Friday, March 12, 2010

Assam Rifles men on UN Mission for Haiti relief

As part of the UN Mission, 140 men from Assam Rifles will be leaving for Haiti next month to provide relief and aid in the quake-hit poor Carribean country.

"The contingent will include ten officers and 130 men of other ranks. They are scheduled to leave for Haiti early next month," Assam Rifles spokesman A K Chowdhury told PTI.

They will be engaged in all kinds of relief work and aid, besides handling the security part.

Though the UN Mission's are generally for five years, the Assam Rifles men are likely to be rotated, giving opportunities to more personnel to be a part of it.

This is the first time that troops from the 175-year-old paramilitary force would be going on a UN Mission.

Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen KS Yadava said it was a proud moment for the force to get selected for the mission.

The Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7 quake on January 12, followed by at least 52 after-shocks that left hundreds dead.

An estimated three million people were affected by the quake.

The Haitian government reports that an estimated 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.

Arunachal asks Centre to seek funds from World Bank

Despite the Centre's reported reluctance, the Arunachal Pradesh government has asked it to continue seeking loans from the World Bank for projects in the border state in spite of objections from China.

Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu on Thursday said that during his recent visit to New Delhi, he came across press reports suggesting that the Centre has decided against pressing for loans from World Bank for various projects in Arunachal and instead mobilise internal resources for them.

"On seeing the press reports, I immediately rushed to Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the evening of March 8 and told him it is okay for Central financial grants for developmental projects in Arunachal but we should also seek loans from the World Bank for the state. Otherwise it will give a wrong message," Khandu told reporters in Itanagar.

The controversy arose after External Affairs Minister S M Krishna reportedly said that if India can find internal resources to take up those projects in Arunachal, there is no compulsion to go to the World Bank or other funding agencies.

BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad had described Krishna's statement as a shift in the country's foreign policy.

The issue also had an echo in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday when several BJP members including Prabhat Jha said such an attitude on the part of India would mean surrender of sovereignty.

AFSPA has been demonized: Army chief designate

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is not draconian, but has been demonized, Army chief designate Lt Gen VK Singh has said about the controversial act which has been imposed in certain parts of the northeastern region.

"It has clear provisions and legal things built into it which provides security to everyone. It is not draconian. We have demonized it," Singh told reporters here last evening.

"You are aware what is happening in Manipur. When the security forces are called for any operation, the Act gives them some legal help," he said adding the "security forces are operating in good faith".

Manipur civil rights activist Irom Sharmila has been on an indefinite fast for over nine years now demanding repeal of the 1958 Act.

Sharmila began her fast on November 2, 2000 after ten persons were killed in firing by Assam Rifles at Imphal airport area while demanding withdrawal of the AFSPA.

‘Armed Forces Act like bullet-proof vest for soldiers’

The Assam Rifles, India’s oldest and only paramilitary force under the control of two Central ministries, has taken the rough with the smooth since it was raised as a private militia of British tea planters in 1835.

The force has earned many bouquets as well as brickbats over the years, particularly in counter-insurgency operations after Independence. In an exclusive interview to Hindustan Times, AR Director General Lt Gen KS Yadava discussed what it means for his force to be completing 175 years of service on March 24.

Is there more to the evolution of Assam Rifles from a private militia guarding British business interests against tribal marauders to fighting insurgent outfits in the Northeast seeking ethnic identities?

There is, though it did not appear so in the years after Independence. The British raised AR to safeguard their interests in tea and timber, and the force was accordingly permanently deployed at their business centres. The job of AR then entailed fending off tribal raiders and gaining control of tribal areas.

The force was gradually upgraded to be as efficient as the army. Post-1947, AR got engaged in a series of battles with tribal groups seeking independence or self-rule, and since non-locals, mostly Nepalese, comprised the manpower, it seemed that nothing really changed with change of masters from British to Indians.

Things have changed in the past few years with locals now making up close to 40 per cent of AR’s manpower. This was made possible through a clause in the recruitment policy for reserving 20 per cent posts for people in the border areas and 20 per cent more from CI (counter-insurgency) affected states. Today, the local content in AR has helped increase the friendship quotient and bridge the mental gap.

