Book review - Khantanhoi Johan Hilchetna | Rev V Hangminthang

- T. Khaimuanthang

Laisiengthou pen bangchilaipou in simsieng leh theisaa a koi thei ahi ngaisih. Na sim chiengleh a hilchetna bu toh na pangkha ngai ei? Theisiem mai ding hilou, theichet theina dingin tambang hilchetna na poimaw hi.

Rev V Hangminthang ahileh 1983 kum apat ZCC (tuo MELC) ah Pro Pastor nnasem ana pan a. 1986 apat tuni dong in Pastor nna a sem hi; District Superintendent leh Executive Secretary chite a tuu zing hi. Ama’n laibu tamtah ana gel ta a. A kilang mama Na Theina Ding In Zilin Part I leh II, Naupang Nipi Sang Senior I leh II te’n a toi uhi. Tamte ni banah, Piching Nipi Sang laizilbu tamtah ana aat ta hi.

Zou-kam a ana kibawl hilchetna dangte toh tammi Khantanhoi Johan Hilchetna a kibang sih hi. Kumkhat a zoh thei ding ngaisut a bawl ahi hang in, simmun khat ah Bungkal ni-leh-thum gawmkhawm chi um sese nonlou in; A tangpi in, tammi laibu ah simmun khat in bungkal kimkhat leh bungkal khat a huom hi. Tuoleh, simmun pen Thuchiin, Thumapui, Khennenna leh Khaikhawmna chite banah Dohnate in a zui chetchet hi. Tangkal khat khat in sim in, thupoimaw - gammin, mimin - a umjia bang in hilchien in akibawl hi.

A laibu in Khantanhoi Johan sung a pumpi in a huom a, tambang in a tuun hi: A siltup ahileh ” Jesu pen Pasian Tapa ahidan leh a gingta zousie in tangtawn hinna anei ding” chi ahia; Jesu khu Pasian Tapa ahidan puonkhietna leh Tangtawn hinna petu ahina a uong gen mama hi. A Tang masate in, Pasian Thu mihing hing suo mial tate khovah hina hing pia in, Pasian Thu pen laisiengthou a i mu apat lieuliau a ging ding ahidan ah a tawp hi.

Khupsit masang in, tami laibu sungah Simmun Thupi leh Bungkal hawmdan enjuoi vai:

Simmun Thupi (Bungkal)

1. Khantanhoi Johan etjuoina
2. Pasian Thu Phuonkhietna ( Bung 1 : 1 - 18 )
3. Johan Thu Theisah leh Nuajui Masate ( Bung 1 : 19 - 51 )
4. Jesu Silbawltheina Tahlatna (Bung2:1-25)
5. Pientha Thu (Bung 3: 1-36)
6. Hinna Tha Suitute (Bung 4: 1-54)
7. Jesu Silbawl Thupi leh Pasian Ahina ( Bung 5:1-47)
8. Jesu - Vahtu leh Panpitu Naipen ( Bung 6:1-24)
9. Hinna Tanghou ( Bung 6: 25-71)
10. Jesu Koi Ahiei? ( Bung 7: 1-53)
11. Jesu khu Tangtawn Mi ahi (Bung 8: 1-59)
12. Jesu Khrist Pasian Ahidan ( Bung 9:1-41)
13. Belampu leh A Belamte ( Bung 10: 1-42)
14. Jesu - SDhina tungah Thuneina ( Bung 11: 1-57)
15. Mary in Jesu Sathau Anuna ( Bung 12 : 1-11)
16. Jesu Pahtawia A Umna ( Bung 12: 12-50)
17. Thupieh Tha Khu ( Bung 13: 1-38)
18. Mangbang Loudia Vaihahna (Bung 14:1-31)
19. Kizopmatna Dihtah ( Bung 15:1-27)
20. Jesu’n A Nuazuite A Vaihahna Thu ( Bung 16: 1-33)
21. Jesu Thungetna (Bung 17 : 1-26)
22. Jesu Kimatna (Bung 18: 1-40)
23. Jesu Pilat Masangah (Bung 19:1-16)
24. Pasian Belamnou Shina (Bung 19: 17-31)
25. Haan ah Jesu Kivuina (Bung 19 : 31-42)
26. Jesu Thawkiana (Bung 20: 1-18)
27. Nuajuite kungah Jesu Kilahna (Bung 20 : 19-20)
28. Nuajui Nuatolte Tunding Kiana ( Bung 21:1-14)
29. Jesu’n Peter A tunding Kiana ( Bung 21:15-25)

Source: Khaimuanthang

Reservation for SCs, STs not must at prelims: SC

New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI) Observing that vacancies are not filled by "charity", India's Supreme Court has said the government is not under any Constitutional obligation to provide reservation to Schedule Castes(SCs), Schedule Tribes etc, in preliminary tests conducted for filling up official posts. "Judging of merit may be at several tiers. It may undergo several filtrations. Ultimately, the constitutional scheme is to have the candidates who would be able to serve the society and discharge the functions attached to the office. Vacancies are not filled up by way of charity," the apex court said.

A bench of Justices S B Sinha and Cyriac Joseph said preliminary examination is not a part of the main examination and as such the rule of reservation available to socially- disadvantaged sections cannot be insisted on at a threshold stage.

"The merit of the candidate is not judged thereby.

Only an eligibility criterion is fixed. The papers for holding the examination (preliminary) comprise of General Studies and Mental Ability. Such a test must be held to be necessary for the purpose of judging the basic eligibility of the candidates to hold the tests," the apex court said.

The apex court passed the observation while rejecting the contention of certain reserved category students who challenged the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission's (APPSC) refusal to provide reservation benefits at the preliminary exam stage for appointments of Deputy Collectors, Commercial Tax Officers and other Group-I posts PTI


'Shoe incident exploited by section of leaders in Delhi Cong'

New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI) Jagdish Tytler, whose Lok Sabha poll nomination was withdrawn by the Congress, has said that a section of leaders in the party's Delhi unit had exploited the 'shoe incident' to keep him away from the electoral fray.

"I have a very strong gut feeling on how all this came about. It is not the work of Akalis only. Akalis took help of some people from our party who probably did not want me," he told NDTV.

Asked whether he was referring to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Tytler said he would not like to name anybody.

"Probably, I was getting too big for my boots in my own party," he said, adding that he was referring to the Delhi Congress and not the national level.

On whether Dikshit had become stronger in the party after her third consecutive term as Chief Minister, Tytler merely said "I really thought in my mind. I said well, she has come to stay long." Tytler said he would not like to have a fight with Dikshit as her son Sandeep Dikshit was contesting elections.

"I would not like to fight with her because her son has been fighting from the interior. So, I did not want to give a wrong signal," he said.

