AIZAWL, MAR 4 (AGENCIES): The leaders of Chin refugees, who fled military atrocities and economic hardship in Myanmar to take shelter in the Indias northeast state on Wednesday, expressed their gratitude to the hospitality and kindness shown to them by their Mizo brethren here. This comes after the Young Mizo Association, the states largest and most influential NGO, voiced a serious concern over a US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW)s recent report on the plight of Chin refugees in Mizoram which portrayed the Mizos, and the organisation in particular, as rude and abusive to the Chin refugees.
Maintaining that the HRW had been fed baseless information by some section of the Chin community here to get global sympathy, the YMA leaders met the Chin representatives on Tuesday to discuss the issue to further prevent possible enmity between the Chin migrants and Mizo society.
“We are grateful to the kindness and hospitality being shown to us by our Mizo cousins in Indias Mizoram. We strongly condemn such baseless information provided to the global human rights group that tarnished the image of the Mizos. We will find out who had disseminated such wrong information,” Cheery Zahau, co-ordinator of Women League of Chinland said here Wednesday.
As many of the Chin migrants, forced out of their country by extreme economic hardship, have been accused of unlawful activities, the high crime rate in Mizoram has also been attributed to them. Recently, state home minister R Lalzirliana, has stated that any Myanmarese nationals found guilty of breaking the law of the land would be deported to the military authorities in Myanmar instead of being sent to Mizoram jails.
‘UK keen on partnering India, NE region’
Guwahati: The United Kingdom is looking to partner India and explore the immense business opportunity in the North Eastern part of the country, a top British official said on Tuesday. "There is a growing realisation in the UK of the immense business opportunities in India and in the North East and this session envisages a possible partnering of the UK and North East on several pertinent issues," British High Commissioner to India Sir Richard Stagg said here.
Speaking at a session on 'UK and North East India- Sustainable development through Trade and Investment' here, he said the business could bring employment and generate revenue.
"Britain could give guidance for better utilisation of natural resources with minimum cost," he said.
He also said that security was not a serious hurdle for the development of a region.
"There are examples in other countries where security has not hampered overall development and the same could be applied for the N E region," he said.
Citing the example of Nigeria, the British envoy said although the country was plagued by security problems, development was taking place at a steady pace.
Praising the rich natural resources and immense potential to develop which the N E region, Stagg said "the bad security tag will not always hold back the area from joining the path of economic development. (PTI)
Assam parties unhappy over poll dates
Guwahati: Political parties in Assam are unhappy over the poll dates announced by the Election Commission for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections as those coincide with Rongali Bihu, the Spring Festival in the state.
The 'Rongali Bihu' celebrations, which begin on April 14 continue for seven to ten days. The Election Commission has fixed April 16 and 23 as polling dates for Assam. Three constituencies – Diphu, Silchar and Karimganj – will go to polls on April 16 and the remaining 11 will have election on April 23.
"It pains us to realise that the Election Commission has failed to understand that how important the rongali bihu festival for the people of the state. How can people come out to vote when the festival is on?" asked Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Chandra Mohan Patowari. He said the AGP would request the EC to revise the schedule for Assam so that the people were not deprived of exercising their franchise.
The state unit of the BJP, which has forged an alliance with the AGP to fight the Congress in Assam, has also raised te voice of protest. "We are definitely going to raise the issue and seek deferment of the dates so that the people can take part in both, bihu as well as elections," said Ramen Deka, president of the state unit of the BJP. The Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) has already dashed off a letter to the Election Commission pleading for rescheduling of the polling dates for the state.
