SIKKIM OBSERVER         June 23, 2012

No walkover for Cong as BJP backs Sangma in Prez polls

Sangma ‘tallest leader’ of Northeast: BJP

New Delhi, June 22: The Bhartiya Janta Party has decided to support PA Sangma for the post of President. The Akali Dal is with BJP in backing him. BJP said, as the main Opposition party, it was its duty not to allow a “walkover” for Congress.

Reconciling with division within NDA over Presidential poll, BJP admitted that it failed to persuade allies like Shiv Sena and JD-U to support Sangma.

Announcing the decision at a press conference, BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley said the main opposition party could not support a government which is using “various manoeuvres”, including investigative agencies, to rope in parties to stay in power.

“BJP has decided to support the candidature” of Sangma, whose candidature has been proposed by AIADMK and BJD, Swaraj said.

Describing  Sangma as “the country’s tall leader” as also north-east’s “tallest leader”, she appealed to allies like Shiv Sena and JD-U to give up their opposition to his candidature.

To press her point, she noted that Shiv Sena had earlier also voted for UPA nominee Pratibha Patil during the last Presidential poll even though NDA had opposed her candidature but still remained part of the alliance.

 Swaraj and Jaitley said BJP was trying to bring Trinamool Congress on board but refused to reveal how it was being done.

Dalai Lama, Suu Kyi meet in London for the first time

I have real admiration for your courage, the Tibetan spiritual leader tells Suu Kyi

London, June 21: Aung San Suu Kyi had a private conversation with the Dalai Lama on Tuesday in London, in which he told her, “I have real admiration for your courage. I am very happy we’ve been able to meet.”

It was the first time the two Nobel Peace Prize laureates had met, mizzima news reported.

In a conversation that lasted about 30 minutes, His Holiness told her that just as her late father had shown great dedication, he was confident that she too would be of great service to humanity, and he wished her every success in fulfilling her life’s goals, according to a statement on his office website.

The Dalai Lama also said he looked forward to meeting her again. Other details of the meeting have not yet been made public.

The Dalai Lama has often in the past campaigned for Suu Kyi’s release from house arrest along with other fellow Nobel laureates.

Soon after Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest in late 2010, the Tibetan spiritual leader, in a statement, welcomed her release.

“I welcome the release of fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and extend my appreciation to the military regime in Burma. I extend my full support and solidarity to the movement for democracy in Burma and take this opportunity to appeal to freedom-loving people all over the world to support such non-violent movements,” the Dalai Lama said.

The Dalai Lama is currently on a 15-day tour of England, Scotland and Italy.

Lachen dzumsa wins, Teesta hydel project likely to be scrapped

Govt opts for micro hydel projects

Gangtok, June 22: After deciding to scrap four hydro power projects in Lachen-Lachung in North Sikkim the State Government has cleared six micro hydel projects in the State.

The total cost of these projects are placed at Rs. 19 crore, according to Power Secretary AK Giri. While 70 per cent of the cost will be borne by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, the North East Council (NEC) will provide Rs 5 crore while the State Government is expected to pitch in Rs 4 crore.

While six micro hydro-electric projects have already been cleared seven other such projects are likely to get the nod soon. The proposed hydel projects are expected to generate 1045 kw power.

Faced with growing opposition the State Government recently decided to scrap four hydel projects on tributaries of the Teesta river in North Sikkim. The hydel projects scrapped were the 99-MW Bop hydro- electric project (HEP), 99-MW Bhimkyong HEP and the 99-MW Lachung HEP on the Lachung Chu and the 280-MW Teesta Stage-I HEP at Lachen.

The decision was officially endorsed by the cabinet at its May 10 sitting, Secretary of Power and Energy Department AK Giri said, PTI reported. The four projects have been consistently opposed by the people of Lachen and Lachung especially after the September 18 earthquake. They have not allowed project survey and investigation in the area as a result of which even the Detailed Project Reports have not been prepared yet. The State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Teesta Stage-I with Polyplex Corporation India Private Limited in 2005 and with Himalayan Green Energy Pvt Ltd (which is also co-developer of Polyplex Corporation India Pvt Ltd) for the remaining three HEPs in 2008.

Giri also confirmed that the project developers have not been able to prepare the DPRs for any of the projects due to the opposition of the people and their dzumsa (the traditional assembly of the people).

High Court turns down interim stay order on Tashiding hydel project

Gangtok, June 22: The division bench of the High Court of Sikkim comprising Chief Justice Permod Kohli and Justice SP Wangdi heard the petition relating to the demand for scrapping of the 97MW hydroelectric project in Tashiding in West Sikkim on Wednesday.

The court took up hearing of the case after it was transferred to the High Court by the Supreme Court recently. When the apex court took up the matter early last month the two-judge bench of the court comprising Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice Surendra Singh Nizzar said as issues raised in the petition filed by Tenzing Bhutia and others were of “local in nature” it should be placed before the High Court and treated as writ petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution.

As one of the respondents failed to appear before the court the next date of hearing was fixed for July 24. The petitioners pleaded for interim stay on construction at the project site. Sonam Lama had filed a petition seeking interim order to stop the ongoing construction work at the project site in west Sikkim.

The petition has the support of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and Platform for Joint Action Against Hydropower Projects. The petitioners have alleged that the project will cause huge damage to Sikkim’s natural and cultural heritage. A large number of monks and anti-project activists were present in the court during the hearing of the case.

Surprisingly, the court did not tie up the two matters regarding Tashiding hydel project and the alleged Rs 20,000 scam in the Teesta hydel project in North Sikkim.

Earlier, SIBLAC chief Tseten Tashi Bhutia and eight social organizations urged the court to take suo moto cognizance of the reported scam on the Teesta hydel projects in North Sikkim in “larger public interest.”

The High Court had earlier indicated that the matter be tied up with the transferred petition. However, during the hearing of the Tashiding hydel project case here on Wednesday the court said the two issues should be treated separately as matters raised were different.

Significantly, the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) held a protest sit-in in the capital at the east district collectorate premises on Wednesday.

The anti-mega dam activists reiterated their demand for scrapping of several hydel projects on the Teesta in North Sikkim. The protest marked the fifth anniversary of anti-hydel projects agitation in the Lepcha reserve of Dzongu in North Sikkim.

Editorial

PREZ POLLS

Much Ado About Nothing

Everyone knows and India often boasts of being the world’s largest democracy. Only its citizens know how and why this democracy functions. In the name of democracy it is the elite which rules India and wants the system to continue. For a number of years we have been living under a lame duck Prime Minister. And now the most prominent and the most experienced and perhaps the most influential politician in the UPA has been “kicked upstairs.” Perceptive observers know that Pranab Mukherjee has been gracefully eased out to make room for Rahul Gandhi as the UPA’s prime ministerial candidate in the next general elections slated for 2014 and yet nobody, including Opposition leaders, fail to highlight this issue and instead praise Mukherjee for his towering “stature.”  The role of the President in India is basically ceremonial and yet the country this week was forced to witness a high pitched drama in choosing the next President.

While the UPA stubbornly backed its finance minister for the top post it failed to garner support from its own allies. In the process regional leaders such as Samajwadi Party’s leader  Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is being wooed by the UPA, stands exposed and although Mamata Banerjee lost in the game politicians play she has proved that she can be trusted and relied upon. By backing a tribal candidate in Purno Sangma the NDA has scored brownie points but being the main Opposition party at the Centre the BJP was expected to do much better than sighing helplessly and complaining that the Congress failed to consult its leadership on a consensus candidate for Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Most political parties view the present politicking over the presidential polls as a warm-up session for the ensuing general elections. The next Parliament is expected to produce a more fragmented parliament with no clear winner and the Congress hopes that Mukherjee, a loyal Congressman, will play a key role in deciding which party forms the government at the Centre. However, whether Mukherjee would be more useful as a President or a member of the Cabinet is debatable. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, hailed as the architect of landmark economic reforms he introduced in 1991 when he was finance minister, has been widely criticized by business leaders and investors for weak leadership at a time when India is beset by slowing growth, dwindling foreign investment, and high inflation. India’s ruling Congress party was in turmoil on Thursday after two key allies signaled they had lost confidence in Singh, whose fragile coalition government has struggled to cope with mounting economic problems. If the prime-minister-in-waiting could become the next President it is also possible that the next President could also become the next Prime Minister. After all Mukherjee has wide acceptability across the political spectrum and ours is not only the world’s largest democracy but also the most flexible.

