Monday, October 5, 2009

A state in disrepair

"C
lear out, clear out,” a middle-aged Manipur Police constable shouted angrily. A white Maruti 800 stood next to what was once a pavement, but is now a garbage dump. Shattered glass panes lay scattered around a thin rivulet of blood on the tar. “It must be an encounter killing,” the driver muttered.

It was 6.30 pm and Imphal had already packed up for the day on September 16. Very few people venture out after sunset, afraid that they would either get caught in the crossfire between the security forces and insurgents (commonly called ‘undergrounds’) or be picked up by the former on suspicion of being an underground. There are 30-odd underground groups in the state.

About 2,500 kilometres away from Delhi, and from the glare of the media and civil society, Manipur has turned into India’s Wild Wild East. It has two major handicaps: first, the state belongs to the ‘invisible’ Northeast; and second, it has seen a complete breakdown of law and order and infrastructure. And corrupt politics.

For the common Manipuri, the lines between insurgents, security forces and politicians have become blurred. “There are backward and forward linkages between these three groups,” said Babloo Loitongbam, 40, executive director, Human Rights Alert.

In August, a rifleman of the Indian Reserve Battalion, a paramilitary outfit, was arrested for lobbing a grenade near a hospital in Imphal. He later confessed that he was paid Rs 5,000 by the Kangleipak Communist Party, a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland for the majority Meteis.

Even though the government has been carrying on its counter-insurgency operations since the 1960s, the undergrounds continue to terrorise people. In Manipur, no one takes calls from unknown mobile numbers, fearing extortion threats. Everyone pays a ‘tax’ to the insurgents. And, very few are willing to talk to journalists on record.

Imphal, with its decrepit roads, haphazard traffic, a hopeless power and water situation and the putrid Imphal river, is on the edge most of the time. So are other parts of the state.

Hindi films are banned in Manipur. Movie halls are out of bounds after dark due to the security situation. “The insurgents have a dress and content code for Manipuri films, which means no sarees, bindis or mangalsutras. Nothing remotely ‘Indian’. Effectively, it has killed the industry,” a senior film director said. To avoid trouble, directors set up the Manipur Film Forum, which “clears” movies before they are sent to the Central Board of Film Certification.

Bandhs and curfews called by insurgents and civil society groups are regular features. For the past one month, all educational institutions have been closed down by the Apunba Lup, an umbrella civil society organisation.

They want Chief Minister Ibobi Singh’s removal and the withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.

The AFSPA has been in use in Manipur since the 1960s and empowers the military and paramilitary forces to arrest, shoot and even kill anyone on mere suspicion. The common people want the Act to go, but the state and the Centre disagree even though the centrally appointed Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy Committee in 2005 recommended its removal.

According to Human Rights Alert, the ratio of armed personnel to civilians is pegged at 35:100 in Manipur, compared to 1:100 in Myanmar (which is ruled by a military junta).

Despite such tight security, on September 19, a car bomb with 25 kg of explosives was found outside the Governor’s residence. Many think it was an insider’s job, a ploy to show why Manipur needs heavy “security”.

“We are caught between the state and non-state actors. The only way to survive here is to adapt,” said Taiba, 28, a journalist. Last year, Taiba had to leave a promising career in Delhi and go back to Imphal after his father, a government official, was kidnapped from their Imphal home by insurgents. After four days, he managed to flee from the insurgents’ hideout.

On August 8 this year, Imphal West commandos and the 12th Maratha Light Infantry killed Taiba’s neighbour — 28-year-old Kshetri Mayum — on the suspicion of being an insurgent. Till today the police have not come up with the name of the insurgent group with which Mayum was allegedly associated. One can’t miss the predicament of a common Manipuri here.

For years, festering issues of civilian anger have remained unaddressed: the removal of the AFSPA, the high-handedness of security forces and fake encounters, widespread corruption and New Delhi’s obvious lack of interest.

