Pakistan, Bangladesh Involved in North East Terrorism: Stratfor

[akzaman]

Northeast Echoes

For the 35-member Thai business delegation, touring the three states of Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya in three days, is a mind-blowing experience. Before they could even get the feel of the land and its people it was time to pack their bags.

Led by Thai commerce minister Krirk Krai Jirapaet and other officials from that ministry, the group landed at Agartala on June 22, and will be leaving Shillong three days later. The visit is a landmark event for the Northeast as it is the first visit by a minister of a foreign country to the region.

Accompanying the delegation are DoNER minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and minister of state for commerce Jairam Ramesh. Credit for making this trip happen goes to Aiyar. He is perhaps the first DoNER minister to have taken his task seriously in translating into real economic terms the much-touted Look East Policy which otherwise seems destined to bypass the northeastern region.

Seeking balance
The Thai delegation is here on an exploratory mission, looking at prospects for not just business collaborations but also to offer what Aiyar terms as "Thai expertise in infrastructure capability". But the more striking point was made by the Thai commerce minister when he said, "We cannot sit back while the Western powers progress at our expense. Nor can we be dwarfed by the rapid economic growth of Japan and China. We need peace and a balanced world order." That essentially sums up the Thai worldview influenced by Buddhist philosophy.

In Assam, when Jirapaet was introduced to some Singpho belles present at the official dinner, he was amazed at the striking similarities of culture and dialect between his country and Assam. This is not the first time that visitors from Thailand have been shocked and surprised by this strange cultural link.

For the Thai people visiting Assam is like rediscovering their roots. They also wonder why this part of India is so little known despite it being the critical link to Southeast Asia. What, however, makes friendship an imperative is China's rapid economic surge and its growth as a world power, which has the propensity to create an environment of insecurity in Asia. Smaller countries like Thailand therefore look towards closer ties with India to offset what they call "the climate of imbalance".

Jairam Ramesh, who has never missed an opportunity to push for faster growth of the Northeast, was specific in his observation that the economic future of this region lies with Southeast Asia even as it needed to be politically integrated with India. Since linkage to Southeast Asia is possible partly through Myanmar, India's offer to rebuild the old Akyab port now renamed Sitwe and also make the Kaladan river navigable to provide a river route access through Mizoram is of strategic importance.

India has entered into a unique trade agreement with Myanmar called the build, transfer and use (BTU) allowing Myanmar free use of the port.

Ramesh also advocated a more realistic approach towards Bangladesh, which has a shared boundary with as many as four states of the Northeast. Chittagong port is a natural marketing outlet and the only one for states like Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura, which are landlocked. The Northeast's pride of being a horticultural paradise and a powerhouse of the future are intrinsically linked to Bangladesh's openness to collaborate.

An idealist of sorts, Aiyar stressed on the shared history, culture and civilisation between Northeast and Southeast Asia which he said was disrupted by colonialism and thereafter took a long time to reverse. On the more realistic note, he felt that Thailand should lend its expertise in construction of roads, which is world class.

Also worth borrowing is the Thai experience in river transportation. The river Brahmaputra could provide excellent riverine connection throughout the year but it suffers from excessive siltation. This requires a higher-end technology, which Thailand could provide.

Aiyar was impressed by the navigational aids available in Thailand, which make our own look archaic. This meet also showcased the inherent strengths of each state.

Aiyar dubbed Tripura as the Qatar of India because this state is literally floating in natural gas. At the moment this resource cannot be exploited for want of a transit route to release the gas. Also showcased was the huge hydro and thermal power potential of at least 60,000 MW from three states — Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Meghalaya — which makes them industrial destinations of choice.

Jairam Ramesh, as usual a pragmatic practitioner, reiterated his oft-quoted point that while this region must politically integrate with India, its economic future lies with Southeast Asia. The commerce ministry, he says, is more than ready to promote trade opportunities as the engine of progress to enable the region to get out of its straggler mode.

The Northeast, however, is not a new destination for the Thai people. They have been regular visitors to Guwahati and Shillong to participate in the annual international trade fairs hosted by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam. Rajesh Das, the prime mover of the association, has been pursuing his goal of promoting trade links between the Northeast and Southeast Asia with singular zeal.