Letter to the Editor

The grandeur of Saga Dawa celebrations reduced to cheap bazaar affair

Sir,

Gangtok streets have completely lost the grandeur of Saga Dawa Chokor celebrations as we used to witness when we were students. The UDHD / GMC did not realise the significance of the day and Gangtok bazaar was dancing to the tunes of pops and fealty songs even on this auspicious  occasion.

Thanks to the Mani Lhakhangs of Tathangchen and Arithang as they organized the traditional celebrations though on a subdued note.

If one says it’s a transition of Sikkim from traditional-religious Buddhist set up to ‘modernity’ and development, then one is left answerless. Saga Dawa is an annual Sikkimese occasion to display the sacred Sutra and Tantra scriptures to the general devotees.

 Posterity will decide if marching onwards by neglecting one’s own tradition and ethos is correct or not. Sikkim Buddhist Dhuchen Organisation which used to organize this event with much grandeur in the Palace, must come forward with befitting response as to why it failed to organize the annual Saga Dawa Chokor procession or else it should be dissolved en-bloc for ever. Sadly, we already have lost the annual Pangtey Chham at Palace during Pang Lhabsol celebrations.

Chewang Pintso

Gangtok

Calcutta HC asks Centre, State and GJM to explain legality of GTA

Kolkata, June 22: Calcutta High Court on Tuesday asked the Centre, the State Government and the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) to file an affidavit in three weeks explaining legality of setting up the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, an autonomous administrative body for development of the hills.

Justice Dipankar Dutta issued the ruling after Gorkha National Liberation Front chief Subash Ghising filed a writ petition before the court challenging the legality of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Act which was passed to form GTA, UNI reported.

Ghising's counsel Arunava Ghosh said the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Act 'is ultra vires of the Constitution.' The Act was passed in September to form the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

Trinamool Congress-led government formed GTA by dissolving the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.

'The entire area under the DGHC was supposed to come under the control of the municipalities and panchayats once the body was dissolved,' he said , 'and the government would have to amend the Constitution to set up another administrative body.' ' So, the act to set up such a body in the hills of Darjeeling without the amendment goes against the provision of the Constitution,' Ghosh said.

DGHC came into being after an agreement among Central government, West Bengal government and Gorkha National Liberation Front was signed at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on August 22, 1988 to end the violent agitation for a separate homeland in the hills of Darjeeling for Gorkhas.

Ghising was chief of the body till administrative body was dissolved to form GTA.

Ghishing's move is likely to add a new dimension to the GTA issue after the GJM, upset over a high-powered committee's report recommending only five additional areas to be included in the GTA, has threatened to renew agitation in the hills.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has urged the GJM leadership to abide by the panel report, is slated to meet them Saturday to resolve the issue.

Monsoon preparedness in south district

Namchi, June 22: South District Collector AK Singh last week urged various companied based in south district to help the government with their manpower and machinery during disasters in the rainy season.

This appeal came during a high-level meeting here last week. The meeting was attended by heads of various departments and companies established in the district, according to an IPR release.

The DC also asked BDOs and the officials of the concerned departments to furnish him with daily reports of any disaster which has occurred in the district.

Singh said no matter how small the incident of disaster it should be reported and not ignored so as to take remedial measures.

Tsewang by Gyaltsab Rinpoche at Rumtek on June 24

Gangtok, June 22: Rumtek monastery Regent His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche will confer long life empowerment (tsewang) in Rumtek on June 24.

The tsewang is being organized at the request of the Gyalwang Karmapa Jesdan Tsogpa of Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, according to an official press release.

The long life empowerment is part of the ongoing recitation of one hundred million ‘Karmapa Khyenno’ mantra. The pujas are meant for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the Karmapa, Ogyen Trinlay Dorje, and for world pease, the release said.                                                                                                    

Gangtok Mayor asks shopkeepers not to panic

Gangtok, June 22: Gangtok Mayor KN Topgay wants the Urban Development and Housing Department to release allotment orders of shops at Kachandzonga shopping complex (Lal Bazaar) to lessen the panic among shopkeepers.

Addressing the constituency-level meeting of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front held here recently, Tobgay urged shopkeepers in the complex to wait for these orders and not to panic.

He said the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) will do its best to solve the problems faced by traders and hawkers in the capital.

The meeting which was held under the Chairmanship of KT Gyalsten, Speaker of the Assembly, also saw the participation of the party workers.

Gyalsten said for the past 18 years the SDF-led government has been working for the people of Sikkim bringing holistic developments under the leadership of the chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

“People should understand the vision of the chief Minister. Sikkim had not seen such a huge development in any tenure of the previous chief ministers” Gyalsten added.

The area MLA and HRD Minister, NK Pradhan, said that the Chief Minister has personally taken the interest in the shopping complex matter and has assured full cooperation to the traders and hawkers.

He also called the party workers to involve actively in giving publicity of the works carried out by the SDF party.

According to Deputy Mayor Shakti Singh, shopkeepers at the complex were very cooperative in settling their various problems.

Chinese trader detained, sent back for taking photographs

Gangtok, June 22: A Chinese trader was detained and sent to the Tibet Autonomous Region after she was found taking photographs of the Indian Army camps at Nathu La in Sikkim, The Hindu reported recently.

Bichen Chomu crossed the border on Tuesday morning and started taking photographs with her mobile phone. Personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) immediately detained her and seized the phone, said Mandeep Singh Tuli, Superintendent of Police, Sikkim East District. She was sent to the Chinese side in the afternoon according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the ITBP,  Tuli added.

Trade through Nathu La, located at an altitude of approximately 14,140 feet, resumed in July 2006 after 44 years.

Indian traders go so far as the trade mart at Renquinggang in the Tibet Autonomous Region, while Chinese traders visit Sherathang in East Sikkim.

PROFILE Altamar Kabir

“The judiciary is a strong pillar of democracy”

Justice Altamar Kabir, the next Chief Justice of India, is a Hermonite and studied in Mt. Hermon School, Darjeeling, and Calcutta Boys School. Under CJI Kapadia, Justice Kabir has emerged as the "social conscience" of the apex court and believes that court decisions have a crucial role to play in the enrichment of individual lives.

BY DAMAYANTI DATTA

Justice Altamas Kabir wears an amiable expression and listens to lawyers with such patience that it is impossible to tell which way his decisions might lean. He shares this trait with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Sarosh Homi Kapadia, the man he is slated to succeed after September 28, 2012, when the CJI retires.

It's surprising how many lawyers miss the cue-as on December 8, 2011, when he stunned the court with a sharp warning to lawyer Prashant Bhushan against "reckless" remarks on corruption in the judiciary. He takes immense pride in the "new court" shaped by CJI Kapadia: "This judiciary has withstood pressure of all kinds. You may exclaim 'Oh! There is massive corruption'. But you will just weaken a strong pillar of democracy."

     On May 12, 2010, when CJI Kapadia took his oath, the nation celebrated his story: a Class IV employee who rose to be the chief justice, entitled to perks like a Lutyens' bungalow in Delhi. But Justice Kabir "arrived" even before starting out. He was born into an aristocratic Muslim family of landed gentry from Faridpur, now in Bangladesh, where titles of Khan Bahadur, social visibility, status, influence and elite education came as a matter of course.

