AFSPA extended for another year
AFSPA extended for another year By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 30 : The SPF Cabinet which met today evening has decided to extend the Disturbed Area Act, under which the Armed Forces Special Powers Act becomes operative, for another year all over the State barring the Imphal Municipal areas. Informing this to media persons, Information Minister and SPF spokesman, Gaikhangam today said that the decision to extend the DAA and subsequently AFSPA for a period of another year was taken after the Cabinet minutely discussed the law and order situation in the State. The Cabinet took note of the point that the law and order situation is far from satisfactory and hence took the decision to extend AFSPA for another year, said Gaikhangam. A review meeting is held every six moths to study whether AFSPA should continue or not, added the Information Minister.
On the other hand, the Cabinet also decided to extend the revocation of AFSPA from the Imphal Municipal areas for another year. There are seven Assembly segments in the Imphal Municipal areas.
The Cabinet also decided to rope in the service of the Manipur Public Service Commission to conduct the test for recruitment of MCS, MPS officers, Manipur Forest Service, Manipur Finance Service, SDC and Assistant Engineers. The Cabinet took the decision to extend the imposition of DAA and AFSPA for another year even as the Review Committee set up to study the Act is getting ready to submit its report to the Centre. The Review Committee was formed after Manipur erupted to demand the total repeal of the Act following the alleged custodial death of Th Manorama in July last year. Buckling under the growing pressure, the SPF Govt decided to lift the Act from the Imphal Municipal areas on a trial basis, much against the advice of Delhi.
NSCN (K) derides IM's claim By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 30 : Reacting to the charges of the CAO of Zeliangrong region of the NSCN (IM), MK Winning, the NSCN (K) today said that it is not them who are issuing diktats to the people but the IM group. Speaking to the media today, the spokesperson of GPRN/NSCN Zeliangrong region of the Khaplang group said that the diktats and decrees issued by the IM group on the Naga people, particularly the Zeliangrong people is well known. Citing an example, the spokesman said that IM cadres had stopped a team of the Zeliangrong Union from attending a meeting convened by the NSCN (K) to interact with public leaders and intellectuals. This invariably raises the question of whether the Zeliangrong people need to take permission from the IM group to attend any meeting, said the spokesperson and asked whether the Zeliangrong people should be forced to live within the parameters laid down by the NSCN (IM). The spokesperson also clarified that the NSCN (K) had summoned the CEO of Tamenglong District Autonomous Council, RK Ragaisin as the tax payable to the outfit has not been paid for the last two years. During interrogation, the CEO admitted that taxes were paid regularly to the IM group but not the NSCN (K) and this is unfortunate, said the spokesperson.
Contrary to the allegations of the IM group no other staff were picked up, added the spokesperson.
Government orders probe into NPSC bribery case
KOHIMA, May 29: The state government has ordered a probe into the reported Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) bribery case. In an official release, Nagaland chief secretary P Talitemjen Ao said the state vigilance commission had been asked to inquire into the matter, the bribery case having become a public issue amid media glare. The commission would be asked to submit a detailed report immediately. Meanwhile, the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), the apex students' body of the state, urged Governor Shyamal Datta to intervene in the matter. NFS also demanded a clear insight into the modus operandi of the NPSC, which recruits officials to the "most prestigious services in the state".
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor yesterday, NFS said the the bribery allegations had deeply affected the Naga mind. The federation also felt that a CBI inquiry was necessary into the recent attempt to bribe the Controller of Examinations and asked the Governor to do the needful.
The students' body demanded a re-evaluation of answer scripts on the request of candidates or the re-conduct of this year's NPSC preliminary examination at the earliest. UNI
Bangla starts operation against ‘gunrunners’ By A Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, May 29 – In what is surely a setback for North East insurgent groups, Bangladesh has launched an operation against “gunrunners” in the area along the Indo-Bangla border in Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura. The operation, launched last Friday, could badly cripple the insurgents based in the region who depend on armaments supply from Bangladesh, security sources disclosed here today. The sources said that the operation is being carried out along 200-kilometre stretch of the international border from Habiganj to Sylhet districts in Bangladesh. Hundreds of security personnel belonging to the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed for the operation, they said. Over six members of North East rebel groups, along with a Bangladeshi national, have been killed in the operation at Madhabpur in the Kamalganj subdivision in Moulvi Bazar district bordering Sylhet. “Whether any of the casualties belonged to the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), has not been ascertained as yet,” the sources said. There was a fierce encounter at Madhabpur, they said, adding that Bangladesh launched the “surprise operation” following growing international pressure to take action against the growing influence of trans-national terror networks. The bodies of those killed are currently lying unclaimed at the Moulvi Bazar Sadar Hospital.
