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04/22/2010: "Respect Indigenous people’ morungexpress"

Respect Indigenous people’ morungexpress

BEATS UNHEEDED: Naga men performing a traditional dance in Phek Town. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon in his address at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues urged member states to respect indigenous cultures and promote their development. (Morung File Photo)
Dimapur | April 20 :The annual United Nations Permanent Forum on indigenous issues opened on Monday with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging member states to promote development and respect indigenous cultures and traditions. A significant highlight to Moon’s call was the Government of New Zealand announcing that it would reverse its decision and support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said he attaches great importance to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted in 2007. In that landmark document, member-states and indigenous peoples had reconciled with their painful histories and had resolved to move forward together towards human rights, justice and development for all.
An observation on Moon’s statement was also made by Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights. A representative from NPMHR is currently attending the UN session. The United Nations had made significant progress on indigenous issues over the past 40 years, including the establishment of the forum itself, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“And yet, we can not even begin to be content with our progress,” Moon cautioned, noting that the first-ever United Nations report on the State of the World’s Indigenous People, released in January, had revealed alarming statistics. The report stated that indigenous people suffer high levels of poverty, health problems, crime and human rights abuses, primarily resulting from armed conflicts all over the world.
“Every day, indigenous communities face issues of violence, brutality and dispossession,” Moon said. Indigenous cultures, languages and ways of life are under constant threat from climate change, armed conflict, lack of educational opportunities and discrimination, he said. The UN chief said that their cultures are being distorted, commoditized, and used to generate profits which do not benefit indigenous people, and can even lead to harm. “This is not only a tragedy for indigenous people. It is a tragedy for the whole world,” he declared.
“Indigenous (peoples’) issues are more prominent on the international agenda than ever before.
And yet, we cannot even begin to be content with our progress,” Moon said adding the United Nations is working to make sure that indigenous people themselves are not isolated. “You have a unique place in the global community. You are full and equal members of the United Nations family,” he added.
The secretary general’s call was followed later by the announcement by Pita Sharples, New Zealand’s Minister of Maori Affairs, that the New Zealand government would reverse its decision and support the Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples.
New Zealand was one of four countries – the others being Australia, Canada and the United States – that voted against the Declaration in 2007. Australia reversed its decision last year. Greeted with enthusiastic applause, he said: “We are pleased to express our support for the Declaration as both an affirmation of fundamental rights and an expression of new and widely supported aspirations.”
Right time to give our support to peace process: Neiphiu Rio DIPR
Wokha, April 21 (DIPR): The Wokha district special DPDB meeting was held on April 21, 2010 with the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Addressing the board meeting, Rio, stated that now is the right time to give our support to the peace process initiated for permanent settlement of the Naga Political problem. If permanent peace were brought about than in 2-3 decades time we would be progressive people excelling in various fields and competing with the rest of the world, he said. Giving a serious though on the census, which is to be undertaken shortly, Rio said, ‘you cannot draw a prospective plan unless you give a correct census figure’.
Rio reiterating the slogan Wokha district is a land of plenty; he lauded the people for having the highest per-capita income in the state besides doing well in other developmental spheres. However, he called upon the people not to sit idle on the laurels of this achievement but to strive for more, saying that too 80% of our people living in rural areas are practicing primary Agri yet we lack in food sufficiency, therefore he urged the concerned department namely Agri and allied sectors to work out modalities in a grand manner to bring improvement and achieve self sufficiency. He also stressed on the importance of setting a road map and target for Agri and Horti products expansion adding that the district has a huge potential for various commercial crops such as tea, rubber, cattle rearing etc. Seeing the importance of protecting nature he asked every village to have a community forest in order to preserve the flora and fauna as well as wild life.
On the government declaration of Year of Entrepreneurship, the department were asked to identify genuine local entrepreneurs in various trades and to assist them so as to achieve their desire goals. Local entrepreneurs were encouraged to take advantage and avail the benefits, which are offered by the government, he added.
Later in response to some agenda, which were discussed earlier the chief Minister called on the tribal hohos to work hand in hand with the public and government agencies so that development will not be hindered by local issues such as land disputes, ownership and other technical aspects. Other agenda which were discussed and taken note included construction of helipad at Wokha, construction of gallery at local ground playground Wokha and land settlement/compensation, opening of IRB headquarter at Wokha district and cash crops cultivation at lower Lotha region. Short speeches were also delivered by Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen, Minister for Agriculture Dr. Chumben Murrry, Parliamentary Secretary Y. Patton, Deputy Speaker NLA Ralanthung Yanthan, Chairman Kyong Hoho Yansathung Jami and Chairperson Kyong Eloe Hoho.
Other highlights of the programme included power point presentation by Agri and Allied Sector for food sufficiency by 2020 and Industry and Allied Sector for the year of entrepreneurship. The meeting was chaired by Parliamentary Secretary & Chairman DPDB Wokha W. Kithan while the vote of thanks was proposed by Deputy Commissioner Wokha Wepretso Mero.
NSCN/GPRN informs on “ration tax” morungexpress
Dimapur, April 21 (MExN): The ‘ministry’ of ‘chaplee affairs’, Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim today informed of imposition of what was stated to be “ration tax.” As per the decision of the ‘tatar hoho budget session’, the “annual ration tax” has been fixed at Rs 200 per household for 2010-2011. All have been asked to ‘cooperate’ with the ‘officials/staff’ deputed for the purpose, stated a note issued by Q. Awomi, secretary of ‘chaplee affairs’ GPRN. It was also informed that the rate of “ration tax” comes into force with ‘immediate effect’.

