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.
Altogether seven opposition parties led by Assam United Democratic Front are meeting Assam Govrnor Lt gn(Retd) Ajoy Singh to complaint against the state election commission’s failure to stop largscale rigging and booth capturing by the ruling party workers in the pachayat polls. They allege that the Congress has murdered democracy in the polls. They further demand repelling in Samoguri and Hailakandi.
The Assam United Democratic Front has demanded repolling in Samoguri and Hailakandi alleging largescale rigging by the ruling party in the third phase of panchayat polls. Addressing the media, party president Badaruddin Ajmal has accused the ruling Congress of rigging and booth capturing in the third phase of polling in Samoguri and Hailakandi.He said the Congress buried all democratic principles by forcibly stamping on the papers after capturing the booths. He maintained that ninety five percent voting in Samoguri and Hailakandi district were only because of rigging by Congress activists.
The Assam Pollution Control Board chairman has asked the Assam Medical College Hospital and a section of nursing homes to stick to the rules for drainage of waste materials within a week. During his recent visit to the upper Assam medical college, the Board chairman Jawarharlal Dutta alleged violation of rules laid down for clearing the waste materials. Notably, despite repeated instructions, the Assam medical College in Dibrugarh along with some other nursing home have yet to stick to the Bio medical Waste Management Act. These are only because of sheer lackadaisical attitude of the Assam Medical College Hospital and a section of private nursing homes.
The Army and police on Friday have recovered a huge amount of explosive materials in Baram chawk in Nalbari district. These include five exclusive devices and two hand grenades. All these were recovered from a book shop owned by Laba Sarma in the place.
Two country-made bombs have been recovered in the New Delhi-bound North East Express from Guwahati on Friday morning. This has forced delay in the train to halt at a railway station in Bihar.According to information, a passenger spotted the bombs at 6.30 in the morning and informed it to the driver of the train. These bombs were wrapped in a newspaper lying under the seat.The bombs were then put into a water-filled bucket for defusing at the platform.The train was allowed to resume its journey after being stopped for about two hours.
A hardocre ULFA leader has been arrested during a joint operation by police and Army in Sonari on Friday wee hours.According to information, 268th Field Regioment jawans conducted a joint operation with Sonari police at around 3 AM in Tingalibam area and apprehended ULFA corporal Raju Chetri with linkman Diganta Hazarika.Raju, now in police custody at the Sonari police station will be produced in Sivasagar court later on Friday.Notably, another corporal Puwali Duarah of 29th battalion was killed in Makum at an encounter on Thursday.
Altogether nine people have been injured while a van and an Alto car had a head on collision in Chariduwar under Rangapara police station on Thursday evening. The condition of four of them is said to be critical. The injured people have been rushed to the nearest hospital immediately after the incident.
ULFA’s corporal Puali Duwarah was killed in an encounter in the wee hours on Thursday in Makum. According to information, the encounter took place at Aahatguri village under makum police station in Tinsukia district between the 2nd Bihar regiment jawans and the ULFA leader.Army jawans further recovered one .32 pistol and one magazine from the slained militant. The militant is a resident of Hatijan village of Makum Tinsukia district.Top ranked army, police and civil officials have rushed to the spot and the situation is to be normal but an eerie silence is prevailing.
The ARTFED National Handloom Expo’08 began on Wednesday at the Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia College field, Panjabari. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was present as the chief guest while State Agriculture Minister Pramila Rani Brahma graced the occasion as guest of honour. Hemoprova Saikia, president of Assam Tourism and Development Council and MLA Bhuban Pegu were also present along with special guests cine actors Rati Agnihotri and Supriya Karnik. Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Gogoi said “Muga has now become as popular as Assam tea.” A cultural function was also organised with Indira P P Bora and troupe, C S Thama and troupe performed Bharatnatyam. A Kortan Nritya was...
The Kamakhya Debutter Board is organising the Kameswari music and dance festival at the portals of Sri Sri Kamakhya temple on January 14 and 15 after the success of the maiden attempt last year. Padma Vibhusan Smti Sonal Mansingh, Pandit Sugato Bhaduri and Smt Indira P P Bora, Padmashri Sobhna Narayan and Pandit(s) Rajan and Sajan Mishra have consented to render their respective recitals.Prof Atul Sarma former Vice Chancellor, University of Arunachal Pradesh and member of the Finance Commission of India and Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister of Assam will grace the occasion as the chief guest and the guest of honour respectively on the opening day.
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