Congress had yesterday withdrawn Tytler and Sajjan Kumar from the electoral fray as the ghost of the 1984 riots returned to haunt the party over their alleged role in the carnage. PTI

Naga problem main issue in LS polls & other national news

KOHIMA, April 10 – Election in the lone Lok Sabha constituency in Nagaland has always been dominated by the unresolved Naga political problem. Any party which aspires to represent the State in the Parliament promises to resolve the issue in a bid to get voters support, but the problem remains where it has always been ever since the State was formed in 1963. The constituency is witnessing a direct fight between C M Chang of NPF and former two-term MP Asungba Sangtam of Congress in the April 16 poll, though there is a candidate from Trinamool Congress too.

Both the main contending parties are wooing the voters by accusing each other of not doing enough for resolving the vexed problem. Both promise to pursue the Centre for an early settlement of the protracted problem if they win the election.

The State also goes to by-polls in four Assembly seats.

Whether it was Assembly or parliamentary election, every electoral exercise has experienced large voter turn-out in Nagaland despite boycott calls by underground organisations. Till the emergence of Congress into political arena of Nagaland in late seventies, this seat was represented by either of the two regional outfits. – PTI

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Attack on train: 1 killed, 17 hurt in NC Hills

HAFLONG, April 10 – A CRPF jawan was killed and seventeen others were injured when suspected memberers of the DHD (J) fired indiscriminately at the Up Special Passenger train coming from Badarpur to Lumding at Wardengdisa in North Cachar Hills district around 1.15 pm today. The injured people were admitted to Maibong Rural Hospital. The deceased jawan was identified as A K Tiwari. Security forces launched a vigorous search operation to nab the culprits.

A couple of days back the convoy of the Central Election Observer, Arun Chandra Sing was attacked near Gunjung, following which State DGP, G M Srivastava had flown to Haflong to take stock of the situation in the district.

Our Staff Reporter in Guwahati adds: Four coaches and the engine of the train were also damaged in the incident.

The NF Railway authorities suspended running of trains on the route for the day today. However, a decision on the future course of action from the NFR authorities in this connection is still awaited.

None of the railway employees on board the train reported injury, sources said.

After the gory incident, the train stopped at Maibong and it is stated to be there till the filing of this report.

The DRM and other high officials of the Lumding Division rushed to the spot immediately after receiving the news of the incident, said the sources, adding, discussions with the State Government on the development following the incident, were on.

The injured have been identified as Dhanesh Buragohain (24), Kamaluddin Laskar (48), Sabir Ahmed (15), Mehrun Begum (31), Champa Devi (20), Raibanan Langthasa (40), Imdadur Rahman (31), Manik Das (60), Bhagawan Mahato, Bhopal Barua (38), Amarjit Singh , Rangthanan Haflongbar (48), Jakamiyan Ahmed (18), Biswajit Chutiya, Faidanan Langthasa (49), Rajesh Newar (22) and Abdul Sukkur (41).

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PA Sangma demands equal representation of States in RS

SOBHAPATI SAMOM

CHURACHANDPUR, April 10 – Nationalist Congress Party general secretary and former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangma has demanded equal number of Rajya Sabha seats among the States of the country in order to give voice to the North East in Parliament.

Sangma, the star campaigner of NCP was here along with his ex-Minister son Conrad Sangma for an election rally in favour of five party combine – Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA) consensus candidate L B Sona, told reporters, “every State big or small should have same number of representatives in the Upper House as in the United States of America”.

The NCP leader, who had once objected to the increase of number of Lok Sabha MPs based on their population, said, if the seats are to be increased based on it’s population, Bihar or UP will have more representatives than the NE States, so I do not accept it.

Reacting to the indifference within Congress in the wake of AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi’s statement on territorial integrity of Manipur, Sangma said Congress has no clarity. They bring it only during election time to fool the people, he added.

Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee had distanced itself from the statement of Rahul Gandhi in his recent poll campaign in Manipur. He said they still stand by the unanimous resolutions passed in Nagaland Assembly for integration of Naga-inhabited areas.

He felt that since individual voices of the MPs from the NE States are never taken into account, there is a need for all the representatives to unite to boost the region’s bargaining power with Delhi. He pronounced his formula for strengthening the voice of NE at the Centre by putting up a united front of the representatives in association with 13 regional parties.

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Tripura declares ex gratia for polling staff

AGARTALA, April 10 – The Tripura Government has announced ex gratia ranging from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for polling personnel including jawans in case of any fatal incident during the election process.

Informing this to media, Addl CEO Dilip Acharjee on Friday said that in case of any death of polling personnel, an amount of Rs 2.5 lakh would be given to the next of kin of the deceased as ex-gratia. “ The amount will double if the death is caused due to violent act by extremists or un-social elements like mine and bomb blast”, he said.

“In case of permanent disability, he or she will get Rs 2.5 lakh as ex-gratia and this amount will be doubled if the disability is caused due to extremist violence”, he said adding that this would come into force from the date of announcement of polls till the election process is over. Acharjee said that this is the first time the ex-gratia would be given to the polling personnel instead of insurance coverage of Rs 1 lakh. “The money will come from the government exchequer”, he said.

Acharjee said that the move has been taken keeping in view of the complications in providing money under the insurance coverage and the Election Commission has approved the move. About 18,000 polling staff will be engaged in the ensuing parliamentary election to be held on April 23.

Meanwhile, the printing of postal ballots for the ensuing parliamentary elections has got underway. Acharjee, who has visited the government press, where printing of postal ballots is taking place, today, said that around 50,000 postal ballots would be required for the election.

“A temporary post office has already been set up at the government press premises to ensure timely delivery of postal ballots”, he said.

On the issue of the postal ballots, Acharjee said that postal ballots for service voters would be issued within a day or two. The total number of service voters in Tripura stands at 2,395.

Source: www.assamtribune.com

PM told to intervene into ‘ethnic cleansing’

Dimapur, April 9 (MExN): Immediate attention of the Prime Minister of India is sought, to the ongoing violence unleashed by a Dimasa militant group, DHD (J), on the Zeliangrong community in the NC Hills of Assam. The Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Delhi (ZSUD) has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh bringing to his notice what was termed as the “most unfortunate and inhuman ethnic cleansing” unleashed by the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) on the Zeliangrong community in NC Hills.

“We seek the immediate intervention of the hon’ble Prime Minister on the pressing matters which have been neglected so far by the local administration and the state government”, stated the memorandum appended by Soihiamlung Dangmei, president and Kailadbou Daimai, general secretary of the ZSUD.

Copies were also addressed to the Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, L Leader of the Opposition K Advani, Governor of Assam Shiv Charan Mathur, Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi, Deputy Commissioner of Halflong, Assam S Jagannathan and Superintendent of Police, Haflong, Assam MN Sharma.

The ZSUD informed the Prime Minister that till date more than 20 Zeliangrong Nagas have been killed and about 900 more are taking refuge in different relief camps in Assam and Tousem sub-division of Manipur. So far, no official from the state Government of Assam has enquired or visited the conflict zone or the displaced people. As such the ZSUD stated to be have been “compelled to believe that under the present state government; the lives, liberty and property of the Zeliangrong people are not safe anymore.”

