Mizoram Embarks on Universal Enrolment Mission

Aizawl, Jan 14 : Mizoram, which boasts of second highest literacy rate in India, has embarked upon universal enrolment mission as envisaged by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.

Launching the mission at Chanmari YMA Hall here today, state Education Minister Lalsawta said, ''This is a historic day for people of Mizoram as on this day the state government took its first step to ensure all the children from six to 14 years of age to go to school.''

''Under the RTE Act, the right to education will be accorded the same legal status as the right to life as provided by Article 21A of the Indian Constitution,'' he added.

''We are sure to meet different hurdles in the implementation of the RTE Act. Therefore, the parents and elementary school teachers are equally important to see to it that every child of school-going age goes to school,'' the minister said.

Parliamentary secretary for education Chawngtinthanga, secretary to education department Esther Lalruatkimi and top officials of education department were present at the launching function.

The Mizoram government has also introduced CCE (continuous and comprehensive evaluation) system in Mizoram schools from this academic session. Most of the schools across the state were re-opened for the new academic session on January 12.

Mizoram Venus to Shine From Ruins

Aizawl, Jan 14 : The Congress government has decided to revive the Venus Bamboo Plant allegedly ruined by the Mizo National Front government.

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who visited the Mizoram Venus Bamboo Products Private Ltd at Sairang yesterday afternoon, said the stalled bamboo plant would be revived despite financial constraints.

''The government is keen to tap the vast bamboo resources in the state. Despite financial constraints we have felt a strong need to revive this bamboo plant to revolutionise the state's economy, especially the rural economy,'' he said.

Official sources said the bamboo plantation was started in 2003 under a joint venture with then Mizo National Front government and Venus Bamboo Products Private Limited, West Bengal, and Boarke Company, Taiwan.

Though, Rs 11 crores had been spent on the plant for different equipment, it has been going on loss since the last six years.

Moreover, it has more than Rs 20 lakhs due on electricity bills.

''The government will try to get Rs 150 lakhs for working capital from various sources and will reconnect electricity despite the outstanding bills,'' the chief minister said.

Production trail run had been conducted on November 20, 2010.

The Congress, when it was in the Opposition, alleged that Rs 4.49 crore had been given to the managing director of the Venus Bamboo Products Private Limited, K K Shah, from the Baffacos (Bamboo Flowering and Famine Combat Scheme) and Mizoram Intodelhna (self-sufficiency) Project funds.

It was alleged that the 'joint venture' between then MNF government and K K Shah had been to earn easy money.

Soon after its inception, the Lal Thanhawla government had appointed Rualzakhuma, a retired IAS officer and K Lalchhunga, a retired IPS officer, to probe into alleged corruption in the Venus Bamboo Ltd. Last year, the two-man inquiry commission on Venus Bamboo Ltd submitted a 256-page report to state government.

The inquiry commission maintained that the report had been prepared under deliberations and full cooperation from witnesses and that no external interferences had been felt in any way.
Remedial measures and other relevant subjects were also discussed thereafter. The report contained two volumes, Volume-I being the main reports while Volume-II dealt with the statements of the witnesses.

''The report has brought into light certain irregularities and inconsistent management in the administration and utilization of funds in this Venus Bamboo Ltd under the erstwhile head, K K Shah,'' an official said on condition of anonymity.

Myanmar: Addicted to Poppy Farming

Shan State (Myanmar) : Poverty and lucrative profits make poppy cultivation increasingly attractive to farmers who would otherwise produce legal crops to feed their families and make a living, say experts.

"More of the rural poor continue to be drawn into participating in the illicit drug trade as a last means of finding money to feed their families," Jason Eligh, Country Representative for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Myanmar, told IRIN.

Shan State, 400km north of the capital, Yangon, between Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, produces more than 90 percent of all opium in Myanmar, an estimated 35,000 tons in 2010, according to UNODC.

UNODC is the only international agency directly involved in supporting different crops in poppy cultivation areas, with three agriculture projects in southern Shan State trying to reach 100,000 people. However, much more needs to be done to stop farmers from reverting to opium production, said Eligh.

"UNODC wants to see a strong alternative development response, one that includes market access, community mobilization, access to credit, improved technology and better overall infrastructure in rural areas."

