north east online - north east india news: Dec 27, 2009

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Assam Rifles holds peace rally on 175th year of formation

Agartala, Dec 27, (ANI): Assam Rifles (AR), known for its gun-fight and active role of counter insurgency, has adopted a novel method to gain peace in the northeast parts of the country.

On the occasion of its 175 year of formation, Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force of India, organised a peace rally to spread a message of peace and brotherhood, particularly among the youths.

"We have organised this peace rally to disseminate our message among the new generation, moreover, we also remember the glorious deeds done by our predecessors and take a vow that we shall continue this glorious tradition", said Brigadier S T Upasani, the Commander of 21 sector Assam Rifles.Insurgency has reduced considerably in Tripura and it is due to consolidated effort of the different security forces and as well as the development works which is being carried out by the government," Upasani added,

Tripura's Tribal Welfare Minister Aghore Debbarma flagged off the rally Sunday here.

Participants in the rally appreciated the role of Assam Rifles in upholding peace through counterinsurgency activities.

"The rally is significant and shall have an impact on particularly the youth of the region in understanding the importance of peace which is precondition for development," said Sunil Koloi, one of the participants.

"It is not only Assam Rifle who should organize such kind of rally but even state government and other organization should also join and in fact today if you talk about peace, then I think this kind of rallies will bring awareness and I feel my contributions and participation in this will also encourage and bring awareness to certain group of people," noted Sunil Koloi, a participant in the Peace Rally, Agartala

The rally team other then Assam Rifles also consists of students and other civil organization who had participated to spread the message of peace and roll of AR in maintaining peace. By Pinaki Das (ANI)

IAF on modernization mode

SILCHAR: Air Chief Marshal PV Naik has said the country will soon acquire a number of medium multirole combat aircraft and helicopters to make up
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for the decreasing fleet of fighter aircraft squadrons.

"A rapid modernization of the force is already on and the country is ready to counter any threat from the eastern and western fronts," he told reporters at the IAF-manned Kumbhirgram airport, located 25 km from here, on Wednesday, Naik, who is on a visit to review airpower facilities in the region bordering Bangladesh, Myanmar and China, said India wants to build its own mechanism to protect national assets during both peace and war times.

"We want to make it plain that we're ready, no matter whether there is an immediate threat or not from our immediate neighbour," he added.

Although he did not mention China, the modernization of air force in the eastern and northeastern regions is an attempt to counter Beijing's move to intensify the threat perception.

Naik said IAF plans to induct more than 150 Sukhois and 80 Mi-17-1V medium-lift helicopters for its base in the North-East. He added that the IAF has procured 98 Russian-made Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft since 1996 and is likely to have 230 such planes by 2015.

Besides this, medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) requirement for at least 126 jets is set to be added to its fleet. While the development of fifth generation fighter aircraft and multi-role transport aircraft with Russia is progressing well, the IAF will acquire helicopters, including some for VVIPs, to increase its strategic lift capability, added Naik.

The Air Chief Marshal, who was accompanied by Air Force Wives' Welfare Association president Madhubaala Naik, were received at Kumbhirgram by station commander Gp Captain TS Venkatesh and other senior officials.

The Air Chief Marshal also visited Air Force Station Tezpur on Thursday. He, along with his wife, visited various installations at the base and interacted with air warriors and their families.

School expelled Ruchika under pressure?

Ruchika Girhotra studied in Sacred Heart, one of Chandigarh's most prestigious schools. In 1990, she was in Class X when the then Inspector General of Police S P S Rathore molested her. Within weeks after her family filed a complaint, Ruchika was expelled from school.

Her family was told she had paid the fees late. But they were not convinced.

"Rathore used his influence. One day the Principal called me and told that we are removing her from the school. Don't send her to school any more," says Ruchika's father S C Girhotra.

The expulsion isolated Ruchika mentally and contributed to her depression. And most of her classmates knew nothing about it.

"We had heard that she was going abroad and we thought she has gone abroad after the incident, that's why she is not showing up and we had also heard that she had left school, that's it," says Geetanjali Giyatri, Ruchika's classmate and former student at the Sacred Heart School.

The school is keeping mum on why such action was taken against Ruchika, but say off the record that some disciplinary action was taken against her. However, they don't want to elaborate on that.

