Human Rights Activist Suhas Chakma Slammed Gujarat's Anti-Terror Bill

via News Hub on March 31, 2015

Human rights activists have slammed BJP lawmakers in Gujarat for passing the draconian anti-terror bill on Tuesday.

“Insane and unnecessary,” said Suhas Chakma, director of the Delhi-based Asian Centre for Human Rights. “Why does Gujarat need such a law. Just because it shares a maritime border with Pakistan? Nothing has happened there in the past five years. It is one of the most peaceful states,” he said.

The Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Bill, 2015 allows for phone conversations intercepted by the police, and confessions made to senior police officers, to be submitted as evidence in court. Activists fear that such provisions are easily abused by the authorities. They are especially concerned about the police using brute force to beat confessions from suspects.

All offences under this bill are non-bailable. Furthermore, the bill increases the police investigation time from 90 days to 180 days during which the suspect languishes in custody.

Section 25 of the Bill makes the government immune from any legal action for "anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act."

The bill, previously called the Gujarat Control of Organised Bill, was introduced in 2003 by then chief minister Narendra Modi, now prime minister. It was first rejected by President APJ Abdul Kalam in 2004 during the NDA government and then by President Pratibha Patil when the UPA government was in power.

Human rights activists also question the need for states to continue piling on Acts when central laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the National Investigation Agency Act, armed with similar draconian provisions, already exist. Other state laws include the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999, Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005, and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which covers the NorthEast and the state of Jammu and Kashmir, where insurgency continues.

Also read: Gujarat Assembly passed the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Bill 2015

Jayshree Satapatu, a human rights lawyer, said that it was "outrageous" that no legal action could be taken against the state of Gujarat. “We must congratulate Gujarat on its own AFSPA,” she said. “This is a reminder to us as human rights lawyers that the fight is very long. Instead of neutralising these laws, we keep adding more of them."

“It is noticed that the organised criminals syndicates make a common cause with terrorist gangs and foster macro-terrorism which extends beyond the national boundaries. There is reason to believe that organised criminal syndicates are operating in the state and thus, there is immediate need to curb their activities."The Bill's 'Statement of Objects and Reason's states, "Organised crime has for quite some years now come up as a very serious threat to our society. With economic progress, Gujarat is facing threat of terrorism and economic offences. Gujarat has a 1600-km sea border and a 500-km land border with Pakistan. The state has witnessed several terrorist attacks."

The Bill still needs to be cleared by President Pranab Mukherjee. But there are no guarantees that Mukherjee will follow his predecessors in rejecting it.

Saurav Datta, who specialises in the criminal justice reform at the Delhi-based Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, pointed out that it was Mukherjee, who gave his consent for the hanging of Afzal Guru, which was widely regarded as a populist move by the Manmohan Singh government to appear tough on terrorism.

More recently, Datta said, it was Mukherjee who gave his consent to the law banning beef in Mumbai, which had been in “cold storage” for the past two decades. "Mukherjee could give the go ahead. Presidents have their own politics,” he said.

Also read: Gujarat passes anti-terror Bill

Source: huffingtonpost.in

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Attack on Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Chairperson

via Land is Life on March 30, 2015

CHT Commission Press Statement: Attack on Regional Council Chairperson

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission is Deeply Concerned about the attack on Regional Council Chairperson and violence in Khagrachari involving the military

Dhaka: The International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC) condemns the attack on the convoy of Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council and also President of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma on 11 March 2015. The attack was allegedly carried out in the presence of police and other law enforcement authorities. A 72-hour strike was called in Bandarban in anticipation of the visit by Mr. Larma under the banner of ‘Jago Parbattyabasi’ (Rise Hill Dwellers) and they may have been involved in this attack. PCJSS reports that at least 12 members of PCJSS and Pahari Chhatra Parishad (Hill Students Council) have been wounded. One car and two motorcycles, which were part of the convoy carrying Mr. Larma’s was attacked when they reached Balaghata of Bandarban town. Some of the individuals involved in the attack were identified and CHTC has come to learn that they involved local politicians belonging to both the ruling party Awami Leagu

