Sikkim Observer Nov 26, 2011

BJP raises quake relief issue with PM, Sonia

Observer News Service

Gangtok: Nov 25: Not satisfied with distribution of relief funds to the victims of the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the State, the State unit of the BJP has lodged a complaint to the Central Parliamentary Committee (CPC) on the issue.

Padam Sharma, General Secretary of the BJP’s State unit, said the list of 14,000 houses, which the State Government claims were destroyed during the quake, have not been made public. He said the party was suspicious and dissatisfied with the way the authorities are handling relief funds to the affected persons.

Briefing reporters here, Sharma said the party has make complaints to Prime Minister and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on the above matter.

Alleging discrimination on distribution of relief funds, the BJP said victims who belonged to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front received higher amount than those belonging to the opposition.

SDF lambasts Rai for going against Chamling

Rai for Opposition unity to oust Chamling

Gangtok, Nov 25: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has lambasted its former Lok Sabha MP Nakul Rai for speaking against the party.

In a press statement, the SDF said Rai never raised any issue against the SDF when he was in the party but chose to speak against it when he was expelled from the party.

The SDF refuted Rai’s allegation that under the SDF the Sikkimese people were becoming beggars in their own State.

The release said due to the party’s popularity it has been voted to power for the fourth consecutive terms and Rai’s allegation was baseless.

In a press statement recently, the former MP urged leaders of the Opposition to expose Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s undemocratic tendencies and corrupt practices and put an end to one-party rule in the State.

Rai lambasted the Chamling Government for bringing more than 30 hydropower projects in the State, which he said, was not only unnecessary but also harmful to the environment.

Rai also expressed concern on the growing suicide rate in the State, which is believed to be three times more than the national suicide rate.

“On these issues, the present political situation calls for a mutually agreeable programme list to be prepared by the opposition parties on a common platform,” Rai said.

After his expulsion from the SDF in August, Rai in a press statement not only accused Chamling of being corrupt but of being a “very narrow minded person.”

Setback for Assam peace talks as Paresh Baruah splits ULFA

Guwahati, Nov 23: The Centre and the State government may be holding talks with United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa but the ground reality is that the dreaded outfit has been split.

According to Commander-in-Chief of the ULFA, Paresh Baruah, the newly-formed central committee of the organization has the strength and vision to carry out the outfit’s goal, reported a Guwahati-based daily.

Baruah, who called up The Assam Tribune from an unknown place immediately after the announcement of the new committee, said that the formation of the new committee after senior leaders, including Rajkhowa, came for talks with the Government would not affect the ULFA.

"It is very much possible that some of the new faces in the Central committee have the talent to perform better than the previous central committee members," he added.

Dr. Abhijit Barman is now the acting chairman of the ULFA, Paresh said.

Baruah said that if Rajkhowa and other ULFA leaders return to the jungles, they would be welcome. He said that they had nothing personal against those who opted for talks with the Government of India and "we are only opposing the policies adopted by them. We have not forgotten the sacrifices that they made for the ULFA over the years and due honour will be given to them if they decide to return. One can make mistakes, but if he or she admits the mistakes, everything is forgotten. Similarly, if those who opted for talks realise their mistakes and return to the ULFA, due honour would be given to them," the daily said.

Baruah asserted that there is no shortage of Assamese youths who are willing to join the ULFA to fight for the sovereignty of Assam. The youths who have studied the history of Assam thoroughly would like to fight for restoration of Assam's sovereignty and that is why the Government of India is trying to withdraw history as a subject from the school curriculum, he added.

A statement issued by Arunoday Dahotiya of the Baruah faction on Monday also said it would soon name three “eminent” persons as political advisors, while a three-member permanent committee would be set up in place of the central executive council.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, meanwhile, said the government would only recognise Rajkhowa-headed ULFA faction which began peace talks with it.

Tough times ahead for Jaganmohan Reddy

CBI grills former Andhra Pradesh CM aide on disproportionate assets case

New Delhi, Nov 25: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday questioned retired bureaucrat K. Prabhakar Reddy in the illegal mining case involving Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) owned by former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy.

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official, who retired from service in 2009, appeared before a CBI team as a witness.

Prabhakar Reddy, who was serving in the office of then chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, allegedly played a role in granting iron ore mining leases to OMC, according to reports.

The investigating agency on Sunday questioned Kumar Bhanu, a close aide of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy. The Assam cadre IAS official, who is currently the Tea Board chairman, was on deputation to Andhra Pradesh government in the capacity of a special secretary to the then chief minister.

The investigating agency plans to file the charge sheet before Dec 3, it is learnt.

Bhanu was also a crucial player in procuring contracts for key hydel power projects in Sikkim for Jaganmohan Reddy, who in turn used the opportunity to invest his ill-gotten money in projects away from media and political glare of AP.

Bhanu enjoyed extraordinary powers in the CMO of YSR when his tenure came to an end just 28 days after the chopper crash, killing the chief minister on September 30.

Bhanu was the favourite officer of YSR and had been given several extensions beyond five years and was once again on extension of three months till the completion of the elections, according to Telegu Desam party sources.

While Jaganmohan Reddy has been grilled by the CBI and other investigating agencies the Andhra Pradesh High Court has also taken up corruption cases against him.

A division bench of the Andhra Pradesh high court had last week asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into alleged disproportionate assets of Naidu.

In the meanwhile, Anand Lama, a local resident of Gangtok, has filed a PIL against Reddy in the Sikkim High Court, which has listed the case for hearing in March next year. The case, filed in the High Court in early August this year,  relates to 1200 MW Teesta Stage III hydropower project in North Sikkim. Reddy is believed to have invested a huge amount in this the State’s biggest project.

SIBLAC rejects ‘section of people’ tag, demands scrapping of hydro projects

Gangtok, Nov 25: The manner in which basic issues, both social and political, that basically concern the State’s minority indigenous Buddhist Bhutia-Lepcha tribals are set aside by the establishment is now being openly rejected by the leadership of the minority community.

“The movement against hydropower projects in Sikkim is not confined among a ‘section of people’ as projected by the Government,” asserted Tseten Tashi Bhutia, former minister and Convenor of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC).

In an oblique reference to last week’s remarks by ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s Lok Sabha MP PD Rai on scrapping of hydro projects in the Tashiding region of west Sikkim, held sacred by the minority community, Bhutia, in a press statement said hydropower projects in the State “have provoked opposition for  numerous social, environmental, economic and safety reasons.”

He added, “Submergence of lands, homes, fields and forests on a large scale will displace hundreds of people. Damming and diversion of rivers will severely disrupt the downstream flows, impacting agriculture and fisheries and threatening livelihoods of entire populations. Degradation of the natural surroundings and a massive influx of migrant workers will have grave implications for the culture and identity of distinct Sikkimese people, who are protected under Article 371F of the Constitution.”

Bhutia said, “The ancient Himalayan Buddhist culture is in danger of collapse in Sikkim under the hulking shadows of three ongoing hydro electric projects viz. Ting Ting, Tashiding and Lethang being promoted by State Government on Rathongchu, West Sikkim.”

“The Buddhist culture in sub-Himalayan India is facing threat from many quarters. It is in this context, SIBLAC expresses its deep gratitude to the statement of Smt. Spalzes Angmo, a member of Minority Commission, Government of India when she stated that ongoing three hydroelectric projects over Rathong chu is a threat to dying Buddhist culture of Himalayas,” Bhutia said.

Besides “Save Sikkim”, an NGO in west Sikkim, and the  All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed Association (ASESEUA), most Opposition parties in the State, including the Congress party, have demanded scrapping of mega hydel projects in the State.

Former Chief Minister and Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee President Nar Bahadur Bhandari recently wrote to Prime Minister Manmoham Singh asking the Centre to scrap all mega hydel projects in the State if it wants “Sikkim to exist as a State.”

AASU, 26 ethnic bodies to hold mass rally against mega dams on Dec 3

Guwahati, Nov 25: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and 26 organisations of the ethnic groups of the State on Wednesday decided to jointly hold a mass rally at North Lakhimpur town on December 3 next in support of their demands for abandoning all mega dam hydel projects and update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) within the stipulated time-frame, The Assam Tribune reported.

The AASU and its ally organisations are also demanding solution to the problems of flood and erosion, physical protection to Majuli island and an end to the inter-state border dispute of the State with its neighbours.

In a joint meeting, the AASU and the 26 organisations also rejected the concept of the supra-State that has been floated by certain quarters to solve the vexed Naga tangle. They have also demanded a white paper on the issue of supra-State.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi should take up the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and publish a white paper on the issue the supra-State, said the AASU and its ally organisations. They have also called for steps to permanently solve the State's border dispute with its neighbouring States.

The joint meeting of the organisations also opposed the Central Government's act of handing over Assam's land to Bangladesh. It has called upon all the political parties to oppose the act in the current session of the Parliament to defeat the move for legalizing this deed.

TAAS to give tourism training to students

P. Rai

Gangtok, Nov 23: Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) will be imparting ‘On The Job Training’ for the students of Vocational Studies in the stream of Tourism.