Cash crop
In 2010, a higher proportion of farmers' income came from poppies than in previous years, reversing a trend of steady decline in the past six years.

Between 2003 and 2009, the proportion of total household income from poppies fell from 70 to 20 percent, according to a December 2010 UNODC report.

In 2010, however, high prices paid for poppy in Myanmar and low food security throughout the country meant income from the seed contributed to 43 percent of total household income in Shan State, the report stated. About a quarter of the state's population was involved, estimate aid agencies.

Though prices at source (farm-gate) for poppy fell marginally in 2010 from 2009, opium overall remained lucrative at US$305 per kilo. Poppy farmers can earn 13 times more money cultivating poppies than rice, making poppies the cash crop of choice for most, based on the UNODC report.

Farmers forced out of poppy cultivation are having problems growing other food to survive. "I grow enough vegetables to keep my family going, but that is all," U Tin Kyi told IRIN. 
 
Analysis: "Reward the peaceful and poppy-free" Afghan provinces U Tin Kyi grew poppy seeds to supplement his income until authorities destroyed his fields two years ago. Like many of his neighbours in this hilltop village, U Tin Kyi has little extra income. "The fuel cost to get to the market outweighs any profit I would make from selling vegetables," he told IRIN.

Eradication efforts

Poppy cultivation continued to rise in Myanmar in 2010, despite an official 15-year drug elimination plan developed in the late 1990s. In 2009, the authorities initiated the final five-year phase of this plan.

Government figures claim 8,268 hectares of poppy-cultivating land were eradicated in 2010, a 102 percent increase on the previous year.

But other groups calculate that Myanmar's poppy cultivation area and yield actually increased during this period.

"In 2010 we estimate that there [was] 20 percent more area under opium poppy cultivation, a 46 percent increase in average opium yield, and a 17 percent increase in the number of households involved in domestic opium poppy cultivation," said Eligh of UNODC.

In northern Shan State, in 2008, government figures showed 25 percent of poppy fields were destroyed, but a by Palaung Women's Organization (PWO), an NGO based in Mae Sot along the Thai-Myanmar border, stated only 11 percent of poppy fields had been eradicated.
Government anti-drug teams were only destroying easily visible poppy fields and filing false eradication data to the police headquarters, the report said. At the same time, farmers were forced to pay taxes to continue growing poppies.

In Mantong village in northern Shan State, PWO estimated the government collected approximately $37,000 in poppy taxes in 2008.

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations] Original story

Everything You Wanted to Know About Home Loans

Home construction loans are used to finance for the construction of newly acquired home or if you are planning to build a home. But, with so many home construction loans available in the Indian market you should decide the best one that would suit you most and most favorable to you.

There are different types of home loans tailored to meet one’s needs. The most important thing is one should know each and every term related to Home Loans before applying for a loan. It is always advisable to consult a home loan expert or financial consultant before applying for a home loan or purchasing a property.

You can take different types of home loans like Home construction Loans, Mortgage Loans, Home Extension Loans, Home Improvement Loans, Bridge Loans, Land Purchase Loans etc for different schemes available in the market.

• Home Purchase Loans: These are the basic forms of home loans used for purchasing of a new home.

• Home Improvement Loans: These loans are given for implementing repair works, healing and renovations in a home that has already been purchased.

• Home Construction Loans: These loans are available for the construction of a new home.

• Home Extension Loans: These loans are given for expanding or extending an existing home. For eg: addition of an extra room, etc.

• Home Conversion Loans: These loans are available for those who have financed the present home with a home loan and wish to purchase and move to another home for which some extra funds are required. Through home conversion loan, the existing loan is transferred to the new home including the extra amount required, eliminating the need of pre-payment of the previous loan.

• Land Purchase Loans: These loans are available for purchasing land for construction purposes. But there are some strict rules related to this loan, though, as earlier many investors has used this loan for leveraging their investments and then selling the land in a short time.

• Bridge Loans: A short-term loan that is used until a person or company secures permanent financing or removes an existing obligation. The loans are short-term (up to one year) with relatively high interest rates and are backed by some form of collateral such as real estate or inventory.