Pointing out that “the peace-loving Zeliangrong Nagas are shocked at the terror unleashed by DHD (J)”, the Prime Minister was informed about the plans of the militant group to evict the Zeliangrong Nagas from NC Hills who are indigenous to that land. The ZSUD condemned the cold-blooded killings and “consciously calculated violence” on the Zeliangrong population in Assam.

The ZSUD has demanded immediate explanation from the government why such dastardly killings have been allowed unchecked especially when the armed DHD (J) militants have been threatening the locals for quite some time. Even more, the ZSUD said the authorities have intelligence reports of the conspiracy by the Dimasa militant group. Lamenting that so far no government agencies or ministers have visited the violence affected areas, the ZSUD has said that the “insensitive and diminutive attitude of the government of Assam is nothing less than being hand in gloves with the militants”.

Demand for Zeliangrong homeland?

Dimapur, April 9 (MExN): In the wake of the “diabolical ethnic cleansing” carried out by the militant DHD (J) in North Cachar Hills, the Government of India has been told that the “Zeliangrong people are is in no way a minority if they are integrated from the divided areas of the three states of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur”.

In a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India, the Zeliangrong Students Union Delhi (ZSUD) has cautioned that if “gross injustices and grievances such as the one in NC Hills are not addressed to immediately they will be compelled to seek re-integration of their contiguous land and people for a common Zeliangrong homeland”. The ZSUD has made a strong appeal to the Prime Minister to address the issue at the earliest and compensate the victims of the violence at once.

“Failure to meet the demands would only compel the Zeliangrong people to revive the Zeliangrong People Convention (ZPC) movement for separate Zeliangrong homeland” the union stated. The memo to the Prime Minister stated that the Zeliangrong people and their land have been trifurcated without their consent and ‘artificially made a minority’ in all the three states. “They have been oppressed socially, economically and politically in the three states. Once again, the ZSUD appeals the hon’ble Prime Minister to kindly intervene and dispense justice to the affected people”, the ZSUD stated.

The ZSUD also demanded security for the Zeliangrong people in NC Hills of Assam. The PM has also been told to instruct the state government of Assam to take every possible measure to protect the life and property of the Zeliangrong people. Ex-gratia for the families of those killed in the violence and compensation to the victims has been demanded for. “Immediate relief material should be provided to the affected people. Those displaced Zeliangrong people should be brought back to their respective homes” the union said.

Source: www.morungexpress.com

+GOOD FRIDAY+ | THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

Refrain

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Refrain

Words & Music: George Ben­nard, 1913 (MI­DI, score).

The Old Rug­ged Cross was writ­ten in Al­bi­on, Mi­chi­gan. Or Po­ka­gon, Mi­chi­gan. Or Stur­geon Bay, Wis­con­sin. All three towns claim to be the birth­place of this hymn.

Source: cyberhymnal

Forgiven Through His Death

Rev. Billy Graham

Many people wonder why God demands blood. The Scripture says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, they broke God’s Law; they rebelled against Him. God killed some animals and blood was shed in order to take the skins and cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve. From that time on, blood has been shed as a symbol of our salvation.

When Moses was trying to get the people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, God said to him, “Tell the Jewish people to slay a lamb without blemish and put the blood on the doorpost. When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Cf. Exodus 12:1-14). That was the beginning of Passover. God didn’t say, “When I see their good works” or even, “When I see their ethnic or social background.” Rather, He said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

Scripture uses several words to describe the power and the value of Christ’s blood. The first word is redemption. “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold … but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). The Bible teaches that we as a human race are enslaved and spiritually under the devil’s authority, unable to redeem ourselves. Christ died on the cross and paid the price for our salvation. He redeemed us by the shedding of His own blood.

As fallen men and women, we are lost. We are going to judgment and hell. What are we going to do? Jesus Christ shed His blood to pay for our sins and to redeem us. If you are not under the blood of Christ, you are not going to heaven. You must be under His blood. Are you sure that experience has been yours? You must repent of sin and receive Christ into your heart. The second word is remission, which means forgiveness. “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).

Jesus, by His death on the cross, made possible the forgiveness of sins and the extension of mercy at the same time. Holiness was left pure; mercy and love met the demands of justice. This is the heart of the Gospel. I read about the daughter of a poor widow. The daughter left home and went into sin. For three years she was gone. When she came stumbling home, she went to the back door of her mother’s home, expecting it to be locked. But the door was open. She went inside. Her mother was sitting there reading the Bible. The young woman said, “Mother, I never expected to find the door open.” Her mother answered, “My darling, ever since you walked out, that door has been open.”

God stands ready to forgive. He doesn’t have to get ready for us to repent. He doesn’t have to get ready for us to come to the cross. “But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness” (Nehemiah 9:17). God is ready right now. He is standing with open arms and saying, “Come.” Another word associated with blood is justification. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8-9).

Justification means “to be free from blame,” or “to be declared innocent.” We cannot do it ourselves. We can work all our lives and do good works and pay money to the church, but that won’t justify us. The only thing that will justify us is the blood of Jesus Christ. Then we will be as though we had never committed a sin in our whole lives! That is what happens when we come to the cross. That is the power of the blood.

Another word is em>cleansing. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). When we come to the cross, not only does He cleanse all our past sins, but that blood is available for present and future sins. It cleanses us. It leaves us standing before God justified and pure. God no longer sees our sins. The process is that of repentance and faith. To all who would forsake sin, God offers a new chance.

We can be cleansed by the blood of Christ. It can happen right now. He promises to blot out all the old sins and give us a brand-new start, to be born from above, to be born anew. And all the past is forgiven. That is what God offers us. Another word is peace. There are wars going on in the world right now, and there are all sorts of wars in families and between friends. In Colossians we read, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself” (Colossians 1:20, KJV). Because of that blood, we can have peace.

In the Bible we read about three types of peace. First is peace with God. God says that because of our sins we are at war with Him. He offers us peace at the cross. Second is the peace of God that the Holy Spirit produces in us. When we come to Christ, we have a peace that we have never known before. Think of the restlessness in so many of us—the pressures that we live under. Think of having peace in the midst of it all. Third is peace between nations. That is going to happen when Jesus comes back and reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Not only can we have peace, but we can have access. We can come straight into the presence of God. We don’t have to come through another person. “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:19-20). From the cross the Lord said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The blood of Christ accomplishes three things: It satisfies God, it saves sinners and it silences the devil. We are constantly seeking to add merit or to combine works with what Christ did on the cross. But we don’t have to. Everything we needed was done at the cross, in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Source: http://www.morungexpress.com

Women’s issues ride high in Mizoram poll campaigns

AIZAWL, April 9 – Though there is no woman among the four candidates contesting the Lok Sabha election to the lone Mizoram seat, women’s issues have come to the fore probably because women outnumbered men in the State’s voters lists. The opposition Mizo National Front-Mizoram Peoples Conference combine is using women’s issues against the Congress, saying that the present government refused to formalise the Mizoram Divorce Ordinance, 2008 promulgated by the State Governor during the MNF rule.

The MNF allege that the Ordinance lapsed after the Congress Government led by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla refused to regularise it during the Budget session of the Assembly held during March last.

