HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Wednesday Dec 18-25, 2012   

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Arunachal part of India: US Ambassador Powell

India-China border row: US sticks to McMahon Line

Guwahati, Dec 18: US ambassador to India Nancy J Powell on Friday said the US still adopts the 1962 policy of recognizing the McMahon Line regarding the India-China border dispute. She said the US recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India.

On China's repeated claims that Arunachal Pradesh as its territory, Powell said, "This is an issue between India and China. It has to be resolved bilaterally by the two countries." She added that the US always encourages talks between India and China on all issues.

Commenting on China's rise as a global power, Powell said the US does not consider China's fast economic and military growth as a cause of rivalry. "We don't think it is a rivalry. The US will continue to work with China, along with other friendly countries. We are for investing in China and engaging them in trade," she added. She said the US has good relations with China and have a lot of investment in that country. She, however, said India's own interests are similar to that of the US as both countries believe and practice democracy, The Economic Times reported.

Powell said the geo-political situation in South and South-East Asian region has changed now and the India's northeast region has become an important area. "With Myanmar opening up and trade links with Bangladesh improving, the northeast today is at a critical juncture," she added.

"The northeast joins the ASEAN countries with the Indian sub-continent. It is a geographical junction of the new silk route," said Powell, explaining how the NE region has become very crucial for trade ties between India and ASEAN countries.

Sino-Indian border deadlock raises tensions; ambiguity of past accords hinders settlement

Sikkim in Indo-China border dispute

Indo-China border in east Sikkim

London, Dec 18: Indian national security adviser Shivshankar Menon went to Beijing the week before last to have his last formal meeting with his Chinese counterpart, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, who will be retiring in March next year.

When they had met earlier this year in January, the two had decided to come up with a joint record of negotiations and to look at the future trajectory of these talks. The aim of the latest talks was to ensure continuity with Dai's successor.

After the meeting, Menon suggested that the two sides have now reached a "common understanding" on the progress made so far in the border talks that will provide a framework for drawing a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable" boundary, The Japan Times reported.

More significantly, India acknowledged China's sovereignty over Tibet and pledged not to allow "anti-China" political activities in India, while China acknowledged India's 1975 incorporation of the former monarchy of Sikkim by first agreeing to open a trading post along the border with the former kingdom and by later rectifying official maps to include Sikkim as part of India.

In 2005, both sides established the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question Agreement — broad principles to govern the parameters of any dispute settlement.

China has expressed its desire to seek a fair resolution to the vexed boundary issue on the basis of "mutual accommodation, respect for history and accommodation of reality."

Since then China has vigorously asserted its old claims along the border with India and has combined it with aggressive patrolling, which New Delhi views as a violation of a 1993 agreement.

Even as India considered the Sikkim border issue settled, repeated Chinese incursions in the "finger area" in northern Sikkim in the past few years are aimed at opening a fresh front against India. Concerns are growing about covert intrusions into the Indian territory to strengthen Chinese claims over the disputed border areas.

Forces of the People's Liberation Army also regularly intrude into Bhutanese territory at the junction where the three countries meet and destroying Indian Army posts. These incursions are strategically directed at the Siliguri corridor that connects India with its northeast states.

Issue provisional ration cards to Nepalese: HC

Shimla, Dec 18: Himachal Pradesh High Court directed the district controller, food civil supplies and consumer affairs, Kullu, to provide provisional consumer cards/ration cards to Nepalese applicants and other migrant labourers in Kullu district and supply all the essential articles to them as are given to other ordinary ration card holders for six months.

The directions were issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Rajiv Sharma during the hearing of a petition filed by Mool Pravah Akhil Bharat Nepal Ekta Samaj, Kullu, seeking directions to government for supplying ration cards to Nepalese residing in Kullu so that they could purchase essential commodities from fair price shops.

District controller, food civil supplies and consumer affairs, Kullu, in his reply, had stated that there was no provision in HP Specified Articles (Regulation of Distribution) Order, 2003, to issue permanent ration cards to such persons, a national daily reported.

