The Demand For 'Sovereign Nagaland'

By Salome Phelamei
For over six decades, Naga nationalist leaders have been skirmishing for a separate 'Naga state' although not much headway has been made in the struggle till date.

The Nagas, who reside in states neighbouring to Nagaland, have a wide gap in economic and social status as compared with the Nagas living in Nagaland.

This disparity has also dented prospects of real integration in their cause due to lack of harmony among them. While effort has been made by the leaders to bring the Nagas under one umbrella, disunity still creeps in owing mainly to their variant outlooks.

After the outfits began to turn to arms, the Indian security forces carried out counter-insurgency operations in all Naga-inhabited areas.

And, in 1972, the Armed Forces Special Power Act was amended in the entire Northeast region declaring it as a 'disturbed area'.

As antagonism began to rise, and violence would only annihilate the country’s peace and security, in 1992, the then Governor MM Thomas, a clergyman from Kerala, made a successful attempt to connect with the NSCN through dialogue.

In 1995, the then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, for the first time met NSCN (IM) leaders Muivah and Swu in Paris. Afterwards in 1997, it was at the historic Indo-Naga peace talks held at Circuit House in Dimapur on 31 July, that a ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) was affirmed for an indefinite period of time.

Subsequently, the Indo-Naga peace talks between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) and the Government of India emerged with the appointment of former Union Home Secretary Padmanabhaiah as interlocutor in July 1999, initially for a year. But, his tenure was extended every year till 2009. He was replaced by R S Pandey, IAS (Retd.) as the new interlocutor in February this year to prolong the peace talks with the NSCN (IM).

The peace talks were held in many places like Bangkok, Zurich, Geneva, Amsterdam, Hague, New Delhi and Kohima. At least 60 rounds of talks had been carried out even if there is not much spectacle of political solution with both the sides sticking to their own stands.

With the Naga leaders staying firm to their demands on the integration of all Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, the Government of India, on the other hand, while trying to solve the core issue with the Naga leaders, has been time and again giving assurances to these states that their territorial integrity will be respected at all cost.

But, hostility and resentments among three Naga underground factions - the NSCN/GPRN (NSCN-IM), the GPRN/NSCN (NSCN-K) and the FGN/NNC - seems to have earned them moral liability for failure in their battle for a 'Sovereign state'.

Meanwhile, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, formed of apex tribal bodies and organizations, has been pushing hard for a reunion among the various underground factions by organising several meetings, so that a peaceful political settlement with the Centre can be achieved.

The NSCN (IM), which is considered as the main faction, and has been holding the peace talks with the Centre has also appealed to the other two outfits to forgive and forget the bitter past for a common national goal. The United Naga Council, in one of its latest moves, has resolved to sever all ties with the government of Manipur.

Meanwhile, in a setback to the Naga nationalism, the Manipur Assembly has decided to urge the Government of India to amend Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, that allows altering any state’s boundary by making it smaller or larger and even creating a new state.

Perhaps, with careful introspections, and taking solemn note of the core issue of the Naga political deadlock, a pragmatic solution should be obtained as soon as possible to establish peace in the region.

Northeast India Faces Another Year of Erratic Monsoon

Shillong, Aug 19 : Northeast region stared at another year of erratic monsoons as most states of the zone recorded below normal rainfall and the weatherman apprehending that the loss is unlikely to be recovered.

Meghalaya so far has received 59 per cent less rainfall, followed by Manipur (minus 50 per cent).

Nagaland has recorded minus 30 per cent, Arunachal Pradesh minus 29 per cent and Tripura minus 22 per cent.

Though some 12 districts of Assam have received normal rainfall, the average deficit in the state still stands at minus 14 per cent, while Mizoram also has received 10 per cent less rainfall, according to the Indian Meteorology Department data.

During 1980-1990 only the year 1986 saw deficit rainfall, while in the 1991-2000 decade, only three years saw normal or above normal rainfall in the Assam-Meghalaya region, Met officials said.

The region has recorded deficit rainfall throughout this decade, with only 2003 witnessing 4 per cent above normal rainfall, indicating a gradual decrease in the rainfall in the region over the years.