The CPI(M) too has asked for rescheduling elections in Assam. "Let the election be held from April 23 onwards," said CPI(M) state secretary and former MP Uddhab Barman. (The Shillong Times)
Manipur district to boycott LS polls
Imphal: With less than a day away for the state government to declare the result of its enquiry into the investigation of the murder of the Kasom Khullen SDO and his two staffs, the people of Thoubal district asserted it would boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections if the state government fails to take up necessary action against the NSCN-IM cadre involved in the brutal murder of the trio and the deputy commissioner of Ukhrul, Pankaj Pal. A public meeting held at Thoubal, organised by the various clubs and women organisations of the area, resolved that it would boycott the parliamentary elections in the state if the state government fails in taking action against the culprits.
Apart from boycotting the parliamentary elections, the meeting also reaffirmed its stance to initiate criminal investigation against the Ukhrul DC, appropriate action against the culprits and the demand of handing over the culprit to the state government. (The Shillong Times)
Tripura Left Front renominates existing MPs
Agartala: With the announcement of the poll schedule, Tripura Left Front on Tuesday renominated the sitting Lok Sabha members for the coming general election.
Addressing mediapersons here, CPI(M) State Secretary Bijan Dhar said the sitting MPs had been retained for the election and Bajuban Reang and Khagen Das would contest in East Tripura ST reserve seat and West Tripura general seat respectively. Mr Dhar said the Left parties would participate in the election on three basic principles--fighting against communalism and terrorism, liberalization of economy and contemplating for an independent foreign policy. (UNI)
Verbal duel in Arunachal Assembly
Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh assembly on Tuesday witnessed a verbal duel in the ruling Congress with Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu alleging that his bete noir and predecessor Gegong Apang had his own son kidnapped to tarnish the image of the government.
Khandu made the allegation when Apang rued that the chief minister did not take him into confidence on dealing with the indefinite pen down strike by the employees demanding implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, which paralysed the state administration for 22 days till last week.
Apang said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi had to send a message through Rajya Sabha member Mukut Mithi to the state government to revoke ESMA and punitive measures against striking employees' leaders.
At this Khandu, who had dislodged Apang in an open revolt in 2007, stood up and challenged Apang to show how the Sixth Pay Commission was binding on the state government.
"You are misleading the House and you should stop telling lies," Khandu told Apang. Home Minister Jarbom Gamlin was heard telling Apang, "the chief minister did not take you into confidence as he did not want to be a Caesar nor make you Brutus."
On the charges of Apang, who had ruled the state for 26 years, about deteriorating law and order in the state, Khandu alleged his predecessor had his own son kidnapped in a pre-planned manner last year to tarnish the image of the government.
Khandu also alleged that Apang and his son, who is also a legislator, instigated the employees to go on strike. (PTI)
Sikkim opp for probe over EVM fire incident
Gangtok: The Opposition in Sikkim on Tuesday demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) order an immediate inquiry into the damage of 212 EVMs in fire at the strong room of Paljor stadium.
The EVMs were under the custody of the East district administration. The machines were meant to be used for Parliamentary elections in the east district of Sikkim.
The EVMs had been badly damaged in the fire on Monday night which the authorities here were claiming to have been caused by short-circuit in the strong room.
However, the Opposition parties were not buying the argument presented by the concerned authorities.
'' It as an attempt to sabotage the EVMs and we have demanded the Chief Election Commissioner of India for an immediate inquiry into the incident, '' said Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) spokesperson Kunga Nima Lepcha in a press meet here.
The party had also approached the Governor over the incident.
The Assembly elections in Sikkim were declared on Monday and the same night the incident happened, he said adding there was enough room here to doubt a conspiracy.
There were no security guards to protect the EVMs, he said and wondered how the Sikkim Election Office could be so casual.
Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Sikkim will be held simultaneously on April 30.
''The incident strongly reinforces our claims that free and fair elections will not be allowed to take place in Sikkim, '' said the SPCC spokesperson. The party had also demanded the ECI to replace all the EVMs supplied to Sikkim.
'' We cannot be sure that the EVMS damaged in the fire are meant for Parliamentary elections. The EVMs could also have been meant for use for Assembly elections, '' he said. (UNI)
Police hunt for minor’s rapist
Aizawl: Aizawl police have launched a manhunt to nab the miscreants responsible for the rape of a four-year-old girl who is still in coma after the incident.
