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 Gauhati High Court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe into the controversial killing of FCI officials Dr PC Ram. The FCI regional director, who was kidnapped by the ULFA, was killed in a mysterious condition in the night of July 11, 2007. The government has claimed that he was killed in a cross-fire but Dr Ram’s family members alleged that the killing was pre-planned. Taking up a petition filed by his brother on Friday the Gauhati High Court asked the CBI to file an affidavit on the case.
People of Tiwa community fishing during Community Fishing, organized as a part of 'Jonbeel Mela' at Jonbill lake, at the ongoing 3-day-long traditional Deu King's Market known as Jonbeel Mela, Jagiroad, Nagaon district on 18-01-08. Hundreds of tribal people gather in the bazaar to exchange their commodities with the other people. The festival mainly organized to exchange commodities between plain and hill tribes here. This spectacular fair is held every year during the winter at Jonbeel, Jagiroad. A few days before the mela, tribes like the Tiwas, Karbis, Khasis, Jaintias from the Meghalaya hills come down with their various products for this mela. The significance of this mela is in...
Normal traffic on the National Highway 37 were thrown out of gear in Doomdooma on Friday following a road blockade protesting against the assault on AASAA leader Suresh Bhumij by some miscreants on Thursday night.Thousands of people in Doomdoom came out to the streets in protest against the assault on Doom Dooma AASAA leader Suresh Bhumij by some miscreants allegedly associated of MLA Durga Bhumij. According to allegation. The local residents alleged that MLA Durga Bhumij was behind the attack on Suresh. The entire incident took place after Suresh’s clash with one Parameswar Baraik, a close associate of MLA Durga Bhumij. Boraik along with a few Congress men and policemen reached...
Five more people on Friday deposed before the Manisana Commission probing the Beltola clash that rocked the state on November 24. The panel is understood to have recorded some startling revelations and is scheduled to submit the report by February 28. Those deposed before the panel on Friday include Guwahati Press Club General Secretary Nava Thakuria, Guwahati Students Union president Deepak Barman with general secretary Dipankar Das, adviser Nurul Haque, journalist from Sivasagar Sanjeev Baruah and advocate of Gauhati High Court Hrishikesh Das deposed before the Justice Manisana Commission. During the last three rounds of hearings, the panel grilled several top ranked government officials...
The wooden bridge at Mahuramukh, near Kamargaon, Golaghat, connects several villages with NH37 is in a very worst and dangerous condition. The concerned authorities must take immediate action towards rectification of the bridge. Kaushik Hazarika, Bokakhat
Normal traffic flow is heavily disrupted on the National Highway 37 in Doomdoma area following the road blockade that began early in the morning on Friday led by the AASA leaders. Thousands of bus and cars are stranded on the road as the road has yet to be cleared. Top ranked police and para limitary troops have been rushed to the spot to contain the situation. According to information, the road blockade is being taken out in protest against the alleged physical assault on an AASA leader on Thursday by the security men of Durga Bhumij. Details are awaited.
ULFA has blamed it all on the government for a failed peace bid through negotiation. In its latest issue of the Freedom, the outlawed outfit has said that the conflict could have been resolved through a fruitful negotiation. According to ULFA, the government has failed to come out with the list of those captured during its Operation All Clear in Bhutan launched in 2003. This has showed the government's lack of intention to hold a meaningful talk to pave way for peace in the north eastern state. They further have alleged that the entire Beltola incident is a conspiracy to embitter the age old relationship among the people in the state.
The Income Tax department sleuths have recovered a huge number of incriminating documents during its raid conducted till Thursday midnight from house of lottery baron Alok Jain in the city. Raids also have been conducted at the houses of seven other people including , including Kailash Chader Pandya, Manoj Joger, Ashok Joger, Anup Jain and Chatsingh Gangwal. The raids began on Thursday morning in Fancy Bazar and Aathgaon areas. But the officials are tight on the raids.
Some startling revelations have come up before the Justice Manisena Commission on Thursday while it was hearing the November 24 Beltola incident. Special superintendent of police in charge of the city Surinder Kumar along with AASA leaders and a non governmental organisation. According to sources here, Mr Kumar said the entire incident a pre planned one by the Adivasi militant outfit ANLA. He further cited the footages to justify his statement. On the other hand, a non governmental organisation North East Network alleged before the government police brutality on the Adivasi women during the incident. Meanwhile, the AASA in its submission informed its decision to shy away from deposition...
Asom Gana Parisahd president Brindabon Goswami had a narrow escape at a roadmishap in Raha on Thursday afternoon. But his driver was injured in the mishap. The inured friver has been rushed to the hospital and is undergoing treatment.
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