Building bridges
This year, a big contingent of Thais set up over 19 stalls in Guwahati. Crowds thronged the Myanmarese stalls selling high quality gemstones. The Indonesians displayed rare artefacts. Thai products sold like hot cakes so only those with something left to sell came to Shillong. Strong bonds of friendship have developed between the local people here and these traders, including dinner invitations to homes. Hugely popular with people of this region, these trade fairs are actually an honest effort to promote people-to-people contact between Southeast Asians and the Northeast.

While big business investments are imperative for the region, small initiatives at building trade links between the business community of Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Egypt cannot be undermined. The DoNER ministry needs to take note of such initiatives and use these existing bridges to strengthen economic ties with Asean countries.

Following suit
For starters, the DoNER ministry could promote a trade fair of a similar nature where handloom, handicrafts, silk, tea and other products from the Northeast can be exhibited and sold in Thailand using the association as a platform. An official of the commerce ministry of Thailand, Tharadong, has also played a key role in this joint venture.

On the flip side, however, the Thai delegates who are used to clean hotel rooms and spotlessly clean bathrooms and toilets in their own country were rather unimpressed with the accommodation in Agartala. They sensed a better hospitality culture in Guwahati and Shillong.

Jirapaet has driven this point home on more than one occasion when he said the tourism industry is built on a few essentials such as a sound culture of hospitality with world class hotels and hotel management, catering, a thriving food industry, healthcare, connectivity and above all world class service. The Northeast should concentrate on these basics before hard selling its tourist destinations.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070625/asp/...ory_7968291.asp

 

[akzaman]

ASSAM : BRIEF INTRODUCTION

PREFACE

The Motor Tyres seen in the picture are not for Car driving .These are for Firing purpose of Dead Bodies kept one upon another those killed brutally by the Indian Occupation Forces in Assam.

THE LAND :

Assam is situated between the parallels of 24088" and 27010" North longitude and 89042" and 96010" East latitude. Assam is bounded by Bhutan and Arunachal in the north; Nagaland and Manipur in the east; Bangladesh , Meghalaya , Tripura and Mizoram in the south and India in the west. The land of Assam consists of valleys and hills and mighty rivers like the Brahmaputra and Barak. Assam has a geographical area of 78,529 square kilometers.

NATURAL RESOURCES:

The fertile land of Assam is enormously sufficient to produce abundant quantity of agro-products. Tea, rice, pulses, oilseed, jute etc. are rich cash crops. Assam is also rich in mineral resources like oil, coal, limestone natural gas etc. The wild life sanctuaries like Manas, Kaziranga, Pabitara etc, are the home of endangered species like one-horned rhinoceros.

THE PEOPLES OF ASSAM :

The society of Assam with the total population of 25 millions can be categorized into three parts: 1. The Assamese society developed through the historical assimilation of different human races in the course of habitation in the same area from unknown times.

2. The indigenous tribal society who preserves their own identity till now, staying outside the periphery of the historical assimilation of different human races. The peoples who are historically assimilated from different human races and those peoples who stayed outside the assimilation are the indigenous inhabitants of Assam.