The minor girl, residing in the western part of the city, was found unconscious from a remote place around 0100 hours on March 2, quite far from the place she was last seen.
Police said the girl, who was playing with her friends near a construction site of NEEPCO on the western outskirts of Aizawl, went missing from there on Sunday afternoon. Since she failed to come home even after 1600 hours, her relatives and local people began a search in the area and found her in that condition yesterday morning. The girl bore injuries on her head even as medical examination has proved that she had been raped.
Police have rounded up a few people from the area on suspicious grounds. (UNI)
NSCN-IM extends probe into SDO killing
DIMAPUR, Mar 3 (NPN): The NSCN-IM has given 15 more days time to its Special Enquiry Committee to complete the investigation into the killings of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th. Kishan and two of his subordinates, owing to new evidences coming to light. The MIP/GPRN in a release on Tuesday said though the inquiry committee was asked to submit its report by March 4, it could not complete the investigation within the stipulated time as the case turned out to be more complex with new evidences coming to light. The NSCN-IM in another release said “Lt. Col.” H Ningshen of Naga Army might have committed the crime in connivance with DC Ukhrul Pankaj Kumar. It pointed out that the DC did not take any action despite knowing that three had been abducted right after the meeting in his office. Further, the NSCN-IM said the DC told the SDO’s wife that her husband could be in the “hands of NSCN without showing any concern to the abduction as the head of the district.
Oral cancer cases on the rise in Manipur
IMPHAL, March 4 – Oral cancer cases are on the rise in Manipur due to increased consumption of tobacco and tobacco-related products. “Oral cancer cases may explode in Manipur by the next decade or two if the trend of consuming ‘zarda’ or ‘pan’ by the people continues,” the head of the Department of Radiotherapy at the Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital here, Th Tomcha, said.
Keeping this in mind, an NGO and some cancer experts have started a campaign in the State to create awareness about the dangers of consumption of tobacco.
Painting a grim picture, Tomcha said that roughly 25 million people suffer from the dreaded disease worldwide and India alone accounts for nearly 2.5 million of them.
He said a sizeable portion of the male population in Manipur also suffers from lung cancer and women breast cancer mainly due to their food habits and unhealthy lifestyle. (The Assam Tribune)
Complete re-look at Look East policy urged
ITANAGAR, March 4 – Arunachal Pradesh MP Kiren Rijiju has urged the Centre to give a complete re-look at the Look East policy to make the North East one of the economic hubs of the country.
The infrastructure needs of North East must receive a special attention to get the region connected with the East and South Asian countries.
Participating in a discussion in the Parliament recently, Rijiju said that the Union Government must understand the feelings and sufferings of the common people and make the North East including Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of the progressive India.
Besides expressing his discontent at the Centre for not making any special announcement for the development of North East, the young BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh drew the attention of the House about the burning problems ranging from security, law and order, foreigners issue, etc., that are confronting the development of the NE region.
Today, the security scenario of North East is deteriorating day by day and the common people are feeling more insecure and anxious about their lives and properties, as the underground elements are making use of the NE as their safe haven.
Besides, the illegal influx of Bangladeshi migrants into the region is alarmingly increasing, thereby affecting the demography of North East, Rijiju said. Although the Supreme Court has indicted the Union Government for failing to check the illegal infiltration of foreign nationals, he said the State Governments of North East region bordering Bangladesh must initiate pro-active measures to check the menace.
Talking about insurgency and terrorism in North East, the MP lamented that the several security agencies based in the region are not strengthened enough to support the State machinery in handling the decades-old insurgency problem. Moreover, the State police forces of North East are not being provided adequate Central assistance to modernise and equip itself properly to fight the menace of terrorism.