However, under its Clause 10(4), temporary ration cards could be issued to those persons, who have no fixed or identifiable place of dwelling, on payment of required fee. He also informed the court that the state government had sought clarification from the Central government in this regard five years ago and a response was still awaited.

The court directed the Central government to give clarification to state government and to file a reply within two months and also directed the director, food and civil supplies, Himachal Pradesh to provide required quantity of essential articles to district controller, food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, Kullu.

Concerns raised over Chinese activities in Ladakh, PoK

New Delhi, Dec 18:  Concern was expressed over Chinese activities in Ladakh region and presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir(PoK) during a meeting of Parliamentary Consultative committee of the Home Ministry.

Intelligence Bureau Director Nehchal Sandhu, however, while briefing the MPs, said a close watch was being maintained along the India-China border and that there was nothing to be worried about, official sources said, PTI reported.

Participating in the meeting held here last night, some MPs had voiced their concern at the repeated incursions by Chinese troops in Ladakh region and their growing presence in PoK, the sources said.

According to official data presented in Parliament earlier this year, there were nearly 500 Chinese incursions in the last three years. Of this, 218 was in 2010 and 213 in 2011. There were 64 such incursions till April this year.

Intelligence agencies have been reporting presence of around 4,000 Chinese troops across PoK. Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh had said in September that Chinese soldiers were present in PoK to provide security to its railways and road projects.

In an official release issued by the Home Ministry, it was stated that the Consultative Committee of MPs attached to the Ministry reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

NAGA ISSUE

Peace With Honour

 The Joint Legislature Forum (JLF), a forum floated by the 60 Nagaland Legislative Assembly members, recently indicated its willingness to resign from the House to pave way for an honourable solution to the vexed Naga political problem. However, their stand on the issue is conditional: no resignation before solution. Taking a bold stand on the Naga issue, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has pointed out that “our adversaries had divided and placed us in four Indian states and in two countries - India and Myanmar." He says early resolution to the Naga issue is crucial to the implementation of various developmental plans in the State. To resolve the Naga issue at the earliest, the JLF has decided to consult all political parties, civil society and church leaders.

The Centre has been holding talks with NSCN-IM since 1998 to find a solution to the Naga problem. In July, the Centre and the NSCN-IM had announced that they "narrowed" down differences and were working out a settlement in the "shortest possible time". Responding favourably on resolving the Naga issue, the Opposition Congress party in Nagaland is likely to urge the Government of India for deferment of the State Assembly elections due in March 2013 till a solution is arrived at. The Centre now needs to take a serious view of the situation. Although talks between the Government of India and the NSCN-M are underway the Centre needs to focus its attention on the issue in view of the changed situation. NSCN-M leaders – Chairman Isak Chsi Swu and General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah – are  likely to be in Nagaland during Christmas before they proceed to New Delhi next month to resume the talks.

Statehood demand raised in GJM meet

Be patient, make GTA successful: Gurung

Darjeeling, Dec 18: While keeping the statehood issue alive Gorkha Janmukti Morch chief Bimal Gurung said all Gorkhas must ensure the success of the recently-formed Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA).

This appeal was made during the GJM’s first national conference held here on Sunday. GJM's unit representatives from twenty-two states participated in the conference, which also dwelt on security of Gorkhas living in the country.

Realizing the touchy issue of adopting a fine balance between the GTA and the statehood demand, Gurung said, "We cannot achieve anything if we lose patience. The state government has given us the responsibility to run the GTA and we are doing that. But if they dishonour the resolutions we take in the GTA Sabha, then we will have to opt for the route of agitation."

The statehood demand was one of the four resolutions adopted during the conference. The other three were conferring tribal status to the entire Gorkha community except for scheduled castes, giving linguistic minority status to Darjeeling Hills and inclusion of Terai and Dooars in the GTA.