There have also been several arrests of Indian insurgents and Bangladeshi gunrunners. Among those held is one Abdus Samad of Jhenaigati village in Sherpur. Samad has close links with the ULFA and is said to be a key member of the outfit’s gun supply chain. “There have been arrests at Kamalganj, Srimangal and Kulaura as well.” A huge quantity of arms and ammunition has been seized from them. The sources said that “reports” from across the border show that the operation is expected to last through the monsoon with several battalions of the BDR and RAB being mobilised. The operation is being carried out upto ten kilometres inside the Bangladeshi territory. The sources said that Bangladesh is claiming that the operation is against gunrunners. But the primary targets are members of the North East insurgent groups that are actively involved in the supply and sale of firearms, grenades and explosives. Though the supply is mainly directed towards India, through the porous stretches of the border in Assam and Meghalaya, some of the arms are also given to local criminal elements. “It goes on to prove that any country supporting foreign terrorists will itself be affected some day. Bangladesh is paying the price now,” the sources stated.
With the gunrunning network being “disturbed”, the insurgent groups will find it hard to sustain their violent operations in the region,” the sources felt. The development could also affect the finances of some groups, particularly the ULFA, which had set up a thriving business of armaments sale to smaller insurgent outfits. The movement of the insurgents, through the areas where the operation is on, is also expected to be a little tougher.
Meanwhile, Bangladeshi newspapers today quoted Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin saying: “When we had received information, our forces immediately struck and rooted out the group, and the operation was successful.” He was reportedly briefing reporters at his office yesterday about the Kamalganj (Moulvi Bazar) operation on Friday. “Bangladesh has never allowed insurgents or international terrorists to operate on its soil. We will never allow them in future,” he reportedly commented. Bangladesh’s State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar was also reported stating yesterday that the government “will allow no internal or external terrorist group in Bangladesh.” He said the crackdown on terrorist activities is a “continuing process.”
Eastern Arunachal a biodiversity hotspot By Sivasish Thakur
GUWAHATI, May 29 – The eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, comprising six districts, probably has the richest diversity in wildlife and landscape in the North-east, which, again, is a global mega biodiversity hotspot. “Eastern Arunachal, as a unit, may have the richest variety in terms of landscape variation ranging from high mountains, snow-capped peaks and alpine forests to riverine forests, grassland, wetland, tropical low-land rain forests and finally, broad-leaf hill forests. Correspondingly, the area has an astounding diversity in wildlife species, including birds,” says Asif Ahmed Hazarika, an environment activist currently working in the region with the US Fish and Wildlife Services.
According to Hazarika, who has been working in Arunachal for the past several years, the area represents the transition zone of the Indo-Malayan and Indo-Himalayan wildlife species, and harbours all major mammalian species particular to habitats like alpine forests, tropical wet evergreen forests or grassland. Arunachal Pradesh, it may be mentioned, has 51,540,00 hectares under forest cover, which is 61.5 per cent of the State’s total area. Hazarika has surveyed and studied the presence of a number of important and highly-endangered species like the clouded leopard, snow leopard, tiger, black barking deer, red goral, red panda, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, serow, Mishmi takin, and gaur, among others. “As part of a special survey, I have studied a very good population of the hollock gibbon, particularly in the south-western low-land rain forest areas,” he says. Hazarika also claims to have come across a very small group of wild buffaloes in the East Namsai area. “Wild buffalo has not been recorded in the riverine areas of eastern Arunachal for the past few decades, though there had been some unconfirmed reports,” he says. Arunachal probably shelters the widest range of mammals in the country, with 96 species having been recorded in the Namdapha-Kamlang range alone. Hazarika, who had initially carried out a study on the avifauna in the Indo-Chinese-Myanmar tri-border, says that some of the important bird species include the eared pheasant in the extreme north temperate area, while the Lammergier or bearded vulture has also been recorded, as has been the beautiful nuthatch and the Impeyan monal.