“Why is it that New Delhi keeps on supporting the chief minister? When our boys get killed in fake encounters, there’s not even a murmur of protest in Parliament,” asks Sitara Begum, 45, of Imphal East. Begum is a member of Meira Paibi — a women’s group.

“Why can’t the government withdraw the Act for a trial period,” she asks. According to Human Rights Alert, at least 52 encounters since 2006 were staged. This year, Manipur Police have killed 225 people in encounters — insurgents have killed another 65, allegedly as part of their kidnapping and extortion campaign.

Manipur has also become a prized posting for the security forces: Manipur Police won 74 gallantry awards on August 15 this year, with the rest of the country getting 138. Almost all of these awards for Manipur Police were for encounters with suspected insurgents.

Lack of employment opportunities forces many to work for the undergrounds as ‘runners’. Out of 2.3 million people in Manipur, 640,000, or 27 per cent, are unemployed.

There are three kinds of underground groups: first, the hardcore outfits driven by ideology; second, the ones perpetuated by the government; and then the plain extortionists.

The ‘parallel’ taxation system and the Central funds feed the raging insurgency in Manipur. Infrastructure contracts are routinely given to contractors close to politicians and insurgents.

It pays to keep insurgency alive in Manipur.

Manipur: A state the Centre forgot

M
anipur is three hours away from Delhi by air. But it might as well be a world away. Caught in a whirlpool of corrupt politics and 59-year-old insurgency, it’s become a flailing state.

The state’s administration is opaque. In many areas, the nearly 30 separatist groups call the shots. For two weeks, there has been a power-cut in Tameng-long district because officials have been missing from offices. Instead of the state government cracking the whip, the NSCN (I-M), a rebel group, has cautioned the officials they would be punished if they don’t get back to work.

Economically, the state is one of the worst performers. Its annual per capita income stood at Rs 19,258 in 2007-08 — third lowest among Indian states.

Home Minister P. Chidamba-ram has said a large part of development money is routinely siphoned off. Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, Manipur’s 2008-09 target was 900 km. It has completed 79 km.

The government’s neglect of civil society has ensured that the mood is rebellious in the streets of Manipur.

Protesting fake killing on July 23, civil society group Apunba Lup has shut down schools and colleges indefinitely.

Egypt keen to import Assam tea

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gypt has evinced a keen interest to import tea from Assam. This was disclosed by Muhammad Abdullah, Head of Commerce and Economy of Egyptian Embassy, India, after a meeting with a group of tea producers and experts of Assam on Sunday. Muhammad Abdullah, Head of Commerce and Economy of Egyptian Embassy in India held a meeting with a group of tea producers and experts of Assam on Sunday at the Grassland resort near the Kaziranga National park Talking after the meeting, Abdullah said that the demand for tea in Egypt has been increasing gradually and therefore Assam can enjoy a sizeable market in Egypt. He also felt that the Assam Government should invite the Egyptian traders for this. Egypt imports tea worth 60 million US Dollars per annum. South Africa, Kenya are the main players dominating the tea market in Egypt. Dr Madan Taparia, Programme Coordinator, Small Tea Growers Advisory Cell, Assam Agricultural University who was present in the meeting, hailed the initiative of Abdullah saying it would definitely encourage the small growers to explore the Egyptian market in near future. The meeting was also attended by Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations president S Bardoloi, tea producer A Sarma and BK Saharia and Managing Director of Ambo Exports Limited OP Agarwal. He also inaugurated the Grassland resort.

Air Thai Asia to introduce Guwahati-Bangkok flight soon

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hailand’s biggest civil aviation company Thai Air Asia is in the process of introducing direct flights between Guwahati and Bangkok in a bid to boost air connectivity with Northeast. In view of increasing tourists from Northeastern region, Thailand’s biggest air service provider Thai Air Asia has planned to introduce direct flights from GNB air port in Guwahati to Bangkok. Thai councilor in India Tharadol Thongruang told NETV that the region will have direct flights with Bangkok very soon. The introduction of new direct flight will fulfill the basis need of the air passengers of this region as many passenger have to travel to Bangkok via Kolkata. Thailand’ investment in the country has climbed up to 75.63 bn $ US from 1991 to 2008-09 year. The Thai investors are als0 keen to invest in Agriculture and fishery sector in Northeastern region. The Thai councilor said that talks are going with Assam government for more investment in some potential sectors in this region. Thailand has taken initiative for setting up a trade centre in Dimapur. trader centre set up in Dimapur. The investors are looking for most potential sectors in the region for investment with direct and indirect tax benefits.