In recent times there have been a number of attacks in Rangamati and Bandarban by various Bengali settler groups on indigenous peoples, as well as those active in demanding implementation of the CHT Accord. This includes attacks on CHTC in Rangamati in July 2014 and CHTC officials in Bandarban in August 2014. The nature of these attacks has been very similar. The attacks have been carried out by members of Bengali settler groups with various names and the attacks are carried out in front of various law-enforcement authorities indicating collusion and patronization of law-enforcement authorities. This is an alarming trend in the CHT and we strongly condemn such attacks and demand that those who are involved be brought to justice immediately

CHTC also condemns the violence in Babuchara, Dighinala which allegedly left six indigenous persons and four army personnel injured on 15 March. According to media reports the Dighinala Bhumi Rakkha Committee brought out a procession to protest the setting up of BGB battalion offices in Babuchhara which led to the eviction of 21 indigenous families from the area. Law enforcement agencies put up barricades to halt this procession which prompted protestors to throw brickbats at the joint forces to remove the barricade. Police opened blank fire and started charging batons on the protestors which led to the injuries. Earlier the CHTC had expressed concern over the attack by 51 Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) on indigenous villagers in June 2014 and after an on-site visit of the Commission members in July 2014.

Many of the attacks on indigenous people in the CHT are related to land acquisition by settlers and by state forces. It has become vital for the government to make amendments to the CHT Land Commission Act to ensure that the Land Commission chairperson can settle the land disputes in the hills. It is also vital for the government to fully implement the 1997 CHT Accord without delay to prevent further clashes and violence in the CHT, a pledge that the government has been repeatedly making in its election manifesto but failing to uphold.

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Northeast’s Rewati Chetri voted Miss India-Miss Popular and Miss Multimedia

via TNT on March 30, 2015

GUWAHATI: Rewati Chetri, Miss India 2015 finalist from Haflong, Assam representing North East has won the Miss India 2015 Miss Popular and Miss Multimedia subtitles in the grand finale of Miss India 2015 at Yashraj Studios in Mumbai on Saturday evening. She was chosen among the Top 10 finalist out of Top 21 finalists. After Himakshi Agarwal and Jantee Hazarika, Rewati is the third girl from Assam who made it into the finals of the coveted fashion and beauty icon show.

In a star-studded finale, Rewati Chetri was presented the Miss India 2015 Reliance Digital Miss Multimedia subtitle by Bollywood actor John Abraham along with a cash reward of Rupees One Lakh. The event was judged by eminent personalities from the industry like John Abraham, Manisha Koirala, Sonu Nigam, Anil Kapoor, Firoz Nadiadwala, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Shilpa Shetty, Sonali Bendre, Shiamak Davar and Chitrangada Singh. The 2015 edition saw electrifying performances by Bollywood stars– Kareena Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandes, Shahid Kapoor and famous singers like Kanika Kapoor, Meet Brothers, and Shalmali Kholgade.

Bollywood personalities made appearances and  judges selected  top ten finalists out of 21 contestants  for this finale. Judge Firoz Nadiadwala’s questioned Rewati: How do you define success to which Rewati replied: Success is where I want to see myself in what I do the best.

Internet generated report says Rewati Chetri is the most followed, shared, downloaded and talked about Miss India finalist and her Facebook engagement was twice her nearest contestant. Each of her Facebook post were seen by more than 5000 persons and a maximum of over 54,000. Out of the 21 contestants, she also got the highest number of votes via WeChat application which the Miss India Oganisation said were in lakhs.

On being asked about her feelings on the ramps of Miss India 2015 grand finale, she said, “I could not count my heartbeats but I could feel the number of hearts beating for me. But it was not easy, it is not only about confidence,  intelligence and beauty but also about courage and knowledge and over all personality. As advised by you all, I celebrated being there, enjoyed every moment, gave my best and cheered for myself and made it to Top 10 Finalist. I could feel seven sisters states and one brother Sikkim, Darjeeling and Gorkha and North East populated cities and towns of India and rest of world support and prayers for me. Frankly speaking, I am happy that  I won billions of hearts though I could not bring the crown”

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Controversy over Western University President Amit Chakma's double salary

via Haffington Post on March 30, 2015

TORONTO: Liberal cabinet ministers refused to say Monday whether they think it was appropriate for a university president to be paid nearly $1 million because he didn't take a sabbatical.

