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.
Police and forest guards arrested 6 poachers during a joint operation in and around Kaziranga National Park during the last three days. Operations were launched in the Park since the killing of a Rhino on last Sunday and six persons were arrested.A rifle was also recovered during the operation and the poachers have been remanded to judicial custody.
The Assam government and the ruling Congress on Thursday agreed to go out against the Bangladeshi immigrants. A crucial meeting of ministers, parliamentary secretaries and Congress leaders at Koinadhara decided to stand united against the immigrants who intruded into the state after 1971.
Chaired by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the meeting decided to publish a white paper on the Assam Accord implementation on October 7. The decision assumes significance in the wake of the statewide call against the Bangladeshi immigrants.
The Assam government is trying its best to foil the bandh. It further directed the employees to ensure normalcy in official functionings on Thursday. In a notification issued on Wednesday, the government asked it employees to ensure normal functioning and attendance in all government offices and undertakings in the state in view of the bandh by BJP and supported by several parties. All heads of offices and departments have been further instructed to deduct pay and allowances for unauthorized absence from offices and duties tomorrow and to initiate disciplinary action for such unauthorized absence. According to the notification, the absent employees would have to face pay cuts and the...
Normal life across the state comes to a grinding halt under the impact of the country wide bandh call in protest against FDI in retail, diesel price hike and cap on LPG cylinders. Vehicles refused to ply on the roads early in the morning when the bandh began along with others parts of the country. Schools and colleges, shops and markets are remaining closed. The bandh is total and peaceful. There is no report of any untoward incident anywhere in the state.
Dispur rolls up its sleeves to expedite the process to rehabilitate the refugees in the riot-hit BTAD areas and Dhubri. A ministerial panel met with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in Dispur to discuss the steps to rehabilitate the genuine refugees. Gogoi asked the authorities the scan the land holding documents of the refugees. Scrutiny of land holding documents of the refugees is under process in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts.
Dispur on Tuesday evinced its keen interest to have a consulate to boost trade in Bangladesh. Disclosing this, an official statement sad that the issue was raised during a meeting between Indian High Commisioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in Dispur. Gogoi asked Saran to take up the matter with concernend officials in Dhaka.
During the meeting, the chief minister briefed the Indian High Commissioner about problems related to detection and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing in Assam and asked him to take up the issue with the neighbouring country's government at the diplomatic level.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi o Tuesday faced flak for supporting 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail. CPI(M) criticized him alleging it an attempt to introduce the concept in the state will affect both farmers and consumers. CPI(M) state secretary Uddhav Barman told reporters in Guwahati that Gogoi has supported Centre's decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail. But any attempt to allow foreign companies to open such shops in Assam will be detrimental. He said that Gogoi has supported the Centre's stand without going into details regarding cost-benefit analysis.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the state falls shortage of 280 MW during peak hour and a shortage of 190 MW during off-peak hours. But if everything goes as planned, there will be no power cuts in Assam in a few years time. Before that Gogoi appraised Union power minister M Veerappa Moily of the state’s state’s power situation in presence of state Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi. The projects that came up for discussion included the Lower Subansiri Hydro Power Project and Bongaigaon Thermal Power Project as well as the implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Projects.
Union Power Minister M Veerappa Moily on Monday said that he had seen no threat to UPA government after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee threatened to withdraw support if FDI decision is not given second threat.Talking to reporters in Guwahati, Moily said that FDI is a strong decision we have taken and this is going to transform the entire economic scenario.
A slew of power projects is waiting to get Central help. Dispur urged the Union Minister to ensure adequate coal supply to Margherita Thermal Power Project and gas supply for the Amguri Power Project. Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi made a presentation on the status of the various power projects in the state and its various requirements and shortcomings. The projects include Lower Subansiri Hydro Power Project, Bongaigaon Thermal Power Project and Implementation of Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Project in Tinsukia and Goalpara districts.
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