A total of 109 students from eight schools, Lingdok Senior Secondary School, Pelling Senior Secondary School, Sang Senior Secondary School, Ranka Senior Secondary School, Tashiding Senior Secondary School, kaluk Senior Secondary School, Chakung Senior Secondary School, Namchi Boys Senior Secondary School, and Ravangla Senior Secondary School, which are in the vocational stream of Tourism & Travel Management, will be given on the job training for a period of one month starting from November 23.

A total of 109 students will be sent to the offices of members of TAAS numbering 274. TAAS has been providing on the job training for the students of Sikkim for the past few years on the request of Human Resource Development Department. This year, the module has been slightly modified to augment also the career option in the tourism industry which has a high demand for professionals. 

Students will be divided into four groups and taught 1. Tourism Management. 2. Bird watching. 3. Trekking & Camping. 4. Specialised guide Training.

All the resource persons of TAAS will be requested to impart on the job training. 

Govt admits slow pace of work on border roads

New Delhi, Nov 25: The lumbering Elephant is finding it tough to keep pace with the Red Dragon. The government on Wednesday admitted only 15 of the 73 roads identified for construction along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control with China have been completed.

"Out of the 73 roads identified as strategic border roads, 15 have been completed, 39 are scheduled for completion by 2013 and the remaining 19 by 2016," said defence minister A K Antony in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, The Times of India reported.

"The main reasons for the slow progress are delay in forest/wildlife clearances, hard rock stretches, limited working seasons and inadequate air efforts to mobilize resources,'' he added.

The tardiness is stark since China has "aggressively'' strengthened its military capabilities in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and elsewhere. This includes five fully-operational airbases, an extensive rail network and over 58,000-km of roads in TAR, which makes it possible for China to swiftly move over 30 divisions (each with over 15,000 soldiers) to the LAC, outnumbering Indian forces by at least 3:1.

The 15 roads constructed by India measure around 600-km out of the total of 3,808 km required for the 73 all-weather roads. The 73 roads cover all the three sectors of LAC -western (Ladakh), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal) -and include more east-west lateral links as well as better access routes to strategic peaks and valleys.

The Army, alarmed at the excruciatingly slow progress in construction of the border roads, has been demanding that infrastructure build-up within 50 km of LAC as well as LoC with Pakistan should be exempted from requisite long-winded environmental and other clearances.

India is taking other steps to shore up its defences against China. The measures range from planning a new mountain strike corps (over 45,000 troops) after raising two new mountain infantry divisions, with 1,260 officers and 35,011 soldiers in Nagaland and Assam, to the progressive deployment of Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, spy drones, helicopters and missile squadrons in the north-east.

Biraj reelected SNPP Prez

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Nov 24: Biraj Adhikari, whose opposition/non-opposition to a recent rally in the capital on “Black Bill” created some controversy within the Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) circle, has been reelected as the party president.

The party’s election commission declared Adhikari as the new President of SNPP as no one contested the post, a release of the party said.

Adhikari was declared President “uncontested”, the release said.

The party has now asked Adhikari to form his new executive committee, the release added.

5 local journalists get ‘Positive Journalism’ grantGangtok, Nov 24: Five journalists in the State have been awarded with ‘Positive Journalism Grant’ by the State Government.
The recipients are: Sagar Chhetri, (Now), Pravin Khaling, (Sunakhari Samachar), Nimasang Lhamu (GangtokWeekly Journal), Hari Bhakta Adhikari, (Nayuma Samachar) and Hangma Subba (Samay Dainik).
Former Chief Minister BB Gooroong presented the awards at a function organized here this week by the Information and Public Relations Department (IPR).
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton plans to visit Burma next month to encourage its reforms and engage with the new government. It is the first U.S. secretary of state visit in more than a half-century.
Editorial

SIKKIM MINORITIES

Alienation of Bhutia-Lepchas

The Sikkim Lok Sabha MP PD Rai’s reference to ‘section of the people’ while referring to mega hydropower projects and the 17^th Karmapa has been met with a swift condemnation from the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) Convenor and former minister Tseten Tashi Bhutia, who has rightly pointed out that apart from the religious and historical significance of Tashiding and Yuksam in West Sikkim the decision to have more than 30 hydropower projects in the State would adversely affect the State’s environment, ecology, economy, culture and distinct identity of the Sikkimese people. In the past, politicians from the majority Nepalese community, who have been in power since the ‘merger’ in 1975, are used to bullying the minority Bhutia-Lepcha tribals so much so that most of the popular and credible leaders of this community are often dubbed as ‘communal’.

Many of them, including the SIBLAC Convenor, have fought for the basic political and economic rights of bonafide Sikkimese Nepalese. But sadly the leadership of the majority community, be they in power or in the Opposition, still prefer to have discredited or less credible Bhutia-Lepcha leaders among their inner circle. If this attitude does not change in the near future the alienation of the Bhutia-Lepchas from the mainstream Sikkimese politics may further deepen leading to a point of no return. This, as perceptive observers note, is not in the interest of Sikkim and the Sikkimese people, including members of the old business community in Sikkim. While a section of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front leadership still prefer to play the ‘Nepali card’ the reality is that the majority community, unlike before, are divided into many groups – OBCs, tribals, NBCs and SCs. Less than 50% of Sikkim’s six lac people are ‘Sikkim Subjects’ (majority of the Sikkim Subjects are Sikkimese Nepalese). There is, therefore, not much scope for ‘divide and rule’ politics in Sikkim in such a scenario if the Sikkimese political leadership’s main objective is to maintain peace, unity, harmony and Sikkim’s distinct identity within the Union.

CHAMLING’S DREAM

And The Ground Reality

Many of those who were ardent supporters of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s Sikkim Democratic Front are now no longer with the ruling party. The reason is obvious: Chamling is no more what he so often claims to be. The democrat of the 1990s, who helped to dethrone ‘dictator Bhandari’ has, as predicted by many, stepped into his mentor’s shoes. The man who once claimed “I’m a democrat, not a sycophant”, is today surrounded by sycophants and self-seekers. Part of the blame for the gradual alienation of the people with Chamling and the ruling party may be placed on vested interests who are close to him today. “Those who were with Bhandari are now with Chamling,” said a journalist who was once close to Chamling.  It is often said that Chamling is a good man but his advisers have misled him. There is some truth in this but the fact remains that the man at the top who has the power and position is solely responsible for what happens.

The SDF has rebuked its former Lok Sabha MP Nakul Rai for going against the party chief. Its reply to Rai’s accusations on corruption and undemocratic ways of the Chief Minister is that since the SDF is a popular and pro-people party it has been reelected to power for the fourth consecutive term and, therefore, Rai should shut up. The fact is that in the 1994 Assembly polls, when Chamling was at the height of his popularity, the SDF luckily managed to scrape through winning only 19 of the 32 seats in the House. Thereafter, although the SDF has own almost all the seats in the Assembly most of the time the Opposition’s tally of getting around 35 per cent of the votes polled has remained unchanged. The illegal manner in which four candidates of the SDF got ‘elected uncontested’ in the 2004 Assembly polls and the alleged manipulation of electronic voting machines (EVMs) – an issue that the Opposition has failed to capitalize – in 2004 and 2009 Assembly polls have made the ruling party feel most uncomfortable of its claim of getting the ‘mandate’ of the people to rule. Chamling once wrote a book in Nepali which was translated into English. The title of the book was “Perennial Dream And My Reality.” Perhaps Chamling should go through this book again if such an editorial as this makes him feel uncomfortable

GUARDIAN Nov 23-29. 2011

Congressmen want US Ambassador to visit Tibet

Dharamsala, Nov 22: US Congressmen have urged US Ambassador to China to visit Tibet in connection with the recent wave of self-immolations.

The request came after their meeting with Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay in Washington recently.

Three members of the United States Congress, Frank R. Wolf, James P. McGovern, and Joseph Pitts, have sent a letter on 17 November 2011 to US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, asking him to visit Tibet in the light of the recent self- immolations and "publicly use your platform as Ambassador to make it clear to the Tibetan people that they have a friend in the United States of America."

 “All of these Congressmen are  members of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission,” an official of the Tibetan government-in-exile here said.

In their letter to the ambassador on the recent testimony of Tibetan Prime Minister and His Eminence Kasur Kirti Rinpoche to the Lantos Commission, the members said: "Their testimony was moving and deeply disturbing. They spoke of the abuses suffered by the Tibetan people which in recent months have driven these peace-loving people to desperate forms of protests."

The Congressmen reportedly urged Ambassador Locke to press for a fact-finding mission into Kirti Monastery which has featured prominently in the recent wave of self-immolations. "Raise the Chinese government's repressive policies in Tibet with senior party officials and publicly use your platform as Ambassador to make it clear to the Tibetan people that they have a friend in the United States of America," they said.

They also called on the ambassador to press the Chinese government to respect the peaceful religious, political, civic, and cultural expressions of the Tibetan people.

Bhutan’s royal couple end Japan visit

Bhutanese king addressed Japanese Parliament

Tokyo, Nov 22: Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema left Japan on Sunday after wrapping up their six-day visit as state guests.

Before leaving from Kansai International Airport in Osaka, the royal couple visited the Sento Imperial Palace in Kyoto and took a 30-minute walk in its garden, enjoying the autumn colors and taking pictures of themselves in front of a pond.

