August 23, 2014 – Page 3

The hunger striker’s story

By M.C. Linthoingambee There are so many stories in this world and a few of them are those that can outlive our lives and those of our children, thereby making

By M.C. Linthoingambee

There are so many stories in this world and a few of them are those that can outlive our lives and those of our children, thereby making a place in history. They are not just a display of written publication but stories of people who have made an extraordinary mark in the world. One such story lies deeply hidden in the north eastern bordered state of Manipur linking with Myanmar.

Manipur is a place that has been deeply encroached with gross violation of human rights. The state linked to the country with a self established democratically ruled governance with over a period of above 60 years of independence is yet to share its joy of freedom from control and be able to exercise even basic fundamental rights. When a certain authority fail to acknowledge the pretext of the basic rights of a person and goes out of control, all things do seem to go haywire. But, what justifies their character? The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 gives certain benefits to Central armed security personnel to justify their action of arrests or killings as an act of countering terrorism even if it puts innocent lives at stake. There have been many, who have fallen victim to this draconian legislation that has been passed as a probate to counter terrorism. But even after 56 years, this acct has failed the very purpose of its enactment and gone towards a more negative route to outcast brother from his sisters, sons from his parents, daughters from her parents, mothers from her family or a father from his family and so forth.

While Terrorism has been thought of to mean – the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons, there was no such purpose for the 10 civilians who were waiting for a bus at a bus stand at Malom in November 2000. Rather, they lost their lives at the hands of Ceantral armed forces who fired at them claiming their ‘mistake of recognizing them as a source of terror.’ This terrible incident compelled a woman to take it upon herself to take the misdeeds into correction and thus went on to take on unlimited or a never ending fast until the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958. Her name is Irom Chanu Sharmila, a social activist who is constantly at the mercy of the government that releases and then recalls for her arrest on the charge of her attempted suicide. We as a nation, have seen the practice of “Ahimsa” in reality with the Mahatma, so adoringly call the Father of our Nation using it at crucial political standpoints. Such steps and actions were done then and there has been follow ups in certain circumstances like that of Anna Hazare. Even though all of them stood for different causes, they stood to give a voice for freedom for their people and bringing in prosperity.

With regard to Irom Sharmila Chanu’s stand against AFSPA, rewards and awards are not her main objective wherein she has refused to sway from the option of taking up a normal life thereby hanging on to the idea of a never ending fast until her cause is achieved. While she is continuously renamed as the “Iron Lady of Manipur”, are we really willing to ignore the Right to Life and Personal Liberty as given in Article 21 of our Constitution which seemingly provides for the most important right guaranteed to its citizen from a nation? Does the idea of being force fed and arrest and re – arrest even come under the categories of fundamental rights? She is a woman who has taken up a stand that is in need of a political solution. Even after being released from her makeshift prison following a sessions court decision up recently, she has been arrested again three days after her release following the decision of the authority holding that it is their duty to protect the citizen being more important. With a deteriorating health in issue, she still continues to battle the authority of a nation in exercising AFSPA and questions its misdeeds in the past, present and those that may happen in the years to come.

Fourteen (14) years down the line and we still continue to stand watch to a large number of human rights being violated. Where did the duty to protect go during those times? These small actions might become uncommon to ignore but a little thing can lead into other major human sufferings thus abiding that the guild of military forces killing innocent people are okay. When there are no corrections, it tends to give rise to more dictatorship. Democracy also states implicitly of its rule to protect the people through the people’s elect, are we correcting and shaping the very definition of democracy by establishing more authority to this controversial legislation, which was passed in several states of the north – east India and several parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Instead of building more authority into the draconian rule of the AFSPA, the Centre should focus more on constructing a statute that might make a women feel a little safer to travel alone, tackle health issues in the ignored villages of the capital. What should go away should go in due time? The question is – Is there even an end cause to the evils of the Act? And while everyone fumbles around not wanting to answer the question, a lone woman still continues her fight.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/the-hunger-strikers-story/

Some basics about tumours

By Dr Khushboo Shah Sawant Any mention of the word ‘tumour’ brings jitters and a feeling of fear but not many of us know much about it. This column will

By Dr Khushboo Shah Sawant

Any mention of the word ‘tumour’ brings jitters and a feeling of fear but not many of us know much about it. This column will take a look at some basic information about tumours, the cancer it can lead to and the impact they have on human beings and the human body.