The situation on ground is quite different from the days of grouping of villages and barricading. The pressure today is on us; we cannot afford to do anything against families of our soldiers. It’s an advantageous situation, not a hindrance.

AR has almost been synonymous with human rights violations under cover of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) of 1948. Do you envisage an era without this contentious Act?

More often than not, human rights violation cases are one-sided. Doesn’t a soldier functioning under the government’s order deserve his rights? Is anyone concerned about our rights when leads fly in from all directions? If a soldier is not protected to do his legitimate job, why shall he do it? He needs AFSPA; it is like a bullet-proof vest which gives strength to a soldier going to war. Any Act that ensures certain kind of insulation for a soldier in conflict situation is necessary. As long as he is within his legitimate duty, there are no problems. Even with the Act, we have allowed civil law to take over wherever we have crossed the line. We are answerable to the society, after all.

Can the AR, then, look forward to an age with less dichotomy and disgruntlement within the force?

AR is under administrative control of the Union home ministry and operation control of the defense ministry. Hence 80 per cent of its officers come from the Army with AR officers making up the rest. The arrangement was made to ensure a region-specific paramilitary force that would be as efficient as the army and be deployed in battles with external forces, if required. The Army connection is apparent in this force if you compare it with other paramilitary forces in India.

Yes, some AR personnel did demand pay and perks equal to that of the Army. But one has to go by service rules. The government has been providing to the best of its capability and the Sixth Pay Panel has been quite generous. Frankly, there’s no end to demanding. Even I can demand facilities equivalent to that of an American general.

In another eight years, AR will be 72 battalions strong. Will that leave the Army with nothing to do in the Northeast?

Apart from CI operations, we have been entrusted with guarding the 1,643 km Indo-Myanmar border. Accordingly, we will be raising 26 battalions with Intelligence units. This entails building roads, helipads, barracks and outposts along the border besides fencing. In the first phase, we’ll be raising three battalions (each 1,000-personnel strong) in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh within a year. The rest will follow.

The new responsibility will not be at the cost of CI ops, for which we already have 46 battalions. The Army isn’t likely to be involved with CI or law and order duties in the Northeast after all the AR battalions are raised. It will then have to look beyond the borders (pointing to China on a map on his desk) in this strategic region.

Though AR was named after the erstwhile undivided Assam province, it has lesser presence in Assam than other northeastern states. Since it has undergone several changes in nomenclature, will it wear a new name or is Assam Rifles too strong a brand?

Assam Rifles indeed has grown to be a brand name. And people in uniform are very chary about changing traditions. But there has been a lot of in-house debating on whether we should sport a name that reflects the entire region. We have zeroed-in on Northeast Rifles, but whatever the name, AR is here to stay in the Northeast for life.

Tripura demands more BSF personnel along Indo-Bangla border

The Tripura government on Thursday said it has asked the Centre to provide more BSF personnel and early completion of barbed wire fencing for effective guarding of the 856-km-long porous Indo-Bangla border along the state.

"We have informed the Centre that the eastern border is sensitive and more forces are needed.

Barbed wire fencing along the border should also be completed as early as possible for effective guarding of the border," Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told reporters in Agartala.

The Centre has agreed to minimise the gap between two Border Out Posts (BOPs) from five km to 3.5 km and the state government is arranging the land for setting up of the BOPs, he said, adding that the construction would be done by the Centre.

Altogether 40 more BOPs would be set up to minimise the gap and five more battalions would be required to guard the border, he said.

At present there are 208 BOPs and 16 battalions of BSF in the state, the chief minister said.

Lack of unity among political parties over Naga issue: Rio

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said there is lack of unity among political parties over the vexed Naga issue.

"All of us have been insisting that there should be re-conciliation and unity among Naga underground groups, but at the same time, politicians irrespective of party affiliations should have been united first on the Naga political issue," Rio told reporters in Kohima.

"Unfortunately, it (understanding among parties) has not happened so far despite efforts of DAN government to bring all over ground politicians to a common platform on the vexed political problem since it came to power," he said.

The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government led by Rio completed two years in office in its second term.

