North East & Eastern Himalayan: News & Discussion

[Arunkumar]

There is a place called "Chutia Gaon" in Assam also. This actually caused us much merriment when we were kids growing up outside Assam. However, "Chutiya" is neither an Assamese spelling or pronounciation, there being no "ch" sound in Assamese. The correct form is "Sutiya" which nobody in Assam has bothered to correct since relatively few Assamese spoke or even heard Hindi until recently. Thus, the Assamese pronounciation for checks (cheques) is "sex".

Thanks for the clarifiaction........

[Arunkumar]

There is a place called "Chutia Gaon" in Assam also.

I know that place........It is also known as Bangladesh.

[Karan Dixit]

The chief minister of militancy-hit northeastern state of Assam, Tarun Gogoi, has welcomed the decision of the leaders of A and C companies of the 28th Battalion of the United Liberation Front of Assam to declare a unilateral cease-fire.

http://www.metimes.com/Security/2008/06 ... fire/05de/

[Muns]

Time to protect the Thunder Dragon
General JFR Jacob

Though he is above 80, Lt Gen. Jack Frederick Ralph Jacob, a hero of the 1971 war with Pakistan, remains a keen student of strategic warfare. "I've learned from every campaign since Alexander the Great and Napoleon," he explains. Jacob, who also served as the Governor of Goa and Punjab, recently lectured in nine US cities, (including one at Capitol Hill in Washington DC) which were attended by several senior US administration officials and military officers. The lectures — broadcast live on some US television and radio channels — have been critically acclaimed by many, and parts of it have been also incorporated in the curricula of some universities. In this exclusive article for Sify.com, he warns that unless India is ready to defend Bhutan, China has an upper hand in strategic terms.

In pace, ut sapiens, aptarit idonea bello –

(In peace, like a wise man, he appropriately prepares for war)

The tiny (4,700 sq km) landlocked Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan (or Druk Yul, or Land of the Thunder Dragon) has borders of some 470 km with Tibet and 650 km with India.

It's estimated population in 2007 was around 2.300,000, although different agencies have widely different numbers. The government's estimates vary with those of the CIA World Factbook (2,005,222 in the year 2000) and the World Bank (782,000 for the same year) simply because a huge chunk of residents of Nepalese origin are not recognized as citizens by the Bhutanese government. Some 100,000 Nepalese have been driven out of the country so far. The country is predominantly Buddhist, and is ruled by the Wangchuk Dynasty.

In 1772, Bhutan invaded Cooch Behar and annexed the Duars. It was only in 1864/65, that the British drove the Bhutanese out and annexed the Duars [Treaty of Sinchu La, 1865]

India has a special relationship with the Bhutan, having signed a friendship treaty with the kingdom way back in 1949. The treaty was updated in 2007. India supported Bhutan's application for membership of the United Nations, and it was made a member of the UN in 1971.

India has guaranteed the defence of Bhutan by an unilateral declaration. China claims to have ‘suzerainty’ over Bhutan and also claims some 300 sq miles of Bhutanese territory mainly in the Chumbi valley, the Torsa Nala , and some areas opposite Ha. The Chinese also claim some grazing areas in the north.

Sino-Bhutan relations have been strained. Bhutan does not have diplomatic relations with China. Bhutan and China reached an agreement in 1998 to maintain tranquility on their border, and since then there have been some 16 rounds of talks on border issues. In 2001, the Chinese ambassador to India led a delegation to Thimpu.

By the same author: Sino-Indian ties: What the dragon won’t forget | The 1971 war Izzat and lessons unlearnt

The economy of Bhutan is very small, mainly hydroelectric power, agriculture, forestry and minerals. Road communications are meagre. Some 5,000 km of metalled roads were built by the Indian Border Roads Organisation.
The armed forces of Bhutan number some 8,000.Their equipment is basic. The Indian Military Training Team, or IMTRAT, located at Ha is responsible for advice and training. Despite these limitations, the Bhutanese army in December 2003 drove out, on India's request, the ULFA insurgents from their part of the terai.

Continued :

http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14706725

[Paul]

Partition haunts Bengal



Prafull Goradia

The demand for Gorkhaland has resurrected ghosts of the past

The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha is marking time and contemplating on how to circumvent the problem of the plains' people preventing supplies going up the Darjeeling hill. The message that he got in Kolkata at his meeting at the Writers' building was a threat of blockade. Before he resumes the agitation he has to answer this syndrome.

The thrust of this contention would be appreciated if the recent history of Bengal is recalled. Bengalis are paranoid about the thought of partition. That single event of 1905, when the province was partitioned, turned Viceroy Lord Curzon from a hero to a villain, from a darling to a devil. Curzon and his colleagues had probably overlooked that Bengal had undergone an experience resembling a partition some 30 years earlier. In 1874, Assam was separated and made into a Chief Commissioner's province. Three districts, namely Sylhet, Cachar and Goalpara were lopped up from Bengal and hitched on to Assam.

In 1905, the consideration was to divide Bengal, more or less, on communal lines. East Bengal would give the Mohamedans the unity they had not enjoyed since the days of Mussalman kings, said Lord Curzon. When Congressmen complained against the proposed partition, bureaucrat Risley told the Viceroy, "Bengal united is a power; Bengal divided will pull several ways".



As the day of division approached, emotions-in Calcutta especially-rose higher and higher. On August 7, 1905, youth converged on the Town Hall with banners saying, 'No Partition', 'United Bengal' and 'Bande Mataram'. By the evening, the entire area was a sea of humanity trying to drown partition before its birth. The day of partition, October 16, was observed as a day of national mourning. No food was cooked in Calcutta homes. Thousands took out processions and Poet Rabindranath's song Banglar mati Banglar jal thrilled the patriotic sentiments. It set rolling a mass Raksha Bandhan ceremony. Strangers stopped one another and tied rachis. Learning about this mass upsurge, the usually mild Gopal Krishna Gokhale reacted by comparing Viceroy Curzon to Emperor Aurangzeb.

In less than seven years, the British government backed off and rescinded the partition; Bengal returned to status quo ante 1905. But the damage had been done. The scar was indelible on the Bengali psyche. Sarat Bose, Netaji's elder brother, and Fazlur Rahman of the Praja Krishak Party engineered to keep Bengal out of the feared vivisection. With the CPI encouraging them, they favoured an independent but undivided Bengal as a third nation. Bose knew that with its Muslim majority and Muslim premier, Bengal would be pro-Pakistan. Yet, he disfavoured a partition which went to give an insight into the Bengali psyche of the time.

The agony of the 1947 partition still lingers after 60 years. Girls are still being abducted in the villages of Bangladesh. Temples and pujas are still targets of desecration. Certainly, the Hindus are treated as second class, if not third class citizens, some of them feel harassed enough to come away to India. In the West Bengali mind, the vivisection is to be blamed and not Muslim oppression. This again throws light on the Bengali Hindu psyche. All in all, it suffers from partition phobia and it could soon see the agitation in Darjeeling as a replay of the old story.

The CPI(M) knows very well that it cannot afford a breakup of West Bengal. The last time, it had enticed Mr Subhas Ghising with becoming the head of the district hill council and the fishes and loaves that went with it. This time the situation should be easier for Alimuddin Street, the party headquarters. Its friendiless with the Communist Party of China can well help out. A call from Beijing and Prachanda would have little choice but to remain cool to the demand for Gorkhaland. A cool Kathmandu would make Mr Bimal Gurung's Darjeeling cold. The latest postponement of the bandh may not be the last but perhaps the penultimate one.

For the BJP, the opportunity will come in due course. In the eastern districts from the 24 Paraganas in the south to Murshidabad, Nadia, Malda, West Dinajpur, right up to Siliguri in the north, the pressure from infiltrators from across the border is relentless. In a road journey from Kolkata, not only the countryside but also the attire of the people appears more green than any other colour.

How long will the people allow Sonar Bangla to turn into Sobuj (green) Bangla? A stand will have to be taken by the people of West Bengal. And the BJP should by then enjoy the benefits public goodwill and the sangh network. If not, the party would leave open the opportunity for the CPI(M) to play the Hindu card. Over the India-US nuclear deal issue, the CPI(M) has shown to Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav how it can play the Muslim card.

Looks like the Bengali psyche is scarred with the multiple partitions of Bengal in the past. Need to disect the events as we have done so on the other end.

[Paul]

After the vote, real test



Kalyani Shankar

Many leaders of the Congress are not happy the way the support for the trust vote was garnered. They feel the image of the party as well as of the Government has been dented and fear that it will impact the party's performance in the coming Lok Sabha election

Now that the Manmohan Singh Government has won the trust vote, what next? The Prime Minister and the Congress president know that it will be payback time for the votes from 'invisible friends' outside the UPA.




While the party is upbeat after the impressive trust vote margin, in their heart of hearts, many conservative Congressmen are not happy at the way the support was garnered. They feel that the image of the party as well as the Government is dented a little and fear its impact on the coming Lok Sabha elections.