“All the women groups, including the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) or Mizo Women’s Federation, hailed the promulgation of the ordinance to improve the lot of the weaker sex in the strict patriarchal society in regards to separation and divorce, but the Congress stiffled the law,” a woman leader of the MNF said.

A judicial magistrate, who did not want to be named, told PTI that the Mizoram Divorce Ordinance was now null and void as the Ordinance was not legislated by the Legislature as per the provisions of the Article 213 of the Constitution.

According to the Mizo Customary Law, a divorced woman does not have any claim over the family properties even if it is community properties, earned by the wife. The new Divorce Ordinance sought to change all that.

B Sangkhumi, former president of the MHIP, one of the biggest NGOs in Mizoram, and chairperson of the State Public Service Commission, said that women’s organisations have submitted memoranda to the government to formalise the Ordinance in the Assembly.

She said, “The State Law Minister Lalsawta has promised that a new Bill, better and more effective than the Ordinance, will be drafted for legislation.”

Women voters outnumbered their male counterparts by more than 9,000 votes in the 6,29,155-strong electorate in Mizoram, but not a single woman candidate, including those fielded by major political parties, were elected in the last State Assembly polls held on December 2 last.

Altogether, three women have been elected to the Mizoram Assembly and only one woman Lalhlimpuii was inducted in the Council of Ministers so far, while Thanmawii was the only woman to be elected for two times – in 1987 and 1989. – PTI

Maoist rebels threaten to chop off hands of voters

PATNA, April 8 (Reuters): Maoists in Bihar have threatened to chop off the hands of voters who defy a call to boycott elections this month, the state police chief and residents said, citing posters appearing in public places. The Maoists say they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers.

“Anyone going to cast their votes at polling booths will have their hands chopped off”, read handwritten pamphlets in Bedani, Baluganj and many other villages of Aurangabad district in eastern Bihar, according to residents. Officials and villagers said many such posters and leaflets have also been pasted on walls and electric poles in villages of at least seven districts in southern Bihar, where Maoists are said to hold sway in this poor, crime-ridden state.

“There is nothing new in this. Even in the last election they put up these posters. They’re again doing it now,” said Neelmani, additional director general of police, for Bihar. An alliance of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (United) which governs Bihar hopes to sweep the 40 seats in the state with a focus on development and good administration.

But Maoists are telling the villagers the government has not done anything for the state, and warning them to stay away from the election. “We are too scared. Who will protect us from the anger of Maoists if we go against their wishes?” said Kishori Prasad, in Aurangabad district.
Officials estimate that 26 of Bihar’s 38 districts are overrun by Maoists, who attacked government schools and mobile towers last week to protest against the start of the electoral process. Schools are often used as polling booths. Police said they would ensure the safety of voters. “The state administration has initiated enough measures to help voters cast their votes without any fear,” said Neelmani. “We have enough force to ensure free and fair polling.”

Source: http://www.morungexpress.com

AFSPA: Key poll issue in northeast

Agartala, April 8 (Agencies): The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA) has become a major poll issue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the northeastern region with demands for its repeal becoming louder. The AFSPA, which is now enforced in large parts of Manipur, Tripura, Assam and Nagaland and some parts of other northeastern states, gives armed forces special powers to kill and detain terror suspects in insurgency-prone areas.

A number of regional political parties, civil rights groups, NGOs and student bodies in the northeastern region, especially Manipur, have been demanding the repeal of the act for several years, citing rights abuses by the security personnel. “We cannot desert this vital issue during the electioneering as this is a basic human rights issue,” said Raj Kumar Anand, a legislator of Manipur People’s Party (MPP).

“The Congress and other political parties are playing politics with this vital issue and they remain insincere about the removal of the draconian law,” Mr. Anand told reporters in Manipur’s capital Imphal last week. The repeal of the AFSPA has been part of the MPP’s poll manifesto for the past few elections. The Congress-led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government in Manipur has been treating the issue with caution but leaders of the Communist Party of India (CPI), a junior partner in the alliance, are vocal against the act.

“As the majority of the people in northeast India, especially the women, are against the AFSPA, the centre should consider the matter once again,” senior CPI leader and Manipur Health and Family Welfare Minister P. Parijat Singh told IANS. “Though the central leaders are in a dilemma over the AFSPA issue, the candidates of Congress and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) are in favour of the repeal of the act,” said Ima K. Taruni, a 78-year-old Manipuri rights activist.

Taruni, the convenor of the Save Sharmila Campaign, has been spearheading a women’s movement against the AFSPA across the state. Irom Chanu Sharmila, a 34-year-old human rights campaigner, has been on an indefinite hunger strike against the controversial AFSPA from November 2000 after soldiers of the paramilitary Assam Rifles allegedly killed 10 Manipuri youths on suspicion that they were militants.

Former union minister and Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma has been advocating against the AFSPA during his election speeches in various parts of the northeastern region. Terming the act as anti-human, Sangma, who was elected to the Lok Sabha a record eight times from Meghalaya, said:
“Without enforcing the act, the government can curb terrorism in the region by adopting various other strategies, including holding talks with the separatist outfits.”

“Using the draconian law, a large number of innocent youths are being killed by the security forces on suspicion,” said Sangma, who is national general secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The powerful North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has also been demanding withdrawal of the AFSPA from the northeastern region.

“Instead of solving the militancy problem in the northeast, the act is complicating the situation. It has resulted in a war between the people and the members of the armed forces,” said NESO vice-chairman Lalmuanpula Punte. In view of the outcry against the AFSPA, the centre had appointed a five-member committee headed by Supreme Court judge B.P. Jeevan Reddy a few years ago to examine whether the act was required or not.

After visiting all affected states, the committee submitted its report to the centre in October 2006. The union government has not yet made the findings public. Terming the centre’s stand as “disappointing”, Sanjoy Hazarika, a member of the committee, said: “The Indian government does not have the courage to implement the report.”

Tripura’s main tribal-based party, the Indigenious Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), is a political ally of the Congress but it has also been strongly demanding the repeal of the AFSPA. “The act gave access to the armed forces to victimise innocent people, especially the tribals, in the name of anti-insurgency operations,” INPT general secretary and former Tripura minister Rabindra Debbarma told IANS. “Repeal of the AFSPA is one of the issues in our ongoing election campaign,” he added.

Source: http://www.morungexpress.com

Poll Comments, Outer : Triangular fight among 9 candidates

Imphal, Apr 9: With only four days left to the countdown of the 15th Lok Sabha election in the Outer Manipur Parliamentary slated for April 16, the voltage of election fever is ever rising high. Mention may be made here that, six aspiring candidates from Chin-Kuki community and three Naga candidates are in the fray for the lone Outer Manipur Parliamentary seat. However, the tough fight is likely to be triangular among D Loli Adanee of BJP, Thangso Baite of Congress and Mani Charenamei of People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) who is also the sitting MP.

Some interesting gossips or for that matter, assumption of people for these three parties worth pondering are – BJP is considered as anti-Christian party in the hills, Congress as anti-people and PDA, Naga centric and pro-NSCN(IM) party.