The couple arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday and later met with Crown Prince Naruhito and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his wife, Hitomi. While attending a series of ceremonies including a state banquet, they also visited Fukushima Prefecture to encourage people affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and the nuclear crisis triggered by the disaster.

The newlywed royal couple's trip is Japan's first state visit since a magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami struck the north-eastern region on March 11.

They were feted at a banquet in the Imperial Palace on Wednesday. Emperor Akihito, who was has been hospitalized with bronchitis, could not attend the event.

Akihito was admitted to the University of Tokyo Hospital on November 6 for fever and symptoms of bronchitis.

The 31-year-old Bhutanese king also speak to the parliament on Thursday.

On Friday, the couple visited a primary school in Soma city outside the no-go zone around the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

The plant has been leaking radioactivity since it was hit by the earthquake and tsunami. The Bhutanese king donated 1 million dollars for the victims.

Gorkha Rifles veterans relive memories in Himachal

Shimla, Nov 22:  It was a nostalgic occasion here on Sunday when officers and other ranks of the Gorkha Rifles assembled in a Himachal Pradesh army cantonment to relive their memories.

Over 1,500 families of the First Gorkha Rifles from India and Nepal assembled in the picturesque hills of Subathu town in Solan district for the five-day reunion.

Retired officers, including generals, participated in the event, an official statement said.

Addressing the gathering, Maj. Gen. P.S. Ravindranath, Commandant, Selection Centre South, called the event an occasion to share experiences of veterans with the new generation, Hill Post reported.

The origin of the Gorkha Rifles dates back to 1815 when the forces of the East India Company clashed with the Gorkhas.

Impressed by their fighting skills the East India Company offered to raise a Gorkha regiment from Amar Singh Thapa’s army. The First Nusseree Battalion came into existence April 24, 1815 at Subathu.

Ravindranath and other retired generals also laid wreaths at a war memorial in Subathu’s Gorkha Training Centre.

Right to self-determination will help India, Pakistan: Geelani

Srinagar, Nov 22: Veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Geelani has urged the authorities to grant the right to self-determination of the people in the State to resolve the Kashmir issue.

This would not only benefit the people of Jammu and Kashmir but India and Pakistan would also stand to gain, he said during a seminar held here.

Expressing serious concern over the continued illegal detention of Kashmiri youth, including more than 50 minors, Geelani has asked the Amnesty International to take serious note of the matter and use its influence in securing their release.

In a statement the Hurriyet leader said that his forum would not remain silent over the detention of more than 50 children and the mistreatment meted out to prisoners in the Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu. He said that over 1000 pro-freedom leaders were languishing in different jails. "Despite being political prisoners, these leaders are being treated as criminals in these jails," he added.

"Some of them are jailed for ten or twenty years," he stated. He said that while India was claiming to be the largest democracy in world, its claims in Kashmir were totally exposed.

Castigating New Delhi for its “unrealistic policy”, Geelani warned of "serious and dangerous" future for the South Asian region if Kashmir issue is not resolved.

“If India, under the influence of its military might, continues to remains adamant the entire region will have to face serious and dangerous implications. And, all blame goes to the unrealistic policy of India," he said.

Resolving Kashmir issue, he said, by granting the people of the state right to self-determination will be in the benefit of the people of India, Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir.

Lone Siberian tiger dies in Nainital Zoo

Dehradun, Nov 22: The lone Siberian tiger of the country, which had been living at the high-altitude Nainital Zoo for the past one-and-a-half decades, has died at the age of about 18 years.

Keeping in view the rare presence of the Siberian tiger in the country, the Nainital Zoo authorities have decided to prepare taxidermy of this endangered species.

The Siberian tiger, which was known as Kunal, breathed its last on Saturday in the zoo premises following some old-age ailments. The zoo authorities here are of the opinion that the Siberian tiger has died a natural death.

The Siberian tiger had attained an age of about 18 years. So it seems it died a natural death, said Anil Kumar Srivastav, deputy director, the Naintial zoo, The Pioneer reported.

According to Nainital  Zoo authorities, two Siberian tigers i.e. Kunal and Mahesh, were brought to the zoo in Nainital from Darjeeling in 1997. At the time, Kunal was about two-and-a-half-year old, while Mahesh was about six months older than Kunal.

However, owing to some health disorder, Mahesh died in 2001. But surprisingly, Kunal lived on. It seems good care provided by the zoo authorities also played a significant role in Kunal’s long life.

Earthquake rocks Uttarakhand

Uttarkashi, Nov 22: An earthquake of moderate intensity today rocked parts of Uttarakhand but there were no reports of any loss of life or damage to property. The quake, which occurred at 1559 hrs, measured 3.2 on the Richter scale, the MeT office said. The tremor was felt in Uttarkashi district and some other parts of the hill state. There were no immediate reports of any loss of life or damage to property, officials said.

Pastor arrested for conversion of Muslim youths

Srinagar, Nov 22:  Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a pastor of the All India Saints Church following allegations against him of converting several Muslim youth to Christianity, officials said on Sunday.

Pastor CM Khanna was arrested from his residence in the church premises in Ram Munshi Bagh area here after he was named in a case relating to alleged conversion, they said.

Charges under Sections 153-A and 295-A of the RPC were registered against him in the local police station last evening, they said, PTI reported.

The police action comes in the wake of protests at many places in the Kashmir Valley on Friday over the issue. The agitators also staged a protest against hosting of anti-Islamic remarks on a social networking site.

A video had surfaced here last month in which Khanna was allegedly shown baptising at least six Muslim and one Hindu youth.

A spokesman of the Islamic court said initially Khanna denied of converting any youth, but admitted to it after he was shown evidences.

"He said he has converted 15 youth so far and agreed to provide the details soon," the spokesman said.

Editorial

NAGALAND DILEMMA

‘Supra-State’ Status is Unrealistic

The Centre’s bid to grant ‘supra-State’ status to Nagaland in lieu of the ‘Greater Nagaland’ demand has been widely opposed by leaders of India’s vulnerable Northeast region. On the face of it the new initiative seems unrealistic. It would be virtually impossible for one State to interfere in the affairs of other States on the basis that these States have people who belong to another State. If there is historical and political basis for the ‘Greater Nagaland’ demand then it would be worthwhile to explore the possibility of fulfilling this demand even if some concerned State governments oppose it. The Naga problem has been unresolved since India’s independence and the issue needs to be settled at the earliest, particularly in the light of positive developments in neighbouring Burma, where there is now greater chances for resumption of the democratic process.

Under Article 371-A of the Constitution of India Nagaland has a special status within the Union. Under this Article Naga customary law and procedures are also protected. In general the Government of India has provided special constitutional protection to tribals residing in the Northeast and border areas of the country. Unfortunately, these have gradually been, knowingly and unknowingly, diluted leading to the gradual demise of the unique and distinct identity of the region and its people. Both Central and State

governments are responsible for this very sad state of affairs. The root of problems faced by tribals in the Northeast, including Sikkim, is the failure of the democratic process to strictly adhere to the constitutional safeguards. Article 371A can be amended to include all Naga-dominated territories in other States of the Northeast in the State of Nagaland. Thereafter, the authorities need to strictly follow the constitutional provisions. Failure to do this would give birth to the demand for a resolution outside the Constitution of India.

Clean sweep for GJM in Darjeeling civic polls

Darjeeling, Nov 22: All Gorkha Janmukti Morcha candidates in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong subdivisions of Darjeeling district have been declared elected unopposed.

GJM candidates in 79 0f the 84 wards across four municipalities in the Darjeeling hills were declared elected unopposed, according to a senior administrative official.

Election would be held in five of the nine wards in Mirik on December 11 where GJM dissidents have remained in the fray. GJM candidates were elected unopposed in the other four wards, he said.

The result would be announced on December 13. Darjeeling Sub divisional Officer Tamal Das said, the municipality board would formed only after the announcement of election results.

Morch chief Bimal Gurung while announcing the names of the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the three Hills municipalities on Sunday, cautioned the elected commissioners of consequences if they failed to deliver.

Gurung said the failure to get five Morcha candidates elected unopposed in Mirik was due to dissidence within the party. They refused to comply with the party’s directive to withdraw their nominations, Gurung said.

Kalimpong Lepcha monastery damaged during recent quake

Azuk Tamsangmoo Lepcha

The Kalimpong Gumpa [Lepcha Buddhist Monastery] of Bom Busty at Kalimpong was originally located on top of the hillock of the present day army gulf course and was built in 1690 A.D. A part of the Tshoten (small Stupa) can still be found in the gulf ground. This was the first Buddhist monastery ever built in Kalimpong as prior to that the Lepchas were deep rooted in the cult of “Mun” “Boongthing” i.e. what is commonly known to the world as nature worshipping, a belief with a combination of monotheism and animism.

In the year 1889 Rev. Dr. John Anderson Grahams, who was then vested with the power under the British government for the supervision of Khasmahal and Development area, was informed by the local Lepchas that the name of the ridge is “Kaalenpung”, which means Kaa-we, Len-gather, Pung-ridge. It was during this time of survey the then Damsang Lyang name was overwritten by the name Kalimpong, which was the anglicised version of Kaalenpung by the British.