Drawing the notice of House about the current deadlock between Arunachal Government and its employees over the latter’s pay package demand as per the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, Rijiju said the Centre must intervene immediately to break the impasse and fulfill the State’s demand for granting Peace and Green bonus so that the aggrieved employees could be paid the pay package, which is due to them. - The Assam Tribune
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Maintaining that the HRW had been fed baseless information by some section of the Chin community here to get global sympathy, the YMA leaders met the Chin representatives on Tuesday to discuss the issue to further prevent possible enmity between the Chin migrants and Mizo society.
“We are grateful to the kindness and hospitality being shown to us by our Mizo cousins in Indias Mizoram. We strongly condemn such baseless information provided to the global human rights group that tarnished the image of the Mizos. We will find out who had disseminated such wrong information,” Cheery Zahau, co-ordinator of Women League of Chinland said here Wednesday.
As many of the Chin migrants, forced out of their country by extreme economic hardship, have been accused of unlawful activities, the high crime rate in Mizoram has also been attributed to them. Recently, state home minister R Lalzirliana, has stated that any Myanmarese nationals found guilty of breaking the law of the land would be deported to the military authorities in Myanmar instead of being sent to Mizoram jails.
‘UK keen on partnering India, NE region’
Guwahati: The United Kingdom is looking to partner India and explore the immense business opportunity in the North Eastern part of the country, a top British official said on Tuesday. "There is a growing realisation in the UK of the immense business opportunities in India and in the North East and this session envisages a possible partnering of the UK and North East on several pertinent issues," British High Commissioner to India Sir Richard Stagg said here.
Speaking at a session on 'UK and North East India- Sustainable development through Trade and Investment' here, he said the business could bring employment and generate revenue.
"Britain could give guidance for better utilisation of natural resources with minimum cost," he said.
He also said that security was not a serious hurdle for the development of a region.
"There are examples in other countries where security has not hampered overall development and the same could be applied for the N E region," he said.
Citing the example of Nigeria, the British envoy said although the country was plagued by security problems, development was taking place at a steady pace.
Praising the rich natural resources and immense potential to develop which the N E region, Stagg said "the bad security tag will not always hold back the area from joining the path of economic development. (PTI)
Assam parties unhappy over poll dates
Guwahati: Political parties in Assam are unhappy over the poll dates announced by the Election Commission for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections as those coincide with Rongali Bihu, the Spring Festival in the state.
The 'Rongali Bihu' celebrations, which begin on April 14 continue for seven to ten days. The Election Commission has fixed April 16 and 23 as polling dates for Assam. Three constituencies – Diphu, Silchar and Karimganj – will go to polls on April 16 and the remaining 11 will have election on April 23.
"It pains us to realise that the Election Commission has failed to understand that how important the rongali bihu festival for the people of the state. How can people come out to vote when the festival is on?" asked Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Chandra Mohan Patowari. He said the AGP would request the EC to revise the schedule for Assam so that the people were not deprived of exercising their franchise.
The state unit of the BJP, which has forged an alliance with the AGP to fight the Congress in Assam, has also raised te voice of protest. "We are definitely going to raise the issue and seek deferment of the dates so that the people can take part in both, bihu as well as elections," said Ramen Deka, president of the state unit of the BJP. The Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) has already dashed off a letter to the Election Commission pleading for rescheduling of the polling dates for the state.
The CPI(M) too has asked for rescheduling elections in Assam. "Let the election be held from April 23 onwards," said CPI(M) state secretary and former MP Uddhab Barman. (The Shillong Times)
Manipur district to boycott LS polls
Imphal: With less than a day away for the state government to declare the result of its enquiry into the investigation of the murder of the Kasom Khullen SDO and his two staffs, the people of Thoubal district asserted it would boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections if the state government fails to take up necessary action against the NSCN-IM cadre involved in the brutal murder of the trio and the deputy commissioner of Ukhrul, Pankaj Pal. A public meeting held at Thoubal, organised by the various clubs and women organisations of the area, resolved that it would boycott the parliamentary elections in the state if the state government fails in taking action against the culprits.