The diversity of bird life in Arunachal can be gauged from the fact that of the 17 species of pheasants found in India, 11 occur in Arunachal. In total, over 700 bird species have been recorded here, with nearly 40 falling in the critically-endangered, endangered, vulnerable and nearly-threatened categories. “The whole eastern area can be categorized into four contiguous complexes from north to south — the Ditchu reserve forest (RF), Dallai proposed RF complex; the Kamlang sanctuary and Kamlang RF complex; the Namdapha National Park complex; and the Manabhum, Tengapani Turrung RF complex,” Hazarika says. In addition, there are contiguous forest areas with rich biodiversity to the west of these complexes. As in most other forest areas, eastern Arunachal too suffers from serious problems like deforestation for different purposes like logging, encroachment, agriculture, road construction, etc. Annual floods are also another problem, as is hunting - which, however, varies in magnitude specific to the different districts and locations. Socio-economic problems like insurgency and political engagements and disengagements too are having an adverse impact on a few protected areas. Another irritant affecting the prospects of conservation is the lack of awareness on the issue of conservation. “I am concentrating on several phases of field studies and trying to create people’s awareness and a desire for wildlife conservation and protected area development - something which is not a easy task, given the lifestyle and psychology of the people,” Hazarika says.
The greatest impediment in carrying out field study in the area is the very difficult terrain and total lack of infrastructure. “Most of the field surveys are conducted by establishing base camps and long foot marches running into weeks,” he says. The whole area has three major rivers - Lohit, Noa Dehing and Debang. Other important rivers are Kamlang, Tengapani and Digaru - all tributaries of the Lohit. Hazarika says he has proposed to the Arunachal Forest department to develop the Ditchu-Dallai complex area into a protected area and is working with the department towards that end.
‘Govt alive to problems of Tirap’
NAHARLAGUN May 29 – Minister Civil Supplies, Health and Family Welfare CC Singpho paid a two-day official visit to Tirap district on May 24 and 25, an official press release said. Speaking to the officers at the Circuit House, Khonsa Singpho called upon them to work sincerely for rapid economic prosperity of the area and added that the government is alive to the problems of the people of Tirap. He expressed concern over newspaper reports regarding gross anomalies in PDS under civil supplies and asked the District Supply Officer to be extra cautious while distributing the PDS items. Singpho further assured to post more doctors to the district shortly. The Deputy Commissioner, the District Medical Officer and the DSO (Supply) apprised the Minister about the various pressing problems faced by the general public and the government departments of the district, the release added.
Economic census: A training on 5th Economic Census was held at Khonsa on May 24 last, another official statement said. Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function, the Deputy Commissioner Tirap, Sri Sudhir Kumar underscored the importance of economic census and asked the trainees to take the training seriously. He further said that collection of correct data is of paramount importance as on the basis of those data, the growth of economic activities can be assessed and plans for faster development made. In his keynote address DK Bhattacharjee, Statistical Officer (HQ) attending as the resource person said economic census is different from population census. He said the economic census covers all the economic activities both under organised and unorganised sectors.
Chandel enjoying benefits of Army presence
Ever since the Army has been inducted into South Manipur, the locals of the remote and far-flung areas of the State have benefited immensely from its presence. The people of these areas are enjoying the fruits of peace and better quality of life through various developmental projects undertaken by Army in the fields of health, education and civic amenities. Joupi, a remote frontline village in South Chandel has been adopted by the Army where a number of schemes have been launched to alleviate the pitiable condition of the villagers. The village has been provided with drinking water and regular medical care. Its school has been renovated and classes are being run by Army personnel for the children who otherwise had no access to education. The school children are also being provided mid-day meals. The Army has also renovated the village Church, which was re-dedicated to the villagers by GOC 57 Mountain Division. 9 Rajput which is deployed in the area has adopted the family of Nagamja Thanga, who was killed by a militant outfit, on 29 April 2005.
At Sajik Tampak, another remote village in the interior, the Army is running vocational training courses like, bag making and tailoring to open self-employment avenues for the people. Information Technology education is also being conducted in right earnest to give aspiring youth an opportunity to reap the benefit of global IT revolution. In an effort to include other areas near the border under the military civic action programme the GOC visited the border town of Moreh and held meetings with local Meira Paibis, women’s organizations and community leaders. During this interaction the local leaders expressed their deep appreciation of the efforts of security forces in restoring peace and normalcy. All the leaders emphasised on the cosmopolitan nature of the town and voiced their desire to live in peace and harmony. They assured their full co-operation to the security forces in their efforts to curb violent activities in the town and make it conducive for investment and developmental activities. They also offered valuable suggestions for further peace initiatives. A large number of schools at Mombi, Hengshi, Tampi, Shaluk, Thinghat and Tuilaphai have been the beneficiaries of the Army’s assistance by way of provisioning teaching aids, sports equipment, improvement of infrastructure as also mid-day meals. With the gradual return of normalcy, the civil administration has also started functioning in these remote areas. With the co-operation of the civil administration the Army hopes to consolidate its efforts further and usher in a bright future for the people of these remote areas. — Courtesy PIB (Defence Wing)
Militancy will ravage NE: Zoramthanga From Our Correspondent
SHILLONG, May 29 – Militancy will eventually ravage the fragile socio-economic and political fabric of the backward north-eastern region, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has cautioned. Addressing the 27th Basic Course Passing-out Parade of the North East Police Academy (NEPA) at Umsaw, 25 km from here on Saturday, the former rebel leader and two-time Chief Minister said one should take cue from Mizoram.