We start first with the definition of a tumour, which refers to an abnormal swelling or growth usually without any inflammation, which may be benign or malignant in nature. To simplify is further, a tumour is a swelling in any part of the body, which may be caused due to an abnormal growth of cells in that part and can either be solid in nature or may be fluid filled. There may be a great variation in the shape and size of tumours but not many are aware that their presence does not always pose as a health threat.

A benign tumour most often is not harmful to human health. The word ‘benign’ literally means ‘non-progressive’. These type of tumours may not be cancerous in nature but their mere presence can hinder normal body function as they may press upon some nerves or blood vessels. But a benign tumour does not metastasize or to put it simply, it remains as it is. There are various types of benign tumours with some common examples being uterine fibroids, or the fibroids found in the breasts, or lipomas, which are simple soft tissue made up of fat, usually seen just under the surface of the skin.

We shall now have a look at the other form of tumour also known as ‘malignant tumours’. Malignant tumours are cancerous in nature and tend to progress rapidly and even have the potential of causing death. The cells of these kinds of tumours tend to multiply rapidly and cause increasing damage while they also have a dangerous tendency of seeking new territory for their growth, which invariably means the spread of the cancer or metastasis to other parts of the body. The rate of growth of these cancerous cells is much faster as compared to the growth of normal cells in the body, which makes them far more harmful.

To understand the growth of cancer further, we need to understand how metastasis happens. Metastasis is the process by which the cancer cells spread from their primary site to other locations of the human body. The malignant cells spread to the nearby area of the body and spread further on, which causes a localized spread of the cancer. Some cancer cells break off from the original site and spread via the blood stream or the lymphatic system and lodge themselves anywhere else in the body and cause new tumours in the new location. The cancer cells that spread are the same as the original ones. For example, a cell from the cancer of the lungs may metastasize to the liver and cause a new cancer in the liver.

The next area that needs to be understood is how to differentiate a benign tumour from a malignant one if a person has an abnormal growth or swelling in the body. To decide whether a tumour is malignant or benign, a sample of the abnormal growth may have to be taken out by a qualified doctor and sent to a laboratory to be checked by a pathologist. The sample of the abnormal growth taken for examination is called as ‘biopsy’. By performing a biopsy, the exact nature of the cell can be known which will give a confirmation whether the growth is a cancerous one or not.

In case a cancer is malignant and if it remains undiagnosed or untreated, it may invariably cause death. This brings us to the question, how can a mass of cells cause the death of a person? The cancer cells are known to multiply in number rapidly and as the number of abnormal cells grows; it causes an increasing pressure on the normal cells to perform their normal functions. Sometimes the mere location of a tumour in a vital organ like the brain or heart can cause death. But what really causes death in cancer is the metastasis. When the cancer starts to spread to various parts of the body, the normal function in all those parts is affected which affects the overall functioning of the body. The cancer puts additional load on the body and due to its rapid spread it often becomes beyond what the body can accommodate, gradually leading to the collapse of one system of the body after another, eventually leading to death. However, chemotherapy that is a treatment option in cancer kills the rapidly growing cells, which stop their growth.

Cancer is basically caused due to changes in the DNA of the cells, it may be caused as a genetic predisposition which means the tendency may be in the family heredity and can be inherited from parents. Other factors contributing to cancer can be environmental the form of tobacco consumption, naturally occurring exposures like of ultraviolet rays, infectious agents, workplace exposures or household exposures.

While various cancer-causing factors are beyond our control, there are factors like tobacco consumption and cigarette smoking etc which are very much avoidable. The treatment of various types of cancer is not only an expensive process but one that entails a long spell of trauma for the patient and family. But a little care and a great mindfulness to go for medical check ups well in time can help matters to a great extent as early detection is a significant factor in addressing cancer growth.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/some-basics-about-tumours/

Man and Cycle

By Malangba Bangormayum There are many cycle stories and cycle related incidents. I can relate some. The latest story was told to me by Mr. C. According to his story,