The so-called sunshine list of public sector employees paid over $100,000 last year revealed that Western University president Amit Chakma was paid $967,000 — double his normal salary, because he worked through a scheduled one-year leave.

Chakma has signed a new five-year contract that will also allow him the option of a one-year leave or double pay in 2019.

Having Chakma work through the one-year leave benefited the university with continuity of leadership at a critical time, said the chair of Western's board of governors, Chirag Shah.

"It's not dissimilar to a vacation entitlement at the end of the day," he said. "I'm sure that if you had the circumstances where you had to work through a vacation you have an entitlement for that payment."

More than 1,700 people, including faculty members, have signed an online petition calling on university senators to bring a non-confidence motion against Chakma next month.

"Excessive executive compensation of this magnitude is simply unacceptable in the public sector," wrote law professor Samuel Trosow. "This is especially so given the belt-tightening, cutbacks and general austerity facing so many in the university community."

Shah said under Chakma's leadership the university board of governors is "quite pleased" with Chakma's leadership.

"So we hope we're able to manage through the appropriate communications with our campus so they're fully aware of the stature of leader that we do have on campus," he said.

London-West NDP MPP Peggy Sattler asked in question period Monday whether the government would prohibit university boards of governors from negotiating similar double payouts to university presidents.

"With the university cutting staff and increasing class sizes, this double payout is a slap in the face to Western students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community," she said.

Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Reza Moridi noted that a bill was passed last year that allows for caps on broader public sector executive compensation. In the meantime, he said, executives are expected to follow a public sector wage freeze.

Chakma's base salary has been frozen since 2009 and continues with no incremental increases in the new contract, Shah said.

Deb Matthews, president of the Treasury Board, said the government is in the process of developing those caps on a sector-by-sector basis, though she couldn't say when those would be made public. She would not say what she thinks of Chakma's double salary.

"I'm not going to comment on any individual person on the sunshine list other than to say we know that there's a problem with executive compensation and that's why we're taking the steps we are," she said.

"We're looking at all compensation, not just the salary."

Neither Finance Minister Charles Sousa nor Moridi would say whether they thought Chakma's 2014 compensation was appropriate.

The president and CEO of the University of Toronto's asset management corporation was paid $939,000, which Moridi said included performance bonuses.

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Mizoram: 3 Policemen Killed, 2 Injured in Attack by Hmar Rebels

via Mizo News on March 28, 2015

Aizawl:  Three armed Mizoram policemen were gunned down and two others shot at when the militant outfit Hmar People’s Convention-Democracy (HPC-D) ambushed a police party in Mizoram on Saturday, a police official said here.

The police party led by the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Sakawrdai, Zarzoliana, was accompanying a state assembly team in Zokhawthiang in Aizawl district in northern Mizoram bordering Manipur and Assam.

SDPO Zarzoliana, who was shot in the abdomen, has been airlifted to Aizawl for emergency treatment. Another injured policeman was shifted to a nearby government hospital.

“The HPC-D guerrillas suddenly attacked the police party from a hill top killing the three policemen on the spot. Two other police personnel, including the SDPO, were injured in the ambush. The rebels managed to escape when the other policemen retaliated,” Deputy Inspector General of Police (northern range) L. T.Hrangchal said.

He said “the three MLAs of the Mizoram assembly, including a woman, and other accompanying officials were reported to be safe”.

The militant attack took place at Zokhawthiang village close to the Tuiruang river that separates the three states — Mizoram, Manipur and Assam.

Aizawl district police chief C. Laldina along with additional security forces has rushed to the area.

The three legislators led by the chairman of the Mizoram assembly committee on government assurances, R. L. Pianmawia, and accompanied by officials were on an official visit to the mountainous area, bordering Manipur, when the attack took place.