Chances for Mani Charenamei are that he is being backed by six PDA MLAs, UNC stalwarts and NSCN-IM, and have muscle powers being a sitting MP, whereas Loli Adanee has garnered support of a ‘Public Support Group’ consisting ex-Ministers, veteran politicians drawn from various political parties and above all, won the hearts of grassroots people with his sweet campaign tag ‘equitable distribution of funds and development’. This time round, political observers, however, feel most voters would take their decisions not on party line but on personal preference.

On the other hand, while the two heavy weight Naga candidates - Adanee and Mani are colliding head-on in the arena, the lesser known Congress candidate, Thangso Baite taking the chances cannot be written off.

A political analyst who prefers to remain anonymous opined that Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh’s ‘loose hands’ is suffice to get hold of Kuki militants which is now in ceasefire with the State Government, to work for Baite who hails from Churachandpur district.

On the other hand, analysts also felt that the allegations against Mani of mishandling development funds and his ‘vocal patriotic stance’ would be to his disadvantage in garnering the votes of non-Nagas. Mani’s opponents have on earlier instances alleged the former that the MP Fund meant for development were handled by ‘few people’ and have not reached the grassroots people. However, the MP has flatly refuted the charges terming it as a mere electioneering gimmick. The mathematics and readings of political observers though varies, one can conclude that the triangular fight would be tough and destiny of the candidates would have the final say.

Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com

NSCN (IM) accused of threatening Adanee’s men By Our staff Reporter

IMPHAL, Apr 9: Activists of the armed NSCN (IM) have been accused of intervening and enforcing ban against election campaign of BJP candidate for the Outer manipur parliamentary constituency Loli Adanee. Raising the issue at an election rally in Chandel district headquarters today, former Tangkhul Nagalong (TNL) president Ramthing Hungyo said he received a telephone call this morning from an NSCN (IM) member not to participate in any election campaigns of the BJP nominee.

Pointing to the PDA election manifesto wherein safeguard/protection of human rights has been pledged, Ramthing observed that with armed NSCN (IM) activists joining election campaigns in support of Mani Charenamei but at the same time threatening political workers of other candidates it is unlikely human rights could be assured as had been highlighted in the PDA manifesto.

recounting comments of the present Nagaland Chief minister Neiphiu Rio, during campaigning for the nagaland assembly election, to vote for the Naga People’s Front with the assertion to solve the vexed Naga political issue within six months, the former TNL functionary maintained that rather than solve the issue Rio had been the chief factor for the spate of bloodshed in Nagaland.
Apart from failure to find a solution to the Naga issue, the problem has been further aggravated owing to factionalism and formation of armed splinter groups consequently increasing bloodshed among the Nagas, he maintained while expressing that PDA working in tandem with the NPF is sowing seed of hatred in manipur as well.

Regarding Charenamei speaking in support of the UPA Government in the Parliament, Ramthing said other than berating reaction from the retired Chief of Army Staff JJ Singh to the MP’s comment there had been no appreciation to Charenamei’s stance.

Charenamei not only betrayed cause of the nagas but has let down the people by adopting double standard through his pledge for Naga sovereignty while in New Delhi which is being diluted on the planks of Naga integration upon returning to the home soil, Ramthing opined and asked Charenamei not to mislead the Naga people.

Substantiating his observation, the BJP political campaigner pointed to Charenamei speaking about Naga integration during election rallies in Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts with the tone substituted by pledge for formation of a separate tribal entity (State) when electorates of Churachandpur are addressed and urged the people to decide whether or not to trust Charenamei.

Bashing of the MP persisted at the BJP meeting with former election contestant Athon Abonmai accusing Charenamei of misusing crores of rupees allotted to implement welfare programmes for the tribal people in the State including withdrawal of Rs 23 lakhs under the pretext of constructing a boys’ hostel in Lambung of Chandel district.

In accumulating personal wealth from the public money in terms of crores of rupees Charenamei had been baffling the public with concocted claim that substantial amount had been handed over to the NSCN (IM), Abonmai alleged.

In his address to the gathering, Loli Adanee said as Chandel district has tremendous potential to become highway of south East Asia there is urgent need for infrastructural development in the district so as to boost economic activities.

lamenting that people of the land have become political ‘slave’ owing to various atrocities perpetrated by security forces, Adanee said to free the people from such bondage removal of the draconian Armed Forces’ Special powers Act 1958 has become inevitable. For development of the hill districts, the BJP nomi- nee stressed on surface connectivity through an inter-district link road that would facilitate economic transportation of goods, holding of District council elections and extension of Sixth Schedule in the hill districts for which he sought mandate of the people. Adanee also desired cooperation and understanding between the two representa- tives from the State in scheming development plans as failure to jointly pursue and uphold interest of people of manipur in the Indian Parliament is certain to result in further corrosion of the State in all aspects. As certain pockets of the valley areas fall within the Outer manipur Parliamentary Constituency, canvassing support for Adanee was also undertaken today by State unit BJP leaders including former Chief Minister RK Dorendra Singh at Nongpok Sekmai, Usikhong Keithel, Ukhongsang Maning Leikai etc.

Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com

NCP manifesto says alliance is an instrument for change

IMPHAL, Apr 7: The Nationalist Congress Party, Manipur state unit came out with its election manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections for which the party is putting up candidates for both the seats from the state. Stating that even after almost six decades of its merger into the Indian Union the state remained economically backward and underdeveloped, the manifesto said the Manipur Democratic Alliance had been formed as an instrument for change in the state.

The NCP was determined to bring a meaningful change in the politico-socio-economic sphere with the people as agents for change to save the state from the ignominy of a failed state, it said.

The NCP being a national party with a strong regional outlook it would take all possible measures to safeguard the territorial integrity and cultural heritage of Manipur and to strengthen the bond of love, affection, respect and trust between different communities, the manifesto said.

Regarding the eight valley Assembly segments in the Outer Manipur constituency the NCP vowed to find a way out of the situation at the earliest.

The NCP also reiterated its demand for the repeal of the inhuman and much abused AFSPA as a token of honour to human rights while also stating that all disparity between the hills and the valley and rural and urban areas in terms of development and economic activities were to be removed.

It also said that the schemes of employment generation and income generation should go hand in hand to achieve the aim of self reliance, while also stating that it would adopt policies and measures to bring an increase in productivity of agricultural sectors.

Manipur, it believed, should be prepared to play active roles in different fields and take maximum advantage of the Look East Policy. It also stated that the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations would improve the economy of the state.

The party also promised to take up all possible projects for betterment of the womenfolk of the state and bring about good governance to provide security to life and property. It also favoured the re-introduction of the Inner Line permit system to help control the sharp rise in the population in the state through migration.
Safe drinking water and power, construction of roads and industrial infrastructure would also be major areas of concern for the party, it said while also promising to oppose activities that degrade environment.

Condemning the neglect of the aged, it said the present government had an uncaring attitude towards them while also vowing to fight the menace of HIV/AIDS on war footing. It also appreciated some outfits for entering into negotiations with the government and declaring suspension of operations.