By Malangba Bangormayum

There are many cycle stories and cycle related incidents. I can relate some. The latest story was told to me by Mr. C. According to his story, a group of cycle enthusiasts approached one very powerful man with the idea for a cycle-way in and around Imphal. This group of enthusiasts, enthused by the deity of cycles, if there ever was one, felt that Imphal could become a cycle friendly city, if such an idea ever comes to materialize. This is a story, I reiterate. According to this story, the very powerful person in question after hearing them out expressed his surprise that these bright, sensible, well-educated persons should desire to ride bicycles. Time has gone when cycle was a status symbol. There might have been a time when you ride your bicycle, get down and lift it across a muddy puddle lest it dirties the wheels. Why have these people come together to ride bicycles, when everyone is toiling to drive cars, the big wheels… these are sons and daughter of well-to-do, respectable families. He might have thought in these lines. This line of thinking explains what he told them. As an elderly, guardian of the state, he advised the group through a rhetorical question – why ride bicycles when you can ride the latest cars? Stories work well when you know that though they are just stories, they could very well have been true. When this happens the story somehow gets a life of its own.

The other cycle-related incident was regarding the stealing of cycles. I don’t know whether cycles are still stolen. I say this because the cycle workshops from my localities have shut down to give way to new buildings and shops. They are going out of business. If I read it to be dwindling cycle-ridership, then cycle thievery cannot be also very profitable anymore. I saw once, while waiting for my bus a long time ago, the fastest cyclist ever. He was riding a stolen cycle. And a group of people were after him for his blood. He met with an accident. It was bound to happen considering the speed he was clocking. What followed afterwards was too gory for any re-telling. There was this famous Italian film on a bicycle thief. We also have our own a classic, with the scene in which the cycle thief is beaten to death.

My brother got a new bicycle, when he completed his tenth standard. My uncle took it to bazaar and it got stolen. The cycle was stolen brand new. My uncle stood at the marketplace every day with the hope of finding the cycle. He saw the cycle on one of these waits. Though defaced, he could recognized it as my brother’s cycle. He caught hold of the rider. The rider happened to be the brother of the thief. Anyway he was brought home, given some physical treatment by my uncle and his tough friends. I witnessed this as a kid. The mother to the thief and of the one, who was caught, came and cried her heart out. That ended the fiasco.

But the best story comes from Ukhrul. Mr. R, a gentleman from Ukhrul, and who happened to be my junior in University told me a wonderful story about a man and a cycle. The incident happened long time ago. He didn’t witness it. His father witnessed it as a boy. So, the incident does have the uncertainty that historical distance can sometimes give. The distance also conjures up a picture of really bad roads connecting Imphal and Ukhrul. This man from Ukhrul came to Imphal. I don’t know how the transportation must be at that time. He came; he got a cycle and went home. Then, the interesting part comes. He learnt to ride it on the church yard, the only cycle-worthy place, then, in his village. He had no place to ride except for that little area. The jibes of the city dwellers and village dwellers, he bore on every turn of the wheels. He must have left muddy trails labouring the cycle on his back on the mud hill-roads leading to his village. He did all this knowing well that, that patch of cycle-able flat ground would be all that he would be riding on. I instantly liked him. Why? I leave the analysis to you.

The little that I know of Ukhrul comes from a one-time visit and that too quite some time ago as a boy of seven years old. I accompanied my parents. My father had some project there. We stayed at a guest house, overlooking the Siroi hills. I heard ghost stories about the guest house. I played at the children’s park, where I could not see even a single child except for myself in that one month stay. I remember the place as all ups and downs – hardly a cycle-able place, atleast, with the kind of cycles that must be at that time.

I had a Humber cycle once. I got it from a cycle workshop. It was lying unclaimed. So, the cycle mechanic sold it on my expressed interest. It was in pretty bad shape. I got it painted and got the works done. I had to get the head lamp and the dynamo: the thing fascinated me, when I was a kid. I was now old enough to have it. Then my would-be wife came along. She didn’t say a word as long as we were friends. When our friendship transformed into a promise of a lifetime together, then the first thing that she demanded of me was to get rid of the bicycle. As if the poor cycle was a competition, it was her or the cycle. Read the “or” as exclusive disjunction, not inclusive. She gave an ultimatum. She did not want to know the many good sides of cycling a Humber in our land. Though, marital prospects might not be bright if you are cycling it, frisking by personnel wielding AK rifles, is drastically reduced. Believe me.

