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.
Around 10,000 people joined Assam Jatiyabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad’s massive protest rally on Saturday in Guwahati demanding expulsion of illegal immigrants from the state. The protestors further demanded quick update of the National Register of Citizens. People of all walks of life joined the rally with slogans seeking immediate ouster of foreigners, immediate update of the NRC and slammed the state and the Centre. They also accused the government of aiding and abetting the immigrants.
The rally is amongst the many that have had been organized in the state in the last few fortnights. On September 6, the North East Students' Organisation, in association with All Assam Students' Union...
A local court in Nalbari remanded two youths to six days police custody a day after the duo were charged of killing a local businessman Ashsis Maskara in the town on Friday. Police produced the Chandan Kalita and Kunaldeep Sindhu before the court who sent them to police custody on Saturday. During police interrogation hours after the incident, they confessed that they attacked the businessman. Police further recovered 5 lakh rupees from their possession. Maskara was shot dead when he was on his way to a bank.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday said that there was no threat to the UPA government after the Union cabinet decided to proceed with the FDI on retail. Talking to reporters in Delhi, Gogoi said that Mamata Banerjee can’t prevent other states from implementing the FDI decision. Gogoi said that the benefits of economic reforms initiated by Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister in early 1990s is being reaped by everyone now and yesterday's decision would be cherished by everyone in the years to come.
Defying the countrywide resistance, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday welcomed the 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail. Talking to reporters in Delhi on Saturday he said that those opposed to it should not prevent others. He called the decision a bold one and said that under no circumstances should it be reversed. According to him, it would benefit the farmers, consumers and boost the rural economy with the setting up of cold storage and other infrastructure. Gogoi was among the first to ask the Centre to take the decision of FDI in multi-brand retail as it would help in the growth of small and medium enterprises, cottage industries and overall rural economy.
The Asom Gana Parishad on Saturday burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Petroleum Minister S Jaypal Reddy in the district protesting against the steep diesel price hike. AGP workers in Barpeta district unit shouted slogans against the UPA government and demanded immediate roll back of the price hike that will lead to economic hardship of the people. District leaders said that the UPA government does not think about the general people's problem as the price of all petroleum products and essential goods will naturally rise.
Amid an all out drive against immigrants, railway police on Saturday arrested an illegal Bangladeshi migrant from the Guwahati station. The Bangladeshi national was apprehended from platform number No 3 during an operation by the RPF. He was identified as 30-year-old Mohamed Ali, a resident of Bangladesh's Mirpur.
Security has been beefed up in Guwahati following ULFA’s threat to strike in the city with car blast. Checking has been intensified following intelligence inputs that cadres of ULFA opposed to peace talks between the rival faction and New Delh have been trying to sneak into the city. People have been asked to alert police about suspicious Maruti vans. All entry and exit routes are under strict vigil.
Ajmal Foundation has shown its gesture for some affected journalists of Assam. Under its Ajmal Media Welfare Scheme, the foundation has offered financial supports to 6 media persons in a function held at Guwahati Press Club on September 14, 2012.
The foundation has offered Rs 75000 to the closed relative of Raihan Nayum, a reporter of Ganachabuk, who was killed on September 8 last in Dhubri. Similarly Raj Kumar Sahu (DY365 with Rs 50000), Amulya Nath (NewsLive with Rs 25000), Sarat Das (NewsLive with Rs 25000), Lalit Sarma (DY365 with Rs 25000) and Kulen Kalita (Janambhumi with Rs 25000) were also awarded.
Khasrul Islam, manager of Ajmal Foundation, who was present on the occasion...
At least six people have been injured when suspected ULFA militants exploded a powerful bomb in Tinsukia district on Saturday. The explosion took place in the heart of Digboi town at around 7-15 in the evening where one of these six people were seriously injured. Top ranked police and civil officials rushed to the spot and cordoned off the entire area to nab the culprits. The injured have been shifted to the hospital. But no outfit has so far claimed the responsibility.
Bodoland Peoples' Front MLA Pradeep Brahma on Friday was released a day after the Gauhati high court granted him bail. Brahma, who is lodged in Kokrajhar jail, was granted bail on Thursday in all cases filed against him, against two sureties of Rs 30,000 each. The high court asked Brahma to deposit his passport at the sub divisional judicial magistrate's court in Kokrajhar and take permission of the concerned magistrate before visiting the violence-hit places there. It also directed him to cooperate with the police in case of further investigations. Brahma was arrested on August 22 on the basis of seven FIRs lodged against him at Dotoma and Fakiragram police stations in Kokrajhar.
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