  Dr. Graham later ordered the monastery to be shifted from the then area i.e. the present day Army Golf course, to Kaffer at a spot near the present day D.G.H.C. Guest house. This was done to convert the area into development area. The present day Lepchas of Kaffer and Yangmakum are originally from Kalimpong town who were shifted for development of Kalimpong town.

 As most of the followers were in Kalimpong, Aathing Sando Tshering Tamsangmoo Lepcha gifted a plot of land at Bom Busty for the same monastery to be shifted to Kalimpong. This (pix) is the present location of the Kalimpong Lepcha Gumba, Bom.

Differences between this monastery and other Buddhist monasteries:

1. The local deities called the Lunjyee Lungnong (Tshoma) or in other words the local deities of Damsang lyang that is the region covering Kalimpong, Gorbathan, Darjeeling and surrounding areas  find an integral place in the worshiping ceremonies of the monastery along with the general Buddhist rituals. This is a unique feature separating this particular monastery from the other monasteries.

2.  Lepcha holy book called “Naamtho Naamthaar” written in Lepcha is recited along with the Tibetan Buddhist text called “Tshyo” during the ritual prayer recitals.

3.  It is believed that one of the unique rituals conducted in the monastery is the ability to stop the (Sotaap Chok) hail stones which causes destruction of crops and animals. The founder of the monastery Yeshey Rapgay Lepcha was gifted with such special knowledge by his guru after his training in the Druk Kargu sect this which is also a branch like the Bhutanese Druk Kargu sect.

4.  The head monks of the monastery follow the hereditary tradition. The present head monk is Rabden Lepcha. Before him was his grandfather Sangay Lepcha (present Head Lama).  Other head lamas of the monastery were Ganzi Lepcha, Ugen Dorjee Lepcha, Yeshey Thendup Lepcha, Lenjy Lepcha, Hithyaak Lepcha and Yeshey Rapgey Lepcha,  the Founder.

The first damage to this monastery was due to the earthquake in the year 1934, and then later in 1968, which had developed slight cracks on walls of this unknown heritage of Kalimpong. Now the recent earthquake of 18th September, 2011 has completely damaged the very base and the foundations of the monastery from where the name of the Kalimpong was evolved. The structure has been declared unstable and unsafe by the engineers and officials. It is matter of serious concern that this unknown heritage be preserved from obliteration.

A “Reconstruction Committee” under the present Kalimpong Gumba Welfare Committee has been formed for reconstruction of this heritage of Kalimpong to which I got the opportunity to be chosen the co-ordinator. Please send your queries through my email.  i.e. azukval@gmail.com

Madan Tamang murder accused granted bail by Calcutta High Court

Darjeeling, Nov 22: The Calcutta High Court on Friday granted bail to one Subash Tamang but rejected bail prayers by Dipen Maley, Sudesh Raimajhi and Asish Tamang in the Madan Tamang murder case. Though all four had moved a bail petition at the court, the two member division bench granted Subash bail citing insufficient evidences against him in the case diary while rejected the other three bail petitions on grounds that there was enough material evidence, including eye witnesses, against these three accused The Hindustan Times reported.

The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) leader Madan Tamang was hacked to death on May 21, 2010 by an armed mob at around 9:20 am at the Upper Clubside Stand in Darjeeling town while overseeing preparations for a public meeting to begin at 10:00 am on that day.

A cell phone belonging to GJM Central Committee member Nickol Tamang had been recovered from the murder spot on that day.  Nickol had been arrested on August 16 from his ancestral house in Kainjaley, 47 km from Darjeeling and sent to judicial custody.

Nickol, however, disappeared from the CID camp in Pintail Village, near Siliguri, in the early hours of August 22 morning.

Based on the call records of Nickol Tamang's cell phone the CID had already arrested 39 year old Sudesh Raimajhi, a local builder on June 3. Interrogation of Raimajhi led to the arrests of 35 year old Purna Rai of Phoobtshering Tea Estate, Asish Tamang (26) of Badamtam Tea Estate, Sunil Rai (33) of Tukvar Tea Estate and Tilak Sotang (33) also of Tukvar Tea Eastate.

3 persons had received bullet injuries allegedly when police bodyguards of AIGL leaders had opened fire during the attack on Tamang. 53 year old Subash Tamang of Singamari, and Prashant Chettri (Yogesh Rai) in his late twenty, from the Lebong area of Darjeeling both arrested, and were undergoing treatment at the Darjeeling Sadar Hospital.

23 year old Sangay Yolmo of Upper Harsing had also received severe bullet injuries in his spinal cord from the alleged firing by police bodyguards. He has presently been shifted to Vellore in South India for treatment and will be produced before the Court on recovery.

The case was later handed over to the CBI. The CBI had arrested Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha (Youth wing of the GJM) Spokesperson Dipen Maley on May 25, 2011, from his residence in Pokhriabong, 30 km from Darjeeling town in connection with the case.

On August 29, 2011, the CBI sleuths had filed an additional charge sheet implicating Maley.

India re-activating air strip in Arunachal Pradesh

New Delhi, Nov 22: Wary of China's military infrastructure and capabilities build up in Tibet, India is poised to "fully re-activate" an advanced landing ground (ALG) at Vijayanagar in Arunachal Pradesh.

The third such base in the border state after Tuting and Mechuka, it will facilitate operations of Indian Air Force (IAF) fixed wing aircraft like the Soviet-era AN-32s, officers said here Thursday.

The "upgraded" Vijayanagar ALG is located at the tri-junction of India, China and Myanmar in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It will help India in quick mobilisation of troops and equipment to the borders during crisis situations.

"An IAF AN-32 carrying Arunachal Governor Gen. (retd.) J.J. Singh and Eastern Air Commander (chief) Air Marshal S. Varthaman will land at the ALG on Friday to mark its reactivation," an officer said.

"The runway and other facilities have been upgraded to ensure operation of more types of IAF aircraft from there," the officer said.

The Vijayanagar ALG will be the fourth such facility India has created along its border with China in the last three years.

India had earlier opened Daulat Beg Oldi, Fukche and Nyoma ALGs in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir on its Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the norther areas.

Vijayanagar will be the first such facility that IAF opens in the eastern sector along the LAC with China in recent years.

IAF also has plans to upgrade other eastern sector ALGs such as Pasighat, Walong and Ziro as well as several helipads in Arunachal Pradesh soon.

These efforts are part of India's military infrastructure build up to match up such efforts by China. India has raised two new mountain divisions in the northeast and stationed them in Nagaland and Assam.

It has also based its frontline fighter planes, the Su-30-MKI, in Tezpur and plans to have another squadron of the aircraft in another air base in Assam soon.

Two new Akash missile squadrons too have been approved for the northeast in recent months.

Quake measuring 5.8 hits northeast

Guwahati, Nov 22:  An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the richter scale shook north-east on Monday morning. The epicentre was on the Myanmar-India border region.

It was recorded at 8.46 hrs and was felt across the north region of the country. The tremors were also felt in Kolkata and Siliguri.

The quake was centred around 133 km from Imphal and its epicentre was 24.947°N, 95.226°E, in the neighbouring Myanmar, at a depth of 121 km from the surface, according to the US Geological Survey. The depth of the epicentre resulted in lesser loss as compared to when it would be nearer the surface.

Seven northeastern states - Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur - are considered by seismologists to be the sixth most earthquake-prone belt in the world.

The region experienced one of the worst earthquakes, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, in 1897, that claimed the lives of over 1,600 people.

In September, more than 100 people died after a killer quake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale shook Sikkim. North Sikkim was the epicenter of the devastating quake.

Northeast Conclave 2011 held in Delhi

PD Rai chairs conclave session

New Delhi, Nov 22: For the first time, a conclave exclusively focusing on the Northeastern region was organised in the national capital last week The conclave, named  Northeast India Conclave 2011, was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Water Resource Development Vincent H Pala along with former Director of Intelligence Bureau Ajit Doval.

The first interactive session on “Problems of Students Studying in Delhi & Other Cities” was chaired by Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Agatha Sangma along with Commissioner of Delhi Police Brijesh Kumar Gupta, Sr Advocate, Supreme Court Meenakshi Lekhi and TV Media personality of CNN-IBN, Karma Paljor.

The second session on “North East: Policy, Their Efficacy and Need for Reforms” was chaired by Sikkim’s Lok Sabha MP Prem Das Rai along with former MP of Arunachal Pradesh Kiren Rijiju, former MP of Nagaland Asungba Sangtam and Prof (Dr) A Bimol Akoijam, from School of Social Sciences, JNU.

The final session on “North East Tourism & Its Impact on Cultural Heritage was chaired by MP and BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay along with former Tourism Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Tsona Rinpoche and others.

The event was organized by Northeast India Foundation – a non-profit organisation.

Nagaland status sparks row in northeast

Guwahati, Nov 22: Governments of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have urged New Delhi to clarify plans to offer a 'supra-state body' to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland ( NSCN Isak-Muivah faction) to enable Nagas outside Nagaland to preserve their identity.

Reports in the local media about plans by the central government to grant Nagaland a special federal status by creating a 'supra-state mechanism' for the Nagas to preserve, protect and promote their cultural, social and customary practices has led to angry reactions in the three states, IANS reported.

"The question of allowing governing Nagas settled in Manipur simply does not arise. We don't know about any such plans by the central government," Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said.

