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12/19/2009: "Nagaland beset by human trafficking morungexpress"
Nagaland beset by human trafficking morungexpress
Dimapur | December 19 : “Every 3 ½ days, a person in Nagaland is reportedly missing for one reason or the other, out of which Dimapur records the maximum report of missing children at 68%”, stated the report presented by Prodigals’ Home and FST- Enabling North East India. At a dissemination workshop under the banner “Study of missing children with focus on child trafficking and means to tackle the same”, Prodigals’ Home leaders, FST workers, law students, NGO representatives, Human rights activists and Media personnel interacted at the Resource Centre, PH on December 19. It was with the purpose of ‘massive, intensive awareness’ on the topic of child rights.
A person goes missing every 3.5 days Since 2007, Prodigals’ Home had been collecting reports of ‘missing’ persons after noticing that missing reports were a regular feature in the local dailies of Nagaland. According to the study conducted by Prodigals Home, the total number of persons missing from January 2007 till July 2009 is 276, out of which the number of children missing is said to be 230, where the male and female ratio stands equal at 50% each. It was also reported that the Child Labor (Prevention and Regulation) Act is not being strictly enforced in Nagaland - if it were enforced in letter and in spirit many families would be in conflict with the law — many Naga families employ children below the age of 14 as domestic help. The study by Prodigals’ Home also concluded that out of the children reported missing, Naga children make up 26% while non-Naga children make up 74%.
During the workshop, a discussion was held where all the people representing different sections of the society contributed and shared ideas which resulted with the plan to create awareness, share information with the Media especially between the Press of Assam and Nagaland; strengthen the relationship between Assam and Naga police for better coordination; further study the issue at a deeper and wider level; provide training to church leaders, and to mobilise a child parliament; flag the message to school children and start community mobilisation and so on. Also, it was recommended that every community should issue directives or regulations to respective members against employing children under 14 as domestic help. Also, the government should set and implement effective laws and schemes related to child-trafficking.
One major point that was also mentioned during the course of the workshop was that while focussing mainly on the welfare of the child, sometimes the ‘Trafficker’ is forgotten. “What happens to the traffickers?” questioned a participant from the Human Rights Law Network. “Most of the children are re-trafficked again” the participant stated. “While we are focussing more with the children, the trafficker escapes and is ready to strike again. Catching these traffickers will erase the root cause which is practical for the long run,” the participant reminded. “Many families are not aware that they are involved in trafficking”, K. Ela Director of Prodigals’ Home said. Many children are brought on the pretext of enrolling them into schools and this is not acceptable at any costs. “At the end of the day we should keep in mind the best interest of the child,” she said.
During the workshop, a representative from the law enforcement said that 69 children were reported ‘missing’ this year out of which 32 were recovered while 37 are still untraced. She also explained that missing reports are of various kinds, some may be kidnapping while others maybe missing cases. Also, a majority of the children reported missing are domestic helpers. It was stated that a main problem the law enforcers face is the lack of proper photographs or details and this causes difficulties.
The workshop concluded with the reaffirmation that awareness of child rights, effective implementation of laws and schemes related to trafficking and issues of children, rehabilitation, plus a collaboration of the Media, government, law enforcement agencies, NGOs and legal aides can only work towards a society free of child-trafficking.
Findings documented by Prodigals’ Home in April-August 2009
• Every 3 ½ days, a person in Nagaland is reportedly missing
• 83% of the missing are under the age of 18
• Male and female ratio of the reported missing under the age of 18 stands at 50% each.
• Dimapur records the maximum reports of missing children at 68%
• 47% of the missing children are natives of Assam
• 35% of the reported missing children are yet to be found/ traced
• 72% of the reported missing are children serving as domestic help
• 56% of the children’s employment as domestic help are reportedly contracted by their parents
• 45% of those bringing children for employment are total strangers to those families accepting children as domestic help
Shadows of Indian imperialism I A Pansohta Pakistan Observer
Dr B R Ambedkar, architect of the Indian constitution, defined Indian independence as the “transfer of British imperialism to Brahminic hegemony.” The idea of partition of India comes to everybody’s mind as a rude shock as more than 80% of its population still remains yoked into the serfdom under the label of Other Backward Casts (OBC) who is facing caste discrimination since time immemorial. It is reality that social, political and economic disparity, irrigated by injustice and repression still remains one of the major problems of India. In the wake of growing public awareness the Indian over-arching all-powerful attitude is facing a renewed threat of Independent Assam movement.