The other MLAs touring the area included Lalthanliana and Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu (lone woman MLA).

Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana held an emergency meeting with security officials and reviewed the situation.

The HPC-D militants, which have bases in Manipur, have been demanding more political autonomy for the Hmar tribals in Manipur and Mizoram.

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Borapansury: 3 Killed, 4 Injured in Borapansury-Kamalanagar Road Accident

Correspondence on March 27, 2015

Borapansury : 3 young Chakma boys have been killed on spot, 4 severely injured  in a freak accident today at Borapansury. 

In a freak accident involving an overloaded 407 mini truck, 3 young lives have been shunted out forever living their family inconsolable. 

Dangu Sunil Kumar (18 yrs from Songora Sury), Dangu Sumati Ranjan (17 yrs from Songora sury), Dangu Meye Ranjan (18yrs from Ugolsury) came to Kamalanagar to educate & improve their lives, to take admission at Kamalanagar as none of their villages have High School. They were returning to their respective villages from Kamalanagar after taking admission, to earn some extra money to buy books and basic expenses.

However all hell broke loose on 27th March 2015, when the overloaded mini truck carrying goods for Contractor Dangu Rupayan Chakma (present acting President of MCSU Central) was allegedly driven by a drunk Mizo driver on a dilapidated road sped and turned turtle. The mini truck was owned by a Mizo, Dangu Sailo from Lunglei.

Apparently, Kamalanagar to Borapansury road condition is so pathetic that it closes down with slightest rain. 

4 more young boys are in hospital, some with serious injuries. Though the Truck owner visited some of the patients but till the report received no Chakma Leaders visited the victims yet.

Inputs via Chakma Voice

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PM Narendra Modi greets Bangladesh on its Independence Day

via The Economic Times on March 26, 2015

"Independence Day greetings to the people of  Bangladesh, a Nation that
 has always been an enduring and important friend for India", he tweeted. 

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted the people of Bangladesh on their Independence Day, saying the country that has always been an important friend for India. 

"Independence Day greetings to the people of Bangladesh, a Nation that has always been an enduring and important friend for India", he tweeted in English as well as Bangla. 

Bangladesh celebrates the day in commemoration of the declaration of independence from Pakistan in 1971 by the "Father of the Nation" Sheikh Mujibur Rahman before he was arrested by Pakistani forces.

The declaration led to start of a guerrilla struggle against Pakistan to separate the country from Pakistan.

Independence for Bangladesh finally came in December that year after a nine-month guerrilla war against the Pakistan Army.

PTI 

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Three North East films bag National Film Awards 2014

via TNT on March 25, 2015

GUWAHATI: Three films from the Northeast and a biopic have been featured in the list of winners of the 62nd National Film Awards 2014, according to reports.

Omung Kumar’s ‘Mary Kom’, based on the life of Olympic medal-winning pugilist from Manipur, M C Mary Kom, was declared the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment.

‘Othello’, directed by Hemanta Das and produced by Manabendra Adhikary, under Artha Films, was declared the best Assamese feature film. The film was scripted by Ranjit Sarma. The producer and director will receive the Rajat Kamal and Rs 1,00,000 each. Not a reworking of Shakespeare’s immortal play by the name, Othello takes a look at religious prejudice and mistrust through the eyes of its lead protagonists. It won rave reviews and multiple awards at various film festivals.

“I believe pain is part of our reality. The film is a comment on terrorism, the pain of minority communities, prejudice and our society,” Sarma said.

Suraj Kumar Duwarah’s ‘Orong’ became the first Rabha film to win a National Award for best feature film in the language. An experimental film, with minimal use of dialogues, ‘Orong’ is unique in not having any music at all.

“It’s a great honour for the Rabha community. They have a great culture and heritage. My film is an experimental one and I have tried to do things differently and tell a good story,” said Duwarah, who will receive the Rajat Kamal and Rs 1,00,000.