Deputy Director General (Meteorology) of the Guwahati-based Regional Meteorological Centre HG Pathak said the location of monsoon troughs have been south of the normal position (foothills of Himalaya) and as such the movement of the monsoons have so far been westerly, towards Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, instead of Gangetic West Bengal and Northeast India.

"We have noticed such trends frequently in the past decade resulting in a change of route in the weather systems," Pathak said.

He apprehended that this erratic behavior of the monsoons might be linked to global warming and extensive study was needed to ascertain it.

Barring Assam and Mizoram, the other states of the region are unlikely to make up the deficit, met officials added.

Assam Extortion Racket: Govt Employees Collect Illegal Tax

Assam, Aug 18 : Vehicles carrying forest produce in Assam are forced to pay a certain illegal tax to the Forest Department.

NDTV investigated the scam of illegal check gates in the state and found documentary proof of a well organized extortion racket run by government employees.

In reply to a RTI filed, the office of the Chief Conservator of Forests informed that the state has 32 approved forest check gates.

However, on taking a tour of the city, atleast seven check gates that had no mention in the list were found including one at Khanapara, right below the Chief Minister's residence.

Another check gate at Lokhra in Garalia in South Guwahati, curiously had the word 'Checkgate' replaced by 'Forest camp' when camps are ideally inside forest reserves or national parks and not on national highways.

Even though Amulya Mahanta, in charge of the camp, says these temporary shelters are only meant for checking transit passes but money is extorted from every vehicle carrying forest produce without issuing any receipts.

At yet another unlisted check gate in Saraighat Bridge on the Brahmaputra, just outside Guwahati city, money was being collected from every vehicle carrying forest produce. On being asked, the staff refused to explain why they were collecting money and ran away.
Even National Highways Authority of India trucks carrying material for East West Corridor are not spared.

"We have to pay every time we pass by. It's around 150 rupees," said a driver.

Sand and stones get away with a hundred and fifty rupees but timber comes at Rs. 4000 to Rs. 6000 for a truckload. It's unlikely that such an extortion racket is run without the approval of the highest officers in the department.

Surrounded by Insurgency, Mizoram Keeps its Peace

By Syed Zarir Hussain

Aizawl, Aug 18 : From one of the most violent states to an oasis of peace, tiny Mizoram, almost unnoticed by the rest of India, has scripted a happy story in a problem-ridden northeast with the transformation riding on people’s zeal for change and development.

“We are fortunate to be a peaceful state and this is primarily because of the comprehensive socio-economic development measures executed sincerely by the government,” Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla told IANS.

Separatist insurgency in the northeast first started after the Mautam famine in 1958-59, with guerrilla leader Laldenga forming the Mizo Famine Front, which finally led to the formation of the Mizo National Front (MNF), one of India’s most organised rebel armies.

The MNF waged a violent bush war for over 20 years against the Indian state for secession before signing a peace accord with New Delhi in 1986 during the adminstration of prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

“Undoubtedly Mizoram is now the most peaceful state in the whole of the northeast. The government, church, civil society, and youth groups played a major role in the transformation,” said T. Sailo, a community elder.

The predominantly Christian state of a little under 900,000 people is the second highest literate state after Kerala with a literacy rate of about 89 percent.

“The high literacy rate is another factor contributing to the overall transformation - people by and large realised that insurgency and violence would lead us to nowhere; hence the change in mindset for peace and stability,” Zaaithanchungi, a well-known writer, told IANS.

“Whether we accept it or not, the mindset of the people of Mizoram has changed and that is one of the reasons why no insurgency group is able to take root in the state after the MNF came overground,” said Lalinpui, a young doctor.

Mizoram may not have big industries - but economically the state is growing, with the per capita net state domestic product at current prices pegged at Rs.29,576.

“Development is the cornerstone for peace and stability and we believe despite not much industrial growth, Mizoram is on the road to progress, with people behind the government, whether it is the Congress or the MNF. We support any government’s constructive plans,” said Sanzuwala, a youth leader.

While Mizoram does not have any separatist group now, the other northeastern states are considered a hotbed of militancy with more than 30 rebel armies active in the region and demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy.