Mark Tully, a renowned BBC correspondent of BBC while talking to the writer of ‘Exciting India – a Visual Journey, while commenting on various aspects of the Indian life was heard saying that “Indians have delighted themselves in its natural beauty… they have admired the great temples and Muslim monuments, But they have also sense that India’s ancient civilization stands for beliefs and values which are quite different from their own. India has always taught that man is a part of nature, not nature’s ruler, that God is revealed through myths not through historical events and all of us should seek to live balanced live not strive excessively for wealth, power or fame” According to a news report emanating from Dhaka, the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) Commander-in-Chief Paresh Barua, said in a statement e-mailed to bdnews24.com on line newspaper appealing to the Awami League government to stop its ongoing crackdown against the insurgent organizations of northeaster India saying “A Party like Awami League, which fought for Bangladesh’s freedom should try and understand our passion for independence” We are fighting against Indian colonialism much the same way, they fought against colonialism” A number of other freedom fighters groups like Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) also echoed their resentment against Awami League’s moves.
India is conglomerate of thousands of castes, religious minorities, ethic groups, religious entities and linguistic divisions. To cover whole India simply in one go, in an article means doing injustice with the subject, but suffice to say that there are almost a dozen active insurgencies going on in the country for that last three or four decades. The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) Independent Nagaland, Khalistan Movement, Manipur independence are some of the most active insurgencies which has suffered massive genocide, at the hands of Indian security forces in the South East India.
It may be recalled that situation in Assam took an alarming change in 1979 when middle class Assamese started demonstrating against the immigrants from Bangladesh which bred anti-BD feelings. This was the outcome simmering since 1947 as massive migration from East Pakistan was going on into Assam. To control this tendency, Indian intelligence infiltrated large number of cadres into the rebel organization with the task to dig out information as they were also hitting the Indian interests and were becoming more and more popular. In 1980 when people observed Government of India providing Bodos with the funds and ammunition for taking revenge against all those who were ventilating their feelings against India, bickering of the deprived Assamese started building up. To eliminate both Bodos and the Assamese, Indian intelligence short-circuited both the groups, which resulted into heavy men and materializing.
The frequency and free flow of funds and logistic support to the Bodos, another rival minority of Assamese, vying for independence, resulted into the widespread discontent in Assam. United Liberation Front of Assam continues to be one of the most powerful organizations in the northereast India since its creation. The ULFA is being headed by Presh Baruah, with his associates like Rajiv Raj Konwar alias Arbindra Rajkhowa, Golap Baruah alias Anup Chetia, Samiran Gogoi alias Pradip Gogoi and Bhadreshwar Gohain. The sole objective of creating this front was to establish a sovereign Socialist Assam through an armed struggle. In early 1990s, the organization targeted Indian security forces and its political opponents. In 1992, the organisation saw miracle growth of its cadres in size and motivation. But it suffered a great set back when Indian government launched joint operation in Bhutan in December 2003.
In the latest round of developments, sources privy to the Home Ministry Affairs had said that Rajkhowa has been picked up from somewhere in Bangladesh and ahas been unofficially handed over to the BSF but Dhakka denies. On the other hand it has also been learnt that Awami League’s leadership has betrayed and Rajkhowa has been produced in the Gowahati court on December 5, 2009. Keeping ULFA’s popularity, her cadres hard hitting strategies, coupled with public sentiments, it is opined that situation may take an ugly turn, in terms of fragile peace as any such move in the past has proved a costly illusion to India.
Heralding cultures Sanjeev Bhar Financial Express
The bumpy ride seemed to deter none. It felt that every vehicle starting from Dimapur airport was heading to Kisama, a small township 12 km south of Kohima on NH 39. Six years back, Kigwema and Phesama villages came together to build this permanent venue—Kisama. However, since 2000 it has played host to the Hornbill Festival. Held in the first week of December, it showcases the harmony of tribes and their strong social structure, something seldom seen and experienced. Everything that depicts the true spirit of Nagaland—culture, tradition, food, tribal art, music.