Similar views were echoed by the governments in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the two other states that have Naga tribals residing for decades.

The NSCN-IM and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire in August 1997. They have held more than 50 rounds of peace talks to end one of South Asia's longest-running insurgencies.

The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, had proposed 'a special federal arrangement' which enables the Nagas to govern themselves.

The NSCN-IM wants a special federal relationship with India, with a separate Naga Constitution, and would like the Naga guerrillas to jointly guard the international borders alongside Indian security forces.

"There is no question of allowing people residing in our state to be governed by a separate council or structure. There can be no compromise on this," Assam government spokesperson and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The NSCN-IM is on a sticky wicket, Having climbed down from its demand for an independent Naga state outside the Indian union, the rebel leadership now harps on a Greater Nagaland and a special federal relationship.

INTERVIEW/Bertil Lintner

“India is playing a waiting game in Nagaland”

Bertil Lintner, a Swedish journalist, author and renowned scholar on Indo-Burmese affairs based in Thailand, has several chances of meeting with some of the dreaded militant leaders of north eastern region in India as well as abroad. He has long been closely following the ever evolving insurgency scenario in the north-east.

He is one of many blacklisted journalists who have not been allowed to enter Burma since 1985. Lintner was the first foreign journalist to learn about Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest in 1995.

In an exclusive e-mail interview to Surajit Talukdar, Lintner talks about the recent peace initiative between ULFA and the government, and how the Myanmar government is not concerned about India's insurgency problem in NE, among other things.

Talukdar: Do you think that the current tripartite agreement for 'suspension of operation' signed in New Delhi among the United Liberation Front of Asom, Centre and Assam government will bring permanent peace in Assam?

Lintner: It will certainly mean a lot for peace in the north-east and it is my impression that (head of the pro-talks faction of ULFA) Arabinda Rajkhowa is flexible and willing to discuss his demands with the Indian authorities. On the other hand, (head of anti-talks faction of ULFA) Paresh Baruah has vowed to continue the armed struggle, and it is unclear how many followers he has at the moment. But even a small group can create havoc.

Q: Paresh Baruah is still opposing the peace process initiated by Rajkhowa with the government. So, where will you see the solution lies?

A: Right now, it's not easy to find out any solution. I think it would be very difficult for Baruah to become a state politician, or even to enter into serious peace talks with the government of India -- unlike Rajkhowa and the others who have much less to hide.

Baruah has always had very close ties to (Bangladeshi intelligence agency) Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, the (Pakistani spy agency) Inter Services Intelligence and the Chinese intelligence, and I doubt whether those entities would allow him to come "over ground" so to speak. He knows just too many secrets. He would have to watch his back -- for the Pakistanis and the Chinese -- if he decides to join the talks. He is cornered and he knows it, and that makes him potentially quite dangerous as well.

Q: Are you in touch with Arabinda Rajkhowa or Paresh Baruah? What are their views on the solution to the government-ULFA tangle?

A: I first met most ULFA leaders at the then undivided Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland headquarters at Kesan Chanlam in northwestern Burma in 1985. Later, I met Baruah and some other ULFA leaders in Bangkok in March 1992 and in Dhaka in April 1996, and communicated with Rajkhowa by e-mail.

I met all of them again in Bangkok in June 1996, when they had to leave Bangladesh after the Awami League victory in that year.When I met Baruah in a Bangkok coffee shop in March 1992, he made no secret of the fact that Pakistan supported ULFA and encouraged him and his comrades to step up their activities in Assam. I met Baruah in Dhaka four years later.

It was always my impression that Rajkhowa was much less dogmatic than Baruah, and more interested in Assamese culture and history than in carrying out any violent activity.

Q: Is the Paresh Baruah-led ULFA faction in touch with any international human rights organisations to further its cause? Where is Baruah hiding these days?

A: I am not aware of any other foreign connections that Baruah might have right now. He seems to be fairly isolated. The ULFA has been severely crippled as an insurgent force since Rajkhowa and his comrades were released from jail.

I can state with some certainty that he himself is not staying in any jungle camp in northwestern Burma. I have been told by people who once were close to him that he feels completely safe only in China. Beijing doesn't mind him being there, as a tit-for-tat for India allowing the Dalai Lama to have a base in McLeodganj.

Q: What is the recent status of the Indo-Naga peace process? Do you think that the NSCN-Isak Muivah leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu's dream of curving out a 'Greater Nagalim' will be a reality someday?

A: Endless peace talks have been held since the 1997 ceasefire with no concessions in sight from the government's side. In 2011, Muivah turned 75 and Swu 82. India is playing a waiting game, wearing them down and hoping that there will be no next generation of insurgent leaders among the Nagas. And, after more than a decade of ceasefire and fairly comfortable camp life at Hebron, Dimapur the ordinary and the NSCN-IM's younger soldiers may not be eager to take on the Indian army.

Nagaland is a land-locked territory with few natural resources. It's not even self-sufficient in food. Given those circumstances, it seems to me not to be a clever policy for any Naga group to have territorial claims. I can't possibly see other non-Naga groups agreeing to the 'Greater Nagalim' demand also.

Q: Are you in touch with Muivah and Swu? Are other international organisations supporting the cause of the NSCN-IM?

A: I met Swu in Bangkok over a year ago, but that is the only contact I have had with NSCN-IM leaders in recent years, apart from meeting sympathisers in Ukhrul in May 2010.

The NSCN-IM has its supporters, mainly some NGOs in the Netherlands, but those groups are not significant.

Q: Do you think the recent peace initiatives taken by New Delhi with several militant groups in the north-east are sufficient to solve the insurgency problem in the trouble-torn region?

A: It's definitely a good step taken by New Delhi. The expulsion of ULFA leaders from Bangladesh, and the subsequent arrests of Anthony Shimray, the NSCN-IM's main arms procurer, and United National Liberation Front chairman Sana Yaima indicate that India is determined to wipe out insurgency movements in the north-east once and for all to clear the area for trade with Myanmar.

But the ethnic problems in the north-eastern India are not going to disappear even if the militants are neutralised; there are genuine grievances that has to be addressed as well. Many people in the region feel neglected and marginalised. Development has to reach those areas, and their ethnic identities have to be respected. Frankly speaking, many of them feel that they are not Indians.

Q: Do the Myanmarese rebel groups still provide support to the north-eastern militant groups? Are there NSCN-IM and ULFA camps in Myanmar?

A: No, they do not have camps in Myanmar. In the past, the Kachin Independence Army trained Assamese and Manipuri rebels, and had contacts with several Naga groups as well. That, however, ceased in the early 1990s.

I know that India's security services believe there's still a connection because they have intercepted radio traffic between ULFA units in Myanmar -- in Jinghpaw, the main language of the Kachins.

ULFA and some Manipuri groups such as the Revolutionary People's Front, Manipur's Peoples Liberation Army, UNLF and Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak have camps in northwestern Sagaing division in upper Myanmar, as does NSCN-K, but, to the best of my knowledge, not the NSCN-IM which has no support base among the population across the border in Myanmar. The NSCN-K, of course, does have some support from Konyaks and others who live on both sides of the border.

Q: What is Yangon's view on the insurgency scenario in the north-east? Is the Myanmarese government planning to take any action against the Indian insurgent groups which have their bases on their soil?

A: The Myanmarese government sees it as India's problem. Yangon is not really interested in cooperating with its neighbours when it comes to cross-border insurgencies. It fights insurgents on its own terms and doesn't want to get into the kind of joint operations that India wants.

The Myanmarese government just wants to keep India at arm's length, and is therefore not against having a 'buffer of instability' between themselves (the area in northwestern Myanmar which they control) and the Indian border.(rediffnews)

Sikkim Observer Nov 19-25, 2011

Sikkim High Court defers Teesta hydro project case against Jagan Reddy

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Nov 18: The High Court of Sikkim will take up hearing of a PIL on mega hydropower projects in Sikkim against  Lok Sabha MP Jagan Mohan Reddy’s involvement in the Teesta Stage III hydel power project in North Sikkim next March.

The hearing of the case which  to take place on Tuesday has been adjourned as the petitioner Anand Lama’s lawyer failed to turn up. “He was unwell and he could not appear in the court,” Lama said.

Lama, a local resident, filed the PIL in August 2011 and the date for admission of the case was fixed for November 15.

The hearing of the case has now been adjourned to March, Lama said.

 Lama has made several parties respondents in the case: Sikkim Government, Sikkim Power Development Corporation, Power Department, CBI, CAG and Teesta Urja Limited.

 Besides approaching the High Court, Lama has also filed a written complaint with the CBI, which is currently engaged in probing Reddy’s disproportionate assets, including his investments in several hydro power projects in the State.

Reddy is believed to have made huge investments in the State’s biggest power project – the 1200 MW Teesta Stage III, located at Chungthang in North Sikkim. This project is run by Teesta Urja Limited and Himurja Infra Pvt Ltd. Besides this, Reddy may also have invested in the 99 MW Panan hydropower project in Dzongu, near Chungthang in North Sikkim.

CBI sleuths reportedly visited the State last month to probe into Reddy’s involvement in hydro power projects in the State.

Maximum damage took place at the Teesta Stage III power project area in Chungthang during the recent earthquake when a 6.9 magnitude hit the State killing more than 100 and causing extensive damages all over the State.