Noted Manipuri filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar won the National Award for the best investigative film for ‘Phum Shang’. The film focuses on fishing communities living on the floating biomass of Loktak lake. Kumar will be conferred the Rajat Kamal and Rs 50,000.

Here’s the full list of the 62nd National Film Awards announced yesterday:

Feature Film Awards

Best Feature Film: Court (Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, English)

Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film Of A Director: Asha Jaor Majhe (Bengali)

Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Mary Kom (Hindi)

Best Film On Environment Conservation: Ottaal (Malayalam)

Best Direction: Srijith Mukherjee/ Chotushkone (Bengali)

Best Actor: Vijay/ Nan Avanalla Avalu (Kannada)

Best Actress: Kangana Ranaut/ Queen (Hindi)

Best Supporting Actor: Bobby Simha/ Jigarthanda (Tamil)

Best Supporting Actress: Baljinder Kaur/ Pagdi The Honour (Haryanvi)

 

Best Male Playback Singer: Sukhvinder Singh/ Haider (Hindi)

Best Female Playback Singer: Uttara Unnikrishnan/ Saivam (Tamil)

Best Costume Designer: Dolly Ahluwalia/ Haider (Hindi)

Best Music Direction: Vishal Bhardwaj/ Haider (Hindi)

Best Background Score: Gopi Sundar/ 1983 (Malayalam)

Best Choreography: Haider (Hindi)
Special Jury Mention: Khwada (Marathi)
Best Lyrics: Nag Muthukumar/ Saivam (Tamil)
Best Make-Up Artiste: Nangaraju & Raju/ Nan Avanalla Avalu (Kannada)
Best Production Design: Aparna Raina/ Nachom Ia Kumpasar (Konkani)
Best Audiography: Mahavir Sabbanwal/ Khwada (Marathi)
Best Sound Designing: Anish John/ Asha Jaor Majhe (Bengali)
Best Re-recording: Nirbashito (Bengali)
Best Original Screenplay: Srijith Mukherji/ Chatushkone (Bengali)
Best Cinematography: Sudip Chatterjee/ Chatushkone (Bengali)
Best Editing: Vivek Harshan/ Jigarthanda (Tamil)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Joshi Mangalath/ Ottaal (Malayalam)
Best Dialogues: Vishal Bhardwaj/ Haider (Hindi)
Best Children’s Film: Kakkai Muttai (Tamil), Elizabeth Ekadashi (Marathi)
Best Child Artiste: N. Vignesh, Ramesh/ Kakkai Muttai (Tamil)
Best Film on Social Issues: Chotoder Chobi (Bengali)

Best Assamese Film : Othello

Best Bengali Film: Nirbashito

Best Hindi Film: Queen

Best Kannada Film: Harivu

Best Malayalam Film: Ain

Best Marathi Film: Killa

Best Odiya Film: Aadim Vichar

Best Punjabi Film: Punjab 1984

Best Tamil Film: Kuttram Kadithal

Best Telugu Film: Chandamama Kathalu
Best Rabha Film: Orong
Best Haryanvi Film: Pagdi The Honour

 

Best Feature Films (Special Mention): Ain (Malayalam), Nachom Ia Kumpasar (Konkani), Killa (Marathi), Bhoothnath Returns (Hindi)

Best Educational Films: Komal, Behind The Glass Wall

Best Exploration/ Adventure Films: Life Force-India’s Western Ghats

Best Investigative Film: Phum Shang

Best Animation Film: Sound Of Joy

Best Short Fiction Film: Mitraa

 

Awards for Writing on Cinema

Best Film Critic: Tanul Thakur

Best Book On Cinema: Silent Cinema (1895-1930) by Pasupuleti Purnachandra Rao

Best Writing On Cinema (Special Mention): Pride Of Tamil Cinema by G. Dhananjayan

Non-Fiction Feature Films

Best Narration: Ambooty Devi/ Nithya Kalyani    

Best Editing: Andy Campbell/ Tigress Blood

Best Audiography: Tender Is The Sight

Best Cinematography: Indraneel Lehri/ Amar Katha: The Story Of Binodini

Best Direction: Renu Sawant/ Aranyak

Best Film On Family Values: Towards The Silver Lining 
Special Jury Mention: A Poet, A City, A Footballer