What are Home Improvement Loans?

Home improvement loans are used to finance improvements and add on to the existing set of credentials of beauty on your owned house, recently purchased property or rented accommodation. Home improvement loans are used to maintain or enhance the value of your house.

In general it includes: repairs, remodeling, energy savings related items (permanent in nature), repairs, a new kitchen, a new bathroom, terrace, an extension or general property improvements. Many improvements in landscape and even swimming pools are nowadays considered to be a part of home improvement.

What are Home Construction Loans?

Home construction loans are used to finance for the construction of newly acquired home or if you are planning to build a home. But, with so many home construction loans available in the Indian market you should decide the best one that would suit you most and most favorable to you.

What is Bridge Loan?

A short-term loan that is used until a person or company secures permanent financing or removes an existing obligation. This type of financing allows the user to meet current obligations by providing immediate cash flow. Bank of Baroda has introduced the ‘Bridge Loan’ for top rated corporate clients against expected equity flows/issues. Bank can also extend bridge loans against the expected proceeds of Non-Convertible Debentures, Global Depository Receipts and funds in the nature of Foreign Direct Investments, provided the borrowing company has already made firm arrangements for raising the aforesaid resources/funds. This facility would be available for a period not exceeding 12 months.

What are Home Extension Loans?

Home extension loans are used by customers to get loans from the banks to extend their houses, by adding more rooms, kitchens, wash rooms, terraces, or any other rooms for your growing family. It may also be used to enclose open balcony/terrace space, or constructing a Puja ghar. Home extension loan thus falls under the category of Home loans. The difference between home extension loan and home improvement loans is decreasing in the Indian market.

Maximum Amount of Home Extension Loans:

Banks generally offers about 70-85% of the total amount of home extension as loan. The amount of loan sanctioned also depends on a number of factors such as the age of the applicant at the time of loan; tenure of the loan; repayment capacity of the borrower; his/her credit history, etc.

What are Mortgage Loans?

Mortgage loans (Home Equity Loans) helps customer to en-cash the market value of the property by taking a loan by mortgaging the property. So, Home equity loans are availed by customers, who wish to mortgage his/her property to the bank for taking some loan for some other purpose. Then, it’s up to the bank’s discretion to consider the market value of the property and accordingly decide how much to pay to the customer.

Both the residential as well as non residential property can be considered for the approval of the loan, provided the mortgager is a licensed title holder and the land is free form any kind of dispute.

Home equity loans don’t restrict one to use the loan money in specific ways. It might also be used in marriage, higher education, medical expenses, etc. However care should be taken that it should not be used in any illegal or speculative purposes.

Conditions of Home Equity Loans:

• Applicants: An individual or someone with joint account can apply for the Home equity loans. However the co-applicants need not be co owners of the property.
• Amount of Loan: About 60-65% of the actual value of the property can be had from the bank in the form of loan, which may go as high as a few crores for commercial and residential property and its repayment period may range from 10 to 15 years, depending on individual bank’s policies.
• Types of Interest: The rate of interest in the home equity loans can both be fixed as well as floating, according to the requirement of the customer. Banks now-a-days however are preferring the floating rate loans, as their risk is lesser with these loans.

What are Land Purchase Loans?

Land Purchase loans are used by customers who wish to purchase a plot of land for commercial or residential purpose. Everyone has his/her dream perfectly sketched in his souls and so is his ambition to get his house erected on the exact location he dreamt that to be.

Loans that are strictly for land purchase can be as scarce as good residential plots. While many lending firms around the nation compete to provide mortgages for the purchase of a house on a lot, only few institutions typically will be interested in lending for an empty plot.

Eligibility:
21 Years and above having regular income is applicable.

Maximum Loan:
85 % of the cost of the plot and is also based on the repayment capacity of the customer.

Maximum Term:
15 years, this of course takes into consideration your retirement age.

Terms for the Loan:

• You can purchase your land, then take your time building your home (typical limits set here are that the work has to start in about 3 months and the construction has to be finished within 12 to 24 months)
• Separate loans will also be available to construct the house. Some banks will sanction the loan for the plot based on the complete project (land + building). So the building approval also will need to be given at the time of applying for the land loan itself.