3. The foreigners migrated from the Indian sub-continent after 1947 for different reasons.

THE PAIN AND SORROW OF ASSAM

The 25 million peoples of Assam are the descendents of those forerunners who migrated into Assam in different historical times in separate groups of different human races. Amongst them are the Austrics (the Karbis), the Mongoloids ( the Kirats), the Caucasians (the Aryans) and the Drabirs (the Kaibartas and Banias). Here the society is painted with the history of assimilation and union and the tradition of different social-cultural factors. Assam, presently under the occupation of Indian rule, was independent from the ancient times. The peoples have been attaining in struggle in different crucial historical moments against foreign invader to keep alive their independent entity. They defended their independence successfully resisting the invasions of the mighty Mughals seventeen times. However, consequent to the Yandaboo Treaty signed between Man (Burma now Myanmar) and British on 24 February 1826, Assam ultimately became a British colony. After that the peoples engaged in struggle against the British to restore the lost independence. At that time the 'liberation struggle of Assam' was united with the Indian freedom struggle under the principle of 'line of united struggle'. Assam should have established an independent state, just after the British left the South Asian continent, like the establishment of independent countries such as India, Pakistan and Myanmar. However, the British- created leadership of independent India turned Assam into a colony of India through intrigue and conspiracy. So Assam became dependent again. From then the ruling class of India started indirect colonial exploitation with the help of foreign multinational corporations over and above their direct ruthless colonial exploitation. Now the people of Assam has become enfoebled, being seized by these two tired exploitations. All the industries, industrial products and the markets came under the control of the colonial ruling class. As a result, the strategy of annihilation of nation began. Services, industries and the markets are packed with foreigners deceiving the indigenous people. They have encouraged illegal migration of millions of Indian and non-Indian foreigners into Assam and rehabilitated them. This has turned the people of Assam into street-beggars and minority in their own country. They have fabricated a portion of the foreigners as the representative of indigenous people of Assam enthroning them at Delhi and Dispur as 'Member of Parliament' and 'Member of Legislative Assembly'. The ruling class has handicapped the languages, society and culture of Assam with the help of service-expecting education system and other publicity media. They have made the self-dependent productive power of general peasantry standstill, keeping the agriculture process in underdeveloped condition and the flood problem alive sans providing any permanent solution to it. They have made acute the unemployment problem of the educated, semi-educated and non-educated. Corruption, black marketing and depravity have utterly disgraced the social life of Assam. This has become a threat to our national identity. These are the pain and sorrow of the society of Assam. Above all, the Indian ruling class is executing the strategy of "divide and destroy" by instigating group conflicts.

The non violent struggles of the Assamese peoples to emancipate themselves from the above mentioned colonial problems have faced the steam-roller of undemocratic repression and torture of India in the name of slogans like 'united India', 'we are all Indians', and the law and constitution of India. The peoples of Assam have been suffering from the distress of mind due to the ruthless repression and torture of the Indian State. The peoples having been deprived of fundamental human and legal rights have lost their confidence totally in the non-violent struggle. As a result, another historical moment has arrived in front of the dependent indigenous people of Assam - in this moment the only alternative way for salvation of the peoples of Assam is the way of 'armed national liberation struggle'. So the 'UNITED LIBERATION FRONT OF ASOM' (ULFA), the vanguard of national liberation struggle in Assam, was formed on 7th April 1979 to bear the historic responsibility of spearheading the armed democratic struggle with the ultimate aim of establishing an independent socialist sovereign Assam.

Some General Information about Assam

Area of Assam 78 3,287sq.kms.
Assam Year Units
Population 1991 25 846 Millions
Population growth per annum % 1981-91 2.2 2.1
Deployment of India Occupation Forces
in the Seven Sister Region of Southeast Asia:

Deployment of India Occupation Forces
in the Seven Sister Region

Formation Placement

1.Eastern Command Calcutta (William Fort):

(a) 4th Corps Tezour (Assam) (b) 33rd Corps Rangapahar (Dimapur) 4th Corps (a) 2nd Mountain Division Dinjan (Dibrugarh) (b) 21st Mountain Division Rangia (Kampur) © 5th Mountain Division Tenga Valley (Arunachal) 33rd Corps (a) 8th Mountain Division Imphal (Manipur) (b) 57th Mountain Division Nasimpur (Silchar)

Air base:

1. Nadua (Dibrugarh District) 2. Raraya (Jorhat) 3. Garoimari (Sonitpur) Areas and others deployment 1. 101 area (Shillong) 2. 51 Sub-area (Narengi) 3. Sub-area (Jorhat)

(A). The Head Quarter of Assam Regiment situated at Shilong (B). The counter-insurgency Training School situated at Varengti (Mizoram)

Para Military Forces

1.Assam rifles (HQ) Shillong) 2.CRPF Group HQ(Gauhati and Rangapahar) 3. Border Security Force (Regional HQ, Panbari)