He studied in the best of schools and colleges: Mount Hermon School in Darjeeling, Calcutta Boys School and Presidency College in Kolkata. He had enough role models on offer within the family. Politics would have been the easiest choice. In post-Independence Bengal, politics was in the firm clutches of the Kolkata elite, and the branch of the Kabir family that chose to stay in India after Partition lived in the limelight. His uncle, Humayun Kabir, had studied at Oxford and was a close associate of Congress president Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Humayun was the editor of Maulana's biography, India Wins Freedom, and translated it from Urdu to English. Scholar, writer, educationist and philosopher, he was a Union minister under Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri as well as Indira Gandhi. His father, Jehangir Kabir, was also influential in Bengal politics.

   Justice Kabir shares the same values as CJI Kapadia. If the catchword in Justice Kapadia's court is "integrity", in Justice Kabir's court it's "ethics". In a scam-ridden era, top judges of the apex court have captured public imagination by their passionate and even provocative defence of honesty in public life. But judicial hard knocks come wrapped in gentlemanly tones at two of the 15 courtrooms in the Supreme Court-in court 1 of the CJI and, next to it, in court 2 of Justice Kabir.

And it's the "simple" questions they ask that trigger long battles of nerves with the Government. As it did when CJI Kapadia questioned the legality of appointing P.J. Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) in November 2010: "We wonder whether he will be able to function as CVC with the tag of an accused on him." In October 2011, Justice Kabir similarly punctured Maharashtra government's decision to ban bardancing with his candid query: "If women can be models why can't they be bar dancers? Are there moral assumptions in the state's constitutional choices?"

Though he dines in dinner jackets with the Prime Minister on formal occasions, the first principle in his private life is "humility". He is most comfortable in khadi kurta-pyjama, say his friends. At a national seminar on transgenders in Delhi in February 2011, participants recall his visible embarrassment when the discussion gave way to hushed silence at his appearance.

In August 2011, lawyers say, it created quite a stir in Bangalore when word spread that the SC judge had put up with soiled linen, torn towels and reluctant service at the state-owned Kumara Krupa guesthouse without a murmur.

Justice Kabir began as "an outstanding lawyer on both civil and criminal sides". He became a permanent judge at the Calcutta High Court in 1990. And he proved himself to be "a very moderate judge with little ideological baggage". Kolkata remembers his intervention on behalf of Dr Jack Preger, the British doctor who devoted his life to free medical service, when the Foreigners' Registration Office denied him a visa in 1995. He became the CJ of Jharkhand High Court in 2005. The same year, at a relatively young age of 57, he was invited to join the Supreme Court.

Under CJI Kapadia, he has emerged as the "social conscience" of the court. "The Constitution affirms equality in all spheres but the moot question is whether it is being applied", is what he said at a panel discussion organised by the National Legal Services Authority in February 2011. His judicial philosophy is influenced by the 19th century theorist Friedrich Nietzsche's "aristocratic individualism", point out lawyers. It is premised on the idea that court decisions have a crucial role to play in the enrichment of individual lives.

His verdicts reflect his faith: proposing open courts for the mental health of prison inmates, fast-tracking problem solving lok adalats, framing a wider definition of domestic violence, upholding equal rights for transgenders, prohibiting the use of muscle men in recovering financial dues to issuing notice to enhance compensation for the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy victims. In a judgment in 2008, he sent a husband to jail for driving his wife to suicide with taunts over her "dark complexion".

"He is the most compassionate judge of the court," say lawyers recalling his landmark cases: in 2007, he dismissed the plea that activist Medha Patkar was working for foreign powers; in 2008, he restrained the Narendra Modi government from arresting political analyst Ashis Nandy for an article ("If a journalist cannot write, who else will?"); in 2009 he famously said, "Once an arrow leaves a bow, we can't take it back", about the Gujarat government's hasty ban on expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh's book on Jinnah.

"I don't know a more down-to-earth and grounded family than them," says a family friend. That could be because this Sunni Muslim family has, for generations, bypassed orthodoxy in private life. Mixed marriages with Hindus, Christians and Buddhists have given this family a unique culture of sharing values. Humayun Kabir's wife, Shanti, a freedom fighter, belonged to the progressive, anti-caste Brahmo sect. Their children, Leila and Prabahan Kabir, are married to Christians. Jusice Kabir's wife Minna, a child rights activist, is a Mangalorean Christian.

The untimely death of his mother, Syeda Halima, taught Justice Kabir and his five siblings to be independent early on. They grew up in a rented house on Congress Exhibition Road in Kolkata. With their father often away on political work, they learnt to divide household chores and cope with everyday practicalities. The young Altamas's vast repertoire of songs, ranging from Harry Belafonte to Muhammad Rafi, kept everyone happy. As did the dishes he rustled up on a primitive chulha. This early experience developed into a lifetime passion for cooking, baked crabs and Anglo-Indian minced pie panteras being his signature dishes. He met his wife, Minna, in the 1970s after her family moved in as fellow tenants in the same building. Their children, Anamika, 34, and Deep Chaim, 26, both studied law. Anamika, a teacher, chose to work with children.

If every court reflects the personality of the presiding judge, Justice Kabir's court exudes courteousness and affability. He is a rare judge with a sense of humour, report lawyers. He allows lawyers to argue, listens attentively and asks detailed questions. In 1992, the Supreme Court set rigorous standards for judges: "He should be conscientious, studious, courteous, patient, punctual, impartial, fearless of public clamour, regardless of public praise, and indifferent to private, political or partisan influences." Justice Kabir comes closest to that definition. (India Today- January, 2012)

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      June 13, 2012

Dalai Lama envoys resign in protest Dharamsala, June 12: Two envoys who represented the Dalai Lama in failed talks with China on Tibet issues have resigned to protest Beijing's unwillingness to consider new autonomy measures for the Himalayan region.

The exile Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in northern India announced the resignations on Monday, saying envoys Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen left their posts last week.  The two diplomats held nine rounds of talks with Chinese officials in the past decade (2002-2010), without making notable progress.

A CTA statement said the envoys earlier voiced their frustrations over a lack of "positive response" from Beijing to a series of initiatives aimed at easing tensions in Tibetan Buddhist areas of southwestern China, AP reported.

“At this particular time, it is difficult to have substantive dialogue,” the letter said.

In their resignation letter the envoys cited "the deteriorating situation" inside Tibet since 2008, saying tensions spawned since then by China's crackdown on protests has led to several self-immolations by Tibetans opposing Chinese rule.  The letter also cited a 2008 autonomy proposal to Beijing and a 2010 memorandum, saying Beijing did not respond to either communication.

Beijing insists Tibet is a non-negotiable part of China, and has sought to win over the Tibetan plateau's far-flung population by investing in infrastructure projects as well as health and welfare initiatives. 

But many residents resent what they consider a Chinese intrusion into Tibetan cultural and religious practices.  Tibetan leaders say those intrusions threaten the very existence of Tibetan Buddhism and warn that Chinese interference will continue to spawn self-immolation protests that have rocked the region for the past 15 months.

Nearly 40 people, including Buddhist monks, nuns and their supporters have set themselves on fire in protest of Chinese rule since March 2011.  Witnesses say many of them also called for the safe return of the Dalai Lama as they set themselves ablaze. 

The Dalai Lama stepped down as the political leader of the Tibetan people in 2011, the same year that Harvard legal scholar Lobsang Sangay was elected prime minister of the exile parliament.

Gyari and Gyaltsen continued to be described as envoys of the Dalai Lama, but have also reported to Lobsang Sangay since he took office.

Tibetan government-in-exile official Thupten Samphel said there was no urgency to name new envoys because Beijing is showing “no willingness” for dialogue. New envoys would be named once Chinese officials send “a positive signal,” he said.

Self-rule can address Kashmir problem: Mufti

Srinagar, June 12: People's Democratic Party patron and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Sunday advocated party's self-rule agenda to address the Kashmir issue.

Emphasising the need to address internal dimension of the Kashmir issue to establish lasting peace in the State and to accelerate the process of development in all regions and sub-regions, Mufti said, "Self-rule -- the vision document has potential of addressing both the external and internal dimensions of the Kashmir problem."

"The self-rule proposal was a road map to make institutional arrangements for empowering region and sub-regions of the state," Mufti said while addressing a function organised to felicitate Kuljeet Singh, who joined the PDP, UNI reported.