Reports say that massive blasting of rocks in power project areas in North Sikkim led to greater death and destruction when the earthquake struck the area.

Lama, who had filed a written complaint with CBI New Delhi for investigations in Sikkim, was asked by the Central sleuths to mark a copy to the zonal office of the CBI in Kolkata, since Sikkim comes under Kolkata jurisdiction, a report in a Guwahati daily said.

Last month, the Joint Director and head of zone Hyderabad, V V Laxmi Narayan, had asked Lama to furnish all relevant details of the case for the Hyderabad CBI to initiate investigations in Sikkim.

SLP for united front against Chamling

Centre must make stand clear on Sikkim; we are becoming refugees in our own homeland:  Duk Nath Nepal

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Nov 18: The Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) Convenor Duk Nath Nepal while accusing the Centre of backing corrupt and undemocratic regimes in the State since its controversial merger in 1975, has called on all Opposition parties in the State to forge a united front to dislodge the Pawan Chamling Government, which has been ruling the State for more than seventeen years since 1994.

“In the past 35 years the Centre’s main policy in Sikkim has been to gradually dilute and destroy Sikkim’s distinct identity,” Nepal said at the party’s first press conference held here on Sunday. “The method used by the Centre has been to back corrupt governments such as Bhandari and Chamling, who have not only suppressed democratic aspirations of the people but have exploited the people economically through corrupt means,” Nepal said.

The SLP leader, a prominent critic of both the present and former chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari, said the people of Sikkim want the Centre to make its “stand clear” to the Sikkimese people, who are becoming “refugees in their own homeland.” In a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Nepal said his party, formed in May this year, had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister regarding “violation of the spirit of merger” but “the biggest democracy of this world” did not even bother to respond to the views raised in the memorandum.

“The belief of the Sikkimese people that they are becoming a victim of conspiracy and grand design has a solid base,” Nepal’s letter, dated November 13, 2011, to the Prime Minister said. Nepal said the Centre’s hidden agenda for Sikkim is to “erase” the Sikkimese people using puppet regimes, whose chief aim is to indulge in rampant corruption and suppress the democratic process. “Such regimes purchase or victimize those who fight for a just cause that they once espoused,” Nepal said.

Those who fail to toe the official line has no place in Sikkim, Nepal, who was once put behind bars and paraded in the court “barefooted and handcuffed”, said. “If you are in the Opposition you will not be able to exercise your democratic rights and get privileges and benefits that are meant for all citizens in the country,” Nepal said.  “The Constitution of India does not apply in Sikkim,” he added.

While calling for “unification” of the Opposition, Nepal, a former General Secretary of the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee admitted that after Chamling SPCC chief Bhandari has the most following in the State. “However, the Congress party speaks in two voices. While its local unit wants to fight against rampant corruption in the administration the national unit is in favour of Chamling,” Nepal pointed out.

“I’m in touch with some Opposition leaders and am confident that we will be able to unite against Chamling,” Nepal said.

Patra Commission to probe graft cases against Chamling & Co an ‘eyewash’: SPCC

Gangtok, Nov 18: The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) remains adamant on its rejection of the Patra Commission’s bid to probe allegations of corruption against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his past and present Cabinet members leveled by Congress leaders in the State.

Only former chief minister and SPCC President Nar Bahadur Bhandari appeared before the one-man Justice (Rtd) RK Patra Commission here on Monday. The rest of the seven petitioners did not attend the hearing of the case.

They maintained that since they had, through an affidavit, challenged the legality of the Commission there was no need for them to appear before the Commission.

SPCC spokesperson Kunga Nima Lepcha said since the Inquiry Commission set up by the Chamling Government was “an eyewash” it was not acceptable to the party.

The SPCC maintains since the case is before the CBI the Commission did not have any legal jurisdiction to take up graft cases against Chamling & Co.

Besides approaching the CBI and the Supreme Court on graft cases against Chamling, the SPCC has brought out its publicated – Sikkim Mahaloot – detailing charges against senior members of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). This magazine, brought out in English and Nepali, has been widely circulated in the State and New Delhi.

After Sikkim quake tourists flock to Darjeeling

Observer News Network

Darjeeling, Nov 18: Tourists have been flocking to Darjeeling after a massive earthquake rocked neighbouring Sikkim.

"We had come here in 2008, but we had to go back due to some problem. Since 'didi' (West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) has taken up the government we have come here again," said Mrinalini Sengupta, a tourist from Kolkata, ANI reported.

Tour operators have been expecting a jump in tourist inflow to North Bengal, as tourists were still afraid to visit the quake hit Sikkim state. We are giving alternative destinations like Darjeeling, Kalimpong Lava, Lolegaon. These are becoming alternative destinations and sometimes some parts of Sikkim like Ravangla and.... which are okay we are giving preferences to those destinations also but we would like to inform that yes in Darjeeling, the number of tourists are more in Darjeeling and this area as compared to Sikkim where tourists are less this time," said Samrat Sanyal, a tour operator from Siliguri district.

Darjeeling with its varied landscape and spectacular beauty has been a favourite and affordable destination not only for the locals, but also for people across the globe.

Tourism in Darjeeling, which accounts for substantial revenues for the state tourism industry, has been badly hit since 2008 when the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) revived a violent stir in support of forming a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Now, the internationally famous hill resort is hoping to return to its good old days after the inking of a peace accord in July in this year.

Editorial

POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Good News In Burma

Change is finally coming to Burma – thanks for international community’s denunciation of the military regime in this country. Last month the civilian government of Thein Sein took a small step towards the democratic process with the release of 4,000 prisoners. Around 200 of these are political opponents of the former military junta. Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released from years of house arrest at this time last year, has not been detained again. She is also allowed to take part in political activities. This in itself is a remarkable development in the right direction. Suu Kyi has said that she views the attitude of the new government towards “change” as “genuine.”

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s proposed historic visit to Burma next month will surely open new avenues – both political and economic – for Burma and Asia as a whole. Sein’s government will have to do more than bring gradual reforms in the country. There has to be genuine national reconciliation in the country. Burma must regain the respect and confidence of a large number of tribals fighting against the military regime for decades along its borders. Both India and China must take a more active role in shaping Burma’s future. Burma needs to do more to ensure a free passage of peoples living in South and Southeast Asia.

POWER PROJECTS

Reddy in the Dock

Anand Lama needs to be congratulated in taking on Andhra Pradesh Lok Sabha MP Jagan Mohan Reddy in the High Court of Sikkim. His filing of a PIL against Reddy for his involvement in Sikkim’s biggest hydropower project – Teesta Stage III- in Chungthang in North Sikkim will surely reveal a lot of things hidden from the public domain by vested interests. However, it is most unfortunate that a petition filed in August 2011 will be formally taken up in the High Court only in March 2011. Reddy is already under the CBI scanner and another High Court has ordered probe into his multi-crore financial dealings in Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere.

While the Chamling Government is determined to go ahead with its hydropower projects most Sikkimese have opposed them. Even almost a thousand days of hunger strike by Lepcha tribals in Gangtok the Chamling Government remained firm and resolute on implementation of hydro projects in the State. Chungthang and Dzongu in North Sikkim were badly hit by the 6.9 magnitude September 18 earthquake. Besides Reddy there are reportedly many highly-placed politicians who have invested in the State’s largest hydropower project. The hidden facts need to be placed in the public domain at the earliest. Do we still have to wait for another five months to get to the truth?