I had to concede to her: neither can the bicycle speak, nor blackmail you, emotionally.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/man-and-cycle/

In the arms of little sister

By RK Lakhi Kant The little girl called her brother who, barely begun to walk, is at play; “Come son, come. We’ll go back home now,” – placing him close

By RK Lakhi Kant

The little girl called her brother who,
barely begun to walk, is at play;
“Come son, come. We’ll go back home now,” –
placing him close to her chest.

I heard words like these
first among the Manipuri people
when times were better in Manipur
and I was visiting the place.

Coming forth from a
poverty-stricken little girl
in New Delhi’s village neighborhood
it was not so much of a surprise for me.

I never looked down on the
Indian poor ’cause I was sure
they are capable of something better;
something with verve, meaning to life.

Respect, where adoration would
have done ordinarily, attracted my mind;
Sigh! Long since I heard
loving culture-intrinsic words like these.

How forth does the cultural transformation come!
Where from do these sweet words occur!
Freedom means to listen to such likeable words!

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/in-the-arms-of-little-sister/

Rs 50 lakh demand has IOC on the back-foot, say dealers

IMPHAL, August 23: The depot manager of the Indian Oil Corporation, Manipur Regional Office has been served with a monetary demand by the proscribed PREPAK. This was informed to the

IMPHAL, August 23: The depot manager of the Indian Oil Corporation, Manipur Regional Office has been served with a monetary demand by the proscribed PREPAK.

This was informed to the media by petroleum agents and dealers of the IOC in a press conference held at Imphal Hotel conference hall today.

The spokespersons who do not wish to be named mentioned that one finance officer of the proscribed outfit identified as P Chinglen Meitei has demanded the IOC depot manager, Choudhury a sum of Rs 50 lakh.

The notice was served on July 15 and the deadline falls on August 27, they said.

The dealers on behalf of the IOC mentioned that the corporation cannot bear the extortion and it is with all possibility that the regional office located at BT Road could be shifted outside the State due to this regard.

This would further complicate the office transactions for procurement of petroleum products, as the indent for supply has to be done manually sometimes, they said.

Moreover, the divisional manager who is supposed to be posted at the regional office here is currently sitting at Guwahati due to the law and order problem, the dealers continued.

The dealers maintained that if the outfit insist with the monetary demand, this may affect the working of the IOC and further create problems for the dealers in distributing fuel to the public.

Appealing to the concerned authorities and the State government to bring a resolve to the matter at the earliest, they said there is a possibility of the dealers taking out an indefinite protest by closing down the oil pumps.

When queried about the oil scarcity faced in the state, the dealers maintained that it is due to the twin holidays of Independence Day and Krishna Janmasthami which fell on August 15 and 16.

Plus, the IOC depot manager does not sanction the necessary amount to the agents during certain times, they observed. They maintained that the approximate amount of petroleum consumed in the state is about 12,000 litres per day, but the IOC gives out around 4,000 litres only on account of any disruption occurring in the supply lines.

One dealer pointed out that the IOC does not even give out the accurate information of the actual buffer fuel stock at Chingmeirong.

State to challenge Sharmila’s release order: Source

IMPHAL, August 23: The State government will be challenging the order of the District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East, A Guneshwar Sharma made on August 19 last freeing Irom Sharmila.

According to a highly reliable source, the order of the session judge is to be challenged and a petition to be filed anew before the High Court of Manipur.

The State Home department is to pray that the order of the session judge be quashed and to indict Sharmila under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code once again.

It may be mentioned that the session judge pronounced Sharmila of not contemplating suicide but rather carrying out a form of democratic protest, the judgment freed Sharmila for approximately forty hours before being re-arrested under the same section of the IPC once again.

The under secretary of the State Home department Ramthing has officially intimated the public prosecutor cum government advocate of the High Court of Manipur, namely RS Reisang to draft the petition which is to be filed to the High Court of Manipur against the judgment of the District and Sessions judge, Manipur East, a highly reliable source said.

The petition is likely to be filed on Monday when the Court is under progress.

According to legal experts, the government has to submit the petition to a higher appellate court to detain Sharmila under the same section of the IPC.

It may be mentioned that the Save Sharmila Campaign has condemned the re-arrest of Sharmila. Her arrest is shameful and undemocratic, it had said while continuing that Sharmila is the victim, and the real culprit is the AFSPA act itself. The victim is being imprisoned when the real culprit is being sidelined, according to the activist body.