Disadvantage(s):

• Land loans can carry higher interest rates and bigger down payments than conventional mortgage loans, to reflect the increased risk.

Documents Required by Banks for the Approval of Most Home loans:

Salaried customers:

1. Application form with photograph
2. Identification and Residence proof
3. Latest salary slip
4. Form16 or Last Income Tax Returns
5. Last 6 months / One Year’s bank’s statement
6. Processing fee cheque

Businessman/ Self employed professional:

• Application form with photograph
• Educational qualification
• Identity and residence proof
• Proof of business existence with business profile and last 3 year’s income tax returns
• Last 3 years income statement and balance sheet.
• Last 3 month’s / 6 month’s personal and business bank statements.
• Processing fee cheque

Summary

This article has explained the different types of housing loan products available in the market and also the eligibility and documents that you will require to approve the loan from the financial institutions.

New Rules For Tourist Visa to 'Curb Misuse'

New Delhi: Foreigners travelling to India on tourist visas have to give a two-month gap before they re-enter the country, according to new government rules aimed at avoiding "misuse" of the tourist visa.

"It has come to the notice of the government that there has been abuse, misuse of tourist visa. With a view to curb the abuse, misuse of the tourist visa, (new) instructions have been issued imposing restrictions," according to a latest home ministry circular issued last week.

The new rules make a two-month gap mandatory between two visits for foreign nationals holding tourist visas with multiple entry facility.

However, the circular adds: "If any foreign national is required to visit the country again within a period of two months of his last departure (in emergency situations), (he or she) should obtain special permission from the mission concerned. It may be considered on merits of each case."

The new visa rules allow foreigners -- who after initial entry into India plan to visit another country on account of neighbourhood tourism related travel and re-enter India before finally exiting -- to have two or three entries.

"But (this is) subject to their submission of a detailed itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings)."

India issues tourist visas to a foreigner who does not have a residence or occupation in the country and whose sole objective of the visit India is recreation, sightseeing and casual visits to meet friends and relatives.

The government disallows other activities other than recreation on tourist visa.

"No other activity is permissible on a tourist visa. The tourist visa is non-extendable and non-convertible," the order says.

A person holding a tourist visa cannot indulge in any business project and "if a person holding tourist visa is found to be involved in business activities or found working, action may be taken for visa violation".

Foreigners who return regularly to India for onward medical treatment have been exempted from the two-month gap.

"For persons coming for medical treatment, there is a separate category of medical visa. Foreign nationals coming for medical treatment will have to come only on medical visa and not on tourist visa."

India Could Be Banned From Olympics

By Rajesh Viswanathan

Not too far from an Olympic ban. Wake up time

This is one bit of news no Indian sports lover would love to hear this festive season. After a year that was dominated by great efforts on the field and terrible controversies off it, the Indian Olympic Association is now on the verge of facing an international ban by the International Olympic Committee. If that happens, India will not be able to take part in the London Olympics. Can the authorities wake up at least now?

This was coming. The way sport is run in India is a known fact. That bad 'run' is set to cost India dear as the IOC has sent out a stern message. The International Olympic Committee at its Executive Board meeting warned India of a possible ban from the Olympics unless it resolves the spat over the country's sports chiefs. After a two-day meeting here, the IOC executive board said India will have take care of a number of issues.

"Consequently if the situation does not evolve positively, the IOC executive board will consider taking appropriate measures and actions which might seriously affect the representation and participation of India at the Olympic Games and international sports events coming up," the IOC said in a statement.

The international Olympic body insisted that the Indian government had agreed at a meeting here last year to adopt a jointly draft constitution while will respect the autonomy of the Indian Olympic Association and the national federations affiliated under it.

IOC's threat came after the India government last year decided to limit the tenure and age of the country's top sports officials. If the Indian government refuses to move from its stance, the IOC has the power to impose sanctions including suspending the country from its membership -- a move that would prevent it taking part in the 2012 London Olympics.

Join the discussion

Do you think Indian sport continues to suffer from political interference?

A. Yes. It will never change in India. IOC's warning has come at the right time.
B. No. Our political bosses will never learn lessons till the damage is done.