LHABAB DUCHEN: One of the four great events in Buddha’s life

There are four major Tibetan Buddhist holidays—duchen or ‘great occasions’—marking the four events known as the ‘great deeds’ of the Buddha. The first is Chotrul Duchen, which falls on the first full moon of the year and celebrates the time when the Buddha is said to have displayed a different miracle each day to spur on his disciples. The leaders of the six main philosophical schools of the day challenged the Buddha to a contest of miraculous powers. The Buddha displayed a different miracle each day for fifteen days, and, utterly defeating his opponents, inspired students many to follow the dharma. 
The next is Saga Dawa, which remembers the Buddha’s enlightenment, death and parinirvana. And the third is Chokhor Duchen, which commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon and the teaching of the Four Noble Truths.
 The teaching of the Lhabab Düchen is one of the four Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha, according to Tibetan traditions. Lhabab Düchen occurs on the 22nd day of the ninth month on a Tibetan calendar.
This is a Buddhist festival celebrated to observe the descent of Buddha from heaven back to earth. Buddha had left for heaven at the age of 41, having ascended to The Heaven of Thirty-Three (Trayastrimsa) in order to give teachings to benefit the gods in the desire realms and to repay the kindness of his mother by liberating her from Samsara. He was exhorted by his follower and representative Maugalyayana to return, and after a long debate managed to return. This is considered to be one of the eight great deeds of the Buddha. He returned to earth by a special triple ladder prepared by Viswakarma, the god of machines.
 On Lhabab Duchen, the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied ten million times. It is part of Tibetan Buddhist tradition to engage in virtuous activities and prayer on this day.
The most westward and perhaps most obscure of the eight places of pilgrimage is Sankashya, whose name may derive from a stupa built there by Kashyapa Buddha's father and dedicated to his son. This is the last of the four places common to the buddhas of this world.
Some say that during his forty-first year Shakyamuni went up from Shravasti to the Tushita Heaven and passed the rainy season retreat teaching Abhidharma to his mother, Queen Mayadevi, who had died seven days after Buddha's birth and been reborn as a male god in Tushita. The same happens to the mothers of all the buddhas, and they too later go to teach them, afterwards descending to Sankashya.
Seven days before his descent the Buddha set aside his invisibility. Anuruddha perceived him by his divine sight and urged Maudgalyayana to go and greet him. The great disciple did so, telling the Buddha that the Order longed to see him. This was the time Prasenajit's statue was made. Shakyamuni replied that in seven days he would return to the world. A great assembly of the kings and people of the eight kingdoms gathered. As the Buddha descended, a flight of gold stairs appeared, down which he came. He was accompanied on the right by Brahma, who, holding a white chowny, descended on a crystal staircase, while to the left Indra came down a flight of silver stairs, holding a jewelled umbrella. A great host of gods followed.
The Buddha bathed immediately after his descent, and later a bathing house and stupa were built to mark the site. Stupas were also raised at the spot where he cut his hair and nails, and where he entered samadhi. The three flights of stairs disappeared into the ground, but for seven steps of each, which remained above. When Ashoka came here later he had men dig into the earth around the protrusions in order to discover their depth. Although they reached the level of water, they could not find the stairs' end. With increased faith, Ashoka then built a temple over them with a standing image of the Buddha above the middle flight. Behind this temple he erected a great pillar surmounted by an elephant capital.
Hsuan Chwang tells that the original stairs had existed until a few centuries before his visit, when they disappeared. Various kings built replicas of ornamented brick and stone, with a temple containing images of Shakyamuni, Brahma and Indra above them. These were within the walls of a monastery, which he describes as excellently ornamented and having many fine images. He further says that some hundreds of monks dwelt there and that the community had lay followers. Two centuries earlier Fa Hien found roughly 1,000 monks and nuns living here pursuing their studies, some hinayana and some mahayana. Both pilgrims tell stories of a white-eared dragon who lived close to the monastery, caring for it and the surrounding area. Fa Hien especially remarks on the abundant produce of the land and the prosperity and happiness of the people.
Sankashya lies in the central Uttar Pradesh, 47 kms. From Farrukhabad on Kali Nadi. It is believed that there Buddha, along with Hindu God Brahma and Devraj Indra, descended from heaven by a ladder of gold or gem, after giving sermon to his mother in heaven, thus making the place a centre of Buddhist pilgrimage. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveler, recorded the construction of ladder by the local prince at the site of the original ladder. He also saw at the site a monastery, a pillar of Ashoka, several Stupas and a mega tank. At the spot of descent, stands a temple with a statue of the Lord Buddha. The place is known for Mauryan Emperor Ashoka's Pillar.
Post-Sikkim quake workshop: get involved, be prepared
New Delhi, Nov 18:  A meeting of India's top seismologists and earthquake specialists, which discussed issues arising from the Sikkim earthquake, has strongly recommended that northeastern states set up their own state disaster response units instead of being dependent on centralised forces like the National Disaster Response Force.
In addition, the national workshop on 'Housing, Resilience and Rehabilitation' on Nov 11-12 at Jamia Millia Islamia, which saw senior level representation from the governments of five states - Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Sikkim - suggested several innovative steps such as extensive use of ham radio operators and "community radio stations in every district" to respond to crisis where normal telecommunications are knocked out, including mobile phone networks, IANS reported.
They said that most urban centres in the northeast faced major disasters in the event of a severe earthquake: retrofitting of existing buildings, especially "lifeline buildings such as schools and hospitals" was crucial.
"Retrofitting Clinics may be established in every district to develop cadre of trained masons, contractors and engineers and provide information and guidance on retrofitting to the community," the recommendations said.
While awareness was flagged as a key component of preparedness, the workshop recognised the urgent need for "short-term sensitisation programmes for elected representatives, community leaders and government officials."
For Sikkim, the workshop declared that the state government should consider setting up a separate "Department for Disaster Management under a designated officer no lower than a rank of a Secretary/Commissioner who will report directly to the SDMA (State Disaster management Authority". It also noted that the Regional Node for Disaster Risk Reduction in North East Space Applications Centre premises at Umiam, Meghalaya, should be the nodal agency with centres in each NE state with electronic and satellite connectivity.
In addition, the workshop flagged the need to involve communities in projects, programmes and policies. "Since public awareness is at the heart of preparedness, an intensive campaign must be waged from door to door and village to village, involving students and teachers.”
The workshop was organized by Sanjoy Hazarika of Jamia's Centre for North East Studies under the auspices of its Sikkim Studies Programme with collaboration from the National Centre for Peoples Action and Disaster Preparedness in Ahmedabad of Rajendra and Rupal Desai.
Tie-up between Sikkim Manipal with Scotland varsity
New Delhi, Nov 18: Students who have pursued MBA from Sikkim Manipal University will now be eligible to get an additional MBA degree from Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland.
The two varsities signed an MoU last Friday.
“This MoU will be path breaking as we are targeting the 600,000 alumni of Sikkim Manipal University who are eligible for this course,” Edinburgh Napier University principal and vice chancellor Dame Joan Stringer, IANS reported.
According to Stringer, the students can chose between an online course or a campus course. While the regular MBA in the campus costs around 12,000 pounds, it will cost 4,000 pounds to the alumni of Sikkim Manipal University.
Those choosing an online course will have to pay 2,600 pounds only.
“The MoU will promote knowledge sharing, reflecting the deep interest and commitment towards building a strong educational foundation for higher education fraternity at large,” Sikkim Manipal University vice chancellor Somnath Mishra said.
Scottish Education Secretary Michael Russell said the MoU boasts India-Scotland ties in the field of education.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN Nov 17-23, 2011

CBI to probe Jagan's benami role in Sikkim hydel power projects      

Himalayan News Network

Hyderabad, Nov 16: The heat of Jaganmohan Reddy’s scams and unscrupulous business activities has touched even the North East corner of the country. The CBI is now probing the benami funding of two hydel power projects in Sikkim allegedly by Reddy’s companies.

Following a PIL filed by a Sikkim resident, Anand Lama, in the High Court of Sikkim, it is revealed that Reddy had invested around Rs 200 to Rs 500 crore under benami companies in Sikkim on these projects.

A CBI team visited Gangtok in October to probe the case under the guidance of Joint Director V V Lakshminarayana, the Deccan Herald reported. Reports in Sikkim also indicate that CBI sleuths visited Sikkim to probe Reddy’s assets during this period.

As per the facts of the case, the third phase of the 1,200 MW hydel project in Chungthang in tribal-dominated district of North Sikkim is being undertaken with private investment by an unknown company Teesta Urja Ltd. Similarly another company M/s Himurja Infra Pvt Ltd is setting up Pavan Hydro power project of 99 MW on the Lepsa reservoir.

Both the projects are wholly and privately funded by two companies, which are alleged to be benami for Y S Jagan. A senior IAS officer in the chief minister’s office during the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s rule was said to be the brain behind the project and also instrumental in getting these projects for Jagan.

In the PIL, Lama alleged that the funds for these projects were raised by Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. Lama had appealed to the CBI to probe the case in detail about the scandalous racket.

The PIL was filed in the High Court in August and the hearing for admission of the case was to take place this week.                         

Nepal may ‘slash all facilities’ to Tibetans

Himalayan News Network

Dharamsala, Nov 16: Following the self-immolation by a Tibetan monk in the Nepali capital of Kathmandu, the Himalayan kingdom is reportedly mulling over restricting even the fundamental human rights of Tibetan refugees.

Talking to the Telegraph Nepal, a senior Nepali official said that the government might “slash all the facilities being granted to the Tibetans residing in Nepal”, including their freedom of movement.

“The government of Nepal is committed on its one-China policy. We will not allow any activities that go against the interest of our neighbours," said Sudhir Kumar Sah, spokesperson of Nepal’s Home Ministry.

"This will lead to a situation where the government may have to slash all the facilities being granted to the Tibetans residing in Nepal, such as that of their freedom to move even,” said the spokesperson.

A Tibetan monk in Kathmandu last week had set himself on fire protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

The revelations by Sah comes in the wake of a proposed visit by the Chinese Premiere Wen Jiabao to Nepal in the coming weeks.

Nepal is home to around 20,000 Tibetans and a major transit point for Tibetans escaping Chinese repression enroute to India.

Gyari to assist in Tibet-China dialogue even after retirement

Hill Media Network

Dharamshala, Nov 16:  His Holiness the Dalai Lama's special envoy Lodi Gyari on Friday issued a statement stating that while he no longer would be officially involved with the exiled Tibetan government he would continue to assist in Tibet-China dialogue.

Formerly a civil servant under the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Lodi Gyari became special envoy in 1991.

Now that His Holiness has stepped down as political leader of the exile government, Lodi Gyari has decided to cease any involvement with issues relating to the CTA. All such matters will now be handled by the Office of Tibet in New York, The Tibet Post reported

"This, however, does not imply that I do not have any desire to assist in the work of the new administration or that the new Kashag (cabinet) does not have any confidence in me,” Gyari said and added "It is merely a reflection of the process of clarifying the structure under the new system in place now."