The primary task is to explain the benefits of the nuclear deal to the common man. Even educated people do not understand what the deal is about. The party and the Government should reach out to the public on this important issue if they are planning to make the deal as an election plank. The UNPA and the Left Parties without wasting time after the trust vote have already chalked out their agitational programme against the nuclear deal, price rise, and misuse of CBI and other Government institutions.



Soon, the Prime Minister would go for a cabinet reshuffle to fulfil his promise to the JMM chief Shibu Soren. The JMM chief has bargained for coal portfolio as well as another berth for his party besides the Deputy Chief ministership for his son in Jharkhand. While Prime Minister was earlier said to be reluctant for induction of Shibu Soren in the cabinet, the trust vote compelled him to agree. As for the position of Mr Shibu Soren's son, it is to be seen how the Jharkhand unit of the JMM takes it.



The Samajwadi Party, which came with its big chunk to support the UPA Government also, will demand its price. One does not know the full details of the wish list of the party but the SP will certainly demand its pound of flesh, including postings and transfers and dictate terms in Uttar Pradesh on seat-sharing. The fight between the SP and the BSP, which was confined to Lucknow until now, will be taken further to Delhi. The SP will take the space vacated by the Left parties as a pressure group but with a difference as the party is not opposed to economic reforms.



The governance has been suffering because of the question mark on the nuke deal. Now that this is settled, one would expect the Prime minister to give more attention to governance. The Government should make sure about the delivery system of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and other programmes. Price rise and inflation are two major things which need to be controlled.



One sensitive issue for the Prime Minister may be the mention made by the Outer Manipur MP Mani Charan Mayi in his speech during the debate on the confidence vote. He claimed that the Prime Minister has agreed to look into redrawing of the boundaries of the States. The member obviously was referring to the greater Nagaland demand. The successive governments had not taken any decision because of the sensitivity of the issue. Can this Government take such a bold step? If so, why did it not do anything about a separate Telengana State or announce the setting up of a Second State Reorganisation Commission? Will not Manipur burn or violence in Assam will increase if parts of these two States are taken away for the creation of greater Nagaland?



While Mr Manmohan Singh and his team are in a hurry to go ahead with the reform process, the next six months are crucial for the economic reforms. Mr Singh has to contend with the opposition within the Congress in view of elections as some left-oriented Congressmen are also against reforms. He has to tread cautiously on sensitive issues like the pension reform or labour reform or Banking reforms. One good thing is that the BJP is for the reforms and may support these measures. The Government would have to balance the reform process with populist measures.



Every party has already turned into election mode. So is the Congress. What is imperative for a political party to come to power? In the present coalition era, there are two major things. One is organisational readiness including ability to catch votes and the other is the arithmetic. While the party in power has the machinery to improve its organisation, the Congress needs to do much more to build up the party in some states like the southern States, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.



With the Left parties outside the Congress combine, it has to look elsewhere for amicable partners. As the next elections may not produce a single majority verdict, it is the arithmetic and not the chemistry which counts. Presently the coalition partners of the Congress are not very strong in their States. For instance, in Bihar Chief Minster Nitish Kumar is doing well while the RJD is not in a very comfortable position. Similarly, the DMK in Tamil Nadu is also infested with family quarrels. The allies like the PMK have already left the DMK front. The AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa is quietly watching to step in at the right time. The NCP in Maharashtra is waiting to increase its own seats at the cost of the Congress.



The Congress has to look for new allies and broaden its coalition. The National Conference may be willing to go with the Congress. The JD(S) chief and former Prime Minister Deve Gowda was showing some interest but he voted against the UPA in the confidence motion vote in Parliament. With his record of accomplishment, Gowda may go with the Congress at the time of polls. The Trinamool Congress may be yet another prospective ally if things are handled well with its sulking chief Mamata Banerjee.



Foe the present, the momentum is with the Congress. The future depends on how the party takes it forward. The ball is in the Congress's court.

[Paul]

Hindu

Will oppose any move to alter boundary of Assam: Gogoi

Sushanta Talukdar

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday said that he was not aware of any assurance given by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) or the Congress high command to review its stand included in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) about maintaining the territorial integrity of northeast.

Mr. Gogoi, however, said that his government would oppose any move to alter the boundary of Assam and inclusion of any area of the State in greater Nagalim.

He issued the clarification when reporters asked him about the Manipur (Outer) Lok Sabha MP Mani Charanamei’s claim that he had decided to support the confidence motion as the UPA assured him to review its stand included in the CMP that on the territorial integrity of the northeast and realigning boundaries of northeastern States.

The Opposition, Asom Gana Parishad, accused the UPA and the Congress party for “bartering” territories of Assam and Manipur for mere survival of the Manmohan Singh government.

[putnanja]

Anti-Bangladeshi wave in Assam

Anti-Bangladeshi wave in Assam

Syed Zarir Hussain | Guwahati

# Cops push illegal immigrants back
# Bengali-speaking Muslims urge caution


Assam is witnessing a massive uprising against illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, commonly referred to as 'foreigners'. The State authorities have stepped up their drive to arrest and push back Bangladeshi immigrants,
and student groups are busy identifying suspected foreigners and handing them over to the police.

The spurt in official action against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and anti-foreigners activism follows stinging comments by a Gauhati High Court judge in a recent ruling. "Bangladeshi infiltrators have not only intruded into every nook and corner of Assam, but have already become kingmakers," Justice BK Sarma said in his judgement, ordering the police to detain and deport 49 foreigners, among them a Pakistani citizen, who had appealed against the ruling of Foreigners Tribunals.

Pointing out how the Pakistani man had entered Assam from Bangladesh and contested the State Assembly election in 1986, Justice Sarma commented, "This can only happen in Assam." He went on to add, "The day is not far when the indigenous people of Assam -- both Hindus and Muslims and other religious groups -- will be reduced to minorities in their own land."

The past week witnessed the arrest of seven illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in eastern Assam's Nagaon district after the Gauhati High Court pronounced them foreigners. They were pushed back into Bangladesh through the border point of Mahisasan in southern Assam's Karimganj district.

But six of them were back in Assam by Thursday. "There is no formal agreement between India and Bangladesh and hence the only way to expel such immigrants is by simply pushing them back across the border," a senior Assam police officer said.

Even as the State authorities were enforcing the court judgement, in which 61 persons were found to be infiltrators, student groups -- including the All-Assam Students' Union (AASU) and the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) -- also started hounding suspected foreigners. Last week, AASU and AJYCP activists rounded up nearly 50 suspected Bangladeshis from various parts of the State and handed them over to the police.

The anti-foreigners issue has gathered momentum with Opposition parties joining the protest. "Very soon, several Assam districts will be swamped by Bangladeshi Muslims and the State will be ruled by a Bangladeshi Chief Minister," warned former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Bijoya Chakravorty.

The sudden surge of anti-foreigners sentiment has resulted in apprehension among Bengali-speaking Muslims, who are at the receiving end of the AASU and AJYCP action against non-Assamese daily wage earners. "The victims being picked up by the student volunteers are mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims. This trend is dangerous, to say the least," warned Hafiz Rashid Choudhury, leader of the Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF), a minority-based political party.

"We want that all illegal immigrants who entered Assam after March 25, 1971, be expelled. But caution is needed to ensure that genuine Indians are not harassed," he added.

The State Government has also cautioned the Opposition against 'communalising' the issue. "It is unfortunate that some parties are trying to dub all Muslims as foreigners. If that happens, even Indian Muslims in Assam would oppose the anti-foreigners drive," State Government spokesperson and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. "We must defeat such designs. A foreigner is a foreigner, be it Hindu or Muslim," he added.

The AUDF maintains that action cannot be initiated against religious minorities just on the assumption that they could be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. "We are against providing shelter to any illegal immigrant from Bangladesh. But any action such as pushing back or deporting foreigners must be carried out within the existing legal framework," AUDF president Badruddin Ajmal said.

The AUDF chief said that the Government must immediately upgrade the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and make arrangements for issuing identity cards to all citizens. "It will help genuine citizens and avoid unnecessary harassment," he said.

The AASU had led a six-year-long agitation against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants between 1979 and 1985. The movement ended with the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985 which fixed March 25, 1971 as the cut-off date for detection and deportation of East Paksitanis/Bangladeshis staying illegally in India.

[Paul]

Braving inclement weather, patriots salute National Tri-colour
PRABAL DAS
BUM LA, Aug 16 – Indian Independence Day was celebrated with dignity at Bum La in Arunachal Pradesh on August 15, an event that could be construed as cordial ties between regional commanders of two competing armies. In attendance were the sector commanders of India and China along with their deputies, all saluting the Indian flag as it braved the wind and rain of the Eastern Himalayas.