Religion

According to the 1991 census,

Hindus :15,047,293

Muslims :6,373,204

Christians :744,367

Buddhist: 64,008

Jains :20,645

Sikhs :21,910
http://www.geocities.com/capitolhil...in the Seven Sister Region of Southeast Asia:

 

[akzaman]

Voices from the periphery

Patricia Mukhim

IN an article titled "Thoughts on Look East Policy", Union minister
of state for commerce Jairam Ramesh has coherently articulated the
failure of development packages in transforming the thought
processes of the North-east. Ramesh has come closest to
understanding the problems of this region and the manipulative games
of political co-option played by Delhi. The author proposes a
radical shift in policy formulation for this region and suggests
that policies be enunciated by engaging the intellectual community
and civil society from within the region.

Civil society, intellectuals and a host of well-meaning individuals
have, for decades, identified the problems plaguing the region and
tried to push for policy changes, greater accountability and
transparency in funds utilisation. Above all, they have asked the
Department for Development of the North-east region to set up a
strict monitoring mechanism to scan and evaluate project
implementation.

The intellectual community has questioned whether "development
funds" are creating serious faultlines and ethnic rifts in otherwise
egalitarian tribal societies. Delhi's annual dole has created a new
group of elite which alone has access to development funds. The rest
of the population remains disempowered and is repeatedly made to
feel beholden to Delhi for their very existence.

This loss of self worth or the psychic wellbeing which Aristotle
terms the "thymos", troubles our thinking youth. Fukuyama drives the
point home when he says that the search for "thymos" is the major
cause of history's bloody trail.

Most of the armed struggles of the North-east originate from a sense
of deep frustration at being repeatedly caricatured as minions of
the Centre. How did the fiercely independent tribes suddenly become
obsequious lackeys of Delhi? This is palpable when national
political party bigwigs arrive at state capitals to "help resolve"
the internal squabbles among politicians here. And when Delhi
decides who should become chief minister and who should not. A
citizenry incarcerated by these political shenanigans suffers in
stoic silence, in the absence of the right to recall their elected
representatives. Parodies of this seasonal political mischief appear
in the local newspapers a la NDTV's double take. But does this
naming and shaming hurt our politicians? No, because somewhere along
the way they have developed thick hides and jettisoned
their "thymos".

Jairam Ramesh, also known as the common man's commerce minister, has
correctly diagnosed that the North-east problem cannot be solved by
an unimaginative economic conjecture that "money" equals development
and development equals a cessation of restiveness. If everything
was, indeed, so simple, the amount of money invested by Delhi in the
last two decades would have certainly brought in dramatic economic
transformation and a reduction of animosity towards Delhi.

Unfortunately that has not happened. And one tends to agree with
Robert Kaplan, the poverty analyst who deduces that development
assistance rarely changes history dramatically. He feels this is a
theory held by a narrow intellectual elite. But what Kaplan also
believes is that aid can on occasion make a difference and that even
when it does not, it can "help us to reinvent ourselves as a nation
in the context of a more interconnected world".

This connects with Ramesh's lucid argument that the North-east must
reinvent itself and develop economic ties with South-east Asia. Why
should a region owning so much of natural resources be seen as the
beleaguered poorer kin of Delhi waiting to get the annual doles out
of a highly patronising Planning Commission that pretends to have
a "one size fits all" solution for the North-east? That none of our
honourable elected MPs from the seven states has been able to
challenge this patronising attitude of the Commission reveals their
lack of commitment to the region and its causes.

Sadly, even the chief ministers and finance ministers who haggle for
funds from the Commission are uncaring about the loss of dignity and
credibility when a budget, which one presumes has been painstakingly
worked out by the states, is mercilessly slashed. In a federal
system, is it right for a centrally located Planning Commission to
decide the annual budgets of the states? Further, the Commission
does not even have a mechanism to monitor how states spend their
monies and how public money is converted into private investment by
the time it reaches the states.

Some learned members of the Commission know exactly where the money
goes. It certainly has not gone towards poverty alleviation
projects. The opulent mansions with ostentatious internal decor
dotting the state capitals of the North-east and belonging to
ministers, highly-placed bureaucrats and technocrats of the state
PWD and PHE departments is where much of the money is invested. It
is time to stop this daylight plunder.