The PDP patron said the document aims at creating regional federalism to fulfill wishes and aspirations of all regions and sub-regions of the state and termed self-rule as a practical solution to address both external and internal dimensions of Kashmir problem.

"This proposal aimed at empowering people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions without any discrimination," he said and asserted that PDP was committed to provide justice to all regions and sub-regions.

Ex-Nepal PM gunning for Bhattarai’s exit

Kathmandu, June 13: Former Nepal prime minister and senior Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba believes removal of the Maoist-Madhesi government is the only option available to resolve the Himalayan nation’s constitutional predicament. “PM Baburam Bhattarai’s exit and formation of a national unity government based on consensus among parties is the only way out of the crisis,” he told Hindustan Times in an exclusive interview.

If Bhattarai does resign to make way for a national unity government, there’s a strong possibility of Nepali Congress heading it.

And Deuba could emerge the consensus candidate for the PM’s post. The 66-year-old has several admirers in the Maoist camp and is also believed to enjoy New Delhi’s support.

“I had proposed to extend CA by invoking emergency as provided in the interim constitution. Initially everyone agreed, but the PM backed out at the last minute and announced fresh polls without consulting us,” he said.

With the NC establishment faction extending a hand to resolve thorny issues with him, Deuba’s ‘comeback’ to Nepal’s oldest party looks certain within the next few days. It could aid him in becoming Bhattarai’s successor should NC head the next government.

 Bhutan’s new happiness formula: walk, don’t drive on Tuesdays

Thimphu, June 12: The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan will make Tuesdays "pedestrian's day" with motorists banned from town centres.

"Tuesdays will be a day when Bhutanese citizens would seize the opportunity to contemplate the fragile nature of our precious Himalayan mountain ecology and make a small contribution," the cabinet said in a statement.

"This will also be a day Bhutanese all over will walk for their health and promote [the] joy of walking, together with friends, family and colleagues, and thereby promote interaction and community vitality," it added.

The decision means that driving will be banned in town centers on Tuesdays between 8:00am local time and 6:00 pm local time.

Electric and hybrid vehicles will still be allowed to use the roads, as will emergency vehicles such as ambulances and police cars.

The first day of forcing car owners to walk, cycle or take public transport was on June 5 to coincide with World Environment Day, Bhutan's Kuensel newspaper reported on its website.

"People will be compelled to start the day early and plan ahead to be in time for meetings and appointments because of the longer time it would take to get there," the newspaper said of the "wonderful plan."

Pro-monarchy party wants King Gyanendra back in palace

Kathmandu, June 12: Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa said that his party would reinstate the deposed king through a popular mandate if the elections were held.

Addressing a mass meeting organised by his party here on Saturday, the pro-monarchy leader argued that after the death of Constituent Assembly, which overthrew the monarchy and failure to promulgate new constitution, the monarchy had automatically been revived and all decisions made by CA were invalid.

Asking the king to be patient, he said, "We will bring him from Nagarjun to Naryanhity after elections."

Warning the major parties, he said he would bring a sea of people to hit the streets for the resurrection of the monarchy unless the free, fair and impartial elections were held, The Himalaya reported.

With the changed context supporters of other parties, including RPP-Nepal, would cast their votes in favour of monarchy.

Editorial

TIBET ISSUE

Dialogue Has Failed

Nine rounds of talks over a decade has failed to move Beijing to yield to the Dalai Lama’s demand for ‘genuine autonomy’ for Tibet within China. The recent suicides in Tibet are an act of desperation and in protest against Beijing’s continued silence the Dalai Lama’s envoys, who have been holding talks with the Chinese authorities, have resigned. There has been no major breakthrough on the Tibet issue during the talks and as such there seems to be no point in going ahead with these talks particularly when Beijing has failed to reciprocate. Despite the Tibetan spiritual leader’s genuine and sincere efforts to resolve the issue China continues to call him a ‘splittist’.

The Dalai Lama has already abdicated from the post of a formal head of the exiled Tibetan government. When the process of electing a new Prime Minister for the exiled Tibetans was taking place last year, the Dalai Lama’s special envoy Lodi Gyari said he would continue with the post for the dialogue process. With both the Dalai Lama and Gyari, a seasoned diplomat, gone the exiled government and the Tibetan community as a whole has a tough task ahead. The main objective of the protests and the unceasing self-immolations in Tibet seems to be for the early return of the Dalai Lama to his homeland and for more freedom in that country. Some say it is also a call for full independence, an issue that will certainly become a bone of contention in the coming days.

Mamata to meet Morcha leaders on Sen panel report

GJM, GNLF and AIGL activists join TMC

Kolkata, June 11: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will meet a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha delegation at Writers’ Buildings on June 14 and a civil society delegation from Darjeeling the following day to discuss the Justice Shyamal Sen committee report on the inclusion of territories in the new body for the hills.

The Morcha had sought an appointment with the chief minister this month after the 10-member high-powered committee recommended the inclusion of five of the 396 mouzas the party had been demanding in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

 “They (the Morcha) asked for an appointment with me. I received the letter this afternoon. I have given them time on June 14. Members of Darjeeling’s civil society also wanted to meet. I will meet them on June 15,” Mamata said.

Sources at Writers’ said the chief minister would cite the March 24 bilateral agreement signed between the Morcha and the state government in her effort to persuade the hill party to accept the committee’s recommendations.

The Morcha has rejected the recommendations and said it is a “humiliation” for the people of Darjeeling.

A clause in the March 24 agreement reads: “It has also been decided that the recommendations of the high powered committee will be accepted by the state government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.”

The agreement also said that elections to the GTA would be held either at the end of June or early July.

Meanwhile, founder-member of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in the Terai Vishal Chhetri and host of councillors of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council such as N.B. Khawas, GNLF councillor from Kurseong, Gorubathan councillor K.N. Subba, Kalimpong Municipality councillor Chhiring Sherpa on Monday joined Trinamool Congress amid tight police security in a public meeting held at Panighata, close to Bagdogra.

 Even GNLF supremo Subash Ghising's once lieutenant Rajen Mukhiya was among the hundreds who embraced the twin flower. Prominent among GNLF members who joined TMC were Tshering Sherpa and PH Subba.

AIGL leader S Bhutia, Milan Dukkta and expelled GJM trade union leader Shyam Rai, Anil Chetri, Vishal Chetri and Rajesh Chetri along with their supporters also joined the TMC.

 "A total 972 GJM and GNLF leaders and activists joined Trinamool Congress," said North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb.

Deb held that the new development gave the Trinamool Congress a foothold in the Hills.

Bhutan-Sikkim-Arunachal Buddhist circuit proposed at Gangtok tourism meet

Gangtok, June 12:  Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have signed a memorandum of understanding for undertaking joint programmes in the tourism sector.

Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Minister Pema Khandu signed the MoU with his Sikkim counterpart Bhim Dhungel on Thursday in Gangtok, official sources said on Saturday.

During an hour-long meeting, Khandu, highlighting the ancient pilgrimages of Arunachal such as Tzari and Pema-kho, advocated for a Buddhist circuit comprising of Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh.

Dhungel endorsed the issues raised by Khandu and agreed that both Sikkim and Arunachal could jointly work in the tourism sector for mutual benefit.

Tourism managers of both the states agreed that the Protected Area Permit was a major bottleneck for foreign tourists and resolved to jointly address the problem by placing it before the Home Ministry.

They also decided to move the North East MPs’ Forum for taking up the matter at their level, sources added.

Mizo church snaps ties with US church on gay issue

Aizawl, June 12: The Presbyterian Church of Mizoram, the largest church denomination in the Christian-dominated State, has decided to snap ties with the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America due to a conflict on the issue of homosexuality.

A meeting of the Synod Executive Committee (SEC), the second-highest decision-making body of the Presbyterian Church, made the decision on Friday after the Presbyterian Church of USA allowed ordination of gays as priests.

