. There was election for BTC in the year 2005 which witnessed violence in worst form. The violence continued even after election and people are not secured at their home till now. The planned violence began in the year 2008 when the area witnessed killings in most terrible forms. There have been several killings of teachers, lecturer, peace activist, politicians, students even the media persons were also targeted by armed people. Now the big question is ‘who are the killers’? It has been seen in the entire country that when there is any democratic movement police or security personnel control the movement by using forces where many people even lose their lives. But in the time when there is killing of people in organised way or something like open killing the police and other security forces are not playing their duties which indirectly encouraging the killers to kill more people .More than 82 persons were killed in 2008 and not a single offender has been arrested by police The administration has failed to provide protection and safety to the people of BTC. There are legal and illegal arms with some of the former extremist and other youths engaged by former militants who are used for the inhuman activities in the 2008 and 2009. If there are no arms then how would it be possible for someone to kill people? People have died after bullet injury and interestingly police or administrations are unable to find criminals who are engaged in inhuman killings in BTC. Lots of killings took place before and after the 15th Lok Sabha election in BTC. Most of the political activist have been targeted and killed in the world’s largest democracy .More than 12 persons killed in connection with Lok Sabha election.
The question arises here “is there any administration in BTC”? When people are doing democratic protest than police or other forces show their strength but why they are not doing anything to arrest the criminal who have engineered the killings and breaking the laws of the nation. It has become a paradox for us. Is not it an organised conspiracy for ethnic cleansing? Are we not the citizen of India? If the constitution guarantees right to the people of the nation then why the Bodo people are not getting the right? ABSU being the democratic organisation believe in the democratic system of the country. But our question is how innocent people are being targeted in BTC area in the nose of administration? ABSU believes in Rule of Law and the guilty must be punished according to the law. But our concern is why no criminals have been identified by police or administration after killing hundreds of people.
Do we have to start another movement for the safety and security of the people or the concerned department will look into the affair seriously? If the people are not secured than what is the use of having the rights of the citizen? If the protector of the rights can’t protect the citizens than what is the use of having any police or any security forces? Does government has any role in this regard? Pushing 28 Lacs of population under enormous fear and insecurity, ‘can we think of a developed country’? The fundamental rights of the citizens are not truly exercised in BTC, so government has failed its prime responsibility in BTC, so, government must prepare to provide necessary safety and security else there shall be democratic protest once again. It will be a matter of shame in international front for the government if they use force to curb democratic protest when they can’t do anything who are engaged in anti democratic process by killing people.
Bodo people are for peace and prosperity. We are not trouble maker. We shall cooperate with government if they take up positive steps for the development of BTC. The true development of BTC will develop Asom and it will help in developing the nation. If the citizen are not safe and secure how we can we think of becoming a part of nation building and developing the society. We want to be part of the development process so the positive action for peace and development must get started in BTC with government initiative.
*The author is the President of All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and he can be reached at pramodboro75 @gmail.com