Best Film on Environmental Issues: I Cannot Give You My Forest

Best Film On Social Issues: Can’t Take This Shit Anymore, Daughters Of Mother India

Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction: Amar Katha-The Story Of Binodini

Best Anthropological/Ethnographic Film: Qissa-The Parsi Story

Best Debut Film Of A Director: Goonga Pahalwan

Best Non-Fiction Feature Film: Tender Is The Sight

Source: LLC

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Rewati Chetri, the lone North East Contestant in Miss India 2015

via Nagaland Post on March 24, 2015

After touring across twenty cities that included twelve city auditions, three regional auditions, two city pageants and Mumbai final audition round, the 64th edition of Femina Miss India pageant, Femina Miss India 2015 is in full swing preparing and grooming the 21 finalists for the grand finale which is scheduled for March 28’ 2015 in Mumbai. Amongst the 21 finalists is Rewati Chetri, a law student hailing from Guwahati, Assam, the only contestant from North East amongst this year’s Miss India finalists. At just 18, this young lady with a divine smile, is brimming with confidence, and is becoming fan’s favourite to win the title. Rewati stands tall at 5’ 8” and is interested in Belly Dancing, and wants to win the title so that she can make her state Assam feel proud. Her very sensible advice to the youth of today is “Life is to chill agreed!! But not in the influence of alcohol & drugs. It’s high time we wake up and realize only when you are in your senses you can make things sensible.” Miss India 2015 grand finale will be held on March 28’ 2015 in Mumbai, and the winners will represent India at Miss World 2015, Miss International 2015 and Miss Grand International 2015. 

See Rewati's photographs: 

      To vote for Rewati click here.

Source: Republica

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Aizawl Selected as Centre of NE NCC Air Wing

via Mizo News on March 23, 2015

Aizawl: Leaders of NE National Cadet Corp (NCC), led by Additional Director General, North East Region (Shillong), Major General Satinder Kohli, today met Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla during the short recess of the ongoing Legislative Assembly session.
In the meeting, NCC leaders informed the Chief Minister that Aizawl has been selected as the main centre of hi NE NCC Air Wing which means that now people from other NE States will need to come to Mizoram for pilot training.
For the same, Tuirial Airfield is expected to be used for landing field, the NCC leaders told the CM. It is planned to install 2 Microlite Aircrafts by around 2016 June, and another 2 in the Phase II by around 2017 June, they said.
Besides, the presently available one Zen Air Microlite and another from Assam may also be installed in Aizawl, so that the all the NCC Air Cadets from the entire region may get pilot training between Lengpui Airport and Tuirial Airfield, they informed the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister suggested forming of Flying Club which was immediately agreed upon. For the same, Tuirial airfield may be the most convenient, the NCC leaders opined.
Moreover, they suggested that a complex may be set up near Tuirial Airfield where outdoor camp may be held for NCC Cadets.
They apprised the CM of their felt need of making a law by Mizoram government so as to encourage the NCC Cadets in this regard.
Chief Minister on his part suggested that incentive may be arranged for their further study or job. The NCC leaders informed the CM that the Central government has agreed to set up NCC Battalion for southern Mizoram in Lunglei and to upgrade 20 Mizoram Indep Coy NCC to Battalion and to 1 Mizo Bn to full strength with 3500 cadets.
Mizoram will be able to have a total of 13,000 – 14,000 NCC Cadets, they added.
NCC leaders also suggested State Advisory Committee for NCC, to which Chief Minister proposed constituting State Advisory Committee to be led by Chief Minister as Chairman and Sports and Education Minister as members.
Major General Satinder Kohli was accompanied by 20 Mizo NCC Commander Col. Youdvir and Wing Commander KDV Prasad.