D P Biakkhuma, a church elder and secretary of the SEC, said the two Presbyterian churches have maintained cordial relations for more than a decade, but the Mizoram chapter was compelled to sever ties due to differences on one basic doctrine, The Times of India reported.

 "We, the members of Presbyterian Church of Mizoram, cannot accept ordination of homosexual people as pastors and regard homosexuality as against the teachings of the Bible and Christianity," he said. He added that the priest and other church employees posted in New Delhi to maintain links with the US chapter would be withdrawn forthwith.

Rev H Remthanga, former moderator (head) of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod and the first pastor appointed by the SEC to coordinate with the Presbyterian Church of the USA, said "Except for the Presbyterian Church of the USA, joining liberal concepts of other denominations in the West, agreeing to ordain gay priests, we maintained a cordial relationship."

The Mizoram Synod began its partnership with the USA church - the leading Protestant Christian denomination with over 2.3 million members - in 1999. The Presbyterian Church of the USA is the latest of several denominations after the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Episcopal Church, to drop the ban on gay clergy.

SIKKIM OBSERVER    June 2, 2012

Who’s lying on road building work in Sikkim?

Gangtok, June 1: The tall claim made by the UPA Government at the centre on road construction work in Sikkim has not been supported by the State Government.

According to the State unit of the BJP, the Union Defence Minister AK Antony informed the Lok Sabha recently that a total of 1463.66 km of road is under construction along the national highway. This is a blatant lie, according to the State unit of the BJP.

In a reply to BJP MP Balakrishna Shukla in the Lok Sabha on May 21, Antony said, “A total road length of 1463.66 km is under construction/ improvement to Class-9 (Enhanced)/ National Highway Double Lane specifications in Sikkim State. Out of this 155.72 km length has been completed and works are in progress in remaining length. Further 58 roads of length 828.14 km are also being maintained by BRO in the State”.

Sikkim BJP President Padam B. Chettri in a press statement said Antony’s statement on road construction in the State was “most unfortunate” and added that it was the “third time that a Minister gave wrong information in the Lok Sabha.”

“To support my submission, I quote the Annual Report of the Roads and Bridges Department of the Government of Sikkim for the year 2009-10 which states that a total road length of 873.40 kilometers is under the Border Roads Organization. The break-up of 873.40 km is: National Highway 40 km, North Sikkim Highway 67 km and Others 766.40. The 40 km National Highway is from Rangpo to Gangtok; the 67 km North Sikkim Highway is between Gangtok and Mangan. The remaining 766.40 is covered by the roads from Rangpo to Rorathang and beyond; road beyond Mangan; Gangtok-Nathula road etc.,” Chettri said.

“Thus there is a difference of 590.26 km between the figures of the Sikkim Government and Union Government. One of them is telling lie and I have reason to doubt that the Defence Minister is misleading the people of India.

The BJP leader urged the Centre to immediately probe into the matter and pull up the concerned authorities.

People’s mindset on women health rights has to be changed: Justice Wangdi

Gangtok, June 1: Justice SP Wangdi of the High Court of Sikkim while highlighting on the positive and negative aspects of the ‘Two Child Norm’, expressed his concerns for the poor health situation of women and lack of proper reproductive health facilities.

While speaking at a seminar on human rights here last Saturday, Justice Wangdi, who was the Chief Guest for the function, said law does not seem to be coercive but it is the mindset of the people with regard to the health rights of women that has to be changed. 

Over 100 members of civil society, including lawyers, doctors, activists and students met here to discuss the gender components of a myriad of socio-legal issues. The seminar on “Understanding Gender Specific Rights” was organized by Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) in collaboration with Women’s Forum For Justice Equality and Liberty (SIKKIM).

Rinzing Chewang gave a presentation about the situation of Health Sub- Centre (PHC) in Lachen, north Sikkim. He said that the Sub Center should be upgraded to a PHC because of the population needs and considering the geographical terrain. He shared 4 cases of maternal mortality of his village who died on the way before reaching to referral hospitals.

Gyatso Lepcha, an activist gave a similar presentation about health care in Dzongu, also in north Sikkim, where the PHC is crumbling, understaffed, and inaccessible. Lepcha shared the story of a toddler from Dzongu who was forced to travel seven hours for medical care after a fall.

Renowned health activist, Dr. Mira Shiva, from the Initiative for Health Equality & Society (IHES) and the Third World Network (TWN), provided a larger picture of women’s health in India. Addressing topics ranging from sex ratio to maternal mortality, Shiva called for universal health care and for a deeper understanding of gender in medicine and health care.

HRLN reproductive rights activist Kerry McBroom encouraged activists to file Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to advance health rights in Sikkim. Citing several judgments from Supreme Court and from the High Courts in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh, McBroom demonstrated that courts in India have the power to facilitate real change on maternal health and reproductive rights.

Noted social worker Kipu Lepcha, Padma Shree and Dr. Mira Shiva released a book of “Independent People’s Tribunal Report on Dams, Environment and Displacement”, which focuses on Sikkim.

Advocate Raghvendra Kumar of Jabalpur provided participants with an in-depth understanding of the Forest Rights Act 2006 and using the law to secure rights over forest land.

Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) advocate Doma T. Bhutia said the seminar would serve as an introduction to major issues related to gender discrimination.

Bhutia shared the issue of sexual harassment of women at workplace. After showing a documentary on sexual harassment, Bhutia highlighted the Supreme Court’s landmark Vishaka judgment, which defines sexual harassment.

Retired Sikkim High Court Judge, Justice A. P. Subba attended the meeting as a Guest of Honor.

Youth body to host seminar on ‘Sikkim Subject’, corruption

Gangtok, June 1: The All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Un-Employed Association is organizing a symposium on ‘Social Issues in Sikkim’ here on June 3.

The main focus of the symposium is on unemployment, status of Sikkim Subjects/Certificate of Identification, hydel power and corruption, according to the Association’s General Secretary Ritesh Rai.

Many prominent social and political activists and political leaders are likely to participate in the function, Rai said.

Editorial

NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN

United Force Against Corruption

Anna Hazare’s advice to Team Anna member from Assam Akhil Gogoi to call off his ten-day-long fast against mega-dams in the Northeast earlier this week  and undertake a nationwide campaign against mega dams starting from the Northeast is a step in the right direction. Tapping the natural resources of the country in the name of development, particularly in the power sector, has led to massive multi-crore corruption in the Himalayan belt which is the source of major rivers in India. Social organizations and social activists have done much to create more awareness among the people about the harmful aspects of big dams. Many of them have led prolonged campaign against mega dams in the Northeast and the rest of the Himalayan region but with less success.

Team Anna needs to keep a live interest on anti-mega dam campaign in the Northeast, including Sikkim. Gogoi has already done much on the issue in Assam. He now needs to widen his campaign in other parts of the Northeast, where anti-graft activists are looking for a national platform to ventilate their grievances. A national campaign against corruption will be successful if Team Anna forms its core group in every State and Union Territories in the country. So far Team Anna’s focus has been in Delhi and a few other big cities. Formation of an inner circle of Team Anna throughout the country would certainly galvanize the youth into action using the internet and other mode of protest. If autocratic regimes in the Arab world can be toppled through the use of the internet why can’t India do away with a corrupt system that caters to the greed of only a few at the top?

Letter to the Editor

Teachers’ defiance on transfer order disturbing

Sir,

The blatant defiance by the teachers challenging the right of the government to transfer them on flimsy grounds and to politicalise the situation is not a healthy trend.

The recent squabble between the teachers and their parent department over a large scale transfer of primary teachers has bred much bitterness among the parties and resulting in subsequent hardening of their stand. The former has taken refuge in their associations and is leaving no stone unturned to give it a political colour and get the order cancelled so that they may continue to stay in the place of their choice, while the latter sticking to its gun and telling the teachers to join their duties in the interest of the students of backward places in other districts or face disciplinary action.

