Naga Students Demand Prompt Restoration of Traffic Highway

Kohima, Nov 12 : The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) today expressed anguish over the delay in restoration of traffic on National Highway 39, the lifeline between Nagaland and Manipur.

In a release NSF president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu criticized the 'poor workmanship' of the Border Road Task Force (BRTF), an organization under the Border Roads Organization (BRO), which is responsible for the maintenance of the highway.

The highway has been closed for about four months following landslide in some portions.

It said the BRTF failed to maintain the road.

He said the people of Nagaland were patiently waiting that the damaged portion of the road at the KMC Dumping Site would be restored soonest.

TPO Asks Nagaland Govt to Free Intanki National Park

Kohima, Nov 12 : The Tenyimi Peoples Organisation (TPO), an union of ten Naga tribes, has called upon the Nagaland government to get rid of Naga United (Inavi) village and all other encroachers from the Intanki National Park without delay.

In a representation to the Nagaland Forest, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife Minister signed by the TPO president Z M Sekhose and other representatives of the tribes pointed out that the Intanki national park was within the jurisdiction of the then Peren sub-division under Kohima district and now Peren has become a full-fledged district from February 11, 2004.

The action of the encroachers is highly dangerous because it has the potential of inviting tribal dis-harmony and public unrest, it pointed out.

The representation reiterated that the entire land for the Intanki National Park, measuring approximately 20,202 hectares, was freely donated by the old Beisumpui village which is a Tenyimi-inhabited village.

It is the duty of the TPO to protect and preserve every single inch of its land from unscrupulous encroachers, the representation added.

Mizoram-Hmar Rebels Talks On in Aizawl

Aizawl, Nov 12 : The peace talks between Mizoram government and the Hmar People’s Conference (Democratic) got under way today at the state guesthouse in the capital town of Aizawl.

The team of senior state government officials was headed by home secretary Lalmalsawma while the HPC (D) was led by its President Lalhmingthanga.

The home secretary said over phone from Aizawl last night that the Mizoram government had agreed to hold peace talks with the Hmar militant outfit after closely examining the “feelers” sent by it.

He said the HPC(D) leaders reached Aizawl last night from two places in a fleet of cars — from Sakardawi, the headquarters of Hmar Development Council in northeast Mizoram, and Hmarkhawlien, a Hmar colony in Lalkhipur subdivision under south Assam’s Cachar district, bordering Manipur. Mizoram, a hub of the Hmars, is a stronghold of the rebel group.

The HPC(D) came into being about three years after the main Hmar insurgent group, Hmar People’s Conference (HPC), surrender arms in Aizawl in January 1994. The HPC, led by Hmingchhungnung, had masterminded a series of attacks on government-owned targets in Mizoram, Assam’s Cachar and North Cachar Hills (now Dima Hasao) districts and Manipur’s Tippaimukh and Churachandpur areas. They also carried out a series of bank robberies and extortion drives for seven years since 1988.

As part of its surrender package, the HPC had watered down its original demand for a Hmar Autonomous Council under the Sixth Schedule, and agreed to a Hmar development Council, with its headquarters at Sakardawi. But soon after this much-publicised surrender ceremony, a few disgruntled HPC cadres floated the HPC(D) to carry forward the armed struggle and demanded a Hmar autonomous district council. The HPC(D) has been carrying out ambushes, extortions and abductions for nearly 13 years now, since its formation in 1997.

Home department officials said after today’s talks, the HPC(D)’s demands and conditions would be submitted to chief minister Lalthanhawla and home minister R. Lalzirliana for arriving at a decision on their surrender.

The HPC(D)’s main demand is a separate Hmar area, comprising the Hmar-inhabited areas of Mizoram, Manipur and Assam’s Cachar and Dima Hasao districts, to be administered through their proposed autonomous district council.

Home department officials said there was no possibility of the Mizoram government agreeing to this demand. Instead, the proposal of a revamped development council for ensuring the development of the Hmar areas may be put forward to the rebels.

Solve Water Sharing Problem, Bangladesh Urges India

Agartala, Nov 12 : Bangladesh is keen to resolve the problems of water sharing and basin management of 54 common rivers and to sign an extradition treaty with India, its Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said here Thursday.

"We have no problems in signing an extradition treaty with India. The existing law also permits handing over of any wanted person or prisoner to each others country," Moni told reporters before leaving for Dhaka after a two-day Tripura visit.

