Day: March 1, 2012

Mail News Service
Aizawl, Mar 1 : The Armies of India and Indonesia concluded a week-long joint military exercise today. The operational part of the first-ever platoon-level joint training exercise, Exercise ‘Garuda Shakti’, was conducted at the Indian Army’s elite `Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School’ (CIJWS), Vairengte in Mizoram.
Training together to counter the scourge of insurgency in various contemporary scenarios including jungle warfare, Chakravyuh, the three-day outdoor validation exercise, tested the weeklong training, imparted at various Counter Insurgency (CI) modules and at the plethora of firing ranges in the guerrilla warfare school. Chakravyuh ended with the busting of a simulated insurgent hideout in Mizoram’s Lushai Hills, in the wee hours today, after a grueling nightlong march.
The Indonesian National Army (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Darat, TNI-AD, in short) troops led by Lt Col Gatot Heru Puana of KOSTRAD (Indonesian Army’s Strategic Reserve Command) belonging to the 13th Infantry Brigade comprised of five officers, six Non-Commissioned Officers and 14 Privates. Troops from the 19th Madras Infantry Battalion, of 21 Mountain Division under Eastern Command, currently deployed in CI operations in the northeast sector, comprised the Indian side.
“They are very sincere, devoted, well-prepared and eager to learn,” said CIJWS Commandant, Maj Gen AK Sen, talking about the Indonesian troops while observing from close quarters the ‘slithering’ and ‘special heliborne operations’ from an IAF Mi-17 flown in from nearby Kumbhirgram airbase in Silchar, Assam. “The visiting troops were put through a rigorous initiation process, and they fared as good as their Indian counterparts,” he added.
The exercise which began on February 20, is aimed at building closer military-to-military ties, among its many other objectives. “This training has actually helped us to know each other’s procedure and drills including firing tactics,” said Gen Sen, adding that the firing ranges at CIJWS particularly interested the Indonesian troops, just as they did to the Bangladeshi, Polish and Israeli troops who trained here in the recent past.
CIJWS Vairengte has over 13 different types of firing ranges catering to every conceivable indoor and outdoor scenario, ranging from urban, semi-urban to rural settings. Bringing in realism in training, Infantry Weapons Effect Simulation System (IWESS) and Small Arms Training Simulators (SATS) are also extensively used. The landscape and the inimitable replicated settings here in CIJW make it the most preferred destination to train for several armies of the world.
For proper assimilation of the nuances in CIJW operations for the Indonesian troops, all training and attack drills were coordinated by
having two mixed platoons (comprising around 30 soldiers each) of KOSTRAD soldiers and the Indian Infantry troops, overseen by senior military observers.
Praising the professionalism of the Indian Infantry soldiers, the leader of the Indonesian troops, Col Gatot observed that the Indian troops are very well equipped to fight the insurgents. While finding some of the training tactics very similar, he said that the concept of ‘Buddy’ system was something they would like to emulate. “Back home we operate in big groups,” he says.
A conglomeration of more than 17,500 islands on either side of the equator, the Indonesian Republic whose national fabric represents ‘Unity in Diversity’ as much as it is avowed here in India, has also been besieged with terror-related attacks in recent times.
“Our counter-insurgency related operations are mostly in the border areas,” the Colonel apprised, adding that the training would come in good stead upon their return.
The formal closing of ‘Ex-Garuda Shakti’ will take place tomorrow, with both sides exchanging feedback and mementoes, and rounding off with a military-style campfire with gourmet meals, comprising both Indian and Indonesian delicacies, including cultural exchanges.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/indian-and-indonesian-troops-train-together-at-mizoram/

Aizawl, Mar 1NNN: Chapchar Kut, 2012 probably the major traditional festival of Mizos will be celebrated on March 2 (Friday) across the state of Mizoram.
It is learnt that the festival will also be celebrated across the district hqrs with much fanfare keeping in mind the religious and traditional values of the Mizos.
Notably, the main celebratory programme on March 2 to be held at Assam Rifles Parade Ground here will be graced by chief minister Lalthanhawla as ‘Kut Pa’ (Father of the Festival); Mizoram Governor Vakkom Purushothaman as chief guest and visiting Director of North East Zone Cultural Society (NEZCC), Diampur (Nagaland) Som Kamei as guest of honour. The Organising Committee iinformed NNN today that the Chapchar Kut festival is celebrated some time in March every year after completion of the most arduous task of Jhum operation – Jungle Clearing or Shifting Cultivation; adding, this is a spring festival celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Mizos in the Chapchar Kut celebration on March2 at Assam Rifles ground here will have eye- catching items like Bawhhla/Hlado (Chaldailova & Party), opening song by the Central Young Mizo Asociation (YMA) choir, religious sermon from Rev. Dr.Lalhmnagaiha, Presbyterian Church of India , Mizoram Synod), Traditional Costume Show ( Nagaland, Manipur , Mizoram, NEZCC) including solo numbers from popular singers—Judith Lalremruati, Lalthuthaa (Mizo Idol , 2011) and not to forget live band performances from X- strings, Scavenger Project and Dream Hunter.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-to-celebrate-chap-charkut-2012-today/