Split in ULFA as Paresh sidelines others Agencies
Guwahati, April 21 (Agencies): The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) appears to have vertically split with its elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah snubbing the other top leaders, most of whom are either in jail or out on bail, over the peace process. At a time when ULFA vice chairman Pradip Gogoi and publicity chief Mithinga Daimary were mobilising public opinion in furthering the deadlocked peace process, Paresh Baruah took a belligerent posture - no talks and no compromise on its demand for sovereignty or independence.
The ULFA commander-in-chief's adamant stand of rejecting any peace initiative minus independence is seen a snub to the outfit's overground leaders who recently helped in the formation of the Citizen's Forum to broker peace with the government. The 11-member Citizens Forum last week claimed that the top ULFA leadership, including Paresh Baruah, would come for peace talks. The Forum was formed after Gogoi and Daimary met leading citizens in the state and sought their help in furthering the deadlocked peace process.
The two ULFA leaders are now out on bail after a Guwahati court last month released them from judicial custody. "Pradip Gogoi and Daimary are talking of peace while Paresh Baruah simply rejected the Forum's initiative for negotiations by terming them agents of the government. So I would say the ULFA has split into two factions with Paresh Baruah ignoring the other leaders," Dhirendranath Chakravarty, a noted writer and bitter critic of ULFA, said.
Some feel that the Forum's decision to hold a statewide convention April 24 to drum up public opinion for peace talks was of no relevance after the ULFA commander-in-chief rejection of the move. "The convention has become infructuous," Chakravarty said. But the Forum members are unfazed. "We are going ahead with our convention and I think this is Paresh Baruah's personal views," Forum convenor Hiren Gohain said.
"Since I am the only top leader who is not in the custody of the Indian rulers, I consider it as my right and duty to clarify the ULFA's stand on the convention," Paresh Baruah said in an emailed statement Wednesday. The statement clearly indicates a rift within the ULFA - Paresh Baruah on one side, adamant on waging a war for independence, and the other rebel leaders who are either in jail or out on bail expressing their desire for peace talks with the government.
Barring Paresh Baruah, the entire top brass of the outfit is in jail. The imprisoned leaders include chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, self-styled foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury, finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika, cultural secretary Pranati Deka and ULFA political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain. "I don't want to make any comments right now," Pradip Gogoi said.