In other parts of the strategically placed state, another band of patriots, equally proud of their nation, but far removed from limelight toiled away in silence and in isolation. The engineers and workers of Border Roads Organisation have kept the state’s roads open, amid excruciating circumstances.

The group of people has been particularly busy this monsoon as torrential rains have lashed Arunachal Pradesh, resulting in damage to vital roads and bridges. In other times too, it is the work of BRO that has played a key role in the economic sustenance of civilian populations of the state. Most BRO roads are corridors transporting essential commodities to large as well as small settlements.

More importantly, BRO plays another crucial role in keeping alive the arteries which keep the Indian Army on the move. “Army logistics to a very great extent is closely allied to how the BRO maintains the road network of Arunachal Pradesh,” said a young army officer.

On the roads laid by BRO roll some of the heaviest pieces of hardware of the Indian Army. Although officials would not spell out specifics, a large number of artillery pieces, fuel, and goods to places located in some of the harshest locales of Arunachal wheel across these roads.

In most parts of the state, BRO roads have to be constructed with local skill and ingenuity, because materials like cement and tarmac cannot be acquired with ease. On many occasions, locally available stones are arranged in intricate patterns to protect the road surface from wear and tear. Another challenge for the workers and engineers is that surfaces of roads in higher altitude frequently get damaged due to high diurnals changes and effects of rain and snow.

Those living outside Arunachal might not know, but many BRO projects have fuelled local economic sustenance. Not just have some roads made new settlements possible, but they have employed people with no other livelihood option. Among those working on BRO projects are local women, who at times with infants on their back seek to enhance the child’s future, and quite unknowingly ensure India’s physical integrity

Manipur defies ultra diktat
CORRESPONDENT
IMPHAL, Aug 16 – With heavy security cover, Independence Day was celebrated in Manipur despite the boycott called by militant organisations in the region. The main state function was organised at 1st MR parade ground here.

Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh appealed to the militants to shun the path of violence and come forward for talks to restore normalcy and peace in the region.

Ibobi said, ‘the government once again appeals to you to shun violence, give up arms and come for talks to usher peace in the state’. As in the previous years, the celebration was conducted in a modest manner as very few spectators turned up as invitees.

As Imphal wore a deserted look due to the 17-hour general strike by Manipur People’s Liberation Front, children were seen playing various games from dawn till dusk. There were no reports of any untoward incident during the course of the strike which concluded at 6 pm.

Public participation at the district level celebration in Senapati and Bishnupur were very thin as Naga People’s Organisation and Bishnupur district development committee boycotted the celebration

62nd Independence Day celebrated with enthusiasm
GUWAHATI, Aug 16 – Along with the rest of the nation, the 62nd Independence Day was celebrated with enthusiasm all over the State. Our Correspondents report:

Dergaon: The 62nd Independence Day was observed with great enthusiasm at Dergaon. The Tricolour was unfurled by Tapan Gohain, the circle officer. Dergaon at the central programme at Naren Sarmah Memorial Field here. Earlier, floral tribute were paid to the freedom fighters. Ananda Ch Goswami, Kali Nath Kondoli and Ripunjoy Hazarika were felicitated. The NCC cadets of different schools presented their march past. Six boxers under the guidance of Diganta Nath presented their art. The prizes of Essay and Art competition held on the occasion were given away in the programme. The National Flag was also hoisted at Police Training College (PTC), stadium by AK Chaharia, the DIG (TAP&EB). The programme was attended by all the commandants of APTC, BTC, RTS, 11th APBn and the other staff and the police personnel with colourfull way.

Kaliabor: The 62nd Independence Day was celebrated at the Gandhi Maidan here among a huge audience comprising public, students and government officials. Bidya Singh Engleng, Parliamentary Secretary, unfurled the Tricolour and inspected a guard of honour and took the salute of a march past by police, NCC and Scouts & Guides. Freedom fighters of Kaliabor, meritorious students and senior citizens were felicitated which was followed by a cultural programme.

Morigaon: Dildar Rezza, parliamentary secretary (home), formally unfurled the National Flag at the Tarun Ram Phukan playground here on the occasion of the 62nd Independence Day, amid a huge gathering. Rezza also paid tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and martyrs of the freedom movement at the Gandhi Bhavan here. At the open function held at TR Phukan playground, meritorious students of the district were felicitated.

Tinsukia: The 62nd Independence Day was celebrated with pomp and gaiety at ITI Field, Baraguri here on August 15. On this occasion, the National Tricolour was unfurled by the Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. In his speech, the minister remembered the outstanding sacrifice of the freedom fighters. Earlier, he paid homage to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and received guard of honour from Assam Police, Home Guards, NCC and Scouts and Guides. Later, a cultural programme was also held and prizes were given away to the winners of the various competition organised on this occasion. On the other hand, 2 Bihar Regiment which is deployed in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh district organised various functions and cultural programmes in schools at Gelapukhuri, Makum, Delaghat, Duliajan. Flag hoisting was carried out in various schools and sweets and national flags were distributed to the students and jawan of 2 Bihar Regiment. A motor cycle rally was also organised at Duliajan spreading the message of oneness.

Barpeta: The 62nd Independence Day was celebrated in Barpeta with a day-long programme yesterday. State Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Chandan Brahma unfurled the National Tricolour at the Barpeta Government Higher Secondary School play, ground at 8.55 am which was preceded by garlanding of the statue of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. In his speech Brahma lauded the role of the people of erstwhile Barpeta sub-division under undivided Kamrup district and remembered the freedom fighters like Mahendra Mohan Choudhury, Ambikagiri Roychoudhury, Rajendra Nath Deka and martyrs like Madan, Rauta.

Biswanath Chariali: The 62nd Independence Day was celebrated with pomp and gaiety at Biswanath sub-division. The SDO (C) Biswanath, Vishal Solanki unfurled the National Tricolour and took salute of the march past presented by the contingents from Assam Police, NCC, Inmates of Biswanath District Jail Scouts and Guides of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at the central function held at the Kachri Maidan in Biswanath Chariali on August 15. On this occasion, he felicitated meritorious students and distinguished sportspersons, literateur, social worker and Pabhoi VDP. The day-long function also included renderation of patriotic songs, cultural programme, children sports, free cinema show, distribution of fruits at Chariali Civil Hospital, Biswanath District Jail and the North East Multipurpose Handicapped School and a friendly football match between SDO XI and BDSA XI.

Jorhat: State Social Welfare Minister Ajanta Neog unfurled the National Flag and took the customary salute at the central Independence Day function held at Jorhat Court Field on Friday. At the prize distribution ceremony, the minister gave away the Devika Saikia Memorial Running Shield for Best School to Balya Bhavan High School, Jorhat. The award, which is given every year to the school producing the best results in the district, has been instituted by voluntary organisation HERS. The Siddharth Shankar Neog academic award for the best student went to Dibakar Hazarika who secured the eighth spot in the top 20 merit list of this year’s HSLC examination. Dibakar had appeared in the examination from the Titabor-based Pragjyotika English School. Jorhat District Commandant of Home Guards Dharani Barua, recipient of President’s medal, was felicitated at the function. Local NGO Shraddha received the Chief Minister’s community action award which comprises a citation and Rs 5,000 in cash. The Assam Police (Armed Branch) contingent walked away with the best march past award. The CRPF and CISF contingents were adjudged second and third respectively.

North Lakhimpur: The 62nd Independence Day of India was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety here in North Lakhimpur along with the rest of the nation. The official ceremony of the Independence Day celebrations took place in the playground of North Lakhimpur Govt HS School at 9 am with the hoisting of the National Flag. The National Flag was hoisted by Jayant Narlikar, deputy commissioner and the ceremony was attended by Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur, Sayed Ataul Kerim and all the officials of the district administration, head of the educational institutes, representatives of all elected local bodies and others.

Teok: The 62nd Independence Day was celebrated here centrally at Teok High School premises, where various section of people including freedom fighters, students and others took part in it. The Tricolour was unfurled by Dibya Jyoti Borkotoki, circle officer, Teok Revenue Circle. Freedom fighters and students of different institutions of Teok, who have passed different examinations with flying colours in the past year, were also felicitated. Later, games among children were organised at the venue.

Ghograpar: Though several militant outfits had called for boycott of 62nd Independence Day but the citizens of greater Ghograpar circle celebrated the Independence Day with enthusiasm.

The National Flag was hoisted at the sub-deputy collector office (SDC), Ghograpar, Barigog Banbhag Development office, Ghograpar, administrative branches, medical health centres, educational institutions, and various public and non-government organisations. No, untoward incident occurred during day.

Nalbari: The 62nd Independence Day was celebrated in Nalbari district with great enthusiasm despite the boycott call given by militant outfit ULFA. In the central Independence Day function organised at Gurdon HS School playground, Cabinet Secretary Uttara Kalita hoisted the National Tricolour.