The party promised to root out corruption and mismanagement in education and promote the development of information technology for the youth to take full advantage of this sector.

The NCP would endeavour to take all necessary measures for the development of livestock and give priority to the improvement of the public distribution system, it said while also promising to examine the state’s sports policy with a view to provide better facilities and infrastructure and bigger funds.


NCP alliance meant to take on Congress: Sangma

IMPHAL, April 7: The alliance of National Congress Party (NCP) with regional parties is to fight the Congress party in the upcoming 15th Lok Sabha election, said PA Sangma, general secretary of the NCP in a meeting held at YPA Hall, New Lamka in Churachandpur.

PA Sangma further added that the alliance of NCP with regional parties was because of like minded and joint strength of the parties and thus the Manipur Democratic Alliance was formed by MPP, MSCP, NPP, NCP and CPI(M) and LB Sona put up as the Outer candidate and Th Chaoba as the Inner candidate for the upcoming 15th Lok Sabha election.

He further added that a single MP’s voice may remain unheard in parliament so the alliance was putting up two candidates, in both inner and outer, so that the people would get proper representation in the parliament.

On the other hand, he said that the statements of the leaders of INC regarding the territorial integrity and Naga unification was a false statement as they were trying to earn votes and also added that the alliance by NCP with regional parties in north eastern states is to produce maximum MPs to bring up the issue.

Ex-minister of Meghalaya, Sangma expressed that even though we are staying in a democratic country the government does not allow real democracy so they combined with regional parties as it became necessary. It asked the youths to help them solve the problem of unemployment.

He also added that as the number of the unemployed increases the development would also slow down and looking into all the matters the party has come up to form an alliance to bring up and discuss the issues in the parliament.

In the meeting an election manifesto of the NCP was produced by PA Sangma, general secretary of the NCP and the meeting was attended by leaders of MPP, MSCP, NPP, NCP and CPI(M).

Source: ifp.co.in

PDA pledges to seek hill land reform act, political prisoner status for captured UGs

IMPHAL, April 7: The People’s Democratic Alliance, PDA, has come out with a manifesto which promises to restore rights of the Hill People of Manipur, “ensure the democratic rights of the people, preserve the identity of the marginal nationalities with due respect to their aspiration and to facilitates the fulfilment of the same, like the Naga unification and that of other indigenous people of the state” among others.

The manifesto said it would be seeking to introduce land reforms and laws for the hill areas as per the needs of the tribal people in keeping with the changing times. This however would be a separate law and not an extention of the MLR & LR Act of 1960. The law would also give primacy to preserving customary laws and practices, it said.

It also said the emergency of regionalism is healthy and constructive and the dialectics it produces would bring about transparent socio economic development.
It said “the PDA is concerned on the social inequality between the advance majority sections of the society and the backward hill people, negligence relating to the roads and transport, health service, electricity, water supply, education, agriculture and sports. Fund flow from the Tribal Affairs Ministry under Article 275(1) of the Indian Constitution should reach the tribal people settle in the valley districts of Manipur.”

It also pledged to fight for the implementation of the “Recommendation of the Delimitation Commission of India for the increase of four Assembly Constituencies in Manipur Hill Areas as per 2001 census, reservation system to be continued and monitored by the Sated Government with transparency and the deep rooted corruption in administration in the state be addressed with sincere spirit by the state government of Manipur.”

“The Party shall strive for the good governance i.e E.G with equitable economic development, social harmony and brotherhood, social order base on liberty, equality and justice, identity of the ethnic indigenous people and to create fraternal contact with other regional political parties or groups that share the faith in democracy and universal freedom of mankind.” It added.

Elaborating its stand on land reforms it said “People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) shall strive to protect, safeguard and ensure proper management of the lands, forests and mineral resources of the hill people of Manipur. Land and Forest and Tribal/Indigenous people are inseparable. The tribal either community, clan or chief or even individuals are the owners of the lands as the “Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006” implies, There is no Khasland in the Tribal Lands and Forest in the Hill Areas of Manipur.”

On Naga unification it said “The unification of the Nagas and that of other indigenous people of the state shall upheld. PDA stands for solution of all political problems in the region and the Indian Sub-Continent through peaceful means. And that it supports the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process which calls for a strong political will.”

It said “the hill people of Manipur rejected the extension of MLR & LR Act. of 1960, which tends to destabilize the aged old land holding system inherited since time immemorial.”

In its stead it said “the PDA would take up the issue in the Legislative Assembly to enact a law under the provision of the Article 371(c) of Indian Constitution and other provisions to facilitate the land owners, the equal benefits as provided for the valley people by the MLR & LR Act., 1960.”

It also said “The Village Authority Acts., 1956 (as amended some parts) has failed to serve the interest of the Hill people of Manipur” and the PDA would “take up the matter to introduce a new law to suit the interest of the hill villages and the changing time.”

The manifesto said it would strive for the “improvement of Roads and Transport system in Manipur.

Link roads from one District H. Qrs. in the hill areas of Manipur on the status of State High ways will be constructed wherever required. Inter District Bus service should also be opened at the earliest for

the welfare of the people in the hill and rural areas of the state.”

The PDA would also fight for “a separate Hill University for the 5 hill districts of Manipur be taken up to ensure proper educational and academic enhancement and to fulfill the long standing aspiration of the students community in the hill areas of Manipur.”

It said it would also take up efforts “for effective health services for the people of the hill areas especially for rural poor. A community Health Centre on the status of Hospital should be opened in each sub-division by the State Government.”

It said it would also fight for a sub-plan scheme for tribals settled in the valley and also for setting up of a tribal market at Imphal.

It said “PDA will strive for the realization to increase four Assembly Constituencies as recommended by the Delimitation Commission of India for the Hill areas of Manipur as per 2001 census.”

“PDA will strive for the realization of the creation of a 46 member Legislative Council (Vidha Parishad) for Manipur with on third representative for women and unrepresented communities.” The manifesto said adding it would also be fight for a third Lok Sabha seat for the state.

On the issue of ethnic tensions in the state, it said “PDA stands for social harmony and peaceful co-existence in the region. This party shall work for the peaceful resolution of all ethnic conflicts and misunderstanding between different sections of the people.”

The manifesto also touched on the setting up of a tribal advisory commission, a State Investigation Agency, SIA, in the pattern of the National Investigation Agency, NIA.

It said it would also fight to reverse the trend of illegitimate urbanisation of hill areas currently underway through the introduction of Panchayati Raj Act, and the Municipality Council Act etc.

The PDA manifesto also laid a stress on promoting human rights and fight the current trend of the state becoming a “police state” or “a vast concentration camp.”

This would be done by strengthening the State Human Rights Commission; withdrawal of the draconian laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958; checking state and non-state sponsored terrorism and extra-judicial killings; and according political prisoner status for revolutionaries of various groups when arrested or imprisoned.

The manifesto said it would also seek to protect the environment and in the process oppose amongst others the construction of the Timaimukh Dam.