Intellectuals ask ULFA to examine suggestions
Guwahati, April 21 (PTI): An Assam intellectuals committee, set up to facilitate talks between the Indian government and ULFA, today asked the outfit’s self-styled military chief Paresh Barua to examine the group’s suggestions before rushing to the media with comments. “If Barua honours the constitution of the ULFA, he should wait until conditions are suitable for a meeting of central committee leaders, in a situation free from constraints, before rushing to the press,” Dr Hiren Gohain, the leader of the 11-member committee said here. In an e-mail sent to the media here on April 19, Barua was critical of the role played by intellectuals in solving Assam’s problems and had asserted that there could be no compromise on the issue of sovereignty.
Kaito urges tribal hohos to forge unity
Paudi Renta | EMN
PUNGRO, APR 21: With the Naga political talks entering a crucial stage, Road and Bridges Minister Kaito Aye has appealed to all tribal hohos to forge unity for an early solution
and not to leave the legacy behind for younger generations.
Addressing the 59th general session of the Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC) at Pungro town on April 20, Kaito said the call of the hour is to fight for Naga unity while calling upon all tribal hohos particularly the Yimchunger community to come forward and participate in the nation building.
He has also appealed to all Naga tribal hohos to reaffirm their commitment in their quest for a lasting solution while cautioning them not to let other people with vested interest distort the real issues of the Nagas.
Stressing that Yimchunger community is one among the pioneers in Naga struggle for sovereignty, the minister had urged the YTC to lead the other Naga tribes by setting right examples.
On the issue of backward tag which was categorized among certain sections of the Naga society, Kaito felt that Yimchunger community, at large, remained backward for their commitment towards the Naga political cause while the other tribes took advantage following attainment of the Statehood.
He said prior to the 60s, there was no categorization of backward and advanced tribes in Naga society, while adding that categorization was necessitated to promote those under-developed areas at par with other advanced tribes.
He has, however, advised the Yimchunger community not to persistently bank on backward tag to avail facilities thereby cautioning that such attitude would ultimately lead them lose their own identity.
While urging them to avail facilities accrued to backward category sections, he has rather encouraged the educated youth to make their ground and compete victoriously in this progressive world and also set example for other backward tribes to follow.
Kaito was all praise for the people of Pungro area for preserving the resources in its natural forms. He has appealed to the apex tribal council to control deforestation and also to make concerted efforts to declare Pungro region as ‘eco-friendly area.’ He has also cautioned against exploitation of resources which according to him could be a tourist attraction.
Acknowledging the vital role of tribal bodies, Kaito has further appealed to the YTC to be a welfare organization and not a political organization which otherwise could set bad precedence for the upcoming generations.
ENPO president Mangko Phom, whose statement was read out by ENPO secretary Toshi Wungtung, has described Yimchunger community as one of the most prominent and major tribes before and after attainment of statehood. He had also called upon the Yimchunger community to set example through unity and peace.
“Let us make changes for the betterment of the Nagas,” he implored.
Also exhorting the gathering, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Publicity Tohanba urged the community to prepare their ground for any eventuality stating that ‘we cannot expect someone from outside to rescue us.’ He stressed that integration of the people is the pre-requisite to foster changes in the society.
Cultural presentation through songs and dances marked the inaugural function of the two-day YTC general session.
Naga on rough road of reconciliation Nagaland Page
Naga people have experienced the journey on the rough road of reconciliation covering almost twenty months, because they have no option than reconcile with each other at any cost. Naga National workers who satisfactory enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere for nearly two years must not return back to the situation of madness fratricidal. Almighty God is always behind the Naga people who have responded to the cry of the Nagas in His own time. He who ever opposes the reconciliation among the Nagas is anti-Naga, We must congratulate church leaders, Tribal Hohos, national workers and State Government for boldness stance in restoration of peace among Naga families. The Naga people should not forget to congratulate quaker friends, American Baptist churches who worked tirelessly to bring peaceful atmosphere in Nagaland. The present peace has been achieved with heavy price and no on e should destroy it. Killing must be treated as a dreadful history of the past, never we need now. With tears in our eyes, we must remember our dear ones whom we lost in our own hands for no fault of them but for vengeance. Our top national leaders must be humble, kindness and mild who respect others. Jesus washing the feet of his disciples must be a great lesson for our leaders and should compete to be first man to forgive his brothers. The Bible says, whoever do not love his brother is ‘murder’. No leader shou7ld take undue advantage of the reconciliation process for his selfish end. Lower you come down, higher you will be in hands of the God and people will be with you.
I felt, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) under the convenership of Dr. Wati Aier is god gifted body for the Nagas and all must co-operate with it for command good of the Nagas. They are great heroes deserves highest honour for their tireless effort in carrying the message of peace, forgive and forget. They are great in the sense, no one can take their place.
Respected leaders, humble before God and man because we have his purpose of peace for the mankind. James 2:5 talks about small tongue which makes great boasts like small parks of fire burn great forest. Let us control emotion so that, we are not becoming the victim of our emotional. Reconciliation to me is surrendering of sum total of one’s authority and power for common good and not that, one group surrender before the other. Our great leaders must not expect other leaders to bow down before him (them). Everyone must have equal responsibility in ushering peace and coming together. No one can justify his own group to be the right one or mandated one, same as no Jewish could come forward to stone Samaria woman on the charge of adultery in the face of Jesus Christ who only instructed them to stone first one who never commit sin.
In fact, I felt myself most privilege person to meet Uncle Th. Muivah, the general Secretary NSCN-IM on 10th April 2010 at Hebron. I was very happy to have the message of ‘best regard’ from him for chairman S.S Khaplang and Gen. Kholi (C-in-C) GPRN/NSCN which I have already passed. I really appreciated our leaders for welcoming me in his HQ. I want his expression that, the said two leaders must seek him should not mean, they (S.S. Khaplang and Gen. Kholi) must join his faction which is next to impossible. Rather, I meant that, during their live time, they must meet and reconcile with one another which will make Nagas one family.
I am very happy that, similar message have been received fron top leaders of GPRN/NSCN (S.S.Khaplang, N.Khitovi and Gen. Kholi) and through this statement, their message is passing to NSCN-IM leaders, particularly, to Isaac Swu and Th. Muivah. We all must honour and respect the covenant of reconciliation signed by Isaac Swu, S.S. Khaplang and Brigd (Rtd) Shingnya.
Y. WANGTIN Nagaland
Kilonser
GPRN/NSCN