Naga ultras arrested in Tripura, arms recovered

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our Naga militants were arrested from near the Tripura-Bangladesh border on Sunday morning. The arrested Naga militants have claimed themselves to be cadres of NSCN. They were arrested along with a Bengali militant by the BSF jawans patrolling the area. Five AK series rifles, huge cache of ammunition, 3 grenades, two mobile phones, four SIM cards and 7100 Bangladeshi Taka. According to the police, they had come to surrender. The militants revealed during interrogation that they were 16 militants in a camp in Bangladesh. However, six of them killed the rest in the camp and were trying to escape into India to surrender. The arrested Naga militants have been identified as Ahmang, Kumar, Jaosimo and Sonbai while the Bengali youth has been identified as Ranjit Pal. The police are interrogating them.

Congress workers abducted in Tirap, Opposition-NSCN-IM nexus alleged

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ust a week ahead of the Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls, the reports of five workers of the ruling Congress party being kidnapped allegedly by the NSCN-IM in Tirap has created flutter in the state. The development came amidst reports that the NSCN-IM cadres are intimidating the voters and are threatening Congress candidates. While the Congress has blamed the opposition People’s Party of Arunachal, the latter has vehemently denied the charge. Proving the credibility of NETV’s news report about the NSCN-IM cadres threatening Congress workers in Arunachal Pradesh, there have been disturbing reports of five Congress workers being kidnapped allegedly by NSCN-IM cadres in Kanubari assembly constituency of the state’s Tirap district. There is flutter in the Congress camp as five party workers from the constituency have remained are remaining traceless eight days before the commencement of the assembly polls. All the five Congressmen who have been missing since Saturday hail from Kanubari constituency. The Congress leaders who are missing since Saturday are Kanubari block Congress president Abu Wantam, Wango Aatraham, Panthik Wangha, Tirap youth Congress secretary Wanglam Wangsam and Luhowang Wangsam. While narrating about the incident, the wife of one of the missing Congress leaders said: It is being alleged that the NSCN-IM had been inviting the abducted Congressmen for the last three days. The Congress alleged the nexus between NSCN-IM and the People’s Party of Arunachal behind the drama to demoralise the Congress workers ahead of the elections. The PPA however has denied the charge. Its candidate GD Wangsu said that he himself has received threat from the NSCN-IM. He also rued that no development has taken place in Kanubari in the tenure of the Congress. Meanwhile, the district administration has made elaborate security arrangement for peaceful conduct of the polls in Tirap district. In Tirap, altogether 9,000 voters will seal the fates of 19 candidates on October 13. The poll will be held in 163 polling stations in seven constituencies spread across the district. Out of this, 66 have been identified as critical and 61 have been identified as sensitive and hyper sensitive. Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh have a considerable presence of NSCN cadres and this is why the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is in force in these two districts. NETV on Saturday had telecast a news item on how the NSCN-IM cadres are openly initimidating voters and threatening the Congress candidates. Now if the NSCN-IM cares actually indulging in thiese kinds of acts, then this would be a clear violation of the ceasefire groundrules.

New Governors for Nagaland, Tripura

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ormer Delhi Police Commissioner Nikhil Kumar was appointed the Governor of Nagaland on Sunday, in another change, Dr Kamla has been appointed as the Governor of Tripura replacing Dinesh Nandan Sahaya. Kumar will take over from Gurbachan Jagat, Governor of Manipur, who is holding additional charge of the Governor of Nagaland, a press release from the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.