"We will be seeking action against the school also as to why she was expelled, what were the reasons, and under whose pressure it was done," says Ranjan Lakhanpal, a senior lawyer in Chandigarh.

"I think school should have taken a very responsible role in this case. You see without knowing the facts they were suppressed by the police force. Is that the way schools in our country going to run?" says Kirat Sodhi, a teacher at St Stephen's School, Chandigarh.

Imagine a girl in her mid-teens, molested, expelled from school, harassed and threatened by a supposed law keeper and repeatedly being denied justice. Pushed to the edge, Ruchika committed suicide three years later.

Manipur militants target non-locals

Militant violence in Manipur continues; armed outfits have now warned transport companies in Guwahati to stop issuing tickets to non-Manipuris.

"We have been instructed not to send any non-Manipuris, who comprise 50 per cent of our passengers," said Nanda Kumar Singh, assistant manager at ZET Travels. "It is hampering our business, but we have decided not to issue tickets to non-locals. Anything can happen to them en route," explained Bijon Singh, in charge of Capital Travels.

Militants shot dead another non-local on Saturday. Madan, as he was locally known, used to supply bakery products to shops in West Imphal's Sagolband area.

Close to thirty non-Manipuris were killed this year alone. The dangerous began in 2007, with the murders of non-local labourers, street vendors and small shop owners. The statistics are:

* 2007: 7 killed, 3 injured
* 2008: 18 killed, 7 injured
* 2009: 28 killed, 6 injured

Killing non-locals is not an isolated feature in Manipur's story of violence. Almost four hundred locals have also died in militant related violence in 2009. Though it is a police state, the militants call the shots. Abduction is almost routine, and ransom threats are part of daily life.

Bridge collapse in western India 'kills 40'

The collapse of a bridge being built in western India is feared to have left some 40 people dead, local police say.

Dozens of labourers working on the bridge are thought to have fallen into the river Chambal when it collapsed late on Thursday.

Rescuers have recovered 12 bodies but there is little hope of finding anyone else alive, a senior officer said.

The accident happened near the town of Kota, some 170 miles (270 km) west of Jaipur in Rajasthan.

Police Inspector General Rajeev Dasot said an inquiry had begun into the circumstances leading to the collapse of the bridge, which is being jointly built by South Korea's Hyundai Engineering and Gammon India.

Mr Dasot said it could take another three days to clear all the debris, AP news agency reported.

The government has ordered an investigation and police have arrested two project managers.

Correspondents say construction site accidents are relatively common in India, where health and safety rules are often overlooked.

President accepts Tiwari''s resignation

New Delhi, Dec 27 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today accepted the resignation of Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Governor Narasimhan has been given the additional charge of Andhra Pradesh.

On Friday, Tiwari became the centre of controversy after a regional channel broadcast some footage allegedly showing him in compromising positions with women.

The major controversy made Congress party to face lot of embarrassment due to his long association with the party.

After the sting operation was telecast, the opposition had demanded that Tiwari be immediately sacked from his post.

The Raj Bhavan termed the clipping as fabricated and a tissue of lies.

However, the channel claimed that it has evidence to back what they have shown.

The Central Government had earlier asked for a report from the Andhra Pradesh Government on the concerned matter.

The Union Home Ministry had asked State Chief Secretary, Ramakant Reddy, to send a detailed report about the allegations made against Tiwari. (ANI)

Ruchika molestation case: Home Ministry to serve show cause notice to Rathore

New Delhi, Dec 27 (ANI): In a move to fast forward its proceedings for stripping former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore of his coveted police medal following his role in Ruchika molestation case, the Central Government has decided to place his case before an awards committee.

Union Home Secretary G K Pillai said the concerned issue would be put up before an awards committee, which will meet on January 4, 2010.

Steps would be taken to issue show cause notice to former DGP Rathore, he further added.

The Haryana state government has also planned to open up all the cases against former DGP Rathore for his alleged involvement in the Ruchika molestation case and other related harassment cases.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said in New Delhi on Saturday, "The cases against former DGP Rathore will be opened up following legal consultations."

Hooda has also asked the senior police officials to provide full security to Ruchika''s family.

The Haryana Police have removed all information related to Rathore from their official website.

Meanwhile, Ruchika''s family has said that it will file a suit in the High Court to claim one crore rupees as monetary compensation for the damage caused by DGP Rathore to the prestige of the family.