Paresh slams Hiren initiative A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, April 21: The war of words between Ulfa commander-in-chief Paresh Barua and the newly floated Citizen’s Forum heated up today with the fugitive militant leader taking on intellectual Hiren Gohain over the panel’s plan to hold a convention on peace.
“There is no question of talks without the issue of sovereignty on the agenda. Agreeing to hold talks without the sovereignty issue would be like surrendering to the colonial forces,” Baruah said in an e-mailed statement today.
The outfit had already rejected the peace initiative taken up by the Citizen’s Forum, an organisation of intellectuals, human rights activists and former police officials, stating that there was no question of talks without the issue of sovereignty.
The forum, with Gohain as convenor, was formed early this month.
Gohain had said yesterday that Barua should examine the forum’s suggestion before rushing to the media with comments.
“If Barua honours the constitution of Ulfa, he should wait until conditions are suitable for a meeting of central committee leaders in a situation free from constraints, before rushing to the press,” Gohain said in a statement yesterday.
Barua’s emailed statement today questioned Gohain’s knowledge about Ulfa and his commitment to solving the Ulfa issue.
“We believe that Gohain is not among those intellectuals who are working at the behest of the colonial forces to divide Ulfa. He should try to go deep into the Ulfa issue before coming up with suggestions,” the statement said.
Reacting to Barua’s statement, Gohain today said, “I was Ulfa’s critic earlier, I would rather advise Paresh Barua to read my books and numerous articles on the Ulfa issue”.
Gohain said the central committee of the outfit should sit together and find a way to go ahead with the peace process.
“We are not saying that the Ulfa’s central committee should hold talks while behind bars,” Gohain said.
To that, Barua said: “There is no division among the Ulfa leadership and since most of the leaders, including Rajkhowa, are in jail, the commander-in-chief has every right to offer views on behalf of the outfit.”
Rebel held: CRPF personnel apprehended a suspected Ulfa militant, Dinesh Das alias Sukur Mondal, from Narengi this evening.
Some incriminating documents, including demand notes of the outfit, were recovered from him.
Don’t use force to resolve crisis, KIO warns junta
Thursday, 22 April 2010 14:01 Salai Han Thar San


New Delhi (Mizzima) – Kachin Independence Organisation has warned the Burmese junta against using military might to suppress ethnic armed groups under ceasefire, refusing to bring its armed wing into the regime’s Border Guard Force (BGF).

The warning came from the Kachin Independence Organisation’s (KIO) joint general secretary, Colonel Sin Wah. “If they use military means to suppress us on the BGF issue, it will not be good for us, them or the people,” he told Mizzima.

KIO leaders had met junta brass 15 times during the past year on the thorny issue of conversion of its armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), into the BGF, but the stalemate remains unresolved.

The junta first proposed last April the putting ethnic armed groups under ceasefire into the BGF, to be controlled by Burmese officers. The KIO rejected the idea but said it would accept placement of Kachin battalions in the federal army.

“It depends on the government’s attitude. We do not wish to jeopardise the current peaceful situation,” Colonel Sin Wah said.

In its biggest military build-up of the past 16 years, the military regime sent about 100 army trucks to Myitkyina, the headquarters of the junta’s northern command. This included 26 artillery tow trucks.