The festival began to celebrate the commemoration of the state, but has since grown big and now attracts more international tourists than domestic ones from the mainland. With ‘Heralding Cultures’ as its theme this year—an array of activities kept the people glued for an entire week: display of tribal art forms, the Hornbill Music Festival which captured the country, Western and blues flavour, the Hornbill National Rock Concert, the Korean-Naga Wrestling competition, sampling indigenous rice beer (known as Thutze or Zutho) and traditional Nagamese food around bonfires… Interestingly, due to the Church missionaries’ demands, Nagaland still remains a dry state. But that doesn’t dampen the festivities. During the Festival, it hosted the Miss Nagaland Beauty Pageant, which became the front page news of local dailies the following day. And the city of Kohima had been illuminated to welcome Christmas, weeks in advance.
The Naga Heritage Complex also showcased the traditional homes with or without cross horns, each representing a tribe and its way of living with a kitchen, store and the way a home will be decorated. 16 major tribes and sub-tribes displayed their unique and vibrant tribal dance forms in their traditional attires. Apart from some other north-eastern states in India, cultural troupes from Japan, Korea, Myanmar and Thailand also made their presence felt during the festival. “Through this festival we want to showcase the talent of the youth, wrestling, painting, textiles, dance and music etc. which will bring all tribal cultures close to each other. This is our endeavour to bring people back to their tribal heritage and harmonise for a peaceful future,” said Khekiye K Sema, Commissioner & Secretary, Government of Nagaland.
Advani quits, Sushma new Leader of Oppn Nagaland Page
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New Delhi, December 18: The much awaited change of guard within the BJP finally took place on Friday when Leader of Opposition LK Advani announced his decision to step down from his position in the Lok Sabha.
The BJP Parliamentary Committee met here in the evening and decided to appoint senior leader Sushma Swaraj as the new Leader of Opposition.
Advani, however was elected the Chairman of BJP parliamentary party, a tailor made post that BJP created after amending its constitution. He thus has power to decide who will be the Leader of Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament.
The election of 57-year-old Sushma Swaraj, deputy leader of the party in Lok Sabha, is conceived to be an RSS move to usher in younger leadership against the backdrop of the debacle in Lok Sabha polls.
Meanwhile BJP President Rajnath Singh is also reported to have tendered his resignation, paving the way for Maharashtra party unit Chief Nitin Gadkari to take over, party sources said here today.
Nitin Gadkari, BJP’s Maharasthra state unit chief, was called to Delhi for the meeting and was anointed party unit Chief.
In the wake of these developments, a number of posts would be up for grabs in the party.
The race for the post of Deputy Leader of BJP in the Lower House is now between Ananth Kumar, Gopinath Munde and Shahnawaz Hussain.
Munde and Yashwant Sinha are also eyeing the post of Public Accounts Committee Chairman which has fallen vacant after Jaswant Singh's resignation.
Soon after Lok Sabha defeat, Advani had suggested to the party top brass to choose a new leader of opposition, but it was ignored and he was chosen for the post. But later RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stepped in to suggest that the party better look at having a younger leadership between 55 and 65 years of age.
Reacting on this new change, BJP president Rajnath Singh said that Advani is above any party and will continue to guide the BJP.
On being asked to comment on his decision of stepping down, Advani said that he will take part in the day today activities of the party and will remain a “Rath Yatri” forever. “I took to Rath Yatra when I was 14, and was barely out of high school. It has now become way of life for me,” he said. (PTI)
Gen Nehra credits Naga people for prevailing peace Nagaland Page
Dimapur, December 18: Additional Director General, Assam Rifles Maj Gen JP Nehra today gave a credit to the people of Nagaland for the prevailing peace in the state and cessation of hostilities between the warring factions of the NSCN.
Maj Gen Nehra, who served in the state as Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) for 19 months said that during his tenure he witnessed a very tense situation due to factional clashes between the NSCNs in Dimapur. He said that there were 3 big factional clashes, but expressed gratitude to various agencies, which played an important role to put an end to the crisis.
Assam Rifles and other agencies provide maximum support to contain the situation and bring about peace and tranquility but the larger share goes to the general public and the civic bodies, he said.
The outgoing IGAR said that Assam Rifles has been providing environmental security like other type of security forces to maintain peace and harmony although they are directly not involved. "Our presence definitely gives a sense of security by and large and people feel safe when they see the troops moving around," he added.
When asked whether the AR slogan "Friends of the Hill People" mean something to the people of Nagaland and Northeast, the Maj General said that he was totally satisfied by the response of the Assam Rifles to the people's need. He said that Assam Rifles go out of the way to help the public with some development projects for the economic upliftment of the backward areas.