Earlier, she inspected the guard of honour performed by Assam Police NCC, Scouts and Guides and the students from different local schools. Colourful cultural programme were also held to mark the occasion.

Udalguri: Defying the extremist outfits call for a boycott, the 62nd Independence Day of the country was celebrated in Udalguri district with traditional fanfare.

In Udalguri, the National Tricolour was unfurled at the DC parade ground by Rihon Daimari, PHE minister of the State. He also inspected the guard of honour presented by the Assam Police, SSB, school children of various schools etc. The minister also presented the Chief Ministers’ best award to Deepti Daimari, chairman of the Alongbar development society, an NGO of Udalguri town for the excellent social service rendered by it. Colourful traditional dances depicting the patriotic feelings enthralled the public on the occasion.

The National Flag was also unfurled at Bhergaon SDO (civil) office by the SDO (civil) of Bhergaon subdivision. All the educational institutions and government and non government offices also celebrated the day. Reports of celebrating the Independence Day at Tangla, Khoirabari, Orang, Rowta and Mazbat have also been received.

Diphu: Barring the setting Kollonga bridge on fire and recovery of two bombs at Dokmoka and Parokhowa, on August 14 night, the 62nd Independence Day was celebrated with much gaiety and zeal throughout Karbi Anglong district. Amid tight security arrangement following the Independence Day boycott call given by KLNLF Khorsing Engti, minister, HAD hoisted the National Flag at KASA stadium Diphu, while Mongal Singh Engti, CEM, KAAC unfurled the Tricolour at Hamren. At Bokajan Sukur Ali Ahmed, SDO (C) unfurled the National Flag. Hundreds of people participated in the Independence Day celebrations at Dongkamokam when the newly-elected chairman of Dongkamokam Town committee hoisted the National Flag.

Lumding: The 62nd Independence Day was also celebrated at Lumding along in the other parts of the State. Bukul Bora, magistrate, Thalpukhuri hoisted the flag at the central function. Offce-bearers of other political parties also hoisted the National Flag at their party offices. All the schools and colleges also hoisted the flag. No reports of any untowand incidents have been received.

[Avinash R]

Assam focuses on developing pilgrim centres to boost tourism

Sukhendu Bhattacharya

Guwahati, Aug 19 (PTI) Guwahati, the gateway to the North Eastern, is blessed with a number of temples and other places of worship but hardly any pilgrim traffic thanks to the apathy of the authorities that the capital is yet to get any attention.

The state government is now taking steps to develop satellite pilgrimage sites around the world famous Kamakhya temple, the seat of Shakti worship.

Not many know that the state is dotted with innumerable temples, mosques and monasteries. The state government is now also focusing on the important pilgrimage centres to develop the places into attractive tourist and pilgrim destinations.

State tourist department sources say, the government would soon implement a project with financial assistance from the centre to give a face-lift to these satellite pilgrimage sites and develop religious tourism.

This ambitious project encompasses Kamakhya and the satellite township of Hajo where there is a temple and the Poa Mecca mosque which is visited by both Hindu and Muslim devotees. PTI

[Paul]

Kakodkar visiting Meghalaya today
Raju Das
SHILLONG, Aug 21 – Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar and Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar would lead a high-level delegation to Meghalaya tomorrow to evolve a consensus on the proposed Uranium Mining in Meghalaya.

Kakodkar and Chandrasekhar are expected to meet Chief Minister Donkupar Roy including state political leaders from Hills State People’s Democratic Party and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement opposed to Uranium Mining in Meghalaya.

The duo are also slated to hold talks with groups opposed to Uranium Mining in Meghalaya and try to evolve consensus on the matter.

The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) has identified 3,75,000 tonnes of uranium deposits at Kylleng-Pyndeng-Sohiong village in West Khasi Hills district. The corporation has planned to develop open cast mining in the area.

[Paul]

In the new climate of political understanding and goodwill that prevails, we must explore beyond our boundaries. The economic future of the North-East has to be secured with the realization that today, boundaries are seen not as barriers but as gateways.There has to be a new mindset.

Page 36

Interesting PPT on NE economic development
by Pradyut Bordoloi, Assam minister.

url

[shyamd]

'To break a stone, you must use a hammer': Thuingaleng Muivah

The Naga movement has come a long way. The oldest armed struggle in the Subcontinent has not only sustained itself over the course of some six decades, but has also inspired and aided many regional nationalities on the path of insurrection. The modern history of the Nagas is one of both military and human-rights concern. Many lives have been lost; yet even today the movement persists. With an unresolved future, there is currently fear and uncertainty among the civilians impacted upon by the movement, despite the fact that the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the Indian government have been conducting talks since the ceasefire of 1997. Thuingaleng Muivah, 73, the general secretary of the NSCN (IM), recently in Delhi, spoke with Kekhrie Yhome to reminisce about his war experiences and current hopes. The interview was conducted in English.

KY: How would you justify choosing to articulate the Nagas’ desire through the language of violence and military action?
TM: The Nagas could understand the danger of being suppressed. To the Nagas, freedom is more important than anything else. Freedom, for the Nagas, means that they themselves would decide their fate. This is the most decisive issue for every nation. When that freedom is given up, the Nagas know that their rights of existence are gone forever. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation, was approached by the Naga leaders in 1947, and he said, “Nagas have every right to be independent.” The Nagas declared their independence on 14 August 1947, one day ahead of India’s declaration of independence. With the demise of Mahatma Gandhi, the policy of the Indian leadership changed. Gandhi’s doctrine of non-violence was no longer upheld. When a delegation of the Naga leaders approached Jawaharlal Nehru to settle the Indo-Naga issue, Nehru immediately lashed out, saying, “Even if heaven falls and the whole country goes to pieces and runs red with blood, I will not allow the Nagas to be independent.” At another point, he said, “It will take just a few days for the Indian armed forces to crush the Nagas.” After bitter fighting for 50 years or so, the Indian leadership realised that a military solution was not possible. The issue was political, and they had to seek a peaceful political solution. A ceasefire was declared in August 1997 by both the parties, and the Nagas did not fail to respond to an approach of non-violence.

Have changes in international politics and globalisation impacted your original ideology?
The march of history – in terms of de-colonisation, race consciousness and, of course, the Cold War – has in different ways impacted upon people’s thinking and their politics. The emergence of market forces affected the stress on political identity. But one should know that as long as political suppression and economic exploitation exist and continue, revolution can never be ruled out. And, in addition, ideological standing will not fade away. As long as suppression and oppression continue in any human society, military means would be unavoidable.

The Naga army is known for its warfare skills, and the Indian government’s renowned Counter-insurgency Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS), in Mizoram, bases its syllabus on the Naga experience. What makes the Naga a warrior par excellence?
When a fight becomes necessary between a small man and a giant, the small one will have to know that the fight will be very dangerous, given that he is no match for the giant. He must try to find all of the giant’s weak points. First, he should know that close fighting is never to his advantage. He should take the initiative, and let the giant react. In other words, he should never allow the giant to take the initiative. Any fight must be according to his initiative, and then the giant can be reduced to a state of helplessness. Therefore, when and where he has to attack, the small one should never venture to fight without first knowing the weak points and location of the giant. If a section of the Naga army can create a situation that requires a battalion of the Indian Army to cope with it, this is always to the benefit of the Nagas. The Naga armed forces can thus keep their adversaries on the move, and wear them out. In a word, the giant is kept in a state of unrest. The CIJWS in Mizoram has tall claims, but the fact remains that the Nagas and others have not been subdued, even after 60 years. Above all, if guerrillas are able to make clear that their cause is just, and that the adversaries are in the wrong, they will be invincible and the strongest in their own land.

The NSCN continues to attract young people, despite the fact that it doesn’t offer incentives. What is the recruitment process, and what kind of training does a Naga cadet undergo?
The morale of the revolutionary is crucial for the success of the revolution. This is why the taking of new recruits is indispensable. Senior people will no longer be in the forefront. They must be the brain to guide the cadres, but practical difficulties arise over time for the maintenance of their families. The organisation has to see to their difficulties, and in this respect we are a little better off. Recruitment is mostly voluntary, because forcing the unwilling man is not only harmful but counter-productive. It would amount to sending a fear-ridden, unprepared man to fight against the enemy, and it would affect the morale of the other compatriots. But whoever has been recruited must be politically taught of the justness of the war. He must be made spiritually strong, in order to take glory in what it is that he is fighting for. In other words, he must be truly convinced of what he is doing. Of course, the practical tactics of fighting must be learned during battle, in addition to what he has acquired during training. Above all, a freedom fighter must strictly adhere to discipline – moral, physical and spiritual. He must be an altogether self-conscious man.

What is the current strength of the Naga army? What are its preparations in case the ceasefire breaks?
We don’t necessarily count the strength of our movement in terms of our army. To be realistic, we will always have the strength required by the situation. Since the ceasefire is ongoing, we don’t put much stress on recruitment. If the ceasefire breaks down, however, we will be compelled to strengthen ourselves with arms and men. We will understand that India has no more political will to solve the problem.