Apart from boycotting the parliamentary elections, the meeting also reaffirmed its stance to initiate criminal investigation against the Ukhrul DC, appropriate action against the culprits and the demand of handing over the culprit to the state government. (The Shillong Times)
Tripura Left Front renominates existing MPs
Agartala: With the announcement of the poll schedule, Tripura Left Front on Tuesday renominated the sitting Lok Sabha members for the coming general election.
Addressing mediapersons here, CPI(M) State Secretary Bijan Dhar said the sitting MPs had been retained for the election and Bajuban Reang and Khagen Das would contest in East Tripura ST reserve seat and West Tripura general seat respectively. Mr Dhar said the Left parties would participate in the election on three basic principles--fighting against communalism and terrorism, liberalization of economy and contemplating for an independent foreign policy. (UNI)
Verbal duel in Arunachal Assembly
Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh assembly on Tuesday witnessed a verbal duel in the ruling Congress with Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu alleging that his bete noir and predecessor Gegong Apang had his own son kidnapped to tarnish the image of the government.
Khandu made the allegation when Apang rued that the chief minister did not take him into confidence on dealing with the indefinite pen down strike by the employees demanding implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, which paralysed the state administration for 22 days till last week.
Apang said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi had to send a message through Rajya Sabha member Mukut Mithi to the state government to revoke ESMA and punitive measures against striking employees' leaders.
At this Khandu, who had dislodged Apang in an open revolt in 2007, stood up and challenged Apang to show how the Sixth Pay Commission was binding on the state government.
"You are misleading the House and you should stop telling lies," Khandu told Apang. Home Minister Jarbom Gamlin was heard telling Apang, "the chief minister did not take you into confidence as he did not want to be a Caesar nor make you Brutus."
On the charges of Apang, who had ruled the state for 26 years, about deteriorating law and order in the state, Khandu alleged his predecessor had his own son kidnapped in a pre-planned manner last year to tarnish the image of the government.
Khandu also alleged that Apang and his son, who is also a legislator, instigated the employees to go on strike. (PTI)
Sikkim opp for probe over EVM fire incident
Gangtok: The Opposition in Sikkim on Tuesday demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) order an immediate inquiry into the damage of 212 EVMs in fire at the strong room of Paljor stadium.
The EVMs were under the custody of the East district administration. The machines were meant to be used for Parliamentary elections in the east district of Sikkim.
The EVMs had been badly damaged in the fire on Monday night which the authorities here were claiming to have been caused by short-circuit in the strong room.
However, the Opposition parties were not buying the argument presented by the concerned authorities.
'' It as an attempt to sabotage the EVMs and we have demanded the Chief Election Commissioner of India for an immediate inquiry into the incident, '' said Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) spokesperson Kunga Nima Lepcha in a press meet here.
The party had also approached the Governor over the incident.
The Assembly elections in Sikkim were declared on Monday and the same night the incident happened, he said adding there was enough room here to doubt a conspiracy.
There were no security guards to protect the EVMs, he said and wondered how the Sikkim Election Office could be so casual.
Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Sikkim will be held simultaneously on April 30.
''The incident strongly reinforces our claims that free and fair elections will not be allowed to take place in Sikkim, '' said the SPCC spokesperson. The party had also demanded the ECI to replace all the EVMs supplied to Sikkim.
'' We cannot be sure that the EVMS damaged in the fire are meant for Parliamentary elections. The EVMs could also have been meant for use for Assembly elections, '' he said. (UNI)
Police hunt for minor’s rapist
Aizawl: Aizawl police have launched a manhunt to nab the miscreants responsible for the rape of a four-year-old girl who is still in coma after the incident.
The minor girl, residing in the western part of the city, was found unconscious from a remote place around 0100 hours on March 2, quite far from the place she was last seen.