However, the Porompat Police station has charged her once again of attempting to committing suicide and sought judicial custody yesterday.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal East, A Noutenshwori has granted judicial custody for a period of 15 days.

It may be mentioned that the court of the Sessions Judge, Manipur East, A Guneshwar Sharma had heard the Criminal Revision case number 14 of 2014 with reference to criminal petition case number 53/2014 under FIR number 55 (03) 2014 Porompat Police Station under section 309. Sharmila was represented by advocate Khaidem Mani, Y Devadutta,Ibetombi and Indira and the advocates representing the State was Salam Indira Devi, additional public prosecutor.

Sharmila is also to appear before the metropolitan magistrate, Patiala House Court, New Delhi on October 30 and 31.

Gaikhangam breaks silence on Sharmila’s re-arrest

IMPHAL, August 23: Before the Armed Forces Special Powers Act could be repealed from the State it is necessary to improve the law and order situation first, said deputy Chief

IMPHAL, August 23: Before the Armed Forces Special Powers Act could be repealed from the State it is necessary to improve the law and order situation first, said deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam appealing Irom Chanu Sharmila to end her fast.

Instead, Sharmila should help in convincing others to leave the path of violence, he said today while attending the closing function of the two-day sensitisation programme on Human Rights of Indigenous People.

The programme was held at the Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education, Lecture Hall, Manipur University.

He said Sharmila’s life is precious for the people of the State and it is the government’s responsibility to look after her.

Her detention in the hospital is only to provide proper care and medication, he said.

Coming to the demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the State, he said the government also feels that the indigenous people should be protected.

He said Ukhrul, Moreh and Jiribam are the worst affected places by the influx of foreigners.

The present Congress government is for the people and the various charges one gets to hear at public forums these days that it is not doing much on the issue of ILPS are unwarranted.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same function, advocate Khaidem Mani took a rather contrasting stand to the deputy Chief Minister’s views and said Sharmila’s re-arrest is not to save her, but an effort to slowly kill her.

If the government is at all concern, then it should commit to her demand and repeal AFSPA, he said and added Sharmila will continue until her demands are met.

If, unfortunately Sharmila was to die before her demands realise, the government should be held responsible, he asserted.

Although, her fast has already crossed 13 years demanding repeal of the Act, the government hasn’t even communicated with the Centre on the issue, he charged.

The demand for implementation of the ILPS in the State is not to drive out non-locals, the advocate said while elaborating that the public is demanding that the non-locals be brought under a regulation which will benefit the State and the indigenous population.

ATDC a boon for youths of Manipur – ANINEWS

ANINEWSATDC a boon for youths of ManipurANINEWSImphal (Manipur), Aug 23 (ANI): Under the 6th base of Skill Development training being imparted by Apparel Training Design Centre (ATDC) at present around 30 young students both girls and boys are undergoi…

ANINEWS

ATDC a boon for youths of Manipur
ANINEWS
Imphal (Manipur), Aug 23 (ANI): Under the 6th base of Skill Development training being imparted by Apparel Training Design Centre (ATDC) at present around 30 young students both girls and boys are undergoing apparel training and Designing at the ATDC …

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SSSC CONDEMNS IROM SHARMILA’S RE-ARREST

PRESS RELEASE SSSC CONDEMNS IROM SHARMILA’S RE-ARREST Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) is a nation-wide campaign in support of Irom Sharmila and for the repeal of the draconian law of

PRESS RELEASE

SSSC CONDEMNS IROM SHARMILA’S RE-ARREST

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) is a nation-wide campaign in support of Irom Sharmila and for the repeal of the draconian law of AFSPA. For three years now, it has been working to spread awareness, mobilise support and generate political pressure to repeal the law. In this regard, it has organised awareness campaigns, public demonstrations, two nation-wide awareness rallies, nation-wide signature campaign, met NHRC chairperson, written letters to PMO, the President and other authorities etc. It is an umbrella of many civil society organisations.

On 19th August, Imphal Court in its humane judgement had ordered to release Irom Sharmila as it stated that “no supportive evidence of attempted suicide” was found. But today, the Manipur police had forcibly re-arrested her.