Gyari said he will continue to be involved in the Tibet-China dialogue process, including leading efforts to arrange talks with the Chinese leadership.

"The present tragic situation in Tibet and the repressive policies of the Chinese authorities make one wonder if it is even worth making any efforts for the dialogue," he said, but concluded that, "On the other hand the prevailing situation confronts every sensible person that the only way is through dialogue."

LESS OPTIONS

Heat in the Himalaya

Mega hydel projects in the high Himalayas and the country’s strategic interest in the frontier region cannot go together. If the policy makers in New Delhi fail to give top priority to the country’s security interests in the region India will pay a heavy price in the long run. Unfortunately, our corrupt bureaucrats are always willing to submit to the short term gains of their political masters giving scant regard to the long term interest of the people and the country at large.

In the western Himalayan States such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh there is a move to away with hydel projects and vital tourist destinations to cater to better and faster communication network such as rail links and air space for the army. China’s preparedness – both military and communication – on the northern side of the Himalaya on the Tibetan plateau is making India sit up and take note. But the reality is that the Indian government, including State governments, are utterly incapable of expediting road and other construction works in the Himalayas and its foothills mainly because the establishment lacks the will and the resources to match up to the Chinese.

Sikkim is a typical example on how the Centre deals with security-related issues. The damage caused to roads, bridges and buildings –endangering national security interests – during  the recent September 18 earthquake will not stop the powers-that-be from going ahead with hydel power projects in this strategic and sensitive border State no matter how much the people oppose them. Most of the quake funds will be used to repair roads and build new roads or tunnels at the site of mega power projects near Chungthang in North Sikkim mainly because vested interests have a stake in these projects.

Democracy has failed South Asia: Nepal PM

Sachin Parashar

Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has warned that if the political dissensions in his country prevent successful drafting of the constitution, the path to democracy may have to be revisited.

Bhattarai, leader of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), said democracy in its traditional form had failed the people of South Asia by not being participatory enough.

Nepal's peace process, which is expected to lead to drafting of the constitution, has been subjected to incessant delay because the political parties have failed to iron out their differences. Offering all possible assistance to Nepal, PM Manmohan Singh had complimented the Maoist leader in an official banquet on Friday for having joined Nepal political mainstream.

"We are optimistic about the constitution but if we fail, there is going to be the big question that whether or not the democratic path is appropriate,'' said Bhattarai in the presence of top Congress leaders and leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj. He was speaking at a function organized in his honour by JD-U national president Sharad Yadav.

Bhattarai said people might have to take up arms again if the traditional form of democracy fails to address their concerns. ``Democracy has to be made more participatory. If we fail to do it legally and constitutionally, people will be forced to take up arms again,'' he said.

"The copied traditional democracy in South Asia serves only small sections of the society. It fails to take into account class and caste differences and also doesn't accommodate the interests of minorities and tribals,'' he added. Bhattarai's remarks came towards the end of his four-day visit to India during which, as he said on Saturday, the two sides managed to foster the spirit of trust between them.

The visit also saw the countries signing an agreement for investment promotion. Bhattarai was slammed by the opposition parties in Kathmandu by a sell-out to India in signing the investment promotion agreement. Earlier in the day, Bhattarai described his visit to India as successful and emphasized that it had opened a new chapter in the bilateral relationship. (The Times of India)

Suu Kyi senses genuine desire for change in Burmese govt

Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese opposition leader, signalled on Monday she was ready for full engagement with the country's military-dominated regime, and insisted the president was "genuine" in his desire for change.

Speaking at a rare public appearance to mark a year since she was freed from house arrest, Suu Kyi said Myanmar President Thein Sein appeared to be a man with whom she could do business. She also said she had revived her political party from near extinction since her release.

"Looking back at the past year, it has been eventful, energizing and, to a certain extent, encouraging," she said. "I spoke of my intention to form a net-work for democracy. This network has been one of the great successes in the past year."

The daughter of Burma's foremost independence campaigner has spent 15 years and 19 days of the last two decades in detention, as she fought its military rulers for democracy.

She appeared in a cramped, humid room at her party's headquarters to explain how much had changed since she was freed.

"A lot of work needs to be done," she said. "We need to make sure it works out correctly. It's a lot more tiring than before."

Although technically disbanded, Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, is to meet on Friday to decide whether to formally re-establish itself in response to recent government reforms.

"There is no such thing as them and us, but working together to a common, national goal on the basis of mutual faith and understanding," she said. "I have met President Thein Sein and I believe he is very genuine in his desire for change."

Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, plotted a new course for the party while under house arrest on the shores of Rangoon's Inya Lake.

The NLD was punished for boycotting national assembly elections last November. The assembly is, in effect, a front for the army that controls about 84 per cent of seats.

This week's NLD meeting will also take a crucial decision on whether to contest byelections for 48 seats where the results were annulled following voting irregularities.

Obstacles remain in the rapprochement process with the regime, how-ever. The NLD has given the government a list of 591 political prisoners still in jail. The release of the detainees has been delayed by infighting even though the move was recommended by the regime's own human rights body.

The opposition is also critical of the military's role in recent fighting with ethnic minorities on Burma's northern border.

"What everybody is worried about at present is the lack of peace in the country, especially the fighting in Kachin State, which is a cause of concern and sorrow for us," said Suu Kyi. "I am always ready to do my bit to bring about peace in the country."

Some senior members of her party are reluctant to agree to military ground rules.

U Win Tin, one of its founders, warned the constitution still granted the military the right to reimpose the junta.

"I don't know whether there is any real intention to change the system," he said. "But we are willing to follow our leader on this."

Reformists, however, are pushing forward in the hope that the generals will gradually loosen their grip.

"We all know things have been difficult," said Myo Yan Nuang Thein. "I prefer to be optimistic." (The Vancouver Sun)

Opp to boycott civic polls in Darjeeling

“No democratic atmosphere in the hills”

Darjeeling, Nov 16: Almost all Opposition parties in the hills will not contest the forthcoming civic polls in Darjeeling.

While the CPM fears physical assault to their supporters and candidates if they took past in the polls, the GNLFchief Subash Ghising  maintains that the polls are “illegal.”

The All India Gorkha League President Bharati Tamang believes that holding of elections to civic bodies is aimed at derailing the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

With almost all anti-Gorkha Janmukti Morcha parties deciding not to contest the polls the ensuing polls will be a cakewalk for Bimal Gurung-led Morcha.

 “The people in the hills cannot come forward openly and so, the elections cannot be fair. Even the last Assembly elections were not held in a free and fair atmosphere,” Tamang said.

Former hill affairs minister and the CPM Siliguri strongman Asok Bhattacharya said, “There is no democratic atmosphere for participating in the municipal elections,” Bhattacharya said.

 “We had thought that with the change in guard, democracy would be back in the hills. But the new government is working like the previous one,” added Tamang.

Centre backing corrupt regimes to erase Sikkim’s identity: Sikkim Liberation Party

Make stand clear on Sikkim, says SLP chief

Himalayan News Network

Gangtok, Nov 16: The Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) Convenor Duk Nath Nepal while accusing the Centre of backing corrupt and undemocratic regimes in the State since its controversial merger in 1975, has called on all Opposition parties in the State to forge a united front to dislodge the Pawan Chamling Government, which has been ruling the State for more than seventeen years since 1994.

“In the past 35 years the Centre’s main policy in Sikkim has been to gradually dilute and destroy Sikkim’s distinct identity,” Nepal said at the party’s first press conference held here on Sunday. “The method used by the Centre has been to back corrupt governments such as Bhandari and Chamling, who have not only suppressed democratic aspirations of the people but have exploited the people economically through corrupt means,” Nepal said.

The SLP leader, a prominent critic of both the present and former chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari, said the people of Sikkim want the Centre to make its “stand clear” to the Sikkimese people, who are becoming “refugees in their own homeland.” In a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Nepal said his party, formed in May this year, had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister regarding “violation of the spirit of merger” but “the biggest democracy of this world” did not even bother to respond to the views raised in the memorandum.

“The belief of the Sikkimese people that they are becoming a victim of conspiracy and grand design has a solid base,” Nepal’s letter, dated November 13, 2011, to the Prime Minister said. Nepal said the Centre’s hidden agenda for Sikkim is to “erase” the Sikkimese people using puppet regimes, whose chief aim is to indulge in rampant corruption and suppress the democratic process. “Such regimes purchase or victimize those who fight for a just cause that they once espoused,” Nepal said.

Those who fail to toe the official line has no place in Sikkim, Nepal, who was once put behind bars and paraded in the court “barefooted and handcuffed”, said. “If you are in the Opposition you will not be able to exercise your democratic rights and get privileges and benefits that are meant for all citizens in the country,” Nepal said.  “The Constitution of India does not apply in Sikkim,” he added.

While calling for “unification” of the Opposition, Nepal, a former General Secretary of the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee admitted that after Chamling SPCC chief Bhandari has the most following in the State. “However, the Congress party speaks in two voices. While its local unit wants to fight against rampant corruption in the administration the national unit is in favour of Chamling,” Nepal pointed out.

“I’m in touch with some Opposition leaders and am confident that we will be able to unite against Chamling,” Nepal said.