“You might be fighting for the right of the people but these fights will weaken the economic and political system of the same people for whom you have gone to the jungles”, the man, credited for turning Mizoram into the most peaceful state in trouble-torn North-east, cautioned the ultras. He appealed to the leaders of the underground outfits to come forward to the negotiation table as peace is the primary requisite for the overall development of the region. Zoramthanga was optimistic that Bangladesh, which is giving shelter to the ultras of the region, will soon see reason. “Sooner the better”, he advised. Addressing the 16 new deputy superintendents of police, two inspectors and 30 sub-inspectors from Tripura, Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya, Zoramthanga exhorted, “While executing duty you must keep in your mind that human beings are ruled by humane values”, and added, “morality commands man”.
He also told the men in khaki that they could motivate the misguided youths and bring them to the mainstream.
NEPA Director T Pachvav in his speech observed: “Policing job, particularly in the North-east, which shares 4000 km of international border with not so friendly countries, is bound to be difficult and different from the rest of the country. “The democratic activities by a large number of political parties in the N-E coupled with pressures mounted by many insurgent groups operating in the region further add to the complexities of the policing task”, he reminded.
Muslim leader blames RSS for Assam exodus By Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, May 30 (IANS) A prominent Muslim leader Monday accused the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of causing an exodus of Bengali-speaking Muslim citizens of Assam. Syed Shahabuddin, president of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), said the BJP and RSS were "fomenting (an) illegal and unconstitutional campaign with political motives" to flush out Bengali-speaking daily wage earners from Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts of Assam by portraying them as Bangladeshi migrants. He alleged the BJP, RSS and affiliates like Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) were behind the Chiring Chapori Yuva Manch, a local outfit that had highlighted the issue and propagated hatred and violence against Muslims. "The target groups are the 'foreigners'. But (according to them) all Bengali-speaking persons, citizens or otherwise, Muslims or Hindus, fall under the definition," Shahabuddin said in a statement issued here Monday after a six-day visit to Assam from May 19.
He claimed the issue was revived by the BJP and its allied organisations with the hope of consolidating their position in Assam ahead of assembly polls next year. Shahabuddin demanded the state government's immediate intervention to control the "unconstitutional" and forcible expulsion of people from their residential areas. He also urged the Assam government to ban the Chiring Chapori Yuva Manch for indulging in a campaign against a particular community.
Security along Indo-Bangla border beefed up Agartala, Ani
May 30 (ANI): India has put on high alert its security forces along the Indo-Bangla border in Tripura and Assam to foil all efforts of the insurgents to cross into its territory following an anti-terrorist drive launched by the Bangladesh security forces. The Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF) of Tripura, Mizoram and Cachar (TCM), S. K. Dutta, said that all the border outposts in Tripura and Cachar in Assam have been alerted to curb every attempt of the ultras to sneak into Indian territory.
Earlier, at an officer level meeting of the two forces, the BSF had given to Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) a list of camps operating in Chitagong hill region. Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Sarkar, has also been requesting the Centre to take up the matter with Bangladesh so that the insurgents could be discouraged to use Bangladeshi soil to launch illegal activities in India. Dutta also appreciated Bangladesh s efforts to curb insurgency in the region. "We are happy that Bangladesh is now raiding the hideouts of the ultras and hope that the process would wipe out the ultras from Bangla soil," he said. (ANI)
Jamir expresses concern over Tuli flood victims
KOHIMA, May 29: Goa Governor S C Jamir has expressed concern over the plight of hundreds of affected families of Tuli town in Mokokchung district who were hit by the May 26 flashflood. River Milak swelled up as a result of the floods, sweeping away three hundreds houses in various parts of Tuli town. The flashflood was caused by cloudbursts in the area. Many families were rendered homeless. According to Tuli town council sources, people were still reeling in the aftermath of the devestating flashflood. They were hit by shortage of drinking water.