The KIO has a 20,000-strong force with a regular army of 8,000 troops. Given the mounting tension they are imparting short-term emergency military training to some local residents and former servicemen.

In its third ultimatum on the BGF issue, the junta told the United Wa State Army and the Shan State Army (North) to respond by April 22.

The KIO held a debriefing session last Thursday at the Manau ground in Laiza, which was attended by Kachin people and grass-roots staff. KIO Vice-Chief of Staff Major General Guan Maw and General Secretary Dr. La Ja clarified the outfit’s political stance and the contentious BGF issue.

The next day a series of bombs exploded at the Asia World office building on the Myitsone hydropower project site in Kachin State. The junta asked the KIA whether it had had a hand in the blasts, which the latter denied.

BGF battalions comprise 326 soldiers each, commanded by a total of 30 officers and other ranks from the Burmese Army. The regime will provide the salaries. The New Democratic Army – Kachin, Karenni Nationalities People’s Liberation Front and the Kokang group have accepted the proposal and their armies have joined the BGF.
THE LONG MARCH FROM FIGHTING TO FREEDOM
In order to move towards democracy, Myanmar must first come to terms with its long history of ethnic violence, The Telegraph, Calcutta
By: Srinath Raghavan
The forthcoming elections in Myanmar and the accompanying political rumbles have evoked little interest in India. Weary resignation seems to be the dominant Indian response to the vagaries of Myanmarese politics. Yet, the political churning now underway could have significant implications, both for Myanmar and for the region.
The election laws adopted by the junta have rightly attracted widespread criticism. They call for the dissolution of the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, if it refuses to participate in the elections. They also proscribe the candidacy of hundreds of political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, who have been convicted for spurious criminal offences. Members of religious orders cannot contest elections either — a provision aimed at keeping the Buddhist clergy at bay. With an election commission hand-picked by the junta, there is little expectation of anything like a free or fair electoral process.
The outcome of the elections is likely to be important just the same. For the army appears keen to use the elections to transition to a different model of political control. Twenty-five per cent of the seats in the new parliament are reserved for the military. Military officers have been engaged in hectic campaigning. In canvassing for votes, they have announced several development projects. Clearly, the military’s conception of its own position and role in the polity is undergoing significant changes.
The leader of the junta, General Than Shwe, is going on 79, and has no earmarked successor. It appears that he would prefer not to leave behind in office any single strongman. This has resulted in increasingly sharp differences amongst the military elite about the way ahead. In this context, it might be tempting for the army to remove itself from the centre-stage of politics, whilst continuing to hold all the levers of power. After all, this seems to have worked in Bangladesh and Pakistan — at least in the short-term.
More importantly, the junta has set in motion a process of economic liberalization and is demonstrating increasing interest in benefiting from international experience in this area. There have been signs of change in social policy as well. For instance, private players are now being permitted to run schools and hospitals. Furthermore, the junta has begun to repair relations with the West. Branded an “outpost of tyranny” by the Bush administration, the Myanmar regime is now being engaged diplomatically by Washington. The sanctions, however, are likely to remain in place until the junta shows commitment to furthering democracy and human rights.
The Indian government has refrained from airing its views on these developments. This is continuous with its avowed policy of non-interference in the affairs of Myanmar. New Delhi persisted with this approach even during the popular movement against the junta in 2007. In the past decade-and-a-half, New Delhi’s Myanmar policy has been shaped by economic and security considerations. The estimated 300 billion cubic metres of gas reserves in Myanmar are naturally of great interest to India. Besides, several infrastructure projects are underway, aimed at improving connectivity between the two countries. These will facilitate India’s access to its own northeastern states as well as to other Southeast Asian countries.
From the standpoint of security, there are two key drivers of policy. In order to contain the insurgencies in the Northeast, it was essential to secure Myanmar’s cooperation. Since the mid-1990s, the junta has worked with India to ensure that various northeastern insurgent groups, especially the Nagas and the United Liberation Front of Asom, do not operate out of Myanmar with impunity. The other factor is China’s growing clout in Myanmar. Since the late-1980s, when the junta drew international censure for its iron-fisted approach, Beijing has been Myanmar’s most dependable ally. China is its largest trading partner, supplying everything, from military equipment to food grain. China’s involvement in several infrastructure projects has also been a matter of concern for India. These are regarded as enabling China to access the Indian Ocean region.