Police said the girl, who was playing with her friends near a construction site of NEEPCO on the western outskirts of Aizawl, went missing from there on Sunday afternoon. Since she failed to come home even after 1600 hours, her relatives and local people began a search in the area and found her in that condition yesterday morning. The girl bore injuries on her head even as medical examination has proved that she had been raped.
Police have rounded up a few people from the area on suspicious grounds. (UNI)
NSCN-IM extends probe into SDO killing
DIMAPUR, Mar 3 (NPN): The NSCN-IM has given 15 more days time to its Special Enquiry Committee to complete the investigation into the killings of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th. Kishan and two of his subordinates, owing to new evidences coming to light. The MIP/GPRN in a release on Tuesday said though the inquiry committee was asked to submit its report by March 4, it could not complete the investigation within the stipulated time as the case turned out to be more complex with new evidences coming to light. The NSCN-IM in another release said “Lt. Col.” H Ningshen of Naga Army might have committed the crime in connivance with DC Ukhrul Pankaj Kumar. It pointed out that the DC did not take any action despite knowing that three had been abducted right after the meeting in his office. Further, the NSCN-IM said the DC told the SDO’s wife that her husband could be in the “hands of NSCN without showing any concern to the abduction as the head of the district.
Oral cancer cases on the rise in Manipur
IMPHAL, March 4 – Oral cancer cases are on the rise in Manipur due to increased consumption of tobacco and tobacco-related products. “Oral cancer cases may explode in Manipur by the next decade or two if the trend of consuming ‘zarda’ or ‘pan’ by the people continues,” the head of the Department of Radiotherapy at the Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital here, Th Tomcha, said.
Keeping this in mind, an NGO and some cancer experts have started a campaign in the State to create awareness about the dangers of consumption of tobacco.
Painting a grim picture, Tomcha said that roughly 25 million people suffer from the dreaded disease worldwide and India alone accounts for nearly 2.5 million of them.
He said a sizeable portion of the male population in Manipur also suffers from lung cancer and women breast cancer mainly due to their food habits and unhealthy lifestyle. (The Assam Tribune)
Complete re-look at Look East policy urged
ITANAGAR, March 4 – Arunachal Pradesh MP Kiren Rijiju has urged the Centre to give a complete re-look at the Look East policy to make the North East one of the economic hubs of the country.
The infrastructure needs of North East must receive a special attention to get the region connected with the East and South Asian countries.
Participating in a discussion in the Parliament recently, Rijiju said that the Union Government must understand the feelings and sufferings of the common people and make the North East including Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of the progressive India.
Besides expressing his discontent at the Centre for not making any special announcement for the development of North East, the young BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh drew the attention of the House about the burning problems ranging from security, law and order, foreigners issue, etc., that are confronting the development of the NE region.
Today, the security scenario of North East is deteriorating day by day and the common people are feeling more insecure and anxious about their lives and properties, as the underground elements are making use of the NE as their safe haven.
Besides, the illegal influx of Bangladeshi migrants into the region is alarmingly increasing, thereby affecting the demography of North East, Rijiju said. Although the Supreme Court has indicted the Union Government for failing to check the illegal infiltration of foreign nationals, he said the State Governments of North East region bordering Bangladesh must initiate pro-active measures to check the menace.
Talking about insurgency and terrorism in North East, the MP lamented that the several security agencies based in the region are not strengthened enough to support the State machinery in handling the decades-old insurgency problem. Moreover, the State police forces of North East are not being provided adequate Central assistance to modernise and equip itself properly to fight the menace of terrorism.
Drawing the notice of House about the current deadlock between Arunachal Government and its employees over the latter’s pay package demand as per the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, Rijiju said the Centre must intervene immediately to break the impasse and fulfill the State’s demand for granting Peace and Green bonus so that the aggrieved employees could be paid the pay package, which is due to them. - The Assam Tribune
.::. All my articles can be view here: MELTED HEARTS .::.
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