She said that her government has been asking India for basin-wise management of all the 54 common rivers. "In 40 years we have signed agreement for one river (Ganges), (and) are on the verge of doing another one -- an interim treaty on Teestas waters."

"At this rate the two neighbours would need a millennium to sign deals on 54 common rivers," Moni said adding that both the countries should have to protect the lives and properties of lakhs of people leaving alongside these rivers in the two countries.

"In view of the climate change, we have to protect the rivers also for the protection of our environment and future generations."

Regarding use of Bangladeshi territory by terrorists of northeast India, she said: "Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had already announced the Bangladesh governments policy that not even an inch of its territory would be allowed to be used by any forces detrimental for our neighbours."

Moni, who came here Wednesday, addressed a business summit and laid the foundation stone of India-Bangladesh Maitri Uddan in south Tripura.

She said that both New Delhi and Dhaka had already agreed last year to resolve the problems of 162 disputed enclaves - 111 enclaves fall in Indian side and 51 in Bangladesh.

According to the minister, the Joint Boundary Working Group (JBWG) of Bangladesh and India is holding two-day talks in New Delhi to address the long-pending boundary disputes.

"I have learned that the JBWG meeting was very fruitful and we want to resolve the undemarcated borders problem at the earliest," she added.

About the stand by the Bangladeshi opposition parties against providing transit by that country and allowing India to use the Bangladeshi ports, Moni said: "Every political party should have realistic approach. In the era of globalisation, connectivity and mutual cooperation is urgently needed."

Moni said China has expressed its willingness to provide all out support to Bangladesh in building Coxs Bazar Sonadia deep-sea port and constructing a highway from Chittagong port city to Kunming in China via Myanmar. "Talks are on in this regard."

"We want all our neighbours including India should help to build this port and take advantage of the logistically important port," Moni added.

IIMC Campus Project in Mizoram Kickstarted

Aizawl, Nov 12 : Mizoram will soon have Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).

Disclosing this today, Mizoram chief secretary Vanhela Pachuau today said that in this connection, Sunil Tandon, Director of Indian Institute of Mass Communication had arrived in the state to survey establishment of IIMC campus in Aizawl on Wednesday and had a series of meeting with top officials of the state including Benjamin, Registrar of Mizoram University, Aizawl and others.

During his meeting with the Director, Vanhela Pachuau apprised Sunil Tandon of his personal interest to set up IIMC campus in Aizawl and assured all possible assistance from his part in materialising the establishment of IIMC campus.

In his meeting with Registrar of Mizoram University, Sunil Tandon had informed Benjamina that class will be started from July or August, 2011 and also thanked the Mizoram University and Mizoram state for their needful assistance and openness for the establishment of IIMC campus in Aizawl.

At the first session, IIMC, Aizawl will introduce 1 year Post Graduate Diploma Course besides other course and will gradually introduce Ph.D Course, said Sunil Tandon.

via Newmai News Network

Pregnant Miranda Kerr Poses Nude for W Magazine

Miranda Kerr, high-fashion supermodel and wife of Orlando Bloom, posed nude for the December issue of W magazine.

The December issue is all about family, and Kerr, Katherine Heigl, Usher, and Madonna are all discussing their own families in the issue.

Miranda, who married Orlando this summer, was surprised to find out she was pregnant at a Jil Sander campaign in Paris, says HollywoodCrush.com. She and Orlando have decided not to find out the sex of the baby until the birth.

Miranda, 27, says she is not in a hurry to get back to work after the pregnancy, and that now family comes first. "My career has been wonderful, but it’s not my life...My goal involves a hammock, a vegetable patch, and a solar-powered house,” says the model. “And I hope to eventually get there."

Meghalaya: Where The Chowkidar ‘Prescribes’ Medicines

Shillong, Nov 11 :  The chowkidar allegedly prescribes medicines at a health subcentre in West Khasi Hills. The only nurse appointed to  attend to patients there is hardly seen on duty.

Taking a serious note of the matter, Federation of Khasi Jaintia Garo People (FKJGP)’s Umshynrut unit today demanded that the State Government should take urgent steps to ensure proper functioning of the health subcentre at Umshynrut, 32 km from Nongstoin, in West Khasi Hills district. 

The organization pointed out that except the chowkidar, there were no staff, medicines and other basic facilities at the Umshynrut health subcentre.

Addressing the media here today, FKJGP’s Umshynrut unit President of W Langrin said, “A nurse has been assigned to take charge of the health centre at Umshynrut but she never attends to her duty. She leaves the work of prescribing medicines to the chowkidar. This has created a lot of problems to the local people.”