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Mizoram Assembly Passes Resolution for Mizo Unity

via TNT on March 20, 2015

AIZAWL: Mizoram state assembly has unanimously passed a resolution today for stronger unity of the ‘Zohnahthlak’ or ‘Zofate’ (Mizo kindred) scattered across the region, including Myanmar, Bangladesh and the neighbouring states.

The private resolution demanding that no activities that can harm the brotherhood and unity of ‘Zohnahthlak’ or Zofate was moved by Congress legislator T Sangkunga.

While moving the resolution, Sangkunga vehemently slammed a resolution passed by Mizoram state assembly during the Mizo National Front regime in 2007 that urged the central government to construct Indo-Myanmar border fencing to curb infiltration of Myanmarese migrants.

“Mizo in India and Myanmar are divided by political boundary, but that does not dilute the sense of brotherhood among us. Such resolution is detrimental to the unity of Mizo across the international border,” he said. He added that half of his relatives still live in Myanmar.

The 2007 private resolution that sought fencing of Indo-Myanmar border was moved by student-leader-turned-MLA Lalchhandama Ralte, of the Mizo National Front (MNF). Ironically, Ralte, while he was the president of Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo students’ association), took initiatives for re-unification of Zohnathlak (Mizo kindred) scattered in India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Zofest, a festival for re-unification of Mizo kindred, was initiated during Ralte’s tenure as MZP president.

Most of the other ruling Congress MLAs, who participated in the discussion, flayed the 2007 private resolution of the MNF legislator.

In his speech on the resolution, chief minister Lal Thanhawla said that Mizos living in Mizoram have a high responsibility for stronger unity and brotherhood of the Zofate.

“The Mizos living in Mizoram must retrospect and change our mindset in order to have stronger unity. We should stop treating our brothers and sisters who may speak different dialects as different people just because they don’t speak Mizo dialect,” he said.

“We must learn from the Nagas. There are various Naga tribes who speak different dialects, but they are strongly bonded by the Naga identity,” he said.

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PCJSS don't want any part in running Rangamati Medical College

via The Daily Star on March 20, 2015

Demands its withdrawal from board of directors; calls govt decision unilateral; wants CHT peace accord's implementation first

Rangamati: Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) yesterday condemned a health and family welfare ministry decision to include a PCJSS representative in Rangamati Medical College's (RMC) board of directors along with Health Minister Mohammed Nasim's directive to start academic activities soon.

Terming the decision and directive, taken at a health ministry meeting on Wednesday, “unilateral, going against the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord and the interest of Jumma people”, PCJSS demanded that those be immediately withdrawn.

The people of CHT will never accept such a unilateral decision…The government would be responsible for any situation arising from the issue, reads a statement issued by PCJSS.

PCJSS had been urging the authority to postpone the establishment of RMC and a science and technology university there until the accord is implemented and the overall improvement of the education system in CHT, it said.

“PCJSS had informed the government as well as the health ministry about its opinions and demands in writing,” it said.

Besides, CHT Regional Council and different civil society organisations from around the country submitted memorandums to the government with the same demands, it added.

The statement also mentioned that lawmaker Ushatan Talukdar, also the PCJSS vice-president, who was present at Wednesday's meeting, had urged postponing the academic activities and transferring the students admitted to RMC to other medical colleges.

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Mizoram Finance Minister Lalsawta Presents Rs. 3277.22 Crore Budget for Four Months

via Mizo News on March 19, 2015

Aizawl: Failing to present the full budget, state Finance Minister Lalsawta today obliged to present before the fifth session of the seventh Mizoram Legislative Assembly a Vote on Account for the first four months of the fiscal year 2015 – 2016 amounting to a total of about Rs. vote 3277.22 crore for discussion. He said that with the new arrangements on the horizon, the efforts being made by the Government of Mizoram to create a financially robust government through generation of more revenue and economy measures would need to be pursued relentlessly.

The finance minister also tabled before the house the Supplementary Demand for Grants 2014 -2015, Economic Survey 2014 – 2015 and the Supplementary Demand for Regularisation of Excess Expenditure for the period 2010 -2011 and 2011 – 2012.