Rathore, charged with alleged molestation of teenager Ruchika Girhotra, a promising young tennis star in 1990, was then an Inspector General of Police and the head of Haryana Lawn Tennis Federation.

Teenager Ruchika killed herself three years after the incident by drinking poison.

CBI''s Special Magistrate J S Sidhu sentenced 67-year-old Rathore to six months rigorous imprisonment (RI) during an in-camera proceeding and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000, but Rathore got bail immediately. (ANI)

Tripura governor to take Re 1 salary

Tripura Governor Dnyandeo Yashwantrao Patil has announced he will take Re.1 as his monthly salary instead of Rs 110,000, an official said in Agartala.

"According to the governors' emoluments, allowances and (privilege) act, 1982, the emolument to every governor is Rs 110,000 per month," a Raj Bhavan official told IANS, not wishing to be identified.

He said, "On assumption of the charge of governor of Tripura, Patil has decided to accept payment of Re 1 per month as his emolument."

Patil, 74, took his oath as Tripura's 12th governor on November 27.

The Maharashtra educationist, who has been awarded a Padma Shri and has founded several educational and health institutions in Maharashtra, replaced Dr Kamla Beniwal, the first woman governor of this northeastern state.

During the past one month he has visited many interior and tribal-dominated areas and taken personal initiative in implementation of different developmental projects.

"I shall do my best for the all-round development and welfare of Tripura and its people," the governor said while interacting with the tribal people in north Tripura recently.

"The centre and the state have a common aim to flush out militancy from the northeastern states and promote smooth development of the region," he observed.

Nine rebels 'killed' in Manipur

The Indian army says it has killed nine separatist rebels in three separate encounters in the country's troubled north-eastern state of Manipur.

Army officials said the rebels belonged to two different groups.

Six of those belonged to the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak) and three were members of the Kanglei Yana Kan Lup (KYKL).

Manipur is home to nearly a dozen rebel groups - some fighting for the state's independence from India.

Others are fighting for tribal homeland they want carved out of the state.

Officials said the army raided two Prepak hideouts near the remote villages of Singheu and Laiboldung in Manipur's eastern Chandel district .

"After encircling the Prepak hideouts late at night, the army attacked at first light. The rebels were taken by surprised and many were killed," military spokesman RK Palta said.

He said another military platoon launched a similar attack on a Kykl base at Chirikhunao in the state's central district of Thoubal .

The army says that troops have now fanned out around these bases to hunt down other rebels who fled after the encounters, leaving their dead comrades behind.

Mr Palta said that some weapons and large quantity of ammunitions and explosives were recovered from the sites of the encounters.

Counter insurgency operations to continue

Assam government on Friday decided to carry on counter insurgency operations in the state despite some of the groups announcing unilateral ceasefire.

This was decided in Guwahati at a unified command meeting chaired by the state chief secretary Prafulla Sarma and attended by top government, army and intelligence officials.

The meeting welcomed the unilateral ceasefire declared by Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) and recommended to the state government to hold discussions with the outfit, official sources said.

The talks with the KLNLF should be held to bring to an end the violence that has rocked North Cachar hill district of late.

The meeting also decided to tighten security in other parts of the state in view of the increased activities of the insurgent outfits, the sources said.

Eight insurgents held in Tripura

Eight National Liberation Front of Tripura insurgents, including one woman, were apprehended by Assam Rifles in North Tripura district, officials said on Saturday.

During a search operation by Assam Rifles at Hamshapara village in the district on Friday, the security personnel nabbed eight insurgents and recovered one pistol, a carbine, a revolver and live cartridges from their possession, they said.

According to the officials, the apprehended ultras used to exhort money from villagers.

First swine flu death in Assam

A 21-year-old college student on Sunday died of swine flu, the first fatality to the deadly H1N1 virus in Assam, an official said.

A health department spokesperson said the girl student, Shikha Biswas, was declared dead early Sunday by doctors at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital.

"She was at the hospital for the past 13 days after she tested H1N1 positive. Her condition deteriorated suddenly and she died early Sunday," a doctor at the medical college said.

Shikha was a college student in Jagiroad, 56 km east of here.

More than 70 people tested H1N1 positive in Assam during the past four months, although the number of people currently battling with the virus is just five.

"There is no need for panic as health authorities are on full alert and adequate steps were being taken to fight the virus," a health department official said.

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