“The health centre started functioning way back in 1992, but it has been left abandoned by the Sate Health Department till date,” said Langrin.

The Umshynrut health subcentre is supposed to serve the people of six villages which include Umjajew, Tlon, Photjalei, Mawjienlang, Mawlyngkew and Umshynrut.

The FKJGP said the people of Umnshynrut were also facing problems like water shortage, bad road condition, absence of electricity etc.

“With no motorable road in this part of West Khasi Hills, villagers have to go on foot for four hours to reach the motorable road,” said Langrin.

Indian Army Raises Arunachal Scouts Unit

Shillong, Nov 11 : The Indian Army today formally raised the first battalion of the Arunachal Pradesh scouts— a well-trained army unit that will be operative only in Arunachal Pradesh.

The functions and operations of Arunachal Pradesh scouts will be similar to that of the Ladakh scouts — the frontier unit of the Indian Army that had played a major role during the Kargil war.

The raising day of the Arunachal Pradesh scouts was formally inaugurated by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu at the sprawling parade ground of the Assam Regimental Centre (ARC), Shillong today.

In his address to the jawans, Khandu said: “We should take pride that for the first time in the history of Indian Army, a battalion has been named after the State of Arunachal Pradesh”.
Disclosing that the concept of Arunachal Pradesh scouts has been his dream and a long-felt demand of the State as well, Khandu extended his gratitude to Prime Minister  Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister AK Antony, Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh, top brass of the Army and bureaucrats for honouring the genuine demand for raising the Arunachal Scouts.  He further acknowledged the relentless efforts made by the Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen J J Singh, his Cabinet colleagues, Members of Parliament, MLAs and officers from the State for making the dream of Arunachal Scout come true.

“Since this new battalion is born out of the Assam Regiment, you continue to be a part of the living symbol of martial strength and traditions of the Northeast. The glorious tradition of the people of the Land of the Rising Sun and the dawn-lit mountains of India and their inborn ability of surviving in all kinds of adverse conditions and treacherous terrain would be the core strength of your battalion” Khandu asserted.

“You will have the difficult task of making your own history and creating unparalleled traditions. I have no doubt that you will embark upon the arduous task of creating one of the strongest, cohesive, disciplined and operationally proficient battalions of the Indian Army,” Khandu said emphatically.

Khandu requested the recruits to give their best as the country and the State of Arunachal Pradesh would  look up to them with full confidence as the sentinels of the country.

In addition to the raising ceremony of first battalion of Arunachal Scouts, Khandu attended the Passing out ceremony of 294 batch of the Assam Regiment as the reviewing officer on the day.
Impressed by the excellent performance of the passing out contingents through march past and drills, Khandu congratulated them for being a full-fledged soldier of the motherland and successfully completing the training course.

Khandu believed that training should be made mandatory for all personnel time and again so that it could make them fit and healthy. He hinted similar type of training programmes for the State police. Khandu encouraged the personnel to show bravery and courage in safeguarding the territorial boundary and maintain the discipline and devotion which are mandatory in arm forces.

Although Arunachal Pradesh scouts will be under the aegis of the Assam Regiment, the men will be from the qualified inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh.

Khandu also said, “By their inborn virtues, Arunachal Pradesh scouts will take the mantle of the other jawans to maintain vigilance in places that have varying altitudes from 1,500 feet to 2,400 feet of altitude from the sea level”.   

Khandu also said that taking into consideration the unmanned 1,200 km border with China, 520 km with Myanmar and 219 km with Bhutan, the local recruits of the new force will go a long way in ensuring the national integrity.

When asked on whether the Chinese factor is the reason for raising the army battalion, the senior most serving officer of the Assam Regiment Major General SN Singh told a group of newsmen on the sidelines of the ceremonial programme that the raising of the new unit was not a target to anybody. “It’s a battalion with men from the place”, he said, and added: “They are the ones who are acclimatized with the topography, the weather and the other conditions of the area.”

Adding further to what the Arunachal Chief Minister said General Singh also added that the raising of the new battalion would  give an opportunity to the people of Arunachal Pradesh to take an active part in the defense of the country. Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister announced a financial package of Rs 50 lakh for the new Arunachal scouts and Rs 5 lakh for the instructors.

Among others from Arunachal Pradesh, PWD & UD  Minister Nabam Tuki, Parliamentary Secretary Labour and Employment Padi Richo, GOC 56 Division Maj General R N Singh and Commandant, Assam Regimental Centre were present on the occasion.