Former chief minister and MNF second-in-command Zoramthanga was among the best sharpshooters during the insurgency. He is today better known for his role as a peacemaker in the region, having opened channels of communication with at least five different rebel groups in the northeast.

However, he adds: “There is a feeling among people that the only language New Delhi listens to is that of rebellion and so there is this language of revolt in the region. For decades New Delhi treated the northeastern states rather shabbily and this resulted in a sense of frustration among the people. This, in turn, bred insurgency.”

But he does not talk of guns and violence any more.

“By and large, almost all the underground groups in the northeast are beginning to realise the necessity of solving their various grievances through peace talks and not through the barrel of the gun,” the former chief minister said. Zoramthanga ruled Mizoram for 10 years, but his party, MNF, was routed by the Congress in 2008.

(Zarir Hussain can be contacted at zarir.h@ians.in)

Mizoram Drugs Control Issues Warning

Some Ayurvedic medicines have been found to contain allopathic drugs.

Aizawl, Aug 18 : Mizoram Drugs Control Administration on Tuesday has issued a warning on the use of some Ayurvedic medicines meant for remedies of erectile dysfunction called by some doctors as the Indian Viagra which have been found to contain allopathic drugs.

A recent study conducted by the Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (DIPSAR) has found the presence of allopathic drugs in many formulations commonly marketed as Ayurvedic or Unani remedies for people having erectile problems, an official statement issued by the state drugs control administration said.

The statement said that Slidenafil and Tadalafil, which are prescription drugs, as well as allopathic medicines are found in Ayurvedic medicines like supersonic, titanic K2, Sikander-e-Azam and 2much Gold.

It warned, "Slidenafil can be fatal for someone who is already taking medicines that contain nitrates and it can also cause coma and hypertension if not taken judiciously.

"The DIPSAR also found nicotine in tooth powder of Vicco and Muska Gul and also toothpaste like Dabur Red, Arodent, Dentobac and IPCO," the statement added.

Meghalaya Emerges as Drugs Transit Route

By Raju Das
 
Shillong, Aug 18 : Meghalaya has become the main transit route for smuggling of Phensedyl and other Codeine-based cough syrups to Bangladesh, recent seizures suggest.

In this year alone, Codeine-based cough syrups worth over Rs 59 lakh was seized in Meghalaya. A total of 1.12 lakh bottles were confiscated in three seizures. Officials say, many of these cough syrups were meant to be smuggled into Bangladesh via Meghalaya and Agartala.

Phensedyl, Corex and other Codeine-based cough syrups are legally available in India. These are prescription drugs. A bottle of Phensedyl cost Rs 42.25 and Corex Rs 68.

But in “dry” Bangladesh these Codeine-based cough syrups are in high demand and are sold anything between Taka 200-300. The price shoots up substantially during festivals.

In the region too there are a substantial number of cough syrup abusers. In “dry” States such as Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura the number of cough syrup abusers is growing.

In India, Phensedyl is manufactured by Indian Pharmaceutical giant Nicholos Piramal. However, there is growing debate whether the control mechanism has failed and the cough syrups are being smuggled rampantly.

Yesterday, the Customs here seized a truckload of cough syrups from Lumshonong, Jaintia Hills. The truck was loaded in Bihar and was on its way to Agartala enroute to Bangladesh.

Hidden under 30 rice sacks were 47,400 bottles of Corex and 3,600 Phensedyl bottles – a total of 51,000 bottles of cough syrup. The total price of the cough syrups was Rs 33.75 lakh. The driver and handyman of the truck were detained.

On July 31, another truck with 27,100 bottles was seized in Umling, Ri-Bhoi. The price of that illegal consignment was over Rs11.45 lakh. The bottles were hidden together with Marijuana.

Back in February this year, 35,000 bottles of Phensedyl were recovered and the cost of the illegal consignment was pegged at Rs 14.78 lakh.

Director General of Narcotic Control Bureau, OPS Malik during his visit to the region said that Meghalaya has become the favoured transit route for smugglers, both for smuggling in drugs such as cocaine, heroin from Myanmar into India via Manipur and like in these cases, smuggling out cough syrups to Bangladesh.