To express your views, sign in below and respond

Old bosses must go immediately

It will be highly important for the Indian authorities to take this message seriously and address the issues at the earliest. After all, the IOC has shown in recent times it means what it says. Back at the start of 2010, the IOC had banned Kuwait from international events for not conforming with the IOC guidelines and for excessive political interference into the way sport is run in that country.

Kuwait had failed to meet the IOC's December deadline for amending government legislation that permits the Gulf state to interfere in elections of sporting organisations. The shocked Kuwaiti athletes then pleaded with IOC to take part in the Asian Games of Guangzhou. Under some kind of 'mercy petition', IOC allowed 195 Kuwaiti athletes to take part in the Asian Games but very strictly under the IOC banner. They were labelled as 'athletes from Kuwait' during the Games at Guangzhou.

That wasn't the only case in recent times. The IOC also cracked the whip on Ghana just yesterday before warning India. The Ghanaian National Committee faced the suspension after the national government failed to take agreed steps to ensure no political interference in the body. It may also be recalled here that back in 2008, the IOC had barred the five Iraqi contestants from Olympics after Iraq failed to resolve the situation of 'political interference'. Given the two suspensions of fairly high profile sporting countries in the last 12 months, India will need to pull up its socks immediately and respond to the warnings of IOC.

What could happen if IOC bans India?

1. Indian athletes will not be able to compete in Olympics and major international events like Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and others
2. Athletes who would want to compete in those events will need to apply to IOC and obtain clearance to participate under the IOC banner and not as athletes from India
3. India will not be eligible to claim any funds from IOC
4. India will not be eligible to bid for any IOC events
5. Long term repercussions will be far more severe

The message from IOC this time around is more than just a subtle one. The so-called Kalmadis, Bhanots, Gills and all the ageing heads of governing bodies in India should immediately call it quits and allow the new generation to take over and resolve the issues. This has to happen now. Otherwise, don't be surprised to read a worse headline sometime soon.

Join the discussion

Do you think Indian sport continues to suffer from political interference?

A. Yes. It will never change in India. IOC's warning has come at the right time.
B. No. Our political bosses will never learn lessons till the damage is done.

Modelling For Nature

The United Nations has declared 2011 as ‘International Year of Forests.’ Keeping this in focus, Doo Creative India Pvt. Ltd., a young, Hyderabad-based agency, has brought out a calendar called ‘Green Guardians’ that aesthetically draws attention to the need to protect and conserve nature.

Coming at a time when nature seems `upset' at the denuding of green cover, global warming and toxic spillages, lensman Suresh Natarajan has balanced the worrisome cause with beauty by depicting models in organic wear and wielding primitive weapons with aggression as green guardians..
Shot entirely in South Africa with an international cast, stylists and crew, the models have successfully brought out the cause for the urgent need to protect nature and earth.

Here are the green guardians of nature.

January

Forests are the lungs of the earth. But increasing commercialisation has led to the denuding of trees. As winter bids goodbye and greenshoots spring up, Shayra Coser is here with a message: we do not own the earth, we have merely inherited it.

February

As the earth `freshens' up after a harsh winter, Jessica Lee Buchanan is zealous to protect the greenshoots and the green cover that should be passed on to the next generation.

March

The first signs of summer are here as Lisa Maree Van Zyl shows how to relax but at the same time protect the wonders of earth's sun-burnt beauty.

April

Trees are the true inheritors of the earth. Shayra Coser tells us that trees are our friends and the time-keepers of nature.

May

When the summer sun filters through a canopy of green cover, the rays form an artistic pattern. Jessica Lee Buchanan merges herself with this canvas and shows how wonderful it is to be one with nature.

June

When the monsoon pours its bounty, the earth dances in `green joy'. Washed by nature, the green cover gets a new coat of paint that only nature is adept in. And Lisa Maree Van Zyl is a guardian of this `monsoon painting' of nature.

July

"Behold her, single in the field,
Yon solitary Highland Lass!
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass!"

Shayra Coser stands alone bathed in the golden rays of the sun holding aloft a sickle-headed staff even as the tall grasses bow in unison.

August

The leaves and grasses stand still heralding the arrival of Jessica Lee Buchanan, "the August avatar".