The sources said the people were angry at the continuing ''lukewarm and step-motherly response of the governemnt in the face of a calamity of such magnitude''. They said another immediate concern for the affected people was the lack of medical facilities in the town to prevent any waterborne disease, which was probable under the circumstances. The council sources also said mud and debris were yet to be removed from the roads and power and telecom connections in many areas yet to be restored. They said that it was beyond the Tuli town committee to get the town back in shape without help from the state government. UNI
It is heartening to take note of the recent move of China to take active steps in the directions of launching the Stilwell Road project. The Government of India has promptly reciprocated its keen interest in rebuilding the road that would connect India at the eastern point of Guwahati city with China via Myanmar. Though the road was built during the Second World War, to help transport war-related men and materials, its importance got reduced after 1945 when war ended. India’s differences with China over international boundaries and territorial disputes culminating in the Chinese war of 1962, in fact, completely snatched the benefit of Stilwell Road link with India. With opening up of the new era of India-China relations, both India and China are equally interested in rebuilding the road link. The nearest Chinese city of commercial importance is only 1300 kms away from India, whereas the existing trade relationship with India is linked by the route of 3000 km. The reintroduction of Stilwell Road will then be able to reduce the transport cost and time distance of trade in a large measure. It is not that the road linkage to different South Asian countries has to be taken up for construction anew. The Indo-ASEAN car rally from Guwahati to Singapore last year had proved that the linkage was already there. The only thing necessary is to develop the roads to facilitate plying of heavy vehicles to and fro the South-Asian nations for the purpose of transport of exported and imported goods. It is a happy news that the trade with some Asian countries in shortly coming up. Thus, under the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement (CECA) which is now virtually ready for signing, India stands to gain mainly in two areas, vig, services and investments. Under the free trade agreement which has already been signed with the country, India has to lower duty barriers for goods of Singapore origin without actually gaining much by way of duty reduction for its exports to Singapore where, however, Indian goods face much lower duties. India will gain from investment opportunities. Three Singapore-owned banks will be allowed to open subsidiaries in India and they can open branches and carry on operations subject to RBI regulations at par with Indian banks. Similarly, select Indian banks will have market access to Singapore. Again, with the West Asian oil money now shifted from the US and Europe to Singapore, India could gain in tapping oil money investment in which case CECA will greatly help turning Singapore into a gateway for investment flow to India. These investments could come in many forms and could amount to billions of dollars over the next few years. Similarly, the recent visit of Japanese Prime Minister to India has generated a tremendous possibility of India’s trade expansion with Japan. It is not that India does not have a trade relation with Japan or Singapore at present. What is worrying is that the quantum of trade is less. Though Japan is considered as one of India’s major trade partners, the share of our trade with that country in recent years has gone down from 3.8 per cent of our total trade in 2000-01 to 3.1 per cent in 2003-04 as against 12 per cent with USA. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has promptly responded to his Japanese counterpart’s offer of more intensive trade with India since partnership with an economic giant like Japan could certainly hasten the process of India’s industrialisation and growth with creation of additional employment opportunities. To achieve the purpose and to steer personally the progress of trade relation with Asian nations including Japan, Dr Singh has set up a new Trade and Economic Relations Committee which will be chaired by himself.
India has already signed free trade agreement with a number of South East Asian countries including Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, What is of added interest to the NE States in general and Assam, in particular, is that the gateway for Asian trade to India would be these States. The delegation to the Thailand Export Promotion Fair in Guwahati in the recent past disclosed that Thailand has decided to open up a trade information office in Guwahati to boost trade and commerce in the region. When India starts trade with other South East Asian countries, similar trade junctions will be opened up in Guwahati. Thus, one could say that India’s “Look-East” policy has started yielding results. The signing of India-ASEAN Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co-operation is essentially to facilitate growth in trade in consistence with India’s “Look East” policy. It may be noted that among the trading partners of India, an important country is China with which the share of our total trade has increased from 2.5 per cent in 2001-01 to 4.9 per cent in 2003-04. China’s growing interest in and India’s prompt response to the rebuilding of Stilwell Road and reduction of transport time, cost of transport and easier means of cultural exchange relation will certainly lead to more trade and commerce and more understanding between India and the other South East Asian countries including China.
Tourism in North East : prospects and problems — B Datta Ray
Tourism is a post World War II phenomenon as a service industry. It was realised that tourism as a service industry accelerates economic growth in the second and third world countries, provides employment to a large number of people and earns much needed foreign exchange for the country. It opens up new areas and yields tax revenue and may promote ancilliary industries. Since 1991, because of the policy of liberalisation privatisation and globalisation, there has been a significant rise in tourist inflow from abroad every where. Since 1988, tourist traffic in India jumped from 16 lakh to 23 lakh in 1996. But the north eastern India could not take advantage of the situation created by the new economic policy. The number of foreign tourists visiting India is hardly 1 per cent of the world’s tourist traffic despite wide scope for expanding and developing the tourist inflow to India. In 1972-73, tourism generated 1 million employment in India. It rose to 6.4 million in 1978. In 1995 tourism generated 8 million employment. This employment generation is wide spread. In 1991, 450 million people were moving around as tourists generating 278 billion dollars. In 1995, India earned Rs 9,000 crore worth of foreign exchange from foreign tourists inflow to India.