Source: ifp.co.in

Rahul holds Orissa Govt responsible for Kandhamal violence

Baliguda/Dharamgarh (Orissa), Apr 8 (PTI) Terming the UPA regime at the Centre as a "government of aam admi", Congress star campaigner Rahul Gandhi today held the then BJD-BJP coalition government in Orissa responsible for the riots in Kandhamal district. "The state government headed by our opponents not only failed to take the benefit of the Centre's welfare schemes, it also destroyed prevailing peace in Orissa," Rahul, also AICC general secretary, told an election meeting here in Kandhamal district.

Gandhi was the second national leader after BJP's Rajnath Singh to visit Kandhamal following the bloody communal violence in which at least 43 people were killed, houses burnt and churches damaged in the aftermath of the VHP leader Swami Laxamananda Saraswati's murder in August 23, 2008.

Stating that there was a time when peace prevailed in Orissa, Gandhi said the situation had changed.

"Orissa had a name for being a peaceful state in the country, but the situation has changed. They have tortured people and instigated communal clashes in the name of religion," he said. PTI

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Advani files nomination for Gadhinagar

Gandhinagar, Apr 8 (PTI) BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani today filed his nomination seeking re-election from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat.

"I have filed my nomination for the fifth time in Gandhinagar constituency. People of this constituency have voted for me in the past and I am happy that I am the party candidate for the fifth time," the 81-year-old saffron leader said after filing the nominations papers.

Advani, who was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, said "we have provided good governance and worked for the development and welfare of the people of the country whenever we came to power." Before filing his nomination, Advani offered prayers at the residence of state unit party president Purshottam Rupala where he was accompanied by his wife and daughter.

Gujarat will go to the polls on April 30.

The BJP leader first contested the elections to the seat in 1991 when he defeated G I Patel of Congress by 1.3 lakh votes.

Though Advani did not contest the elections in 1996 after his name figured in the Hawala case, former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee contested from the seat besides Lucknow and won. PTI

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Pranab hits back at Modi for calling PM weak

Image by London Summit via Flickr

New Delhi, Apr 8 (PTI) Hitting back at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for calling Manmohan Singh a "weak" Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said prime ministers are not expected to be wrestlers but to deliver goods.

"Prime Ministers are not expected to be wrestlers. A Prime Minister is expected to deliver goods. For the last five years, Dr Manmohan Singh has provided leadership to a complex coalition," he told NDTV.

Addressing an election rally in Raigarh in Chhattisgarh yesterday, Modi had also referred to the bomb blasts in Assam from where the Prime Minister is elected to the Rajya Sabha, and said that the government had failed on the security front. PTI

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Rift in SP? Amar rules out quitting after making a threat

Lucknow, Apr 7 (PTI) After making a veiled threat that he may quit his party over differences with colleague Azam Khan, Samajwadi party General Secretary Amar Singh tonight ruled out his resignation asserting "everything is normal." "I can leave the world but I can't leave the party," Singh said addressing a hurriedly convened press conference here shortly after his remarks in the backdrop of what he called abuses hurled at him by Azam Khan suggested a rift in the Samajwadi party.

He said there are no differences in the party over actress- turned-politician Jayaprada being fielded from Khan's hometown in Rampur for the Lok Sabha elections.

Amar Singh and Azam Khan have been locked in an uneasy relationship ever since Khan, an influential leader in western Uttar Pradesh, has been campaigning against Jayaprada's candidature in Rampur from where she had won in 2004.

"I know where I stand. The day I feel I had enough then I will say goodbye to Mulayamji and leave the party," Amar Singh said in the strongest remarks yet on his role in the Samajwadi party earlier in the day.

But hours later Amar Singh described these comments as an "off the cuff remark" and asserted, "There is nothing wrong. Everything is normal. There are no differences." Mulayam Singh Yadav is my mentor and there is no question of rift, Singh said, adding he had strong ties with the SP supremo and that none can break it. PTI

Human Rights and Terrorism

By Oinam Jitendra Singh

Human rights are those rights which belong to a man simply because he is a man. In fact, they are somewhat differently understood in different societies but they are pursued universally. These rights are guaranteed by majority of the countries to their citizens. The violation of these rights varies from one country to another and the level of violation in developing societies is much higher than the developed societies.

The violations have many causes and among that causes terrorism is the main one—both State and non-State.

Terrorism in its all forms has become a serious threat to human rights. After the second world war non-State terrorism emerged as the endangering and disturbing phenomenon at the global scene. It has become a serious threat to the security of the nations. States is necessary to protect the right of their inhabitants and it is the duty of the State to see that the people in the society enjoy these right freely. If the State does not perform such things, it is purposeless and meaningless. The three main and interlinked goals of human beings have been survival, sustenance and security. All such goals are under threat from both State and non State terrorism. Terrorism when it erupts, attacks the links which bind together the political, economic and military organism of the nation. It always poses obstacles to the economic development of the society and it also hampers the development process as such.

Terrorism always leads to the violation of human rights. It is full of violent activities and disregards the human rights of the people. Its brutality has increased in recent years. The incidents like kidnapping, rape, killings and assassinations is being the day-to-day life of terrorists affected areas of this world. Terrorism is always destructive to the right of man. It negates the democratic right and fundamental freedom of people. Terrorism is increasing day by day to its intensity because of the development of sophisticated military hardware and strategic technology.

Security is the most important concern of every individual. It is the duty of the State to provide it for its citizens. After the eruption of terrorism, it becomes really a problem for Government to safeguard the life of its citizens. Terrorist’s activities like assassination, killings, kidnappings, hostage takings etc affect the fundamental rights of the people. It not only harms to the body of the victims but also cause severe psychological distress. State terrorism is another form of violence which is also violation of rights and freedom of people. State commits acts of violence, not necessarily deliberately, violating of human rights in the process of defeating the terrorism. Security forces also performed violation activities of basic freedom and rights of people.

State makes many laws through its organs for the maintenance of law and order in the society. These laws help to the violation of basic human rights of its people. These organs of the State violate human rights during the suppression of violent movement but also they violate at peace time. They were created with the purpose of providing securities to people and maintaining law and order. Instead of giving them security they violate human rights of people in the name of maintenance of law and order in justification of suppressing terrorists.

Terrorism might be of any type, of any case, to the people which is of inhuman and violate the rights of victims. In most of the acts of terrorists, they did not think about the rights of other but claim only for themselves. In one sense they might be called “right eater” for their own demand right. They think their act of terror as their duties for earning their rights. They are in one someway, deprived and misguided people.

Terrorism and human rights can never go together on the same side. Until the term terrorism refers, this is always violation of human rights. The cause of terrorism may be of reasonable for the terrorist group themselves, acts of terrorists always remain as inhuman.

Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com

Mani Charenamei rides autonomy plank

By S Singlianmang Guite | Lamka, Apr 8: The in-cumbent outer MP, Mani Charenamei today fielded topic of political autonomy for the subjugated tribes of the state to garner votes while campaigning for his re-election at Synod Hall here. The representative who had drawn significant re-marks due to his persistent campaign for Naga integra-tion, once again reiterated that unification of the Na-gas and that of other indi- genous people in the state will be upheld by him and his party, the PDA.