A well-meaning Delhi should immediately ask states to mobilise their
own resources — an activity they have long forgotten — and to fund
their own projects. There are ample internal resources which are
allowed to leak into private pockets. For instance, trucks carrying
30 tonnes of coal or limestone pay taxes only for 15 tonnes (there
are at least 3,000 trucks plying in Meghalaya on a daily basis).
Truckers pay the rest to some government collector who shares it
with his higher-ups. Also, the states lose crores of rupees as sales
tax because of slack implementation of the law.

Once the Delhi tap runs dry all these resources will have to be
mobilised. Perhaps citizens too learn to seek more accountability
from their elected representatives and civil servants. Delhi money
is always considered "sarkari paisa". Nobody loses sleep about how
that money is spent.

It is here that Ramesh's recent trip to Dhaka makes sense.
Bangladesh is a natural neighbour and market direction for at least
three states — Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya — which are
landlocked. Chittagong port is our connecting link to the outside
world. In a market-driven economy linkages are imperative. Transit
facilities through Bangladesh is the only answer to the North-east's
trade with South-east Asia and the world. Transit facilities through
Myanmar may not be feasible for Meghalaya and Assam because of the
distance involved. Informal trade ties have existed and continue to
exist between Meghalaya and Bangladesh, often under the "watchful"
eyes of the BSF and BDR. The idea is to formalise this trade and
rake in the revenues.

The number of cattle passing from Meghalaya to Bangladesh is legion.
That these living creatures could cross borders with relative ease
shows that the BSF and BDR have a joint agreement to take a quiet
nap while the animals jump fences.

In the list of requests put forward by the state minister for
commerce to the Bangladesh government, one is about allowing transit
routes to the North-east and for Bangladesh to become a stakeholder
in the 1,100-MW power project being set up in Agartala. This, he
said, would provide Bangladesh enormous trading opportunities with
the North-east and reduce the trade deficit between the two
countries.

This is the sort of radical, progressive policy prescription that
India's North-east should be looking at. The region has to reinvent
itself and appreciate its own vantage point vis-à-vis South-east
Asia, instead of perpetually groaning about Delhi's unrequited love.
It is time to find new suitors who can appreciate what the region
has to offer. This might jolt some of those who are used to flirting
with the dispensers of largesse in Delhi.

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=14&theme=&usrsess=1&id=164429

 

[akzaman]

NSCN (I-M) reiterates unification demand

The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) is sticking to the demand for unification of the Naga-inhabited areas of the States of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh despite strong opposition from the concerned State governments. Highly-placed official sources said that the NSCN leadership had raised the demand once again in the recent talks with the representatives of the Government of India at Bangkok. Sources said that the Central Government representatives made it clear to the NSCN leadership that it would not be possible on the part of the Centre to impose the same on the concerned State governments till a consensus on the issue is arrived at.

Sources pointed out that time and again the Central Government had made its position clear to the NSCN leadership and former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee during a visit to Nagaland, also made the Centre’s position clear. But till date, the NSCN is still sticking to its demand.

It may be mentioned here that the NSCN has been demanding unification of the Naga-inhabited areas for the formation of greater Nagalim and the map of the proposed Nagalim, prepared by the outfit, includes parts of seven districts of Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The Assam Government has made its position clear on the issue and opposed the demand, while Manipur witnessed strong protests against the demand, which turned violent.

Official sources said that though talks with the NSCN have been going on for years, discussion on substantive issues started only recently and the outfit has submitted a list of more than 30 demands including the demand for unification of the Naga-inhabited areas. However, sources refused to divulge whether the NSCN has given up the demand for a sovereign Nagalim or not.

Sources also admitted that the Naga problem would not be solved through talks with only the Issac- Muivah faction of the NSCN, and that the Khaplang faction would have to be taken into confidence for a permanent solution. Sources said that though a ceasefire pact with the NSCN(K) has been signed, talks on substantive issues with the outfit have not yet started and the outfit has also not yet submitted its list of demands. The Government would like to start formal talks with the NSCN(K) after the talks with the NSCN (I-M) make some headway.