The teachers in Sikkim are the most pampered lot. The government gives them the highest salary among all category of employees and being a very potent political force having clout in almost every part of the State they have always managed to get what they want. As a consequence, the government always acquiesced to their whims and fancies. As a result, the East District has excess teachers while other districts are reeling under the shortage of teachers. The HRDD has already made public the figures which is rather disturbing. If other members of the teaching fraternity can go and serve in remote villages why can’t the present lot do the same?

It is evident that the action of the department is void of any vindictiveness and taken in the larger public interest and in the interest of the students in the villages. But the teachers associations have taken the unfortunate stand that the transfer in the mid-term hampers the students or the department has no clear cut policy on transfer of teachers.

Are the teachers association trying to further the politics of convenience at the cost of the future of the village students and lock horn with the department?

The government for the first time has taken a bold step in the interest of our future generations instead cowing down to the blackmailing by a strong political segment.

SK Lama

Jorethang

South Sikkim

Inclusion of BL languages in SU courses welcomed

Gangtok, June 1: The minority indigenous Bhutia and Lepcha communities have welcomed the inclusion of their languages in the degree-level honours courses by the Sikkim University.

In a statement, Sonam Lama (Kaleon), President of National Sikkimese Bhutia Organsiation (NASBO, Art.371F) has thanked SU’s Vice-Chancellor and members of the University for the “historic decision.”

“We are elated to hear the news of inclusion of Bhutia and Lepcha languages in the degree level honours courses by the Sikkim University. This remarkable decision would be instrumental in the development of the Bhutia Lepcha’s language, literature and languages,” Kaleon said and added, “We further look forward that similar recognition would also be extended to the Tsong language.”

Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia said the decision to include BL languages in SU degree courses “would go a long way in the literary development of these two ancient languages.”

Bhutia said the BLs would “remain grateful” to SU Vice-Chancellor Mahendra P. Lama for “this remarkable and historic achievement” and for “full-filling this long-cherished aspirations.”

World War II guns adorn Raj Bhavan complex

Gangtok,June 1: The Indian Army at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan on Saturday, made a presentation of two majestic 5.5 inch guns to the Raj Bhavan.

These guns were manufactured in the United Kingdom and are of vintage 1941-45. They were used by more than a dozen countries including the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Canada, Iraq, India and Pakistan. These guns were employed during World War-II, the Korean war and many other conflicts. Weighing over 6000 kgs, the gun fired 45 kg shell over 16 kms at the rate of 2 shells per minute, an official release said.

The guns were released after a series of approvals at various levels, with final sanction being given by the Defence Ministry. This was made possible, only due to the keen interest shown by Governor of Sikkim Balmiki Prasad Singh, the 17 Mountain Division and the support and guidance provided by GOC 33 Corps, Lt. General K. Surendranath, AVSM,SM,VSM, the release said.

The ceremony was addressed by the Governor and Surendranath. It was attended by a host of dignitaries, which included the Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly K.T. Gyaltsen, members of the State Council of Ministers, MP- Lok Sabha, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, DGP, Secretaries, besides others.

While thanking the Defence Minister and the Army Chief for the gifts, which would now form an integral part of the Raj Bhavan complex. Singh dwelt on the history of civil-military relations in the State which has always been marked by cordiality and mutual trust. He commended the Army Commander and his jawans for the swift response in undertaking relief and rescue measures and other assistance to the State during the aftermath of  September 18, 2011 earthquake in the State.

Singh expressed his concern for setting up of a small base in Pakyong, east Sikkim, by the Shillong-based Eastern Air Command. This would help in times of emergencies, he said.  He also spoke of the need to set up a Sainik schook in the State.

Chief Secy objects to IT office being shifted to Siliguri

Gangtok, June 1: Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso has opposed the reported bid to shift the income tax office from here to Siliguri.

At a meeting held here earlier this week, Gyatso said the IT office was set up here to help the locals with works related to income tax and the reports of it being shifted to Siliguri in neighbouring West Bengal was illogical, an official release said.

The meeting was attended by C.L.Denzongpa, Commissioner, IT, Siliguri, D.N.Bhutia, Assistant Commissioner, IT, (TDS) Siliguri and L.D.Lepcha, Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle Gangtok.

IT officials were urged to review the decision to shift the Gangtok IT office to Siliguri. They have been asked to continue with the process of IT Exemption Certificates being issued from Gangtok.

The Chief Secretary also informed the IT officials that either an officer be posted at Gangtok or the Assistant Commissioner of IT, Circle Gangtok, be delegated with the powers for issuing such IT Exemption Certificates. The matter is now placed before the Commissioner, IT (TDS), Kolkata by the Commissioner, IT, Siliguri.

SIKKIM OBSERVER May 26, 2012

NSUI backs Sikkim University VC

Gangtok, May 25: While the Students Union of Sikkim (SUS) and the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front have gone against Sikkim University Vice Chancellor Mahendra P. Lama, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) has come to his support.

NSUI President Binod Chettri has strongly condemned SDF’s press statements condemning Lama’s inability to run the show in the University. While stating that Lama has sincerely worked for the welfare of the students and the University, Chettri said SDF leaders should visit the colleges and see for themselves how Lama has genuinely worked for the University.

Briefing reporters during a press conference held here on Thursday, Chettri said the SUS is fully under the control of the ruling party and its views against Lama are not an objective assessment of the situation in the University.

The NSUI is a frontal organization of the Congress party. (see page 2 edit  and 3)

Dahal gets Ram Patro award

Gangtok, May 25: This year’s Ram Patro Memorial Awards has gone to Chewan Krishna Dahal for the “Most Promising Journalist” of the year.

While Namo Dixit received the “Best Working Journalist” award, Devicharan Chettri was felicitated for his contributions towards publication works.

Dahal is the Sikkim correspondent of NE TV. Dixit and Chettri are attached to Sikkim Express and Himali Bela.

The two publications first began the memorial award in 2005 in memory of late Ram Patro, who was the Express editor in the 1970s.

Sikkim Lok Sabha MP, PD Rai, his father CD Rai, IPR Secretary KS Tobgay and Mala Patro were present during the function held here on Thursday.

Rights seminar in Gangtok on May 26

Gangtok, May 25: The Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) in association with Women’s Forum for Justice, Equality and Liberty is organizing a seminar on “Understanding of Gender Specific Rights’ here tomorrow.

Sikkim High Court Chief Justice Permod Kohli is likely to be present during the function, according to Doma T. Bhutia, legal consultant of the HRLN.

“We are dealing with a vast array of problems relating to women and the injustices face by them in our society every day,” Bhutia said.

Kohli and senior Supreme Court advocate Collins Gonslaves will be sharing their views on the subject, Bhutia, a senior local advocate and social activist, said.

Editorial

PROFESSOR IN DISTRESS

Demand ‘White Paper’ On Sikkim University

Dr. Mahendra P. Lama’s ‘profile’ is quite impressive. A very few intellectual luminaries from the Himalayan region have risen to the various levels that Lama has reached. For instance, apart from being the recipient of the Ford Foundation Fellow in the USA in 1997, Asia Leadership Fellow in Japan in 2001, India-China Fellow at the New School University in the USA in 2008, Lama was perhaps the youngest Vice-Chancellor of a national university in the country, when he was appointed the first Vice-Chancellor of Sikkim University in 2007. Before he took over the varsity as VC, Lama was the Chief Economic Advisor to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for seven years since 2002. His association with Sikkim started during the Bhandari Government that ended after nearly a decade and half in power in 1994.

The Vice-Chancellor’s very impressive credentials has now been questioned by many as all kinds of allegations are hurled against him by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, which was chiefly responsible for placing Lama on the VC’s chair. For quite some time the Chamling-Lama rumblings have been doing the rounds in Gangtok and elsewhere but now it is out in the public domain with students, politicians and even citizens joining in the mudslinging. While a student body last week blocked the national highway, which connects Sikkim with the rest of the country, Lama’s woes are increasing by the hour as the ruling party is going all out to malign him before he retires in June-July 2012. Why?

