The Guwahati based journalist and a regular contributor to 'Assam Times', Nava Thakuria has been awarded with the first media fellowship on refugee issues sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research (C-NES). The Fellowship with the theme, 'The Chins of Myanmar: Refugee Life in a Distant Neighbour', with a focus on Protection and Durable Solutions for the Chin ethnic group from Western Myanmar, which lives in challenging conditions in the Northeast as well as in New Delhi starts from 1 March to 31 May.
The announcement was made by a Committee comprising Mr. Sanjoy Hazarika, C-NES Managing Trustee, journalist and editor, Ms. Pamela Philipose, Independent Journalist and Ms. Nayana Bose of the UNHCR on February 15 last. The awardee Mr Thakuria has written extensively on issues related to Burma (Myanmar). Thakuria is a regular contributor to many acclaimed newspaper and portals based in Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi, Dhaka, Hong Kong, Seoul, London and California and his special areas of interest include socio-political developments in Northeast India with Burma, Bhutan and Bangladesh
It may be mentioned that Mizoram, a Burma bordering Northeast Indian state gives shelter to nearly 40,000 Chin refugees. Those Burmese citizens fled their country to get rid of the atrocities of the present regime named State Peace and Development Council. Led by the Senior General Than Shwe, the SPDC is identified as one of the worst human rights violators in the globe.
The refugees started fleeing Burma after the 1988 uprising for restoration of democracy in the land of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Thousand of Burmese have already sacrificed their precious lives supporting the pro-democracy movement led by the Great Lady. Many of them left Burma to live an exile live in its neighbouring Thailand, India, Bangladesh and many other countries around the globe.
"The effort is to build capacity and better understanding among journalists interested in refugee issues, especially at the middle-level, but also to publish their findings and observations extensively in the Indian media," said Sanjoy Hazarika, Managing Trustee of C-NES. It is an opportunity for the journalist to look at issues relating to refugee movements into the country, the condition of refugees, the problems of mixed migration (refugee movements combined with economic/environmental international migrants).
Carol Batchelor, Chief of Mission, UNHCR India, while mentioning the fellowship to study the refugee issue said, "It is hoped that through this opportunity for an in-depth review of refugee issues, journalists will be strengthened in their efforts to inform public opinion." There are two other fellowships, applications for which are welcome, one on "The need for a refugee specific legislation in India" (to be announced in May 2008) and another on Sri Lankan refugees (to be announced in August 2008). The programme is aimed to research and write on the issue comprising the protection and durable solution of the refugee problem.
In yet another tragic incident, the children met watery grave and five persons went missing after a boat manned by National Disaster Response Force personnel on a rescue mission to help flood-stranded people capsized at Makum in Tinsukia district on Sunday.
According to reports, there were around 15 people in the boat, including Army and NDRF personnel when it capsized at around 4 in the afternoon in Barekuri area of Makum in the flood waters. An operation has been launched to search for the five missing persons.
Schools and colleges in Majuli have been closed indefinitely from Monday. The decision was taken in view of rising flood waters which have submerged over 70 per cent landmass of the river island. The district administration issued the ordered on Sunday afternoon. A nine-member SDRF team has been airlifted to the island to help rescue stranded people in the affected areas.
The United Liberation Font of Asom’s anti-talk faction on Sunday comes down heavily on BJP and its youth wing alleging that the proposed procession in Arunachal Pradesh would only provoke China. In an e-mail statement, the anti-talk faction of the outfit said that the proposed mid-October procession along Indo-China border would only provoke the neighbor. It further asked BJP’s youth wing not to make the people of Assam a scapegoat. Notably, BJP’s youth wing is gearing up to take out a procession in Arunachal Pradesh to offer tribute to the 1962 heroes.
The Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park have been reeling under floods and there is no hope of an immediate relief. Alert has been sounded in the Kaziranga National Park. At least 15 anti-poaching camps of Kaziranga have been submerged, forcing the security staff to shift to boats in order to keep an eye on poachers. The mighty Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level mark in Dibrugarh, Nimatighat, Dhemaji, Tezpur and Dhansirimukh in Kaziranga.
Dispur has deployed at least 16 teams of the National Disaster Response Force, 60 army teams and 18 teams of the State Disaster Response Force in relief and rescue efforts in worst flood affected districts. IAF has deployed four helicopters in the Sadia subdivision in Tinsukia district to air drop necessary food items and rescue marooned people. Ferry services have also been stopped at Sadia and Majuli in Jorhat district as the Brahmaputra river is over flowing. Several villages have been submerged in Sadia and Majuli.
The flood situation turns grim with over 800,000 people affected in at least 15 districts. According to information, seven people died during the past one week where over 700 villages have also been submerged in the affected areas. The worst-hit districts are Kamrup, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur.
The devastating flood waters are posing serious threat to Guwahati where parts of the premier north eastern city have come under the surging waters of the Brahmaputra. Surging waters of the mighty river have spilled into Pandu where over 1000 houses have been inundated on Saturday midnight. Some more areas are feared to have been submerged in the city. If the water level of the mighty river continues to rise, then fancy bazaar, Lakhtakia, Maligaon and Panbazar would be submerged within the next 24 hours.
The Assam government deploys evacuation tram in the flood hit areas and announced relief measures. But those displaced have not yet received anything. Talking to assamtimes, affected people in Dhemaji and Majuli said that the relief measures are confined to som selected pockets. Thousands of people in he remote areas are still remaining trapped without any help.
The fourth flood wave continue to wreak havoc displacing nearly 5 lakh people during the last five days. The Brahmaputra and its tributaries are overflowing following the incessant rains in ArunachalPradesh. Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark and more than seven lakh people are said to be affected in the heavy and incessant rainfall over the past few days. Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Nagaon, Kamrup and Barpeta are worst-hit where surface communication remains heavily disrupted. Flood waters are posing serious threat to Majuli along with Kaziranga, Manah and Dibru saikhowa.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has strongly denied sending Koyu with money meant for AICC fund. In a statement, Tuki said that his name was unnecessarily dragged into the controversy. “I never asked any Koyu to send any money to party high command. Congress party doesn't transfer money like this”, he said. Meanwhile, Koyu who happens to be the president of All Arunachal Contractors Welfare Society has filed an FIR against Joshi. Papum Pare SP Hibu Tamang said that the Rs.1 crore has got nothing to do with the Congress party or the chief minister.
Comments
Pages
Add new comment