Assam Girl’s Leaps to Freedom From Brothel in Agra

Agra, Aug 18 : A 19-year-old girl from Assam jumped off the second floor of an Agra building to escape from a brothel after seven months of torture.

“She fell in front of a grocery store and suffered minor injuries. Locals quickly took her to hospital and later handed her over to police,” Asfaq Ahmad, the city superintendent of police, Agra, said.

The teenager, who had left home in January with an acquaintance who promised her a job as a household help in Pune, is the fifth woman from the same Assam district — Nagaon — to be rescued from a brothel since June.

She screamed for help as she fell on the street in the Nai Basti neighbourhood of Agra’s Kashmiri Bazar.

Mohammad Rahfatullah, the local municipal councillor who happened to be on the spot, took her in his charge before handing her to the police, saving her from being sent back to the brothel.

“The unmarried woman was sold to a man in Pune in January when she reached that city with an acquaintance from Assam who had promised her a job,” Rahfatullah said.

The police, who have registered a case of rape, abduction and torture against unknown persons, are trying to help her return home to Batan village in Nagaon.

“We are contacting our counterparts in Assam and trying to contact her parents,” the superintendent said.

But Nagaon additional superintendent of police (headquarters) Amrit Bhuyan said no information about any woman being rescued in Agra was received.

“If we are given the information, we will do whatever is required,” he said, adding that three girls from Nagaon were rescued from a Pune brothel in June, and a 35-year-old married woman was brought back from one in Mumbai in July.

“Trafficking of women is assuming menacing proportions with a gang active in this area. Recently, we identified one Mamoni, who is said to be a member of the gang. We are trying to trace her,” Bhuyan said.

The 19-year-old was produced in the Agra additional chief judicial magistrate’s court and then sent to a government shelter for women where she will stay till her parents come and take her home. Medical tests were also conducted on the court’s orders.

Ahmad said the girl had told the police she was threatened and tortured by agents of brothel keepers for three months in Pune to force her into the flesh trade. “All the while, I was trying to escape and go home but I was terrorised and kept in confinement,” she said.

In March, she was taken to Delhi and sold to a woman called Puja Kumari, a resident of Agra who runs a brothel in Nai Basti, the police said. “I was tortured with burning cigarette butts and assaulted,” she told the police in Agra, breaking down as she showed her burn injuries.

Hasina Kharbhih, team leader of the Impulse NGO Network, the first organisation to take up the issue of trafficking in the Northeast, said: “Not only young women from poor families but also from middle class families are being lured with job opportunities to different part of India and South East Asia, mostly as escort girls.

It is difficult to give the numbers as most cases go unreported. However, Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram are the worst affected in the region, followed by Manipur.”

Kharbhih said sex tourism was also on the rise in Assam and Meghalaya, followed by Sikkim.

Lalrindika Ralte Among Most Promising Youngsters in Indian sports

1. Avyay Gujral ( Football)

Avyay Gujral, this young lad has made all Indians proud, as he is one of those talented players who have been selected by Tata Tea Arsenal talent hunt, Coca Cola talent hunt and Belgian club Anderlecht to be a part of their football club. He has displayed his extraordinary feats, in Brazil as a part of the Coca Cola India U17 team. He even qualified for the Nike Talent Hunt, but as he is too young he could not earn a seat in the academy. Adding a feather to his cap he has also been a trainee at the Toronto FC. A student of Shri Ram School of New Delhi, he stands 6’2, depicting, an idol for younger generation and motivating them to get into the sport of football.

2. Budhia Singh ( Marathon Runner)

Born in 2002, Budhia is World’s youngest Marathon runner. Budhia has finished races, upto 60 kilometers in roughly 6 hours 30 minutes. His running ability has led him, celebrity status and has made him endorse a number of commercials. These commercials and Budhia’s fame have allegedly lead to significant financial gains. There have been a number of controversies regarding these gains and has led to accusations of exploitation against his coach due to which an official inquiry by Indian child welfare officials was launched on 4 January, 2006. The same year in May, Budhia completed 65 kilometers (40 miles) run from Chapandie temple to Bhubaneshwar in seven hours, two minutes. This feat was registered in Limca Book of Records.