The North East has enough potentiality for rapid tourist traffic growth. It has unique biodiversity in flora and fauna, wildlife sanctuaries, unique national parks and plural and rich ethnic cultural traditions. But the potentialities remain largely untapped. Out of 2.3 million foreign tourists visiting India in 1996, hardly 3,000 came to the North East. Of them 1,000 visited Assam and 1604 came to Meghalaya. No foreign tourist visited Arunachal Pradesh in 1996 and only 2 went to Tripura. Manipur got 218 foreign tourists and Nagaland and Mizoram got 54 and 90 foreign tourists respectively. The relative position of inflow of foreign tourists has not improved radically since then.
Prior to 1963, few tourist houses and Bungalows existed which are run by Railways or by the government. The govern-ment of India set up Indian Tourism Hotel Corporation, Indian Tourism Corporation and Indian Tourism Transport Undertaking Limited. They were amalgamated into the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in 1966 to promote tourism industry. Eventually several State Tourism Development Corpora-tions were set up in different north eastern States. But they could not contribute much to promoting tourism industry due to poor efficiency level of tourism marketing. Apart from marketing competence, there are two other aspects in promoting tourism as an industry : required touristic infrastructure, secure and tourist-friendly environment. Tourism infrastructure includes arrangement for suitable accommodation for different categories of tourists, foreign and domestic, transport entertain-ment, shopping and easy connectivity.
Accommodation is an essential part of tourism industry. The future of tourism industry will depend on the development of accommodation facilities for tourists visiting the North East. Accommodation is a comprehensive term and includes hotels, motels, youth hostels, guest lodges, travellers bungalows, holiday campus, camping sites etc. This may include provision of meals, refreshments and other services relating to tourism industry or only accommodation for sleeping and rest. Hotel industry is an important component of tourism. Apart from accommo-dation, there are serious problems of suitable transport, provision of electricity and other services. Provision of electricity for tourism development is a must in modern times. We need trained, tactful and efficient tourist friendly guides looking after tourists requirements. Manpower to handle tourist inflow should be rigourously trained on priority basis by the tourism management institutes of the government. The North East may witness a substantial increase in domestic tourist inflow with the improvement of connectivity, building of infrastructure and creation of tourist friendly secure atmos-phere and removal of travel restrictions. Domestic tourism is highly diversified and competitive.
The poor infrastructure for tourism industry in the North East is a great deterrent to the development of tourism industry. The infrastructural deficiencies are to be met by quick measures by the administration, by the private sector, non-resident Indians and non-government organisations. The North east is saleable as a tourist destination as any other place on earth. Sustained campaign has to be made to remove certain misconceptions about the region. A note of caution has to be made against the danger of excessive and unwarranted tourism, especially in the field of eco-tourism. The fragile ecology and cultural pluralism and distinct identity of north eastern India’s tribal world have to be maintained. This should not be lost sight of in our enthusiasm for development of tourism. Thus the Ministry of Forest and Environment should also be involved in promoting tourism. Similarly the promotion of ethnic tourism should be made with care and sensitivity. Ethnic tourism may generate income among the tribals of remote areas. It should be organised with the help of the tribes concerned. But much careful sensitivity and tactful handling of the tribal situation should always be kept in mind while promoting ethnic tourism. There is always the danger of development of flesh market and international racket on such occasions. Thailand should serve as a warning under the circumstance. The North East has been an important component of the “Incredible India” campaign launched by the Government of India overseas to market various Indian destinations to attract more foreign tourist. The region is most beautiful and culturally rich having biodiversity which, if used properly, could bring prosperity. The hindrance to tourist inflow into the North East are many. The problems of Inner Line Permit, restricted Area Permit and Prohibited Area Permit need to be tackled. Lifting of Inner Line Permit would not open the region to foreign tourists as the north eastern India has another restriction. Prohibited Area Permit prohibits foreign tourists from visiting some protected north east Indian States. Inner Line Permit is applicable to domestic tourists seeking entry into Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. Protected Area permit, formerly known as restricted Area Permit is needed by foreign tourists seeking entry in to Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. These permits are also affecting foreign tourist inflow to Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura. Foreign tourists are willing to stay for a longer period. But due to restrictions, they cut short their visits and we lose much foreign exchange. The Inner Line permits are easily procured as they are issued by the respective State governments on arrival at the border or at various State government offices outside the State. Prohibited Area Permits can be had by the State government only after clearance from the Minister of Home Affairs. Long queues of foreign nationals are seen in the Foreign Affairs Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Jaisalmir House. Tourists visiting Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur are regarded as suspects. As a result harassed foreigners prefer to go to other tourist destinations. A comprehensive answer has to be found to the question why tourism has not developed in the north eastern India inspite of its huge natural resources. There is a need for comprehensive and integrated approach to resolve the problem of tourism develop-ment in the North East.