Itanagar, Mar 1 (ANI): The mighty Siang River has dried up, shrinking about a kilometre from its bank in the century-old Arunachal Pradesh town of Pasighat in East Siang district, a phenomenon never experienced in the last half-decade.
The people cannot forget the June 9, 2000 catastrophe when the River Siang rose suddenly by 30 metres as they were asleep, inundating almost the entire town and causing widespread destruction of property, besides claiming seven lives.
Waters of the river rose after the collapse of a hydropower dam in Tibet. There were also fears that China might have diverted the waters of the Yarlong Tsangpo.
Siang is also known as Yarlong Tsangpo in Tibet, and there were fears that there could be some artificial blockade from the Chinese side that had caused the unprecedented drying up of the River Siang, regarded as the lifeline of India’s north eastern region.
Arunachal Government spokesman Tako Dabii, who himself inspected the dried up bed of the river, also expressed the apprehension of locals, and suggested that the Indian Government, its agencies like the Central Water Commission, should immediately conduct an in-depth study in collaboration with the state government, to find the crux of the problem.
Dabii said the panic prevailing among the people was similar to the ‘Kakua bhaya’ phenomenon (an unknown fear during the Dwapara Yug), and therefore, could simply not be brushed aside. He pleaded with all those who matter at all levels to take immediate precautionary measures.
Quoting many septuagenarians, Dabii said they felt that if it was a blockade, it would be much more disastrous, and would set alarm bells ringing, particularly in New Delhi and Itanagar, besides all those associated with disaster management.
Taking a dig at China for its baseless rhetorical claim over Arunachal territory, Dabii said such claims make the great Asian giant a ‘laughing stock’ before the global community.
Communist leaders are sensible and would realise their folly soon to stop ridiculing them, he added.
Notwithstanding China’s claims, its dam-construction binge fuelled by its growing energy needs, nothing could be ruled out.
Yarlung Tsangpo or Yarlung River, the highest river in the world, is a watercourse that originates at the Tamlung Tso Lake in western Tibet, southeast of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
It later forms the South Tibet Valley and Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, before entering India at Tuting, in Arunachal as Siang, takes the name of Brahmaputra in Assam and enters Bangladesh and is christened Padma after the Meghna joins its at Bhairav Bazar.
In the Upper Mekong Basin in Yunnan Province, China plans to construct eight cascade hydropower dams, the first of which, the Manwan Dam, was completed in 1996.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/drying-up-of-siang-river-lifeline-of-northeast-could-spell-doom/

Mail News Service
Gauhati, Mar 1 : The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Paban Singh Ghatowar has flagged off a Pilot Scheme “Youth to the Edge” yesterday in Tinsukia, Assam.
On the occasion, Shri Ghatowar said that the North Eastern Region (NER) is identified as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots for its natural resources as it hosts variety of species, rich tropical rain forests supports and diverse flora and fauna having abundance in mineral wealth, forests and water resources.
This region has yet to harness the vast developmental potential of these resources for the benefit of its inhabitants.
The Minister stressed that Youth from NER are physically fit, good in sport but lack proper infrastructure to achieve greater excellence.
Adventure activities have potential of overall development which can create discipline, team spirit and comradeship.
These activities have the potential to help in skill development, leading to self employment like promotion of adventure and tourism which has vast potential in the region.
Ghatowar opined that the successful conduct of the pilot scheme and experiences gathered will be efficiency of proposed scheme for 12th Plan
. The function concluded with remarkable enthusiasm shown by the youth of the area and expression of interest for holding of such more activities in future which will prove to be a potential connect between the youth of North Eastern Region and the youth of the rest of the India.
Pilot scheme is being funded by the Minister of DoNER through North East Council. Administrative approval for Rs.2.87 crore has been accorded and first installment of Rs.2.00 crore has been released by the North East Council (NEC) to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
The scheme is executed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYA&S) through National Service Scheme (NSS).

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ghatowar-flags-off-youth-to-the-edge-scheme/

New Delhi , March 1 (ANI): More than a dozen Tibetan exiles shouting anti-China slogans staged a protest outside Hyderabad House, even as the foreign ministers of India and China were meeting to discuss various issues here on Thursday.
Draped in Tibetan flags and holding anti-China placards, the protesters shouted slogans demanding freedom for Tibet .
They said that any border talks between the two countries could take place only after freedom is granted to Tibet .
“No border talks are possible between India and China . As long as Tibet is not free, these countries can’t talk about the border issue,” a Tibetan protester said.
Police officials deployed outside the venue had to briefly detain the protesters.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is meeting Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna in the backdrop of some bickering over Beijing ’s objection to Defence Minister A K Antony’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh.
Antony visited Arunachal Pradesh last month to participate in the statehood celebrations.
Certain parts of the state are in contention between India and China .
China says most of Arunachal Pradesh is part of Tibet . On its part, India claims China ’s isolated Aksai Chin Plateau near Kashmir , as its own.
China claims vast swathes of Indian territories along their 3,500 km (2,173 mile) Himalayan border.
Jiechi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday to soothe nerves and boost bilateral ties between the two nations and to lay the groundwork for the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to India for the BRICS summit to be held here later this month.
BRICS is an international political organisation that bands together the emerging economic powerhouses of Brazil , Russia , India , China and South Africa .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tibetan-exiles-protest-against-border-talks-between-india-china/