In his budget speech, Lalsawta however, regretted that the full budget for the fiscal year 2015 -16 could not be presented on account of unresolved role to be played by NITI Aayog, the new institution constituted by the new BJP government in replacement of the existing Planning Commission.

“It is indeed imperative on my part to inform the Hon’ble members that due to the replacement of the Planning Commission by the NITI Aayog and the subsequent role to be played by the new institution, I am not in a position to present the full Budget for 2015 -16”, he said.

In the third sitting of the 5th budget session of 7th Mizoram Legislative Assembly held amid peaceful decorum, Finance Minister Lalsawta present before the august house the ‘Vote on Account’ for expenditure of the Government of Mizoram for April to July, 2015 amounting to Rs. 32,77,22,61,000/- and asked the house for its kind appreciation and approval.

The minister also present the Supplementary Demand for Grants 2014 -2015 amounting to Rs 21,54,90,86,000/- and the Supplementary Demand for Regularisation of Excess Expenditure for 2010 -2011 and 2011 – 2012 amounting to Rs 4,69,38,000/- and Rs 59,35,000/- respectively.

Regretting for a failure to present regular budget for the current year, Finance Minister said the report of the 14th Finance Commission was received late only on the 24th February, 2015 thus leaving the state government no time to prepare a regular budget, with the budget session already fixed to commence from the 17th March, 2015. “It is expected that when detailed guidelines on the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission and NITI Aayog are received, full budget will be presented in the subsequent Assembly session”, Lalsawta told the house, while appealing the members to appreciate the situation and their approval on Vote on Account. The minister told the august house that the report of the 14th Finance Commission, as accepted by the government of India and the speech of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India indicate that changes in the devolution of resources form the Central government to the federating states are being made to ensure that more financial responsibility to the states would now empower the states for more meaningful fiscal roadmap.

“It has become evident, therefore, that with the new arrangements on the horizon, the efforts being made by the Government of Mizoram to create a financially robust government through generation of more revenue on one hand and economy measures on the other hand, would need to be pursued relentlessly”, he added.

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Tribal (Jumma) Students Demand Army Camp Withdrawal from CHT

via bdnews24.com on March 16, 2015

Tribal people have again demanded the withdrawal of military camps from the Chittagong Hill Tracts following a clash with army and police personnel in Khagrhachharhi’s Dighinala.

The tribal students in the capital Dhaka raised the demand at rally on the Dhaka University campus on Monday, a day after the confrontation.

The government had promised the withdrawal of military camps from the hill area in the CHT Peace Accord signed with the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) in December, 1997.

Chhatra Union general secretary Lucky Akter expressed support for demand at the rally organised by the Paharhi Chhatra Parishad and Hill Women’s Federation.

At least 13 people, including eight soldiers, were injured in a clash between the army and police personnel, on the one hand, and local tribal people, on the other, demanding the relocation of the BGB battalion at Babuchharha.

The tribal students also took out a procession from Aparajeyo Bangla to Raju Memorial Sculpture, where the rally was held, protesting the ‘military and police action’.
      

They shouted different slogans demanding withdrawal of the military camps, full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord and the return of land rights to the hill people.

Paharhi Chhatra Parishad vice-president Supen Chakma said: “There would have been no problems for the non-Bengali tribal people had the 1997 Peace Accord been implemented, there would have been no murders.” Shanti Bahini, military wing of the PCJSS, ended a decades-long insurgency following the Peace Accord but the tribal people are not happy with the agreement’s partial implementation.

Accusing the government of delaying the accord’s full execution, Supen Chakma said: “Relocate the military camps from the Chittagong Hill Tracts and implement the Peace Accord immediately.”

“Otherwise, the Jumma people won’t return home if they go to jungle again,” he warned the government.

 Lucky Akter urged everyone to avoid incidents that might trigger conflict in the CHT

Paharhi Chhatra Parishad Dhaka city unit’s organising secretary Sulav Chakma, school and library affairs secretary Nipun Tripuran, and member Suman Larma, and Hill Women’s Federation’s Ankhi Chakma addressed the rally, among others.

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