SSSC condemns this re-arrest. Ravi Nitesh, core member of SSSC remarked, “The arrest of Irom Sharmila is shameful and undemocratic. Instead of focusing on her demand, her issue, the Government is only responding by arresting her. It is shameful that in these 14 years, the “concerned” Govt. of both state and centre have not made a single attempt to open talks with her.” “The Govt. must also know that by arresting her, they cannot suppress her thoughts, her ideology,” he added.

Pankaj Pathak core member of SSSC stated, “She is being arrested on the claim of attempting suicide while she has always refuted this claim. She has re-iterated several times that she loves her life and is only demanding rights, equality and justice for everyone. Why doesn’t the Govt focus on the reason, on her statement?”

Devika Mittal, core member of SSSC, said, “It is shameful that that they can only see her as a law offender but not as a victim. It is shameful that in this democracy, the victim is imprisoned instead of the culprit. AFSPA is the culprit and this has been established by Govt-appointed committees, national and international human rights’ organizations and even judiciary. ”

SSSC believes that AFSPA must be repealed as an immediate measure. It should be noted that even government’s own committees have recommended the measures to do the same. The continuous violation must need to stop. Also, Government must come forward to express its ‘willing’ attitude of resolving the problem rather than ignoring the peaceful and non violent struggle of Irom Sharmila. SSSC considers Irom Sharmila as its leader and will always stand for her support for the very cause of truth, justice, humanity and peace. At the same time, SSSC demands with the government to remove the case of ‘attempt to suicide’ from her and to make her free to communicate with her supporters. Until the demands will be fulfilled, the struggle and demonstrations will continue.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/sssc-condemns-irom-sharmilas-re-arrest/

Will illegal migrants outnumber northeast indigenous people in 30 years?

By Oken Jeet Sandham A decade ago, then Assam Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajay Singh made a startling revelation that about 6000 illegal Bangladeshis were entering into Assam daily. If

By Oken Jeet Sandham

A decade ago, then Assam Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajay Singh made a startling revelation that about 6000 illegal Bangladeshis were entering into Assam daily. If his statement was correct, then the fate of the northeast people is terribly at stake. Now after 10 years, one can simply imagine what will be the current rate of daily illegal infiltration into Assam from across the International border. Now, it may be anything around 10000 illegal infiltrations into Assam on daily basis.

Say, if 6000 illegal Bangladeshis infiltrate into Assam daily, it will be 1,80,000 Bangladeshis in a month and 21,90,000 annually. The State will have 2,40,90,000 illegal Bangladeshis by 2025, outnumbering the entire indigenous population of the region excluding Assam and the whole northeast indigenous people will be reduced to a minority in 30 years’ time.

The complexity involved here is that this country has over 100 million genuine Indian Muslims. It is about one-fifth of the whole population, besides the Government has earlier estimated that 20 million illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were in India.

Though there are no official figures of actual numbers of Bangladeshis in Assam, locals say their population could be 6 million of the State’s 30 million people. That means one-fifth of the State’s population is Bangladeshi immigrants. And the State alone produces over one-third Bangladeshi immigrants in the country.

Although Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi rejected his then Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajay Singh’s seemingly inflated claim, the fact is the unabated illegal immigrants from across the international border have been infiltrating into his State over the years. He, while talking to press in Guwahati at that point of time, however, admitted that infiltration from Bangladesh had not stopped.

“Effective steps have been taken to check infiltration,” he said. “Anybody found crossing the border is pushed back and those entered after March 25, 1971, as per the Assam Accord would be detected and deported.”

It may be mentioned that the powerful All Assam Students Union (ASSU) had launched a bloody campaign to push Bangladeshis back to their land. Indigenous people who feared they would be reduced to a minority in their own land massacred thousands of Bangladeshis, including women and children, across the State.

The Government and the Students’ Union signed a pact in 1985, but clauses on the deportation of foreigners have still not been implemented.

Though there are genuine Assamese Muslims and mainland Muslims, the present influx of illegal Bangladeshis in the State has not only affected the demography of that State but also the entire region, leading to serious threat to the survival of the region’s indigenous people and the country’s internal security as well.

Tripura is a gone case and Nagaland is the next target because large number of these illegal immigrants from across the International border has been swarming the State. In the last few years, there is a dramatic change in the socio-economic feature of the State. The locals’ almost lack of work culture, easy money and easy life style, etc. is the main cause that these illegal immigrants mostly coming from Assam have taken opportunities to stay in Nagaland. All the manual works, construction works, taxi driving, rickshaw pulling, cultivation works, mechanical jobs, etc. are mostly done by these immigrants of doubtful identities today. They also run large number of business establishments in Dimapur, the biggest commercial hub of the State and the capital, Kohima.