Meanwhile, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today made it clear that it would not compromise on the territorial integrity of Assam for the solution of the Naga problem.

Talking to The Assam Tribune, AASU general secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi said that the students’ union welcomed the peace process in Nagaland and “we want a solution to the problem for restoration of peace in Nagaland. But we cannot allow anyone to create disturbance in Assam in the name of restoration of peace in Nagaland.” He asserted that the geographical integrity of Assam must be maintained and the AASU would never compromise on the issue. He said that the AASU has very cordial relations with the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) but in the talks with the NSF, the AASU made its stand clear on the issue on several occasions.

It may be mentioned here that several students’ bodies of the north-eastern States had talks with the leaders of the NSCN during their last visit to India and the AASU and Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union made their stand clear on the issue before the NSCN leaders. The AASU and AAPSU made it clear that they would not compromise on the geographical territory of the two States for the solution of the political problem of the Nagas.
http://assamtribune.com/

 

[akzaman]

India's 'forgotten' war

By Tanya Datta
BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents

The UNFL is one of the largest rebel groups in the north-east More than 15 years ago, Tombi studied advertising in Delhi. These days, he is putting his communication skills to a different use in the remote Indian state of Manipur.

At a hidden destination deep within waterlogged paddy fields and lush palm trees, Tombi (not his real name) meets me as I disembark from a small canoe. He is flanked by around 20 militants in camouflage uniforms bearing AK47s and other heavy arms, including a rocket propelled gun.

Tombi is now the publicity officer for a rebel group called the United National Liberation Front, aka the UNLF. It's one of more than 20 separatist outfits engaged in bloody conflict with the Indian army.

India's Troubled Northeast
Manipur lies in India's north-east, an isolated area that borders Burma, China, Bangladesh and Bhutan. It is connected to mainland India by a narrow 22km (13.6 mile) strip of land known colloquially as the "chicken's neck". The entire region is a melting pot of hundreds of tribes and ethnicities.

It is also racked by insurgency
Within the seven north-east states, Manipur remains one of the most violent. Officials estimate more than 8,000 have died since the conflict fully broke out in the early 1980s. Other experts say that the real figure is far higher.

Rarely reported
Study any newspaper in Manipur, and it makes for grim reading. The are constant stories of brutality, bombings and murder. Yet this long-running conflict is rarely reported in the Western media. That is in part due to restrictions by the Indian Government on visiting the state.

Back at the secret location, Tombi tells me why the UNLF, one of the largest and most powerful rebel organisations, has resorted to violence. "We are fighting for Manipur," he says. "Sovereign, independent Manipur. You see, Manipur was never part of India."

Perception of colonisation
The historical inclusion of Manipur, a distinct kingdom for nearly 2,000 years, into the Dominion of India is hotly contested.

When the British colonial rulers left India in 1947, Manipur actually regained its independence. But just two years later, it became part of India. If our people didn't support us, how can we survive in this area? Tombi', publicity officer for the United National Liberation Front

Many Manipuris claim that their king was forced to sign the controversial Merger Agreement of 1949. This allegation lies at the root of many of the rebels' grievances. Racially, Manipuri people are also far more similar to South East Asians than to mainland Indians. Several people told me that they often faced racial discrimination from mainland Indians. Tombi believes that the bulk of the Manipuri population support the UNLF's struggle for independence. "If our people didn't support us, how can we survive in this area?"

Parallel governments
But there are many ordinary Manipuris who are growing tired of the rebels' influence. Several insurgent groups increasingly issue diktats and rulings on moral and social behaviour, enforced with the threat of violence.

Bollywood films are no longer screened in the state because of their allegedly "corrupting Indian influence". Schoolgirls must wear the traditional Manipuri sarong to school.
A woman in Manipur wears a traditional sarong

The bloodshed is made worse by bitter rivalry between certain rebel groups, many of whom represent diverse ethnic groups or political outlooks. Extortion is also rampant in Manipur. Most professions are forced to pay the rebels regular sums of money that are locally called 'tax'.