Will illegal migrants outnumber the people of North-east India in 20 years? By Oken Jeet Sandham If Assam Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajay Singh's statement that about 6000 illegal Bangladeshis are entering Assam daily is correct, then the fate of the north-east people is terribly at stake. If 6000 illegal Bangladeshis infiltrate into Assam daily, it will be 1, 80,000 Bangladeshis in a month and 21.6 lakh annually. The State will have 21.6 million illegal Bangladeshis by 2015, outnumbering the entire population of the region excluding Assam and the whole northeast will be reduced to a minority in 20 years time. The complexity involved here is that this country has over 100 million genuine Indian Muslims, about one-fifth of the whole population. Besides the Government has earlier estimated 20 million illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India .
Though there are no official figures of actual numbers of Bangladeshis in Assam , locals say their population could be 6 million of the State's 26 million people. This means a little over one-fourth of the State's population is Bangladeshi immigrants. And the State alone produces over one-third Bangladeshi immigrants in the country.
Although Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi rejects the Governor's seemingly inflated claim, the fact is the illegal immigrants from across the international border have been infiltrating into the State unabated over the years. The Chief Minister while talking to press in Guwahati however admitted that infiltration from Bangladesh had not stopped.
"Effective steps have been taken to check infiltration," Gogoi said. "Anybody found crossing the border is pushed back and those entered after March 25, 1971, as per the Assam Accord would be detected and deported."
It may be mentioned that the powerful All Assam Students Union (ASSU) had launched a bloody campaign to push Bangladeshis back to their land. Indigenous people who feared they would be reduced to a minority in their own land massacred thousands of Bangladeshis, including women and children, across the State. The Government and the Students' Union signed a pact in 1985, but clauses on the deportation of foreigners have still not been implemented. Though there are genuine Assamese Muslims and mainland Muslims, the present influx of illegal Bangladeshis in the State has not only affected the demography of the State but also the entire region, leading to serious threat to the survival of the region's people and the country's internal security as well.
Tripura is a gone case and Nagaland is the next target because large number of these Muslims has been swarming the State. In the last few years, there is a dramatic change in the socio-economic feature of the State. The lack of work culture, easy money, easy life style, etc are the main causes that these Muslims mostly coming from Assam have taken opportunities to stay in Nagaland. All the manual works, construction of houses, taxi driving, rickshaw pulling and cultivation are mostly done by these Muslims today. They also run almost half of the shops in Dimapur, the biggest commercial hub of the State and the capital, Kohima. But historically speaking, the people of Nagaland do not have any connection whatsoever with the Muslim community---be it mainland Muslim or Bangladeshi Muslim and Assamese Muslims. However, Manipur has its Muslim communities who had come there in the middle of the 16th century. It was recorded in the history that large number of Muslims started entering Manipur from Sylhet in the 17th century during the reign of King Khagemba (1597-1652) at the invitation of Prince Sadongba. Prince Sadongba had planned to dethrone his brother King Khagenmba with the help of these Muslims. In many wars in the past, Manipur Kings used the services of Muslim soldiers who were considered skilled fighters. In King Pamheiba's period in 18th century, Muslim soldiers in Manipur defended the combined attacked of Burma and Tripura. Many Muslim soldiers also lost their lives when Manipur suffered in the hands of the Burmese in 1758 Burmese-Manipur war. In the famous "Seven-year-devastation" of Manipur from 1819 to 1826, the Burmese soldiers had taken many Muslims to Burma while many escaped to Assam and Bangladesh . Even when the British defeated Manipur in 1891, many Muslim soldiers were also killed and some were deported to Andaman and Nicobar Islands .
But the Bangladesh Muslims mostly coming via Assam in recent times could not attempt to settle in Manipur despite Manipur Muslims are there. Because these illegal Bangladeshis are mostly economic-driven people and will have least chance to do the lowest paid jobs in Manipur. One will find how all the odd manual works are done by the Manipuris in Imphal city. One will find hardly any Bangladeshi Muslim used for any job in the State. However, the logic in argument is that most of the Muslims in Nagaland or Assam or Arunachal Pradesh or Tripura or Meghalya are not mostly from mainland India . 95% of Muslims in Nagaland are coming from Assam claiming to be the banafide citizens of that State ( Assam ). If the size of the Muslim population in Nagaland is from Assam and not from mainland India , then the matter is questionable. How can Assam have such a huge Muslim population spilling over into other parts of the region unless coming from across the international border?
