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.
The arrest of Lachit Bordoloi charging him with ULFA’s bid to hijack an IA plane has mired in controversy with the arrested ULFA cadre Manoj Tamuly on Wednesday declaring that Lachit Bordoloi is not to him. Speaking to reporters at the Kamrup district session court premises on Wednesday the ULFA cadre further disclosed that Nekibur Zaman is also not known to him. This remains a widespread controversy as police have said the PCG member has been arrested on the basis of the confessional statement of Manoj Tamuly. On the other hand, the Air Deccan employee who was accusing of the plane hijack bid earlier said he was not known to manoj Tamuly and Lachit Bordoloi.
The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has accused the Government of shying away from peace talk saying it has become clear that the only government has been lacking interest and goodwill for a fruitful negotiation. In a statement, the chairman of the proscribed outfit Arbinda Rajkhowa said the door for political negotiation is still open.
Once again the NEEPCO is running into a rough weather. There is report that the Black Widow militants have demanded a Rs 1 crore ransom from the general manager of the power corporation. This has forced the authority to beef up security ring in the region. Notably, the militants have been striking the area. On February 11, they struck a convoy of Assam Police battalion while it was escorting the Kopili poject employees from the project site to the colony area. Four people including three security men dead in the attack. This has forced the closure of the Kopili power project. Very recently, the militants killed four employees of the Vinoj Cement factory by attacking two dumping trucks and...
Today is Bir Chilarai Day which is being observed across the state with a number of programmes. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is schedule to attend a public meeting being organized to mark the occasion in Amingaon based Chilarai Park. To be presided over All Asam Koch Rajbanshi Association Dr Durlabh Chamua, health and family welfare minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, transport minister Chandan Brahma with former minister Anjan Dutta will attend the meeting. Meanwhile, Bir Chilarai Award this year been announced to kargil Hero Zintu Gogoi.
Former Team India captain Saurav Ganguly and his successor Mahender Singh Dhoni will be seen in action when they will lead Bengal and Jharkhand respectively at the East Zone Ranji Trophy cicket championships slated for February 26 in Guwahati. According to Asam Cricket Association officials, apart from the home team, Orissa, Tripura will also join the battle for the Cup. Other cricketing stars include Randep Bose, SS Paul, Sunder das, Niranjan behera, Debashis Mohanty and Sadgopal Ramesh.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is leaving for Tripura on Wednesday to campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls slated for February 23. According to information, Mr Gogoi is schedule to address poll rally in Kailashnagar on Wednesday and will stay for the night. On Thursday, the Chief Minister will also campaign in Dharmanagar area before leaving back to Guwahati.
Union minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and Oscar Fernandage today had a narrow escaped from a major accident when their helicopter caught in bad weather while he was returning from North Tripura district after campaigning for Congress candidates with Prime Minister. His helicopter had to roam in the air for more then half an hour before the pilot managed to noseland in Agartala. In yet another incident, a helicopter in the same route also met the same fate in which union minister Oscar Fernandage was traveling with Assam Rajya Sabha MP Dijwen Sharma.
The police could not produce the arrested PCG member and MASS leader Lachit Bordoloi before the court as he has been rushed to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital following his ailment police on Tuesday failed to produce him before the Kamrup district judicial magistrate. The peace broker and human rights leader Lachit Bordoloi has been rushed to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital on Monday following complains of Melina, spondelities and piles. He was arrested by police on 11th of February charging with a bid to hijack an Indian Airlines plane with ULFA on the basis of the confessional statement of an arrested ULFA cadre Manoj Tamuly.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who also hold the finance portfolio, will table the state budget for 2008-2009 on the floor of the Assam Assembly session on March 10. According to information, the session will start on March 3 with the address of Assam Governor Lt General (retd) Ajoy Kumar Singh. The business advisory committee of the House will finalise the proceeding in its meeting on February 25.
The gun has yet to fall silent atop the North Cachar hills. In yet another strike, the Black Widow militants killed four people of the Vinoy Cement Factory on Tuesday in Umrangsu at a distance of more than 100 from Haflong. According to information, the strike took place at around 11 in the morning while the militants attacked two dumper cars at a distance of 5 kilometer away from the factory. Further, the militants set the two dumper cars ablaze. Notably, in its earlier attack, the militants killed four people including three security personnel while they attacked a convoy carrying Kopili power project officials to their colony campus. This has forced the employees of the NEEPCO-owned...
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