Caught in the middle
In recent months, chemist shops across Manipur closed down en masse after a particularly high financial demand from rebels could not be met. Their desperate actions endangered the lives of many patients reliant on medicine. Days later, they were forced to re-open at gunpoint by the police.

In the state capital of Imphal, it is impossible to miss the presence of the Indian army. On almost every corner, I notice armed soldiers on patrol, military checkpoints and armoured vehicles. They are there to counter the threat of rebel attack. Yet many Manipuris claim that the army is making matters worse.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act
Since 1980, the Indian military has operated across the entire state under a controversial law known as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. This act gives security forces the right to arrest people and enter property without warrant. It also allows them to shoot to kill simply on suspicion of breaking the law. Sonia, 14, claims her leg was broken by Indian soldiers

Condemned by Amnesty International for facilitating grave human rights abuses, including extrajudicial execution, "disappearance", rape and torture, many believe it has given rise to a widespread culture of impunity. Sonia is 14 years old. I met her at the surgery of her local Manipuri bonesetter in a village not far from her home.

In a weak voice, she tells me that Indian soldiers had recently visited her home looking for her uncle and the people he lived with. When she denied knowledge of their whereabouts, she alleges that she was beaten up and left with her leg broken by a rifle butt. "I was studying on the verandah with a lamp...These people came and they threw my books...After the beating, I was unconscious."

Government response
In Delhi, I ask Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister for the Development of the Northeast, whether he thinks that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is fuelling the grievances of the people? The minister tells me that there have been aberrations by the army, a fact which he deplores. To suggest that the aberration is the norm is to present a completely distorted picture

Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister for the Development of the North-east "But to suggest that the aberration is the norm is to present a completely distorted picture," he says. "Please remember that the bulk of the violence is being inflicted by these insurgents - unelected, fascist - who have converted insurgency into a livelihood."

The desire of the Indian Government to invest in the north-east is increasingly evident. All state departments, the minister tells me, must spend 10% of their budgets on the development of the region. This reflects a growing recognition of the strategic importance of the region as a bridge for connecting the subcontinent with the East and South East Asia.

Boosting overland trade could have huge economic benefits for Manipur. Perhaps all the more reason why, addressing the endemic violence blighting the state is essential.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6935673.stm

 

[abbasirauf]

I think both of the countries (Pak/India) should realize the bitter ground realities. Indian shouldn't blame everything on her neighbours but should admit that they are not delivering and not doing enough to give the rights to their citizens that's how the freedom struggles are going on. Indians are seeing the one side of the picture, they should see the other side as well. All the innocent people who are being killed by Indian security forces will not forgive this so easily, they will speak one day. Indian may think that freedom fighters are terrorist but they are also perceiving Indian forces as terrorists(spreading terror). It's both way. Whenever you come across your enemy you never admit that you are also doing something very wrong. Why only in India the people take arms against their government? Why the minorities are not given their rights? why Indians supports terrorism in Siri Lanka? I don't understand some people only believes on unconfirmed intellignence which proved to be never intelligent. Good luck for blaming other of your own wrong doings...........

 

[mujahideen]

Bangladesh army chief on mission to boost India ties

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh's army chief, General Moeen U. Ahmed, left Dhaka on Sunday for a week-long visit to India aimed at reviving defence and political ties and boosting security co-operation.

Moeen is a key figure in Bangladesh politics, where an army-backed interim authority has ruled under a state of emergency since taking charge in January 2007 following months of political violence.

He was expected to meet the chiefs of the Indian army, navy and air force, as well as the president, prime minister and senior government leaders, Bangladeshi officials said.

"To re-establish defence ties between the two neighbouring countries will be a major focus during the visit," said Brigadier-General Mohammad Anisuzzaman Bhuiyan, director of training at Bangladesh's army headquarters.

India helped the former East Pakistan in its 1971 independence war against Pakistan.

But despite generally friendly relations, Indian and Bangladeshi border guards often exchange fire along their porous 4,000-km (2,500-mile) border that runs through rice fields, hills, jungles, marshes and rivers.