Most observers of the SU happenings are totally unaware of the situation in the varsity and the actual reasons for the gradual souring of relationship between Lama and his mentor Chamling. The fact of the matter is despite its tall claims the Sikkim University is run in numerous buildings along the 10 km highway that stretches between Gangtok and Ranipul and not from its proposed campus in Yangang in South Sikkim, the ancestral home of the Chief Minister. Lama alone cannot be blamed for this very sad state of affairs. As thousands of anxious students and parents are worried over the unpredictable turn of events at the varsity it is time for the concerned authorities to bring out a credible ‘White Paper’ on the controversy within a specific time-frame. This would be in the best interest of the university, its VC and the ruling elite, which claims to give top priority to the education sector in the State.

SU Vice Chancellor gets a mouthful from Rajya Sabha MP

Gangtok, May 25: Controversial Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University Mahendra P. Lama, who is presently facing opposition from the students as well as the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front for his alleged mishandling of various matters pertaining to the varsity, is now accused of being involved in politics.

This matter has been raised by Sikkim’s lone Rajya Sabha MP Hishey Lachungpa, who recently met the Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal.

In a letter to Sibal, Lachungpa has said Lama has deviated from his role as an educationist and has instead begun to resort to politics for selfish interests undermining the basic role for which he had been appointed.

Supporting the 8-point demand placed before the concerned authorities by the Students Union of Sikkim, Lachungpa said the University was set up with the objective of providing “quality education” to students. He said the State Government has given top priority to the education sector in tune with the policies of the UPA Government at the Centre.

“Instead of fulfilling the objectives of his appointment and coordinating better for setting up a centre of excellence’, Lama has been taking a “self centered stand due to which, the land owners for the proposed university campus, the faculty and students of the university have become provoked, agitated and in a feeling of insecurity have now come out openly against him,” Lachungpa said in a press statement.

“The unpopularity of the VC is not only good for the development of the higher education sector but also for the peace and tranquility of the state,” the release said and added that Lama’s term should not be extended  “for the overall growth of the University and in the interests of the general public.”

The Rajya Sabha member has also demanded reservation of 50 per cent of seats in the University for local students.

High-tech green house inaugurated in Bermiok

Gangtok, May 25: The Minister for Food Security & Agriculture Development and Horticulture Cash Crop Development Department, D.N Takarpa, on Sunday inaugurated the newly-built High Tech Green House at Horticulture Farm in Bermiok, South Sikkim.

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 86 lakhs, the two units of the Green house can store up to 50,000 saplings, and these two units in the farm are primarily being used for budded orange plants. The area is ideal for orange cultivation, IPR release said.

The green house is very high-tech with dip irrigation facilities, fan, coolers and other necessary facilities which are all computer operated.

The Green house is funded by Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yozna, Government of India.

Addressing the progressive farmers and growers of the area,Takarpa urged them to utilize all the facilities and technological know how that are being brought to their doorsteps by the government.

Now its time to leave the traditional way of framing and take up new method with technical supports to grow crops and farming, the Minister stressed.

Area MLA B.S Pant who was also present on the occasion also addressed the gathering and expressed his gratitude towards the Minister and the Department for coming up with such high tech green house in his constituency.

Later the Minister, MLA, along with the officials also visited the farm and inspected the nurseries, which had sapling of bamboos, bananas, guava and other fruits.

Youth body, ‘Save Sikkim’ members meet Power Secy

Gangtok, May 25: While not referring to any particular hydel project in the State, Power Secretary has admitted that the State Government has made some “mistakes” and “errors” on power projects in the State.

This revelation came when members of the All Sikkim Educated Self Employed & Unemployed Association and SAVE Sikkim met him here last week.

The Power Secretary said the department had made “errors” and “mistakes” regarding power projects in the State, a release of the Association by its President Nawin Kiran Pradhan said.

Issues relating to the alleged Rs 20,000 scam in the 1200 MW Teesta State III hydropower project and other hydel projects in north Sikkim were taken during the meeting.

The demand for scrapping power projects in west Sikkim was also taken up with the Secretary.

Anti-mega hydel project forum lambasts Opp silence in multi-crore scam

Gangtok, May 22: The Opposition parties’ silence on the reported scam in power projects in North Sikkim has been criticized by social organizations under the banner of Platform for Joint Action against hydel projects in the State.

The forum recently held a discussion on the recent Current News report alleging Rs. 20,000 scam in the power sector.

“The meeting noted with concern the scam of such magnitude in a small state like Sikkim that has escaped the attention of our civil society and political leaders. In fact, such revelation was made by the national print media which is under wide circulation in the nation across thus putting bad image and impression of Sikkim,” the forum press release by its coordinator Tseten Tashi Bhutia said.

It criticized the “inaction of opposition political parties” on the matter, which is highly “condemnable.”

The forum consists of Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), All Sikkim Educated Self Employed and Unemployed Association (ASESE&UA), National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO 371F), Save Sikkim, All Sikkim Monasteries’ Association (ASMAN), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS), Affected Citizen of Teesta (ACT), Denjong Chyarig Tsogpo and  People’s Forum on Earthquake (PFOE).

It is the people who have put me here and it is they who will decide my fate: Chamling

Gangtok, May 25: On May 20, 2009, Pawan Kumar Chamling, became the State's longest-serving chief minister as his Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) swept the assembly polls for the fourth consecutive term.

Chamling, who broke Nar Bahadur Bhandari's record of nearly 15 years as chief minister, led his party to victory in the 2009 Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

The SDF wrested all of the State's 32 Assembly constituencies as well as the lone Lok Sabha seat. The Chief Minister himself won both the constituencies he contested - Poklok-Kamrang and Namchi-Singhithang in South Sikkim.

Born in 1950 to Bahadur Rai and Maya Rai in the remote Yangang village of South Sikkim, Chamling had to give up studies after Class 5. However, his lack of a proper education did not deter him from literary pursuits.

Today, he is famous in the Nepali literary world as 'Kiran' - the pen name he uses while writing poems and romantic books. The themes of most of his poems are either the suffering of the poor and down-trodden or love for the land and it natural beauty.

'One learns from experiences and time teaches everyone. It is just the understanding of things that makes one learned and without feeling for something you cannot learn anything about it,' Chamling had stated at Manipal University's 2005 convocation when he was conferred with an honorary doctorate.

He plunged into politics in 1973 after a stint with the Sikkim Police of the erstwhile ruler of the former kingdom.

In 1985, Chamling was elected to the Assembly for the first time from Damthang constituency in South Sikkim. He contested the elections on a ticket of the Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) led by Bhandari.

Chamling became a minister in Bhandari's cabinet after the 1989 Assembly polls and remained with the SSP till 1993, when he was accused of anti-party activities and pushed into political wilderness.

The determined Chamling launched his SDF on March 4, 1993, ushering in a new era in Sikkim politics. The very next year, the party was elected to power and he became the chief minister.

Declaring Sikkim a totally organic state and an eco-tourism destination as well as the constitution of a committee to fight global warming are some of the feathers in Chamling's cap.

The chief minister says his main objective is to ensure that the people of Sikkim, which merged with India in 1975, become part of the mainstream.

'It is the people who have put me here and it is they who shall decide my fate. If the people think that there is a better man to do the job for Sikkim, then they can rest me,' Chamling said in his last public speech before the 2012 polls.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      May 23, 2012

Jaya launches  ‘Sangma for President’ campaign

Chennai, May 22: AIADMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has been speaking to leaders of various national and regional parties seeking their support for P.A. Sangma’s candidature for the post of president, her party said on Sunday.

In a statement issued here, the AIADMK said Jayalalithaa spoke to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI leader A.B. Bardhan as part of garnering support for Sangma, a former Lok Sabha speaker.

She also discussed the matter with Telugu Desam Party leader N.Chandrababu Naidu, Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shironmani Akali Dal leader and her Punjab counterpart Parkash Singh Badal.

Seeking their support, she said Nationalist Congress Party leader Sangma, hailing from northeastern region and belonging to a tribal community, is fully qualified to become the president.

On Thursday, Jayalalithaa announced that her party supported the candidature of Sangma for the office of president of India.