3. Shiva Thapa (boxing)

The 18-year old pugilist from Assam and a great fan of Mike Tyson, Shiva’s ring performance clearly sets a picture which describes him more than his age. Shiva has won ten boxing gold and three bronze medals from 14 National and International tournaments in which he had participated. He made a memorable entry into the World Boxing scenario in 2008 at the HyderAliyeve Cup at Azarbaizan in Russia when he won the gold. He has recently won a silver medal at the World Youth Boxing championship.

4. Sai praneet (Badminton).

Praneeth himself is a quiet performer but when on court his racquet does say for him. This 17- year ace has a tally of medals to his kitty. He has won Doubles bronze medal at the Youth Commonwealth Games at Pune in 2008, Team bronze medal at the Junior World Championship. He even reached the Semi-finals of Junior Dutch Open. No doubt he has great achievements and is an extraordinary player in Indian sports.

5. PV Sindhu (Badminton).

PV Sindhu is just 15 but has already created ripples in badminton circles. Daughter of former International volleyball player and 1986 Asian Games bronze medalist PV Ramana, Sindhu won a bronze medal in the Junior Asian Championship held at Colombo. She followed it with a runner up finish at the Iran Fajr International Tournament where she defeated much higher ranked players. She also reached the quarterfinals of the Junior World Championship which was held in Malaysia. She is the youngest member of the squad to reach the quarterfinals of the Uber Cup in 2010.

6. Rakesh Manpat (Shooting)

Rakesh Manpat is a young Indian rifle shooter with plenty of potential. He came first in the 10m Air Rifle at the selection trials, Pune, May 2009. He came 2^nd at the 10m  Air Rifle (Junior) at the 52^nd National Shooting championship, Kerala 2009. He has been excelling in junior events and has been selected as a part of the core group of Indian shooters for the Commonwealth Games, 2010. Finished 5th in the 50th ISSF World Championships, Munich in 3 Position Junior Mens Event with 1160/1200 and established a New Jr.National Record on 5th August 2010. Qualified For Final round on 7th position With 592/600 points and in the Final round Finsihed 2nd(Silver Medal) with a Final round of all bully’s eye totaling 104.2 on 12th May 2010.

Manpat was attracted to the sport when he would watch his brother, also a professional shooter, practice in the Bangalore Shooting Range.

7. Lalrindika Ralte (Football)

Born on 7^th September, 1992, Ralte’s presence, in the AFC U-19 Championship, formerly known as AFC Youth Championship, which is an annual football competition organized by the sport’s Asian governing body, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) states that the team heads to progress as Ralte is one of the top Midfielders of the team. A player of Churchill Brothers Ralte’s goals have lead India, win several matches at Junior level.

8. Rishika Sunkara (Tennis)

Coached by Aditya Sachdeva, Rishika has been able to get her foundation strong due to her immense dedication towards the game. She entered the semifinals in the girls singles, of Asian Junior Tennis Championship after defeating the top seed Eri Hozumi of Japan. The 16-year old, drew everyone’s attention by reaching the quarterfinals of the $10,000 ITF women’s Tennis Tournament in Delhi, as a qualifier. The giant-killer, Rishika, moves smoothly on court and has the confidence to swing into her strokes gracefully. She is one of the few players, who is able to transfer her body weight, however light, into her smooth strokes.

9. Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash (Tennis)

Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash, is  an uncanny tennis ace of Indian sports. Mohit reached the finals of Junior Tennis Tournament in the doubles category pairing with Rishabdev Raman. He even reached the finals of the same event in singles category. He competed in Wimbledon Junior Qualifiers this year. He is one of the most promising Junior Tennis players for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

10.  Satnam Singh (Basketball)

Satnam Singh, is one of the eight sub Junior players who have been selected by the coaches from the IMG Basketball Academy to join the academy in Bradenton in Florida, USA as full time scholars. Among 50 most talented sub-junior players Satnam got selected due to his enormous talent the right attitude and his hunger to succeed. This seven foot giant from Punjab was amongst the three Indian youngsters who attended the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders, which was a programme to motivate young Asian players, held at Singapore.


via sportskeeda