What about your experience in China, and its influence on the Naga movement? Do you still believe that power flows from the barrel of the gun?
I stayed in China for a fairly long time. During my first trip, between 1967 and 1973, I interacted with members of the Communist Party and the Liberation Army, and with the Chinese people. I also studied the Chinese condition. Everyone realised the failures and mistakes of the past, and they are now sufficiently committed to set right the foundation of the present society. They know when to go forward, and how to retreat when necessary. I saw in them clarity and a full confidence in themselves. Chairman Mao’s words are gospel truth, because the power with which rulers unscrupulously suppress the right of the people must be crushed. If one has to break a stone, he must use hammer; but to cut a cloth, he must use scissors. To the rational, one must be rational. This is the way towards a better society. We run our institutions based on revolutionary principles and the people’s desires – although in many ways there are shortcomings and weaknesses.

How do you view the present situation vis-à-vis the pre-ceasefire years?
Nothing can be taken as a certainty. Yes, we are talking with the government of India. As long as the political problem is approached politically, there is nothing to fear. But when one lacks the will that is required to bring about the solution, it is most unfortunate. It would be as dangerous as taking comfort in an illusion. War will be a continuation of politics by other means.

With many decades of armed struggle, some Nagas have become disillusioned with the NSCN (IM). What is your take on this damage?
The adversaries would do their best to exploit the situation, to stamp out the revolution. But the people do not easily abandon the cause. Both the masses and the revolutionary cadre cannot afford to perish. The only way available to them to survive is to rectify their mistakes and regenerate themselves together as a people. India has left no stone unturned to wipe out the Nagas and the force of their nationalism. The policy they are now resorting to is to wear us out by protracted design. But the Nagas know that their salvation does not lie in India.

Does the NSCN (IM) maintain links with other armed revolutionary groups?
You want to know all our secrets? [Chuckles] Revolutionaries all over the world are naturally inclined to extend solidarity and support to each other, even if there are differences in political aims and objectives. It is no surprise that we help each other in every possible way.

How would you evaluate the NSCN (IM) and the notion of ‘just war’?
Whether in war or peace, every organisation and human being must have ethics, for without ethics human being become worse than animals, which is against the law of creation. It hurts the conscience of society and people. In any war, killing innocent people is totally unjust, the greatest crime against humanity. For example, right from the inception of our resistance movement we have rarely used anti-personnel mines, because innocent people often become victims.

Other than staging a war against the Indian state, how else has your organisation excelled as a people’s revolution?
Mighty India has completely failed to crush the little Nagas, and therein we see the failure of Nehru’s statesmanship – and we don’t wish today’s Indian leadership to repeat the same mistake. Of course, on our side we have also made a lot of mistakes, which have led to serious internal contradictions among our people. But thank god, at every dangerous situation we could lead our people along the correct national line. We are able to stand our ground firmly, and have overcome confusion and uncertainty caused from both within and without. The path to our destiny is clear, and we are confidently working in that direction.

How would you correlate the NSCN (IM)’s ability to garner support for such a long period of fighting?
It was the commitment of the Naga leadership to seek a solution through non-violence, and that is the reason why the Nagas have the highest esteem for Gandhi. But today we see the greatest number of killings in India carried out in the name of democracy. This is a sad thing. When the Indian government decided to seek a solution through peaceful means we readily responded, and not a single Indian soldier has been killed – although Indian armed forces have killed more than 150 NSCN (IM) cadres in the ten years of ceasefire.

Against the background of the US-led ‘war on terror’, how do you see the future of the armed Naga movement?
The government of India called the Nagas ‘terrorists’, despite the fact that the Nagas have not killed a single innocent Indian in 60 years of resistance, unless it was by accident or in crossfire. The term ‘terrorist’ is used by the government and by the press to intentionally discredit the Nagas. However, in early 1999, the government officially declared that the Nagas were not terrorists. In the strict sense, the term ‘terrorist’ implies killing innocent people for absolutely no reason – something that is committed in great numbers by the Indian government. Thus, in reality, the government of India is the terrorist.

Do you view ceasefire as a pre-condition for initiating political dialogue?
If the ceasefire is not honoured – as has been done on several occasions by the government of India, taking sides with traitors openly against us – it would be very unfortunate. It is a surprise to all sensible people to see arrogance and treachery in the Indian government’s policy, particularly in dealing with the Nagas, when the latter are completely committed to finding an amicable solution to this longest of political issues.

After so many years and so many rounds of talks with the Indian government, what are your expectations?
Whether one admits it or not, the outcome of the talks would be crucial in many ways for others, too. We would be careful not to make mistakes. It is not wrong to seek a political solution, as we have been doing. But we should not be misunderstood when we say that an acceptable solution is still not in the offing. We are very clear that we will be steadfast in standing our ground, and work towards a solution which is honourable and acceptable to both entities.

[Paul]

Taking a break from the usual self-flagellation orgies that we excell in:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Call to preserve World War-II relics around Golaghat
A Correspondent
KHUMTAI, Aug 31 – Scattered around a vast area of Golaghat district in Upper Assam, several relics of World War-II have been lying in a state of neglect and are invariably heading towards oblivion. A section of conscious citizens here have therefore demanded preservation of these remnants of the holocaust in the interest of educational tourism and also for posterity.

It was on September 3, 1939 that World War-II started as soon as Great Britain and France officially declared war against aggressive Nazi Germany. In that war, the Congress party under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, extended support to the Allied forces while Azad Hind Fouz led by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose resolved to free India with the help of the Axis force consisting of Germany, Italy and Japan.

The Azad Hind Fouz was able to march up to Moirang, Kohima and Ukhrul in Manipur behind the Japanese forces. They arrived at Imphal in March 1944.

At that moment the British and its Allies set up a military cantonment and an aerodrome at Bogorijeng, which is located 5 km north from the present Golaghat town.Is this in Assam?

In order to cater to the need of food supply to the military personnel, the British established a huge animal husbandry farm at Chinatoli.

A period, which was marked by poor surface communication links, the Allied forces transported arms and ammunition through the waterways of Dhansiri river which is just a few kms west of Bogorijeng. A meter gauge railway line from Mariani to Furkating had in the meantime been completed and another sub-track from Halmira Saiding to the Bogorijeng camp was opened later on.

This 7 km-long railway line is now completely abandoned but has remained intact. In fact 10 RCC bridges are still standing strong as relics of those bygone times. The Second World War ended in 1945 and the military base at Bogorijeng was also closed down. But the abandoned railway line and aerodrome, along with a war-ravaged fighter plane, was lying on the surface till the 1960s.

Local elderly citizens revealed the fact that during the Indo-China war in 1962, the iron and steel material of the ill-fated aircraft and railway tracks were collected from this site by some government personnel.

Today, the 4km stretch of abandoned railway line is used as a public road by local people of nearby Noragaon, Jogibari, Na-bheta and Bogorijeng villages. The remaining 3km portion is under illegal encroachment by a section of people of Gosainsatra and Adharsatra Muctab village, while an even larger part is under the custody of Halmira Tea Estate.

Interestingly, the Golaghat jail has been constructed on a part of the erstwhile aerodrome, while a major portion is under encroachment by some villagers of Noragaon and Jogibari.

Owing to public awareness in this 21st century, a large section of the local citizens consider these relies as heritage material, and have thus tried to mobilise public opinion on the need to preserve these relics of World War-II.

MMS is one of the few, if not the only PM who is taking personal interest in economic development of Assam. Makes sense as he is from assam constituency.

SGBG hails bridges across Brahmaputra
Correspondent
GUWAHATI, Aug 31 – Welcoming the Prime Minister’s announcement to construct the three bridges on the Brahmaputra, including one connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati, Save Guwahati Build Guwahati (SGBG) today said that the Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge would fulfill a long-standing need of the people.

In a statement, SGBG said that it had all along been taking up the issue of linking Guwahati with North Guwahati, and it had made its last representation on the matter before the Prime Minister in New Delhi on December 5, 2007.

The SGBG also wished a speedy recovery to its president Dhiren Baruah, who has been undergoing treatment for respiratory disorders at the International Hospital since August 20.

[Singha]

golaghat is quite near the nagaland border but the name of the airport
indicates it is located on Assam side. there are plenty of such abandoned
aerodromes in upper assam. the NH to dibrugarh has a certain stretch where
one runway was incorporated cheaply to save cost. back in 1980s it was
a occasion to wonder that roads could be so straight and smooth!

[Anindya]

http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.as ... nter_img=1

ULFA leader seeks political asylum in Bangladesh
Sanat K Chakraborty | Shillong


Facing deportation to India, founding ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia, who is now under the protective custody, has moved a Dhaka court seeking political asylum in Bangladesh. Chetia was arrested in Bangladesh for entering the country on a forged passport and completed a decade-long jail term.