“We were under oath to uphold the national integri-ty and not the state’s inte- grity,” he said, talking of the oath taken once an indivi-dual is elected in the state assembly or the parliament. “I am not backing the killing and other violent acts of the underground groups, but I know they are fighting for a cause and if we are afraid to raise our voice for their cause, we will never see the light of development in our land,” he told the gathering.

Championing the cause of the marginalized tribals Charenamei said, ‘let us give a deep thought, what a rubbish we are if we could not exploit our own rights to safeguard and develop our own land.’

‘Some have accused me of concentrating only on is-sues and neglecting the de- velopmental aspect. Let me make it clear. I am not sup-porting the underground groups and I am not against development,’ but what good is it if the state government twisted what ever we ask for. How can we, how can we equal others in this kind of situation, he said.

He cited the recent stand off in Manipur University, the delimitation process in the state, lack of infra-structure in the hill districts and many others to support his claim. ‘How can we de-velop in this situation, the majority community has turned communal, we have been marginalized,’ he said.

Talking about the faci-lities on offer at interiors during his tour to border regions, Charenamei posed, ‘if we have a state of our own, can’t we have that kind of facilities and de-velopment.’

‘We have the same num-ber of population and the same kind of land. Let us rule our land and we can be bet-ter than Mizoram, he added.

With the same number of population and land the tri-bals in Manipur were repre- sented by 20 MLAs while their counterparts in Mizo-ram and Nagaland have 40 to 60, he went on lamenting.
The PDA candidate also talked about the basic faci-lity of awarding space in the capital for tribal vendors to the avenue provided for the valley youths to hone their sporting skills and that of the avenue in offer for the hills. ‘Why the disparity?’ he asked.

‘If we have a vision while selecting our leader, we shall never escape from our present misery. We have been subjugated by the ma-jority community. How can we equal others in this kind of situation? We have to preserve and protect our rights, culture and identity, he exhorted.
Charenamei, meanwhile cited disagreement of the state government as one reason why the sixth schedule was yet to see its light in Manipur and pledged that it would be priority of the PDA to ad-dress such problems of the hill tribes.

He also maintained that amalgamating himself with the national parties would only prevent him from rai-sing such an issue; the issues that really concerns the marginalized tribals.

Coining similar stand at the rally, MLA Awangbo Newmai said, ‘our grie-vances are treated as minor by the majority community. So, let us join our hands and fight for our rights.’

Another Independent MLA that accompanied the candidate, W Morung Ma-kunga was more vocal on the issue.

Mani Charenamei dared what others don’t even dare to poke a word with, he will raise your grievances in the Parliament, he said.

The government of Manipur is against the implementation of sixth schedule and district council election, though the development will not even hamper the state budget. Such is the magnitude of loathe they have for the tribal people, why should we still promote this kind of government, he declared.

Appealing the gathering, which appear to be much more mature than the couple of high profile gathering before in the township, Charenamei asked them to ponder over the words they have uttered and decide which part they opted for. ‘Please don’t say that Mani is unknown to me. Please don’t go to the jhum fields or go hunting on the voting day. Your valuable vote will decide your future,’ he said.

Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com

Hindu women edit book on Bible

KOLKATA, India (UCAN) -- Two Hindu women college teachers, who edited as well as contributed to a book on the Bible, say they see close ties between the Bible and literature. "The influence of the Bible is so pervasive that one cannot think of literature without reference to the Bible," said Sukanya Dasgupta, who teaches at Loreto College, a Church-run premier women's college in Kolkata, eastern India.

She and her colleague, Mangala Gauri Chakraborty, both from the college's English department, jointly edited "The Word and the World," which deals with the Bible and its impact on the world. Both women also contributed articles to the book, which was released on March 25.

Agreeing with her colleague, Chakraborty said there is a "symbiotic relationship between literature and the Bible." However, the book she helped to edit shows "how the Bible takes us beyond myths and archetypes."

The 192-page book contains 11 articles, seven of which are from a 2007 seminar on the Bible held at the college. Two of the writers are Jesuit priests while the rest are Hindus, all English-literature scholars.

The first part of the two-part book contains four articles on "the Word," dealing with biblical texts. The second has seven articles on "the World," dealing with the Bible's impact on history, literature and ecology, according to Dasgupta.

Her article, titled "United in Christ, Divided in Speech: Gender in St. Paul's Epistles" critically looks at the apostle's apparent negative remarks on women's roles in the Church. Dasgupta explained that Saint Paul came from a tradition that was hostile to women, and his remarks have to be looked at in that context.

Chakraborty contributed an article titled "Judith as Hero." The lecturer, who had studied the literary genre of the Book of Judith in the Old Testament, places the biblical work under the heroic poetry genre, where a woman is the central character. Through her, God shows he does not require male heroism to accomplish his will, said Chakraborty.

Jesuit Father Albert Huart, who released the book, said the respect, sensitivity and scholarship the Hindu writers showed toward Christian Scripture amazed him. "Every religious faith opens up an immense world of art, poetry and music, and the Bible is no exception," added the priest, a former vice-principal of Kolkata's Jesuit-run St. Xavier's College.

However, Jesuit Father Christian Mignon, one of the book's contributors, said that some of the analyses in the book, on Jesus and the Church, "are incorrect."



Church asks political parties for more Christian candidates



CHENNAI, India (UCAN) -- Church leaders in southern Tamil Nadu state have urged secular political parties to field more Christian candidates in the coming general election.

Father Vincent Chinnadurai, chairperson of the state's Minorities Commission, said Christians have urged all political parties who adhere to secularism to give Christians adequate participation in the polls.

The state goes to the polls on May 13, on the last day of a five-phased national election process scheduled to start on April 16.

The priest, in an interview, said Christians in the state have supported an alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam (DMK, Dravidian progressive front), a regional party. "Now, we want more Christian representatives who can speak for us and who can reflect our feelings," he stated.

Father Chinnadurai said a delegation led by Archbishop Peter Fernando of Madurai, chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council, made the same demand when they met state Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi on March 31.

Father Chinnadurai, who was in the delegation, said the chief minister had promised better representation.

"This is the right time to demand" as parties are finalizing candidates for Tamil Nadu's 39 parliamentary seats, he said.

According to the Catholic Tamil weekly "Nam Vazhu" (our life), the state in last election voted in only two Christian members of parliament. Among the present 234 state legislators only nine are Christians.

Christians form about 7 percent of Tamil Nadu's 62 million people.

Father Madurai Anand, editor of the weekly, said Christians do not have "adequate representation" in the national parliament and the state legislative assembly.

"Religious minorities are always treated as a vote bank, and we want to change that mindset," he said. "We demand that secular parties ... give us adequate representation as they enjoy the support of the Christian community."

More Christian representation would ensure justice for the Christian community and help implement its demands and interests, he stressed. "Unless Christians are adequately represented, true democracy cannot happen for the community."

Source: http://www.ucanews.com