Notwithstanding these, India could do more to nudge the junta towards a more democratic stance. In particular, it should make the case for a fairer parliamentary election — one that will create the space for Suu Kyi and the NLD to participate in the process. But it would be facile to assume that the problem in Myanmar is merely the struggle between forces of democracy and the junta. Ensuring a democratic transition, however imperfect will require addressing a larger set of issues. If Myanmar has seen the longest spell of uninterrupted military dictatorship anywhere in the world, it is because the country is also home to the longest-running civil war.
From the time it became independent in 1948, Burma was wracked by a swarm of insurgencies. Initially, it was the communist party that took up arms against the government. Simultaneously, there was also an Islamist insurgency in the north of Arakan. Soon the Karens and Kachins of the highlands turned against the central government. These groups had enjoyed considerable autonomy under the British and feared that their standing would be eroded in a self-proclaimed Buddhist Burma. Both the groups were well-armed, having played a major role in the anti-Japanese resistance during World War II. Two years into these conflicts, the premier, U Nu, was periodically retreating into meditation to cope with the situation. His friend, Jawaharlal Nehru, observed that it seemed “as good a way of governing Burma as any”.
The situation was given a further twist in 1949 when the communists emerged victorious in the Chinese civil war. Sections of the worsted Kuomintang forces fled across the border into eastern Burma. There they created a safe haven, recruiting additional forces, imposing taxes and undercutting local political structures. These forces were subsequently joined by American and Taiwanese military ‘advisors’. The Burmese military’s efforts to root out these militias alienated the local population, so paving the way for an insurgency led by the Shans.
The presence of these forces resulted in periodic incursions by the Chinese army. By the mid-1960s, Beijing extended support to communist insurgents against the Burmese regime. Meanwhile, Thailand, too, had entered the fray, supporting the Karens and other insurgents operating along its borders with Burma, believing this would weaken its traditional enemy. Over time, many of the rebel groups splintered into factions, resulting in a bewildering array of insurgents with ever longer acronyms.
The upshot of this anarchical situation was that the military began to consume much the largest share of the state’s financial resources and became by far the most powerful actor. This set the stage for the military coups of 1958 and 1962. Since the mid-1950s, the military also became a major stakeholder in the Burmese economy and came to control a number of key sectors. It was only in 1989 that the government began to reach ceasefire accords. These have been concluded with around 16 groups to date. But they remain armed truces and the underlying disputes are yet to be resolved. The army continues to engage in counter-insurgency operations against other important militias, though the strength of these insurgencies has dwindled over the years. But many of these groups are active players in drug trafficking from Thailand and are supported by religious networks overseas.
Any attempt to minimize the role of the junta can only succeed as part of a larger process that ends these ethnic disputes and creates a new compact between the State and the peoples of Myanmar. The recent developments could provide the requisite opening for wider effort at national reconciliation. Encouraging the junta and other actors down this road would accord with India’s values as well as its interests.
By: Srinath Raghavan The author is Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, Delhi
NHPC May Build Power Projects in Myanmar Wall Street Journal
April 21, 2010: MUMBAI -- India's state-run NHPC Ltd. is considering building two hydroelectric power projects in Myanmar at an investment of 250 billion rupees ($5.6 billion) as it seeks to expand, its chairman said Wednesday.
"We are inching towards Myanmar. We have already sent our team to Myanmar for further survey and investigation for two projects," S.K. Garg told reporters on the sidelines of an industry conference.
NHPC has been looking at neighboring countries for expansion partly because of slow progress in projects in India. The company, which raised 40 billion rupees ($899 million) through its initial public offering last year, is also planning to set up power projects in Bhutan.
The hydroelectric power producer has an installed generation capacity of 5,175 megawatts, accounting for a little more than 3% of India's total generation capacity from all fuel sources. India has an estimated hydroelectric potential of 148,701 MW, junior Power Minister Bharatsinh Solanki told Parliament in December.
However, progress on hydroelectric power capacity addition has been slow due to environmental concerns and issues related to resettlement of people displaced because of the construction of dams. Mr. Solanki said in December that 15 hydroelectric projects that could add more than 12,000 megawatt capacity were awaiting environment and forest-related approvals.
Mr. Garg said also that NHPC is looking to build a 510 MW plant and another project with a capacity of 520 MW in Myanmar. NHPC is yet to decide on whether it will tie up with any other company for the projects, he said.
The company aims to produce 18 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in the financial year that started April 1. It produced 17 billion KWh in the previous year, lower than the targeted 17.2 billion KWh, Mr. Garg said.