They accuse each other of targeting civilians on the frontier, which is known for rampant smuggling and illegal migration.

Moeen and his Indian counterpart would discuss steps to combat corruption and terrorism, and the possibility of joint operations against insurgent groups, other officials said.

Analysts say Bangladesh is also keen for India's political support as it pursues an anti-corruption drive and implements reforms ahead of a return to elected government.

The interim authority has pledged to hold a free and fair election before the end of this year.

Bangladesh's generals ruled the country for 15 years until December 1990, when a people's revolt ousted the last military ruler, Hossain Mohammad Ershad.

But Moeen has repeatedly said the army has no intention to take power again, only to assist the establishment of democratic government.

(Reporting by Anis Ahmed and Serajul Islam Quadir)

 

[salman nedian]

I have seen on many Bangladeshi blogs that they say that in every government office and Police station of Assam there are Bangladeshis. But how it is possible? How Indians can make such mistake? Didn’t they confirm the nationality before recruiting any cop?

Honestly speaking I will be happy if Assam joins BD.

 

[HK-47]

Initiate collective efforts to tackle poverty, combat terrorism
South Asian experts tell seminar
Staff Correspondent

Expressing concern over growing inequalities between the rich and the poor and the price hike of foodstuffs at a seminar, the South Asian experts yesterday called for initiating collective efforts to tackle poverty and combat terrorism.

They said the Saarc countries, which share common history, natural potentials and hazards, should work together to face the consequences of climate change, increase governance status and raise health and education levels to go in line with the emerging world order.

The observations came at the seminar titled 'India and South Asia in a new emerging world order' organised by the Centre for Foreign Affairs Studies (CFAS) at a city hotel.

“Removal of poverty and hunger is the most important task that South Asian nations need to do together,” said Ambassador Rajendra M Abhyankar, former secretary to Indian External Affairs Ministry.

Stating that South Asia has become a region of attention of the global powers, he said the region has improved much in terms of economy, but still several hundred million people of the region are subjected to hunger, malnutrition and illiteracy.

In his keynote paper, Rajendra, who now serves as The Asia Foundation's Programme Development Adviser for India, said inequalities in the distribution of economic wealth both within the countries and in the region as a whole has been observed.

On the other hand soaring prices of essentials have made the economic scenario difficult, and the terrorist activities have affected the growth and peace in the region, he said.

“Regional cooperation can mitigate these affects. Mutual mistrusts among the nations should also be dispelled,” he added.

As the largest country, India has a very important role to play in this regard, said Rajendra, adding, “We'll always be on the side of multilateral approaches... because the new world order that is emerging is not always very positive development.”

Taking part in the discussion, Bangladesh's former foreign secretary Syed Muazzem Ali said there is a clear need for cooperation among the Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries in the wake of food and energy crises, and disaster management issues.

“If we approach international communities for taking up mega projects to mitigate the problems that affect the whole Saarc region, they will surely come forward to assist,” he added.

“Collective bargaining is important today to have better benefits,” Muazzem said, urging all to change the old mindsets of only bilateral relations.

The misconception that joint approach will bar bilateral negotiation has been proved wrong, he noted.

Putting emphasis on regional cooperation on food security, Muazzem said people are facing huge pressure in the wake of spiraling food prices.

“There is price hike of essentials in the US also, but people there are not badly hit by it because of their better income. We therefore need to increase our income level,” he added.

Defence and Strategic Analyst Brig Gen (retd) Shahedul Anam Khan said India and China are going to be the leading economic powers in near future, but India, being a South Asian nation, cannot go alone.

“If India wants to be a global power, it has to be accepted regionally first,” he said, adding, “You can't forget those who are lagging behind you.”

Shahedul said fingering points at neighbours for any terrorist attacks without having any evidence in hand also has negative impact on the neighbouring countries.

Ambassador Mohammad Zamir, journalists Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury and Sadeque Khan were present at the seminar moderated by CFAS Chairman Ambassador Ashfaqur Rahman.

:The Daily Star: Internet Edition