The long stretch of Assam forest bordering Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh has over the years disappeared and been systematically occupied by the illegal immigrants. The trouble is most of these settlers are well equipped with valid land holding documents issued by the Assam administrations. Sources say most of the State’s reserved forest in the border areas has vanished and its now occupied by the illegal immigrants and not by the real Assamese people.

The Nagaland Government often alleges that these illegal immigrants occupying the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) are the main causes leading to frequent border skirmishes. The latest border violence between Assam and Nagaland shows crystal clear that the people of the two states have to do a lot of exercises. And we should rather hasten the process for the fact that the nature of issue we have seen from the latest incidents has clearly shown that we have been sitting on a place waiting to explode. In fact, various intelligent agencies had, in the past, warned of serious consequences if immediate attention to the illegal immigrant issue in the region was not tackled.

Some years back, the exodus of Bangladeshi suspects seen from upper Assam following threats through SMS and leaflets by some unidentified people are evident of the illegal Bangladeshis’ presence.

Region’s economic underdevelopment coupled with Center’s prolonged negligence and the continuous insurgency and the chasm that existed between the people of the region and the mainland people are some of the reasons that have given room to the illegal immigrants and outside elements to exploit them.

There is certainly genuine mainland Muslims in the region but their interest to settle in the region is slim. So their influx is out of question.

Whether the former Assam Governor’s statement on the infiltration of illegal Bangladeshis into Assam was exaggerated or not, the Chief Minister had also admitted that there was still infiltration of illegal Bangladeshis into his State.

The illegal Bangladeshi infiltration into Assam and elsewhere in the region has changed its (region) demography and now it has become a serious threat to the future survival of the region’s indigenous people and also the internal security problem for the nation as well.
To identify the illegal Bangladeshis will not be very difficult once the citizens are properly educated. Assam has larger role to solve the illegal immigrant issues and the actions taken there will have maximum impact on other parts of the region.

So long, illegal immigrant issue of Assam remains unresolved; there is no point for other States in the region to think of. Because most of these supposed to be illegal immigrants who are coming to other States of the region are well equipped with domicile certificates allegedly issued by Assam administrations.

At the same time, New Delhi also should be held equally responsible of the influx of illegal immigrants from across the International border because of their abject failure to fence the long porous border with Bangladesh. It may take years to complete because of the long stretch of border but if we have the political will; we can even finish construction of border fencing in few years’ time. If we believe that the dreaded illegal immigrant issues can essentially be solved by constructing border fencing, then we must push for it. Today, the country has already celebrated 68 years of her Independence. Are we going to take another 68 years to construct border fencing? By the time, northeast indigenous people will be refugees in their own soil.

Freedom short-lived, Manipur’s Iron Woman back in custody – Times of India

Times of IndiaFreedom short-lived, Manipur's Iron Woman back in custodyTimes of IndiaManipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio, said Sharmila was picked up since her health had deteriorated. "The government&#3…

Times of India

Freedom short-lived, Manipur's Iron Woman back in custody
Times of India
Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio, said Sharmila was picked up since her health had deteriorated. "The government's duty is to save the lives of its citizens, for which she was picked up," the minister said …
Sharmila again arrested in Manipur, taken to hospitalTwoCircles.net
Who is India's 'Iron Lady'?Aljazeera.com
Hunger striking activist Irom Sharmila re-arrested – policeReuters India
Zee News
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Irom Sharmila, the Iron Lady of Manipur – indiatvnews.com

indiatvnews.comIrom Sharmila, the Iron Lady of Manipurindiatvnews.comOn 2 November 2000, in Malom, a town in the Imphal Valley of Manipur, 10 civilians were shot and killed while waiting at a bus stop. The victims included Leisangbam Ibetombi, a 62-yea…

indiatvnews.com

Irom Sharmila, the Iron Lady of Manipur
indiatvnews.com
On 2 November 2000, in Malom, a town in the Imphal Valley of Manipur, 10 civilians were shot and killed while waiting at a bus stop. The victims included Leisangbam Ibetombi, a 62-year old woman, and 18-year old Sinam Chandramani, a 1988 National …