Earlier, addressing a gathering Rio expressed satisfaction over the peace talks between the Centre and NSCN(I-M) and assured that his government would pave the way for a new dispensation if it comes by way of a political settlement of the vexed Naga political conflict.

Lack of unity among parties over Naga issue: Rio

There is lack of unity among political parties over the Naga issue, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, whose Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government celebrated its two years of completion in office in its second term, said on Thursday.

"All of us have been insisting that there should be re-conciliation and unity among Naga underground groups, but at the same time we overground politicians irrespective of party affiliations should have been united first on the Naga political issue," he told newsmen here after the official thanksgiving service.

"Unfortunately, it (understanding among parties) has not happened so far despite the many efforts of DAN government to bring all over ground politicians to a common platform on the vexed political problem since it came to power," he said.

Earlier, addressing the gathering Rio appreciated the initiative of Speaker Kiyanilie Pseyie in holding two sittings of all the 60 members of the house which led to the formation of the joint parliamentary committee, which will act as a facilitator to the ongoing Naga peace process.

He also thanked the opposition Congress for its cooperation in the forming of the joint committee.

Rio expressed satisfaction over the peacetalks between the Centre and NSCN(I-M) in which the dialogue was on in the highest levels and assured that his government would pave the way for a new dispensation if it comes by way of a political settlement of the vexed Naga political conflict.

Govt not covering up accidental firing by minister: Ibobi

Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi has said the government doesn't want to cover up the incident of "accidental firing" by a minister in which the state advocate general was injured.

While discussing the Manipur Appropriation Bill in the state Assembly on Thursday, Ibobi said he had no intention of covering up the incident and a police enquiry was going on after a case was registered in Imphal East district.

"It was just an accidental firing but if anyone was found guilty, the law would take its own course," he added.

N Koteshwar, who is now improving after a bullet was removed from his chest, was injured last Saturday when he was travelling in a car with Works Minister K Ranjit.

The chief minister said, that the Tribal Development Minister D D Thaisi, who was also travelling with the duo, wanted to put a licensed gun at the side of his seat, as he felt uncomfortable.

Even though the magazine was removed one bullet remained in the chamber of the gun, he said adding that while toying with it, Ranjit accidentally touched the trigger bursting the bullet and injuring the advocate general.

Two NDFB militants killed in Assam gun battle

Two separatists of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Assam on Friday, an official said.

A police spokesperson said the fighting took place at Dadangiri village in Chirang district, about 170 km west of Assam's main city of Guwahati.

"Based on specfic intelligence that a group of NDFB militants were taking shelter in a house we conducted a raid and soon there was an encounter," the police officer said.

The militants challenged the joint team of army and police and soon there was a fierce gun fight.

"After more than an hour long encounter, we managed to kill two NDFB militants and probably a few of them managed to escape," the officer said.

A large cache of weapons and explosives, including two pistols, detonators, and grenades were recovered from the dead rebels.

The NDFB is fighting for an independent homeland for the tribal Bodos in Assam.

At least 20 NDFB militants were killed in separate gun fights in the past three months in Assam.

Govt not covering up accidental firing by minister: CM

Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi has said the government has no intention of covering up the incident of "accidental firing" by a minister in which state advocate general N Koteshwar was injured.

While discussing the Manipur Appropriation Bill in the state Assembly on Thursday, Ibobi said he had no intention of covering up the incident and a police enquiry was going on after a case was registered in Imphal East district.

"It was just an accidental firing but if anyone is found guilty, the law would take its own course," he added.

N Koteshwar, who is now improving after a bullet was removed from his chest, was injured last Saturday when the licensed gun of a minister travelling with him went off accidentally.

Koteshwar(50), was travelling with Works minister K Ranjit and Tribal Development minister D D Thaisi.

The chief minister said, Thaisi wanted to put the gun at the side of his seat as he felt uncomfortable.

Even though the magazine was removed one bullet remained in the chamber of the gun, he said, adding that while toying with it, the works minister accidentally fired a bullet from the gun, injuring the advocate general.

Sharmila released, but fast continues

Civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, on a fast unto death for more than nine years demanding repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 from Manipur, was released late last night but her fast continued.

Officials said Sharmila, put at the jail-converted J N Hospital ward where she was nose-fed, was freed at around 7.30 pm yesterday. She had been taken to the hospital a few years back from jail.