GJM's unit representatives from twenty-two states, not much clear about the political polices being taken up by the central committee in Darjeeling Hills attended the conference, with the common question - what after the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

"The subject of a separate state should not be closed, even if the GTA is a stepping stone for it," said a member from Arunachal Pradesh.

While the GJM president said prolonged dialogues were needed to pursue the state for the demand of Gorkhaland, Gurung said he would not abandon the Terai and Doors region at any cost.

GTA to form Lepcha Development Board

Darjeeling, Dec 18: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabha on Friday adopted resolutions to take measures to protect the interest of different tribal communities living in the hills of Darjeeling. Among these is the formation of a Lepcha Development Board within the ambit of GTA.

The marginalized Lepcha community, the sons of the soil of Darjeeling, had been demanding for some time that a development council be formed to take measures for their protection. They had held agitations on several occasions, in Darjeeling as well as in Kolkata, in support of this demand.

The board/council will not have any territory assigned to it but will function as an independent body to protect the ethnic identity of the Lepchas.

The Lepchas have been holding agitations demanding an administrative mechanism to protect their identity, as they claim to be the aboriginal tribe of Darjeeling.

The state backward classes welfare department is believed to have submitted a proposal to set up a Lepcha Development Council to chief secretary Samar Ghosh recently.

The proposed council is aimed at protecting “the language, cultural traits and help in economic development of the Lepchas”.

The council will act as a coordinating agency to undertake various projects for the welfare of the Lepchas. It will approach the concerned departments, for example, about building new roads, providing drinking water, setting up schools, and improving the Lepcha-dominated areas.

Lepchas have complained that their identity and culture has always been dominated by the majority Nepalese community.

Sikkim girls bag silver medal in national basketball tourney

Captain Nim Doma Bhutia gets ‘most valuable player’ award

Gangtok, Dec 18: Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Gangyap, west Sikkim,  finished runners-up with silver medal at the CBSE under-19 National Basketball Championship held recently in Jaipur.

APS Noida, last year’s runners-up beat the Sikkim team by 11 points in the finals. However, the ‘most valuable player’ was awarded to the captain Nim Doma Bhutia of the EMRS team. This is the second time she has been awarded this title in national tournament.

EMRS girls had won the title last year. The Sikkim girls defeated Madhya Pradesh 57-37 in an exciting semifinal.

Impressed with the Sikkim team, the members of Basketball Federation India, an official release informs, have asked the team to participate in the junior nationals through Sikkim Basketball Association.

Other members in the team include Rinchen, Tshering Eden, Dikim Doma, Binu Hangma Subba, Nim Lam Bhutia, Pem Choden Lepcha, Manita Subba, Deechen Bhutia, Bimochen Tamang, Kinchmit Lepcha and Lakchung Lepcha.

Tini Tshechu, the team manage, is aided by Darren Van Biois as assistant coach, and Siddarth Yonzone as coach.

Darjeeling’s reunification with Sikkim will make us ‘Sikkimese, not Gorkhas’: Moktan

Kalimpong, Dec 18: Gorkhaland Task Force (GTF) Coordinator R. Moktan said in the event Darjeeling-Sikkim demand comes through the inhabitants of the new state will be called ‘Sikkimese’ and not ‘Gorkhas.’

Highlighting the statehood demand, Moktan said the demand for formation of Gorkhaland state is aimed at catering to the need of the Gorkha community in the country for a homeland of their own and to safeguard their identity.

“Through merger we will be called Sikkimese, not Gorkhas,” Moktan said, Mungpo News reported. He has urged everyone to stand united for creation of Gorkhaland.

Moktan’s reaction on Darjeeling-Sikkim merger comes at a time when the issue is hotly debated in Sikkim and by a section of politicians in Darjeeling.

BJP will demand 'Frontier Nagaland' in Parliament: Gadkari

Kohima, Dec 18: In a move which could stoke secessionist ambitions elesewhere in the region, BJP President Nitin Gadkari assured to the people of eastern districts of Nagaland that BJP would carve out a separate state of Frontier Nagaland if it came to power in Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

Nagaland, where BJP only has 2 legislators out of total 60, also goes to assembly polls in 2013.