September

Welcome to the abode of the Jungle Queen! Behold Lisa Maree Van Zyl, the guardian at the gates!

October

And you thought the trees can't speak! Forest officer Shayra Coser is all set for a combat after hearing the cries of nature.

November

Hallo! Who's here? That's Miss Hallo-green Jessica Lee Buchanan, the runaway winner of the best Halloween costume.

December

"Do you hear what I hear?" Lisa Maree Van Zyl of the Aerial Forest Force strikes a pixie-like pose up on the tree-top as she listens to the distant jingles of the bells.

Source: India Syndicate

Image credits: Suresh Natarajan (www.sureshnatarajan.in)
Photography assistants: Sarrvesh Kumar, Mike Rose, Stan Kaplan
Make-up & hair: Sebastine Pepler (www.sebastinepepler.com)
Props master: Faye Dowding
Producer: Kitisha Gaglani (www.lighthousemumbai.com)

Production partner: Mickie Birkett
Production assistants: Naveen Prasad, Swetha Shetty, Santosh Gajakosh, Cecelie Egner Syvertsen
Post production: Shilvasaparimalam
Printing: Pragati Art Printers (www.pragati.com )

Location partners: Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Tsitsikama Falls, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Creative team: TV Prasad, Mary Mathai, BP Sarathy
Official website: www.nanotelcalendar.com
Design and production: www.doocreative.com

Northeast Conflict Resolution in 10 days

By Kishalay Bhattacharjee

Guwahati, Jan 13 : Considering 'conflict resolution' is amongst the most profitable and fashionable round table topic, the recent Garo-Rabha conflict in India's North East can challenge the fashionable resolution theories.

Zoom in on the right arm of a map of India's North East and the districts of Goalpara in Assam and East Garo Hills in Meghalaya are prominently marked. On either side of this political divide the two communities Garos and the Rabhas have been living for centuries.

Most people have no recollection of any violence between them. A village headman Subhas Rabha, however, told us that in 1976 there was an incident and friction between the two communities. For someone who has not visited the North East, the quick introduction to this cauldron maybe through the stories of assertion of ethnic identities through violence and demand for autonomy and even statehood in some cases. At the last count, I think, there were 238 ethnic groups. We are not even taking the sub-groups into account.

A little background sometimes helps. The Garos are one of the three principal tribes of Meghalaya. Garo Hills is not by any standards a developed area despite one of the longest serving Member of Parliament voted from those hills. Garos have also dominated politics in Meghalaya and the state's first Chief Minister was a Garo and its present Chief Minister is from Garo Hills as well. So the tribe should have benefitted from political patronage if not from basic welfare policies. They have received neither.

Rabhas are a tribe who have been hardly represented. Most development markers don't even apply to them.

Sometime in mid-nineties the Garos and Rabhas had together demanded for a tribal council but in recent years the Rabhas started asserting their own 'Rabha Hasong' or in other words a political framework which will bring them inside the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

This has isolated them from other tribes inhabiting that area as well as the non-tribals - a demand that every ethnic groups aspires in this part of the country. Autonomy not only grants political power but brings in a good cheer. In this case its development fund which they spend on their own and that is what motivates the people. But it spawns corruption as well. North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council of Assam is India's oldest Autonomous Council and is running on a ventilator or sorts after allegations of massive corruption. The NIA and CBI is now investigating into how development fund have been diverted by a terrorist-politician nexus.

These ethnic groups are generally backed (in this demand) by underground militant groups and overground surrendered militants belonging to the respective tribe.

Garos have at least one armed group on ceasefire, ANVC, and a newly formed GNLA. The Rabhas have an ineffective Rabha Viper Army which is more like a band of petty dacoits. One of ULFA's commanders, Dristi Rajkhowa, is a Rabha and has a certain amount of influence over these groups. Besides militants, the student unions of respective tribes and communities in these parts play a very strong political role. I am giving this background because the demand for autonomy and the differences within that demand may have been an underlying cause for the recent violence. Four hundred sixteen Garo villages fall in the area where the Rabhas have been demanding autonomy, so it makes political sense for Garos to clear those villages so that the Rabhas claim over that area can be challenged. Conflict resolution experts will of course have their own analyses but let me tell you what I saw on the ground.