The long stretch of Assam forest bordering Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh has over the years disappeared and been systematically occupied by the illegal immigrants. The trouble is most of these illegal settlers are well equipped with valid land holding documents issued by the Assam administrations. Sources say most of the State's reserved forest in the border areas has vanished and its now settled by the illegal immigrants and not by the real Assamese people. The Nagaland Government often alleges that these illegal immigrants have even occupied the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) that leads to frequent border skirmishes.
Various intelligent agencies have been warning of serious consequences if immediate attention is not paid. Unfortunately, these illegal migrants have been given legal protection with resident certificates, pattas, etc for narrow political mileage. As a result, the real Assamese people have been reduced to minority in most of the border districts and they are now voiceless. The recent exodus of Bangladeshi suspects from upper Assam following threats through SMS and leaflets by some unidentified people is evident of the illegal Bangladeshis' presence. Region's economic underdevelopment coupled with Center's prolonged negligence and the continuous insurgency and the chasm that existed between the people of the region and the mainland people are some of the reasons that have given room to the illegal immigrants and outside elements to exploit maximum advantages.
There is certainly genuine mainland Muslims in the region like Tamils, Keralites, Bengalis, Punjabis, Marwaris, etc. But the mainland Muslims will have least interest to come and settle in the region and their influx is out of question. Whether the Assam Governor's statement on the infiltration of illegal Bangladeshis into Assam is exaggerated or not, the Chief Minister has also admitted that there is still infiltration of illegal Bangladeshis into the State. The illegal Bangladeshi infiltration into Assam and elsewhere in the region has changed its (region) demography and now it has become a serious threat to the future survival of the region's people and also the internal security problem for the nation. To identify the illegal Bangladeshis will not be very difficult once the citizens are properly educated about their natures. Assam has larger role to solve the illegal immigrant issues and the actions taken there will have maximum impact in other parts of the region. So long, illegal immigrant issue of Assam remains unresolved; there is no point for other States in the region to think of. Because most of these supposed to be illegal migrants who are coming to other States of the region are well equipped with domicile certificates issued by Assam administrations.
NE needs dev, not sovereignty: Arjun By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, May 30: Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh is worried over the fact that a section of people of the North-east is demanding ‘sovereignty’. He has appealed to the elite section in the region to take the leading role in making the masses know that development of the region is more important than sovereignty. He was delivering the seventh convocation lecture of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG) today. Admitting that the region has a lot of challenges before it, he said that the Union Government was fully behind the almost 11-year-old technological institute in its development plans and to harness its full potential.
Saying that India will have to compete with the universities of China, Korea, Japan, Singapore and Israel besides those in European and American countries, the HRD Minister laid stress on quality in both education and research. "To maintain our momentum, it is necessary to produce technology indigenously that will provide inputs to industry," he said. He urged the IITG scientists and students to design new models for tea manufacturing factories to tide over the crisis in the sector and to put forward suggestions and solutions to tackle floods in the region.
In his address as the guest of honour, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the State Government had taken initiatives for the economic development of Assam. "The Government has taken steps to attract the leading IT and ITES companies of the country to establish development centres in Assam. The Government has the plan to develop downstream industries once the gas cracker project materializes," he said and added that these efforts needed technical inputs and the IITG could play a major role in this regard. Gogoi recalled that the IITG had provided consultancy and technical support to the Assam Government in implementing the projects like e-governance, tax project, treasury project and police computerization, flood control, city drainage, transportation and earthquake engineering.
IITG Director Prof Gautam Barua said that the strength of faculty of IITG at the end of March 2005 was 154 and added that the institute must attained the faculty strength of 200 within a year. Expressing his concern over setting up of two coal plants near the IITG campus, he said, "If the plants come up, they will pollute the entire area and spoil the ambience that has been made." He appealed to the Chief Minister to take up the matter. In today’s convocation, apart from providing certificates to the students for completion of their B Tech, M Tech , B Des, M. Sc and Ph. D, as many as nine students were given gold and silver medals. President of India Gold Medal went to Shantanu Gupta of Computer Science and Engineering and Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal went to Nadukandi Prashanth of Civil Engineering.
Frans on 05.30.05 @ 10:19 PM CST [link]