Director General of Border Security Force Ashish Kumar Mitra told mediapersons on Monday that the Government of Bangladesh has in principle agreed to hand over nine Indian insurgents, including the much wanted top ULFA functionary to India.

In the absence of an extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh, the deportation of Chetia has been delayed.

However, he claimed that India would continue to explore other channels to secure his repatriation, especially after he was convicted by the Dhaka court and completed his sentences.

....

Chetia, with the help of a Dhaka-based human rights organisation, Manobadhikar Bastobayon Sangstha, has appealed before the court for his protection as he was 'fighting for freedom' for his people, and he had entered Bangladesh to escape arrest.

Though it is not yet clear how the court will treat his application, Mitra hopes that the Government of Bangladesh will cooperate with India. He claimed that there was 'attitudinal' change in the Bangladeshi establishment towards the Indian concerns.

Mitra was here on a three day visit to the Meghalaya and Nagaland (AM&N) Frontier to review the security scenario after his meeting with Bangladesh Rifles Chief Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed at Dhaka recently.
.....

[sum]

ULFA leader seeks political asylum in Bangladesh
Sanat K Chakraborty | Shillong


Facing deportation to India, founding ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia, who is now under the protective custody, has moved a Dhaka court seeking political asylum in Bangladesh. Chetia was arrested in Bangladesh for entering the country on a forged passport and completed a decade-long jail term.

Is there any point getting him here only for him to enjoy on Indian taxpayers money?
Surely, he will be out in a few years as part of some amnesty scheme if in India...

Meanwhile, a huge breach of security in Imphal:
Link

Lethod bomb fired at CM’s bungalow, no one hurt; PREPAK claims attack, roads in vicinity closed
By : A Staff Reporter 9/2/2008 1:47:39 AM
IMPHAL, Sep 1: The heavily guarded state chief minister’s bungalow was attacked by PREPAK militants with a lethod bomb which exploded inside the bungalow compound tonight at around 8.10 pm.
The proscribed PREPAK while owning up the attack has said that it was a warning to the chief minister, O Ibobi Singh to rectify his misdeeds.
Following the blast, security in and around the Babupara area has been beefed up and all roads leading to the chief minister’s bungalow have been closed to all kinds of traffic.
The lethod bomb exploded inside the chief minister’s residential compound tonight at around 8.10 pm. No casualty or injury was caused to people inside the bungalow.
Chief minister O Ibobi Singh and his family were in the bungalow at the time of explosion.
Police officials investigating the attack suspect the lethod bomb was fired by militants from the northern side of the bungalow along the main road.
The bomb exploded in a small paddy field cultured at the north western side inside the compound.
The explosion was not so loud and the CRPF personnel guarding the bungalow remained confused for about 10 minutes before they realised there was a blast.
Only after they saw smoke rising from the blast side did the security personnel come to know that it was an low intensity explosive devise that had blasted.
Officials of the state police department led by the additional DGP, A Romenkumar and additional SP Imphal west and personnel of the police bomb squad rushed to the chief minister’s bungalow complex immediately after the blast and inspected the site.
The police bomb squad personnel recovered some splinters of exploded lethod shells from the blast site during their investigation.
On hearing the news of the blast inside the bungalow many cabinet ministers rushed to the bungalow.
Media persons who converged at the bungalow to get information were barred from entering the bungalow by the security at the spot.
While police are still making all out efforts to trace the responsible militant group who carried out the attack, the proscribed PREPAK informed the media over telephone that the attack was carried out by its special task force.
A spokesperson of the outfit said that the attack was a warning to the chief minister O Ibobi Singh for the mistakes he had committed and if the chief minister continued to carry on with his wrong deeds the outfit would keep on attacking him.
Mention may be made that this attack is the second time the same militant group targeted the chief minister’s bungalow. In October last year, they had exploded another lethod bomb inside the bungalow.
In the meantime, following the blast, security has been stepped up in and around the chief minister’s bungalow by detailing additional security forces from police commandos, CRPF ad Assam Rifles.
All roads leading to the chief minister’s bungalow were closed for traffic just after the blast.
Entry of people has been barred from Sanjenthong from the Palace Compound side, from Moirangkhom on the Indo-Myanamar road, Keishampat on the Tiddim road and from Kangla western gate onward from north AOC side on NH-39.

Amazing that the CMs residence can be attacked with such impuntiy despite severe security restrictions...

[G Subramaniam]

Times of India

One killed, eight injured in clashes in Assam
3 Oct 2008, 1720 hrs IST,PTI
Print Email Discuss Share Save Comment Text:
MANGALDOI: One person was killed and eight others were seriously injured following clashes between two groups in Assam's Udalguri district on Frid
ay, officials said.

The situation in the district was tense since Thursday after a group of people belonging to the minority community allegedly stole some cattle from the Bodo-dominated Mohanpur village.

The villagers attacked them and clashes followed. The police and village defence personnel rushed to the spot and the situation was brought under control, officials said.

Police personnel who had camped in the area on Thursday night returned here on Friday following which clashes erupted again in which six Bodo villagers were seriously injured, sources said.

The condition of one person stated to be extremely critical, they said.

Clashes broke out in neighbouring Simaluguri village on Friday where two Bodo villagers were seriously injured and admitted to Tezpur Civil Hospital.

Senior police officials rushed to the villages and brought the situation under control but tension again escalated in the district after an unidentified body, belonging to the minority community, was recovered in the afternoon from the campus of the Deputy Commissioner's office.

----

Udalgiri is inside the bodoland territorial council
The 6 injured bodo villagers were members of the village defence personel

[Tamang]

Assam: Communal violence toll 7

Communal violence between Bodos and immigrant Muslims spread in north Assam since Friday night with the death toll mounting to seven, while authorities closed down National Highway 52 and extended curfew to four more areas.

Assam police spokesman Bhaskar J Mahanta confirmed that violence continued through the night with fresh incidents reported from Kuptibari, Sonabari and Jhargaon. He, however, said the situation was under control.

He informed that four more bodies were recovered from Rowta area of the Udalguri district as the Rowta market was also torched.

More security forces had also been rushed in, but violence continued. Both communities were armed with traditional weapons.

NH 52 was closed since Friday night as some vehicles were attacked by the immigrant community (read BDs) and as a security measure, the authorities stopped the plying of vehicles between Mangaldoi and Rowta.

Consequently, hundreds of vehicles were left stranded on both sides.

The police is now making arrangement for opening up the highway with security.

"Shoot at sight orders have been issued," Mahanta said, adding that on Friday night there were no incidents of any police firing.

He informed that clashes started when a group of Muslims reportedly attacked some Bodo tribesmen of a village defence party with arrows and other sharp weapons at Mohanpur in Udalguri district early Friday morning.

The attackers also took away one Rakesh Swargiyary with them, who was later rescued from Mohanpur LP School by the police. Five villagers who went with police were injured in the clash.

Rakesh and another person sustained severe injuries and were admitted to Tezpur Civil Hospital, while eight more of their group suffered minor injuries.

Mahanta said about 50 houses of people reportedly belonging to the Muslim community were burnt down in the area following the incident.

Neighbouring Bodo villagers, however, alleged that the owners had themselves set the houses afire to foment communal tension.

Police sources said tension flared up in Chapkata, Ratabari, Phisdia, Ikrabari, Simlaguri an Hazarsaon of Udalguri district. As a preventive measure, the district authorities had clamped down curfew in the Dalmari and Besimari areas.

Tension had also reached Rowta, the epicentre of the communal clashes that had broke out in mid-August.

Incidents of stone-pelting had been reported in Rowta between the two communities.

Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Basumatary condemned the incident and said a third party was involved.

[Zin]

Assam: Communal violence toll 7

NH 52 was closed since Friday night as some vehicles were attacked by the immigrant community (read BDs) and as a security measure, the authorities stopped the plying of vehicles between Mangaldoi and Rowta.

This is the reason why madrassas and arabic college spring near highways.

Hubli is facing the same situation with madrassas,mosques and arabic colleges built near advantageous point to blockade highways.

There needs to be survey of how many cities are being silently being layed seige to.

[G Subramaniam]

BD illegals fly pakistani flag
( they also did it in 1962, during chinese invasion )


http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/04assam.htm

Assam: Communal violence toll 10

October 04, 2008 11:04 IST
Last Updated: October 04, 2008 16:55 IST




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Eight burnt bodies were found on Saturday from two Bodo villages taking the toll in the ongoing group clash to 10 in Udalguri district where a shoot-at-sight order was on, official sources said.

The bodies were found from Sonaripara and Jhargaon villages, under Udalguri police station, which were attacked in the wee hours by illegal Bangladeshi migrants with bows and arrows. Several houses of a neighbouring village were also torched, the sources said.