He also disclosed that the Assam Rifles try to help the people in their own way. He said there are 65 posts of Assam Rifles in Nagaland, which gives a "reach" to the people of the rural areas.
About gathering of intelligence from the local populace, he said that intelligence is not a one-day game, it keeps coming over the years and many people do not hesitate to give the inputs.
When asked to comment on the unfinished tasks, he said that development is a continuous process, as it cannot come overnight. "I had planned some bigger projects in Nagaland, but my successors would carry out," he added.
About large turn-outs in the recruitment rallies in Nagaland in the recent days, the ADG said that this proves that things are changing in Nagaland and people are become aware of their rights and ground realities. He also said that Services offer good career opportunities to the people due to which people are now turning up recruitment rallies.
The General Officer also disclosed that there is a possibility of raising a Naga Battalion but he was not sure about raising additional battalions of Assam Rifles in the Northeast.
Describing his experience in Nagaland, he said that during his stay people from all walks of life met him and he developed a special rapport with the people. He also said that people now have realized the importance of peace and are cooperating with all the agencies to bring an end to the era of insurgency.
He also wished the people of Nagaland a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. (Page News Service)
Gadkari takes over as BJP chief PTI
NEW DELHI, DEC 19 (PTI): BJP’s Maharashtra unit chief Nitin Gadkari was on Saturday appointed the BJP president at a meeting of the Parliamentary Board
of the party, marking a generational change in its hierarchy. The 52-year-old leader succeeds Rajnath Singh to become the youngest president of the party and the first one from Maharashtra. Gadkari was elected the party chief at the meeting attended by senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and others.
Earlier in the day, Gadkari said he did not view politics as a career but as an instrument of socio-economic reforms to bring about a change in the lives of the poor and the downtrodden.
“I don’t work as if I am making a political career. I work for the poor and downtrodden sections of society who don’t have food to eat, house to live in or clothes to wear. I strive to bring about a transformation in their lives,” he said.
The party was effecting a generational change in its hierarchy. Advani on Friday stepped down as the Leader of Opposition paving way for Sushma Swaraj to don the mantle. He was chosen at a meeting of party MPs to the newly-created post of Chairman of the party’s Parliamentary Party.
BJP has changed team that failed: Congress
The Congress today said the opposition party has changed the team which led it to “failure” in two successive general elections in 2004 and 2009.
“After BJP lost two Lok Sabha elections in a row, they perhaps wanted to change the team which led them to the failure,” party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.
Though he described it as an “internal matter of BJP and the RSS”, the Congress leader said that the “failure of the team” may have led to the changes.
Asked whether the Advani era was over in Indian politics, he retorted, “there was never any Advani era in politics“.
He said, “When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in active politics, Advani was his shadow. When he came out of the shadow and wanted to do something of his own, he called MA Jinnah as secular”.
Ahmed said the political downfall of Advani started the day he called Jinnah as secular.
Army needs special powers to counter terrorism: Antony The Imphal Free Press
New Delhi,: India`s armed forces cannot counter terrorism and insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast states without the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Defence Minister A.K. Antony stated categorically Friday.
`As long as their (armed forces) presence is necessary, they need special provisions. They cannot function without special powers (conferred on them under the act),` Antony told reporters.
`It has been because of the presence of the armed forces that the situation has improved in Jammu and Kashmir.... If police think they can do without the army, we will withdraw the troops. But if they want them to be deployed they need special provisions.`
The minister was speaking on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) on Internal Security: Duties and obligations in upholding Human Rights.
`Whenever we have felt that the situation has improved in Jammu and Kashmir, we have withdrawn troops. Last year, we have withdrawn two divisions and if we see the situation has improved in Jammu and Kashmir we will further reduce the visibility and presence of the armed forces,` he added.
There have been demands from several quarters, including Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) on grounds that it was leading to violation of human rights.
Abdullah has also met the defence minister to raise his concerns over what he termed as the misuse of the provisions of the AFSPA in the hands of the armed forces.
`Terror in Jammu and Kashmir and northeast and left wing extremism in certain pockets require continuance of dedicating time, resource and efforts. The situation is further complicated due to external support to perpetrators.
`One of the major challenges of the security forces is to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. In the process of combating terrorism, they may run the risk of being dubbed as authoritarian,` Antony added.
According to the minister, the AFSPA empowers forces to act in `difficult situations`. `We will not hesitate to take action if somebody is found guilty,` he said, addressing concerns about the misuse of the act.
