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 opened fire to disperse bandh supporters when they blocked the Natioal Highway-31 at Joghighopa in Bongaigaon district and three bandh supporters were injured.Tension erupted in Dhubri district with the CRPF and the police opening fire to disperse bandh supporters, who burnt the effigy of Mohilary near No:2 Kali Mandir on NH 31 at Gauripur.AMSU activists also blocked NH-31 at New Hatipota near Bilasipara, ransacked the Bodoland Peoples' Front office in Gauripur as well as eight shops at Asharkandi besides forcibly closing shops at Gariapatti.
Fresh incidents of violence takes away the chance of peace in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Bagsa and Dhbubri districts when the All Assam Minority Students' Union’s bandh call disrupted normal life across the state on Tuesday.The Army jawans are patrolling the violence-hit areas and more security forces have been deployed in BTAD areas with night curfew. Normal life was paralysed with sporadic incidents of violence in several districts during the 12-hour bandh called demanding scrapping of the Bodoland Territorial Council and the arrest of its chief Hagrama Mohilary.
Normal life comes to a grinding halt across the state on Tuesday following the 12 hour bandh call by the All Assam Minority Students Union demanding action to atop the BTAD violence. The bandh that began at 6 in the morning has crippled normal transport service and business activities in the state. The impact is heavy and total in the minority-dominated areas of the state. A section of bandh supporters tried to enforce the bandh even with a string of stray incidents. The bandh crippled normal life a day after the Bajrang sponsored-total and peaceful bandh called demanding arrest of AIUDF president Badaruddin Ajmal.
One person was killed and five others have been injured in fresh violence in the Kokrajhar district on Tuesday.Four incidents of firing were reported from the district on Monday. One was killed in Bhumki in the Salakati town, four others were injured in the Pakritol village after unidentified gunmen opened fire. Another person was also reported to have sustained injuries in Gossaigaon.
Security has been beefed up in the riot-hit BTAD areas after fresh incidents of violence from Saturday. Indefinite curfew has been clamped in Chirang district since Saturday evening after unidentified miscreants killed five persons in a fresh orgy of attack. Assam Police and paramilitary forces launched a massive operation to nab the perpetrators. Two senior police officials have been rushed to monitor the situation in Chirang district. Eighty additional CRPF companies have also been deployed to bring the situation under control. Army jawans continued flag march on Sunday to maintain peace.
The United Liberation Front of Asom on Sunday warned of attacks on outsiders if the killing of Assamese youths are allowed to continue. A statement signed by Paresh Baruah, ULFA alleged that 14 Assamese youth had been killed outside Assam.
The statement reads that the atrocities inflicted on the people from Assam must be stopped immediately. ULFA further charged All India United Democratic Front president Badaruddin Ajmal with spreading communal tension for political mileage.
Five persons were injured in a fresh incident of violence in Kokrajhar district on Sunday. The incident took place unidentified miscreants persons attacked five persons including a child near Salakati Railway Station in Kokrajhar in the wee hours. The injured have been admitted to the Bongaigaon civil hospital.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday ordered BTAD administration to crush the spine of the trouble mongers in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts. He asked the administration to open fire at anyone who resorts to arson and violence. Gogoi has asked a team of his cabinet colleagues to visit the BTAD areas to assess the situation.
Four boys were injured when group of students clashed in Morigaon on Saturday. The incident took place at a boys' hostel of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Morigaon Saturday night. According to police, hostel inmates of Class 11 and Class 12 were involved in the clash, in which both sides used sharp weapons. Police rushed to the school and brought the situation under control. Hostel inmates have vacated the place on Sunday morning fearing further violence.
Assam Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi on Saturday expressed his deep gratitude to Karnataka government for taking measures to tackle the issues facing people of the North East origin. Talking to Karnataka deputy chief minister R Ashoka, Gogoi said that he was impressed with the way in which the Government of Karnataka and in particular the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka R Ashoka swung into action and tackled the issue.
The Chief Minister also thanked his Karnataka counterpart over telephone in the presence of the delegation and said that there are a large number of people from Karnataka settled for generations in Assam and similarly Bangalore is home for a large number of people...
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