On Friday, two bodies were found from a village under Rowta police station even as incidents of arson and looting in neighbouring Darrang district forced the administration to impose curfew in Dalgaon and Dhola on Friday and in Udalguri on Saturday, they said.

Meanwhile, media personnel saw a Pakistani flag atop a pole in Sonaripara village and took photographs of it. Local television channels also ran footage of the foreign flag.

Officials and security forces, however, denied any knowledge of the presence of that flag.

Over 25 serious burn injury victims were shifted to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital, while others were admitted to local hospitals.

The army had been deployed to assist the district administration and additional security forces were rushed there to maintain peace. The army men also flag-marched in various areas.

Fleeing their homes in panic, thousands of Bodos have taken shelter in relief camps set up by the administration in five places, the sources added.

[Avinash R]

BD illegals fly pakistani flag
( they also did it in 1962, during chinese invasion )

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/04assam.htm

Assam: Communal violence toll 10

October 04, 2008 11:04 IST
Last Updated: October 04, 2008 16:55 IST


Eight burnt bodies were found on Saturday from two Bodo villages taking the toll in the ongoing group clash to 10 in Udalguri district where a shoot-at-sight order was on, official sources said.

The bodies were found from Sonaripara and Jhargaon villages, under Udalguri police station, which were attacked in the wee hours by illegal Bangladeshi migrants with bows and arrows. Several houses of a neighbouring village were also torched, the sources said.

On Friday, two bodies were found from a village under Rowta police station even as incidents of arson and looting in neighbouring Darrang district forced the administration to impose curfew in Dalgaon and Dhola on Friday and in Udalguri on Saturday, they said.

Meanwhile, media personnel saw a Pakistani flag atop a pole in Sonaripara village and took photographs of it. Local television channels also ran footage of the foreign flag.

Officials and security forces, however, denied any knowledge of the presence of that flag.

Over 25 serious burn injury victims were shifted to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital, while others were admitted to local hospitals.

The army had been deployed to assist the district administration and additional security forces were rushed there to maintain peace. The army men also flag-marched in various areas.

Fleeing their homes in panic, thousands of Bodos have taken shelter in relief camps set up by the administration in five places, the sources added.

Muslims are killing tribals and not one word of condemnation from the secular dung media.

Where is the National Human Rights Commission?
Where is the National SC/ST Commission?

If the bodos start behaving like muslims and start killings then the media will start calling the bodos barbaric and inhuman.
Shame on the media and the pseudo-seculars.

[G Subramaniam]

Muslim mobs attack 4 tribal villages in assam

Telegraph
Mobs attacked four tribal villages — Puniagaon, Garobasti, Dikirigaon and Jargaon — at Mangoldoi early this morning, burning down several houses.

Over 50,000 people have taken shelter in relief camps at various places in the two districts.

---

So, we now have 50k hindu refugees in assam

[G Subramaniam]

Hindustan Times

In Darang district, violence spread to new areas after a mob of the immigrant Muslim settlers allegedly targeted vehicles carrying Durga Puja idols.

The settlers also allegedly torched houses of a linguistic minority in Darrang district's Dhula and Kharupetia areas.

[Tamang]

At least 25 killed in ethnic violence in Assam

GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) - At least 25 people were killed and thousands left homeless in ethnic violence between tribal people and Bangladeshi settlers in the troubled northeast Indian state of Assam at the weekend, police and hospital authorities said.

Army stages flag march as clashes spread

[Avinash R]

16 killed in Assam clashes, 10,000 displaced

Guwahati, Oct 5: Police recovered nine more bodies overnight in the violence torn Assam districts of Udalguri and Darrang, taking the toll in three days of clashes between two communities in the area to 16, officials said Sunday.

"The casualties as of now is 16 killed and about 50 wounded, some of them critically, besides about 20 villages have been affected. Around 200 houses were torched in the group clashes," a police official said.

The clashes took place despite an indefinite curfew in violence-hit areas and soldiers staging flag marches, besides the presence of police and paramilitary troopers.

"We have asked security forces to take all possible steps to stop the violence and help restore calm in the area," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

"Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued against perpetrators of violence," he added.

Gogoi Saturday suspended the police chief of Udalguri and transferred the district magistrate for dereliction of duties. Violence broke out Friday between two communities in Rowta in Udalguri, about 100 km north of Guwahati. In the last two days, the violence had spread to the adjoining district of Darrang.

"The situation is tense with miscreants setting ablaze about 50 houses overnight," the police official said.

A large mob armed with bows and arrows, machetes, spears, besides country made guns, have been roaming the violence hit areas to target villages of rival communities.

Thousands of villagers have fled their homes and are taking shelter in makeshift relief camps set up by the police.

"There are an estimated 10,000 people of various ethnic communities sheltered in camps. These people had fled fearing attacks or belonged to villages where miscreants had torched their homes," the official said.

The immediate provocation for the clashes was the attack on a group of Village Defence Party (VDP) volunteers early Friday by armed miscreants.

"The VDP members belonged to the tribal Bodo community and were attacked by members of a religious minority group and that sparked off the clashes," the official said.

In August, the area witnessed similar clashes between two communities in which about 10 people were killed and several injured.

[Tamang]

Communal tension in Assam, 29 killed

There's tension in Assam where 29 people have been killed in what began as a village quarrel over theft of some livestock.

As communal tension between Bengali Muslims (read BD) and non-Muslims (WTF is non-Muslims) spread across villages of Assam's Darrang and Udalguri districts, the government's effort appear grossly inadequate.

The Bodo villagers -- armed with bows and arrows -- are visibly angry at government inaction.

"They came in lakhs and attacked. No one helped us. The Congress government wants this vote bank, they think without Muslims they will not win. So they are helping them," one of the villagers said.

It's the first day of Durga Puja but a Puja Pandal has been turned into a relief camp due to violence. There's very little relief and people are traumatised.

"We, the indigenous people, are being victimised by others but the district administration is helping them. They invade us and attack us," said Pradip Malakar, a teacher.

Everyone is a victim in this riot.

"It's a conspiracy. They don't want Muslims to be in BTAD area. We will sacrifice our lives for the sake of Allah," said another villager.

Though the Army has been called in, the presence is too thin to instill any confidence.

And as tension spreads there's an unending flow of terror stricken people into relief camps.

[G Subramaniam]

The Congress government wants this vote bank, they think without Muslims they will not win. So they are helping them," one of the villagers said.

---

Every non-muslim in the north east must read this again and again
As well as in rest of India

[G Subramaniam]

Pak flag hoisted in 5 districts of Assam
05/10/2008 09:10:17 Courtesy: www.zeenews.com

In what appears to be a step to provoke emotions among people. Pak flags were hoisted in five districts of Assam by people affiliated to HuJI on Sunday. The flags were hoisted in Sonaripura and Mohanpur villages of central Assam.

The miscreants not only threatened people to face dire consequences but also threatened people of not making any comments against Bangladesh immigrants.

Meanwhile, government sources have called flag hoisting an attempt to highten tension in the area.

[G Subramaniam]

http://in.truveo.com/Pak-flag-hoisted-i ... 3044151189

see video of pak flag in Assam

[sum]

Feel like throwing up on seeing the video....

Guess we are lucky that inspite of the vote banking, we are seeing thses flags only in a couple of places. Another few years and we will have reports of all districts of Assam having Paki/BD flags hoisted...

In which other country will you have "illegal immigrants" walking upto locals, hoisting a third country's flag and threatening the locals of dire consequences with the administration watching mutely(and trying to play down "minor incident of 10K locals being driven to refugee camps)? Mera Bharat Maahan!!!

[G Subramaniam]

Hindu

BJP demands action against Gogoi government

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday demanded immediate action against the Tarun Gogoi government in Assam for what it called “failure to protect lives and property of Bodos” in clashes with the alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators.

“It is a matter of national shame that the State government, headed by Congress Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, has allowed the situation to drift for the last one month and did not make adequate security arrangements for Bodos, who were relentlessly attacked by the settlers,” Prakash Javadekar, national spokesman of the BJP and MP, said in a statement.

“Thousands of houses have been burnt and looted after Bodos were forced to flee the villages. Bangladeshi settlers, who have illegally infiltrated into the country, have concentrated in Darrang and Dalgaon areas. In many villages, these settlers have outnumbered original Hindu population and have targeted such villages for attacks,” he said.

Terming the attacks as “a full-fledged conspiracy” as infiltrators attacked hundreds of vehicles carrying Durga Puja idols, Mr. Javadekar said that Pakistan and Bangladesh flags were hoisted at hundreds of places.

[G Subramaniam]

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/06/stories ... 170100.htm

See photos of thousands of bodos driven to refugee camps by BD illegals

[G Subramaniam]

Assam Tribune

A joint delegation of All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) today visited some of the affected areas of the district and alleged that the Government failed to take adequate steps to deal with the situation.