The year 2011 for Assam had a strange beginning. In the first light of this new year the Chairman of a banned armed outfit responsible for the death of thousands of innocent people was let off by the government. He was garlanded, his supporters shouted slogans and he walked out to his freedom without once regretting the murders he ordered.

A day later, news from the Assam-Meghalaya border arrived sometime in the evening. All night a few enthusiastic Army officers with their men patrolled the district as news of arson started trickling in. People were fleeing their homes but the civil administration was asleep. It was midnight you see. The Army was caught in a bit of a situation. They don't have the mandate to get drawn into an ethnic conflict. They are here strictly for counter insurgency operations. But here was a young officer in his post and hundreds of petrified villagers were seeking help. Despite a hate-Army campaign in the region, the fatigue instills more confidence than the khaki. The Army, to my knowledge, did everything that a human being is expected to do at that point. They provided food and some blankets and tried to manage the situation without getting involved.

I believed that it was a localised violence and will die down. So I slept over it like the civil administration. On January 5, when I visited the place, villages were aflame. I could hardly believe what I witnessed. I turned around and it was either smoke billowing out from a forest cover where a village may have been set on fire, or a house where the entire season's harvest was carefully stored and now all will be gone. Pages from school text books were flyash and a traumatised puppy I found was caught in the raging flames. A pregnant pig lay in a pool of blood. The rioters wouldn't spare the livestock either. I saw people wielding farm implements as weapons and insanely running towards fleeing unarmed neighbours. They were ready to take on anyone and everyone. But conspicuously the police and civil administration was missing in action. I have no idea why.

The Garos were setting Rabha houses on fire. The genesis of this clash may be the demand for autonomy but the immediate trigger was a bandh call by the Rabhas during Christmas and some Rabha groups beating up a pastor and pelting stones at revellers. An uncalled for provocation. The retaliation was swift and violent. But not without instigation and an organized attack followed. Later, a Garo Students Union functionary was apprehended by the Army so there was evidence of their involvement. The Rabhas too started hitting back.

It was like a believe-it-or-not passive state government. The two chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya were in New Delhi and both claimed to be in sync but on the ground neither was visible. Meghalaya was a shade better but in Assam it was almost a case of state sponsored riots. By January 7, Assam admitted that 29,000 people have been displaced and are in relief camps. The authorities said that 340 houses were gutted in fire, and seven people died in the fighting. A few more were killed later.

In the final count, 50,000 people were displaced from their homes across the divide and at least a thousand homes lost. What I saw angered me because this violence was a result of provocation but the scale and intensity was almost engineered by apathy and inefficiency of elected governments.

Conflict resolution experts will argue with examples and templates and contend that anecdotal references do not help in understanding the reason for conflict. But this is no ordinary conflict. Without having to go to the details, the broad canvas was about two communities without a history of violence suddenly killing each other and an administration watching from the wings. I haven't even related the pathetic condition of most of the relief camps where even baby food was not available. Sanitation was poor. Medicines were provided but food was inadequate. And strangely, even the local politician was not to be seen. Something definitely was amiss. A bunch of Armymen, powered by individual willing to help, were all out trying to diffuse the situation without any clarity of what their role was in it.

Resolution came about on the evening on January 10. I have witnessed ethnic conflict and internally displaced people across the North Eastern map from the Brus in Mizoram to Hmars in N C Hills, the Bodo Adivasi clash, the Karbi Dimasa clash but never have I woken up to such a simple resolution. The administration was shaken up and things were picking up. New Delhi sent its emissary to crack the whip. Paramilitary forces finally arrived. It took them 10 days and mind you the place we are talking about is two hours from Guwahati which has loads of paramilitary forces engaged in VIP duty.

Army vehicles started ferrying the people back to their villages. Ten days of frenzy and the young Army officer who served food to fleeing villagers on the first night of horror was now narrating the most amazing scenes of tearful embrace between the Garos and Rabhas finding their way back to their homes. They have started rebuilding their lives. Fifty thousand is a lot of people and may take a while but the beginnings are already an example by which conflict resolution theorists may want to rethink on their templates.