Immediately after release on completion of jail term, Sharmila was taken to Porompat area where women activists, under the 'Save Sharmila Kanba Lup' (Save Sharmila Committee), had been on an indefinite relay hunger strike for the past one year to press the government fulfill her demand, a spokesperson of the committee said.

Sharmila continued her fast at the spot, the spokesperson said.

She had been similarly released on completion of jail term in past years, but then again she had to be re-arrested after two-three days for refusal to withdraw her fast and as her condition worsened in the absence of hospital back up.

Sharmila began her fast on November 2, 2000 after ten persons were killed in firing by Assam Rifles at Imphal airport area while demanding withdrawal of the AFSPA. The protestors alleged that under this Act, human rights violation was taking place in Manipur for years.

Indian experts in Sri Lanka with Jaipur Foot

JAIPUR - Sri Lanka’s separatist war finally over, Indian experts are in the island nation to provide the Jaipur Foot, artificial legs known to be cosmetically and functionally close to the human limb.

Nineteen skilled technicians of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), makers of the famous Jaipur Foot, are camping in northern Sri Lanka to give away the artificial limb to about 1,000 amputees for free.

The Jaipur Foot is considered the most inexpensive and cost effective in the world.

According to A.B. Sharma, the team leader, the Jaipur Foot camp started Friday at Vavuniya, 254 km north of Colombo and a key town in Sri Lanka’s former war zone. The camp will end April 10.

D.R. Mehta, founder and chief patron of the BMVSS, said the organisation had fitted more than 370,000 artificial limbs around the world, including in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Sierra Leone.

“The mobility earned through the artificial limb helps amputees to change their lives and earn their livelihood,” he said.

Sri Lanka has known the Jaipur Foot for a long time. Even the Tamil Tigers, who were crushed militarily in May last year, have used them in large numbers for their fighters who lost their legs in the conflict.

The BMVSS has held 36 camps in the world, particularly in countries that have witnessed horrific wars that have left thousands disabled.

According to experts, the beauty of the Jaipur Foot is its lightness and mobility. Those who wear it can run, climb trees, pedal bicycles and drive a car - all without the aid of a stick or any other support.

The organisers believe that the demand for Jaipur Foot could soar in Sri Lanka, where a Tamil separatist campaign that raged since 1983 killed some 90,000 people and thousands injured and maimed, mainly due to landmines.

R-rated films ‘propel’ underage kids to try booze

WASHINGTON - R-rated movies that glamorise violence and crime inspire children under 17 to try alcohol, a new study claims.

A total of 6,255 children were surveyed, every 8 months for two years from 2003 through 2005, to find the relationship between R-rated movies and the probability of alcohol use.

The link was established across different levels of “sensation seeking,” which are a tendency to seek out risky experiences.

James D. Sargent, a pediatrician at Dartmouth Medical School, who conducted the study, said: “The study found that watching R-rated movies affected the level of sensation seeking among adolescents.

“It showed that R-rated movies not only contain scenes of alcohol use that prompt adolescents to drink, they also jack up the sensation seeking tendency, which makes adolescents more prone to engage in all sorts of risky behaviors.

“There is another take home point in the findings. When it comes to the direct effect on alcohol use, the influence of R-rated movies depends on sensation seeking level. High sensation seekers are already at high risk for use of alcohol, and watching a lot of R-rated movies raises their risk only a little. But for low sensation seekers, R-rated movies make a big difference. In fact, exposure to R-rated movies can make a low sensation seeking adolescent drink like a high sensation seeking adolescent.”

The Dartmouth pediatrician explained that high sensation seeking adolescents go out on the street and engage in risky behaviors, hence movies don’t play a big role in their alcohol consumption.

Sensation seeking was based on how individual subjects identified with statements like: “I like to do scary things, I like to do dangerous things, I often think there is nothing to do, and I like to listen to loud music.”

Sargent ended: “The message to parents is clear. Take the movie ratings literally. Under 17 should not be permitted to see R-rated movies.”

The study has been published in the March issue of Prevention Science, a scientific journal of the Society for Prevention Research. (ANI)