Addressing a press conference, the leaders of AASU and ABSU said that according to their information, more than 85,000 displaced people are still living in 38 relief camps. “It is unfortunate that the indigenous people of Assam are forced to leave their own homes to take shelter in relief camps,” they said.

AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya expressed shock over the fact that flag of Pakistan was hoisted in the soil of Assam. He alleged that the Government failed to nab the culprits involved in the incidents even after 48 hours.

A team of the State unit of the BJP headed by its president Ramen Deka today visited some of the affected areas of the district and demanded a judicial probe into the clashes.

Kalaigaon: Though no major incident was reported last night, fresh incidents occurred this morning with miscreants burning down several houses in the Bodo and Garo-inhabited Punia and Wahpara villages

[sanjaykumar]

So foreigners come to India, occupy agricultural land and then kill Bodos.


(Let this be a test of India's concept of Indian citizenship. I am confident it will fail.)

[G Subramaniam]

Indian express

Smoke rises from 2 Assam districts: 30 dead in clashes, hundreds flee
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Samudra Gupta Kashyap Posted: Oct 06, 2008 at 0155 hrs IST
A family take shelter at a relief camp in Udalguri in Assam. <I>Subhamoy Bhattacharjee</I>
A family take shelter at a relief camp in Udalguri in Assam. Subhamoy Bhattacharjee
A family take shelter at a relief camp in Udalguri in Assam. <I>Subhamoy Bhattacharjee</I>
Udalguri (Assam), October 5 Rekindling memories of the Nellie massacre a quarter century ago, violent clashes between Bodo tribals and migrant Muslims have claimed at least 30 lives — the unofficial count is over 50 dead — in the last three days in the north Assam districts of Udalguri and Darrang.

In village after village, houses have been torched and smoke columns are visible all around — in Rowta, Dalgaon, Kharupetia, Bhakatpara, Udalguri. People are fleeing in hundreds as the violence continues unchecked. Over 60,000 people, both Bodos and Muslims, have taken shelter in 32 relief camps in Udalguri district alone.

Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued while indefinite curfew has been clamped across Udalguri districts and parts of Darrang. “At least 30 people have died in the past three days. Five were killed today when security forces opened fire,” said Subhash Chandra Das, Principal Secretary (Home). There have been casualties on both sides, Bodos as well as Muslims, he said.

Though the initial clashes broke out between Bodo tribals and migrant Muslims, members of other communities, including Assamese and Bengali Hindus, have been equally affected. At least eleven columns of the Army have spread out in addition to five companies of Central paramilitary forces and Assam Police battalions.

Traffic on National Highway 52 — it runs through north Assam and provides access to Arunachal Pradesh — has been totally stopped between Mangaldoi and Dhekiajuli.

The state Government has suspended Udalguri SP Bijoy Kuligam while the Deputy Commissioner has been replaced.

Tension had been prevailing in Udalguri district since August 14 when two Bodo boys were killed in a clash during a 12-hour bandh called by a little-known organisation called Muslim Students’ Union of Assam.

“We were at home when a large group of people, armed with all kinds of weapons, attacked our village and began torching the houses,” said Brajen Basumatary (52) of village Sonaripara, about 5 km from Udalguri. That was on Friday. Today, almost all 58 families of Sonaripara are in the relief camp at Udalguri High School. All their belongings, including cattle and poultry, perished in the blaze.

The relief camp at the High School is now home to 1,119 people, mostly Bodos. “Not all houses have been burnt. But we are very insecure. They have deadly weapons,” said Purna Deka whose father Kandura Deka was killed on the first day of the clashes at village Phakidiya.

Kandura Deka was hacked to death and then...

On Friday, Rakesh Swargiari, a Bodo youth from village Mohanpur under Udalguri police station, was kidnapped by some miscreants. He was later found unconscious in the jungles nearby and moved to a hospital in Tezpur. News of the incident spread like wildfire and clashes broke out.

Nonibala Singha (63) of Ikrabari village is still searching for her son Babloo. “He had gone out with the other boys of the village to keep a night watch on Friday. I have not seen him since then,” said Nonibala whose house too has been reduced to ashes.

Ramnath Brahma, a Bodo tribal of Sonaripara village, who was appointed convenor of a peace committee by the district authorities, is himself in a relief camp today. “Peace, communal harmony no longer have any meaning here. Our very lives, existence are at stake. I think the Bodo tribals and the indigenous people will have to first defend themselves,” he said.

Two persons were killed when the CRPF opened fire on a mob in village Tiyajara near Bhakatpara, inhabited by migrant Muslims, after they tried to attack securitymen with arrows. In Punia-Warpara, four persons were hacked to death by a mob even as a police party was patrolling the area.

[G Subramaniam]

Hindustan Times

Thousands, specially women and children fled to Mangaldoi, the headquarters of Darrang district, where relief camps have been set up on the outskirts.

“Four people were killed before my eyes,” said Basanti Boro, 30, who has sought shelter at a relief camp set up at Mudoibari High School. “They were not even Bodos, but Garo tribals.” She collapsed into tears. “We have become homeless in our own land.”

“The immigrants want to grab our land,” said Sukaran Boro of Tiyajhar village. He has sent his family to a relief camp but stayed back to guard his property.

Land is indeed the key to the conflict that has persisted for several decades. The first Muslim immigrants — from East Bengal — began arriving in this region – as in most of Assam – in the late 19th century, encouraged by the British, who wanted to increase the volume of cultivation in the area. They cultivated inferior lands other peasants would not touch and made them bloom.

But they continued to pour in even after East Pakistan – later called Bangladesh – became a separate country, and it was no longer legal to do so. They still haven’t stopped. With no more land available, they have used a variety of means to entrench themselves, even infiltrating into the tribal belts and blocks – created by the government to prevent tribal land alienation.

[archan]

If this does not enlighten the people when they go to vote, I don't know what else will. With a pathetic 55% voting, and no party getting a 2/3rd majority out of that 55%, and then making coalitions post elections to somehow get the numbers in their favor and claiming to be the voice of the people!
The Hindu or any other nationalist voter has to wake up if Bharat has to progress undivided. Failing with, it is probably going to be a sad story. Disgusting is the word that comes to mind.

[sanjaykumar]

It would be better to hand over Assam plains BD and make a deal that they won't get West Bengal until the 22 century.

[sum]

Link

Assam violence was systematic ethnic cleansing, says minister
6 Oct 2008, 0939 hrs IST,IANS

UDALGURI: Authorities in Assam on Monday said the violence over the weekend that killed 32 people and injured more than 100 was systematic ethnic
cleansing perpetrated by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), a rebel group fighting for an independent tribal homeland.

"The violence in the three districts of Darrang, Udalguri and Baksa was not due to clashes between the tribal Bodos and immigrant Muslims, but a planned ethnic cleansing by the NDFB to drive out all non-Bodos from the area," Assam government spokesman and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

"We have already arrested four NDFB cadres on Sunday, with weapons, who were involved in killing a woman and a child in Baksa district," he added.

There have been several incidents of arson overnight with panic stricken villagers fleeing their homes.

"Miscreants set ablaze a cluster of homes in about three villages late Sunday, although there has been no fresh casualty," a police official said.

More than 600 homes have been burnt since Friday, when clashes first broke out, and at least 60,000 people have fled their villages in an area controlled by the Bodo Territorial Council (BTC), a politico-administrative structure, formed after New Delhi signed a peace accord with the militant Bodoland Tiger Force in 2003. The BLT is now a disbanded outfit with its former members now heading the BTC, an autonomous body.

The former BLT and the NDFB are at war for territorial supremacy with bitter fratricidal clashes between them in the last four years claiming more than 100 lives. But the NDFB, currently in a ceasefire mode with New Delhi since 2005, has not given up its demand for an independent Bodo homeland with the Bodo community in a majority in the three violence-hit districts in northern Assam.

"This is not a clash between Hindus and immigrant Bangladeshi Muslims as projected, but a systematic pogrom by the NDFB as many of the people affected by the violence are genuine Assamese Muslims, Bengali Hindus, common Bodos, besides a few Adivasis (tea plantation workers) as well," the minister said.

The NDFB is a majority Christian outfit with the outfit's top leader Ranjan Daimary believed to be operating out of Bangladesh.

"We are investigating reports of the involvement of the NDFB in the clashes and if proved we shall be forced to call off the ceasefire," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

"Strict orders have been issued to the security forces, including the army, to shoot at sight anybody found indulging in violence," he added.

Of the 32 killed, 15 died in police firing, while the remaining were killed in clashes with armed mobs carrying bows and arrows, spears, machetes, and even guns.

"The NDFB cadres used light machine guns and other sophisticated weapons in targeting non-Bodos," the police official said.

Sarma said miscreants from various communities were trying to take advantage of the situation by indulging in arson with a view to looting properties.

"In the final analysis this is not a communal clash," he said.

There is little hope for the NE with the Kangress refusing to come out of its vote banking and blaming a new fall guy, NDFB!!!