Slamming the ruling Naga People’s Front and the main opposition Congress for their lack of sensitivity towards the political aspirations of the people of Tuensang and Mon districts, Gadkari said on Sunday that BJP would initiate a demand for ‘Frontier Nagaland’ in the Parliament, dailybhaskar.com and Nagaland Post reported.

“Nagaland attained statehood in 1963. It should not have remained like this for 49 years,” he said at Mon Town Hall  pointing to the severe lack of economic development in the eastern districts of Nagaland. “Both Congress and NPF have failed the Naga people,” said the BJP President.

Also, addressing a mammoth gathering here at local ground Tuensang, BJP chief said the party has recognized the ‘uniqueness’  of the eastern Nagas and pointed out that they have understood the problems and grievances being faced in this part of the country in various developmental aspects.

Giving an air of credibility to his assurances, Gadkari revealed that he had even met leaders of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation ENPO) in Delhi and referred them to few MPs for redressing their grievances.

ENPO has been demanding a separate state comprising of eastern part of Nagaland, ascribing it to lack of development and opportunities under different regimes that came to power in the past.

However, unlike other secessionist and statehood movements which plague the north-eastern region, ENPO’s means of achieving separate state have largely remained peaceful.

Notably, Gadkari’s visit was to the state was coordinated by ENPO, thus sparking hopes of BJP-ENPO alliance in 2013 assembly elections.

INTERVIEW Lobsang Sangay

“China ought to have a new perspective on the Tibet issue”

In an interview with The Times of India recently, Tibet’s exiled Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay says there will be no compromise on democracy and non-violence to achieve Tibet’s goals. Excerpts:

Times of India: What is the Tibetan government-in-exile doing to highlight the increasing number of self- immolation cases in Tibet?

Lobsang Sangay: We have declared 2013 as 'Solidarity-with-Tibet Year'. Starting December 10, which is commemorated as Human Rights Day, we will organize events, rallies, conferences, and discussions in different cities across the world, such as New York, Geneva and New Delhi, which have strong UN presence. We have also launched a website, solidaritywithtibet.org, which consists of a six-minute video on atrocities committed by China in Tibet, and links to social networking sites to create awareness on the cause.

Q: The present border conflict between India and China regarding MacMahon Line was drafted between British India and Independent Tibet in 1914. Do you think the Tibet and border issues have some common ground?

A: These issues are very much connected. The treaty was negotiated between British Indian representative, the then Tibetan PM and a Chinese representative. China didn't sign the final draft as it had border issues with Tibet. But the Tibetan government-in-exile's stand is that McMahon Line should be acknowledged as it was a treaty signed by Tibet.

Q: What is the current state of negotiations between Dharamsala and Beijing?

A: Our envoys met their Chinese counterparts nine times between 2003 and 2009, and presented the memorandum of genuine autonomy within the framework of Chinese constitutions. But since then, there has been no contact from the Chinese side.

Q: Are you comfortable with the regime change in China following the conclusion of 18th Party Congress?

A: We will have to wait till March 2013, when there will be a change of guard for top Chinese political positions. We feel that with the induction of new people there ought to be a new perspective on the Tibet issue, given the tragedy in Tibet and failure of the Communist party's hardline policies in the region.

Q: What are your expectations from Xi Jinping whose father was considered a liberal Communist leader?

A: Xi Zhongxun, Xi Jinping's father, was close to the Panchen Lama and knew the present Dalai Lama, and was very liberal in his political approach. Whether the son will be like his father is yet to be seen.

Q: Do you think the middle path approach for Tibet is still relevant today?

A: The middle path - which is asking for genuine autonomy within the framework of Chinese constitution - is the official policy of our administration based on the resolution passed by Tibetan Parliament-in-exile. Democracy and non-violence are two basic and uncompromising principals we believe in to achieve our goals. The concept of freedom is becoming a global trend and we believe China will come around at some point.