She said the decision was arrived at “after due internal consultation” with Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik. She said none belonging to the tribal community had ever become the president.

Nepal ignores SC deadline, extends CA term

Kathmandu, May 22: Nepali politicians on Tuesday proposed to ignore a Supreme Court deadline giving them until Sunday to draw up a new constitution for the Himalayan republic, saying they needed more time to agree on the boundaries and names of new states.

The new constitution is widely seen as crucial to helping end instability that has plagued Nepal since the end of a Maoist-led civil war in 2006 and the subsequent overthrow of the monarchy, Reuters reported.

The coalition government formally proposed that the Constituent Assembly, which doubles as parliament, be given three more months to try to bridge deep differences that have forced lawmakers to miss several earlier deadlines.

"We are formally registering a proposal in the parliament today (Tuesday) seeking a three month extension of the term of the Constituent Assembly," Deputy Prime Minister Narayankaji Shrestha told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

The parliament is almost certain to pass the proposal in a vote expected before the weekend deadline expires.

The decision to extend the life of the assembly was made on the last day of a three-day, nationwide strike that closed thousands of schools, shuttered businesses and forced vehicles to stay off the roads. There were renewed clashes between protesters and police in the capital and other towns.

Protesters enforcing the strike were demanding that the impoverished country be divided into states along ethnic lines and that the states' names also be ethnically rooted.(see page 2)

1,000 Tibetan monks, nuns sign motherland petition

Lhasa, May 22: About 1,000 monks and nuns in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region have initiated a signature campaign to express love for the country and religion.

They signed their names on Monday at monasteries of counties in Shannan Prefecture, resolving to comply with law and dharma, choose right from wrong, advocate harmony and pursue peace, Xinhua reported.

The number of participants exceeded 80 percent of the total registered monks and nuns in the prefecture, said Dawa Tsering, head of the prefecture's Buddhism association, organizer of the event.

"A Buddhist should never forget himself or herself as a votary for the Buddha, and should take it as responsibility for well-beings of the religion, the human beings and the country," said Dawa Tsering who led the signature-signing at Samye Monastery, in Chanang County.

Built more than 1,000 years ago, Samye Monastery was the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet and the birthplace of the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Ethnic groups-madhesi bandh paralyse Nepal

Ethnic groups feel they will be reduced to a minority in the proposed 11 states

Kathmandu, May 22: Life was paralysed across Nepal on Sunday as the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), an umbrella organisation of ethnic communities, kick-started a three-day nation-wide shutdown demanding identity-based federalism, and opposing the agreement signed by the top three national parties on constitutional issues last week.

Among the most severe bandhs in recent years, the day saw incidents of violence as well as attack on the press in Kathmandu, The Hindu reported.

Transport was crippled and markets were closed in the capital. Over 60 people were arrested by the local police on charges of disrupting law and order and instigating violence.

Since the morning, protestors began vandalizing media vehicles as well as manhandling journalists in what appeared to be a concerted attack on the press. NEFIN chairperson, Raj Kumar Lekhi, blamed it on ‘vigilantes’ who had infiltrated the movement, and termed it as a ‘conspiracy to defame the peaceful movement’.

General Secretary of the organization, Ang Kaji Sherpa, however blamed the media for its selective representation of issues concerning ethnic groups, accused it of hill upper caste dominance, and threatened journalists. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) organized a protest meeting on Sunday evening, and strongly condemned the attacks, the report said.

NEFIN’s shutdown was supported by the Broader Madhesi Front, a cross-party Madhesi grouping led by former foreign minister Upendra Yadav. The front shutdown its stronghold of eastern Tarai for the third consecutive day, and protests by the Tharu Struggle Committee crippled life in western Tarai.

The bandhs are a part of the opposition to May 15 agreement between Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC), and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) by Nepal’s marginalised and excluded communities. According to the pact, there would be eleven provinces in a future federal set up – the names and exact boundaries of the provinces are to be decided later.

Both Madhesi and ethnic groups have demanded that federal restructuring be based on the report of either the subject committee of the Constituent Assembly, which recommends 14 provinces, or the report of the State Restructuring Commission which suggests 10 states. Ethnic groups feel they will be reduced to a minority in all provinces if the 11 state model goes through; Madhesi parties are against slicing the Tarai plains into five provinces as the bigger parties propose to do. Over 320 ethnic and Madhesi lawmakers, across party lines, have opposed the understanding. Serving Madhesi ministers have threatened to resign from the government unless the deal is revised.

On Saturday, Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said that the agreement has lost its legitimacy and must be reviewed. The NC and UML have, however, warned against revising the number of states.

With the term of the Constituent Assembly expiring on May 27, Nepal has exactly a week to resolve the contentious issue of state restructuring and finalise its constitution.

Burma to restore infamous Death Railway

Yangon, May 22: Tens of thousands of POWs were forced to work in harrowing conditions to build the 424-kilometre railway through dense jungles and mountains.

By the time it was completed in 1943, more than 11,000 POWS, including 2,815 Australians, and about 75,000 Asian labourers were dead Radio Australia reported.

A feasibility study on the 105-kilometre stretch running from Burma's Three Pagodas Pass area to Thailand is scheduled to begin in October, railway minister Aung Min said.

"We will reopen this (rail) road. The other countries said they would also help us and we will continue working for it," Aung Min said after peace talks with ethnic Shan rebels, the report said.

"We will do a survey and try to start working after the rainy season with the help of the international community."

Long isolated under decades of army-rule, Burma has embarked a rapid series of political and economic reforms under its president Thein Sein, including moves to better relations with its neighbours.

The railway would provide a much-needed economic shot in the arm for the impoverished area, which is home to Burma's rebellious Karen ethnic group, by boosting trade with Thailand and attracting tourists.

Karen rebels signed a ceasefire with the government in January, a major breakthrough towards ending the long-running insurgency.

Japan built the railway during World War II to shuttle supplies from Thailand into Burma along a route that engineers had long considered impossible.

The rail link was destroyed by Allied bombers in 1945.

Dalai Lama’s security may be tightened

Dharamsala, May 22: With spiritual leader the Dalai Lama claiming that Chinese agents were plotting to kill him, the Tibetan cabinet will meet on Sunday to review the security setup of His Holiness.

The Department of Security of the Central Tibetan Administration, which is responsible for maintaining tight vigil of the Dalai Lama, has taken serious note of the spiritual leader’s fears and will take stock of his security arrangements.

Ngodup Dorjee, secretary of the Department, says that Indian government has been consulted for the same and that there have been talks of upgrading the security apparatus around the Dalai Lama with the latest technology and security equipment.

Indian security officials have advised the Nobel laureate to live in a high security cordon in his temple palace grounds in Dharamshala, a hill station in Himachal Pradesh.

The Dalai Lama, who is currently touring Europe, had earlier said that China was training few female agents as fake devotees who were out to poison him.

The Tibetan spiritual leader was quoted as saying that "some Chinese agents training some Tibetans, especially women, you see, using poison - the hair poisoned, and the scarf poisoned - they were supposed to seek blessing from me, and my hand touch".

But Chinese authorities rubbished the claims, saying that China could have done that earlier if it wanted to and that it was an “insidious trick” by the Dalai Lama.

Court drops charges against Tibetan spiritual leader

Dharamsala, May 22: A Himachal Pradesh district court on Monday dropped charges in a currency seizure case against the 17^th Karmapa Ogyen Thinley Dorje.

The 26-year old Tibetan spiritual leader was implicated by the police in December 2011, following a seizure of $1.4 million from his monastery in Dharamsala earlier in the year.

However, the charges filed by police in a district court against 10 people, including the Karmapa, related to a smaller amount of money.

“I am happy that the charges have been laid to rest by the Himachal Pradesh Government and through the judicial procedure of democratic India,” the Karmapa said in a statement.

The Karmapa has fought off suggestions by India’s media that he is a Chinese spy since police found the cash, including some Chinese yuan.

His office had maintained that the money came from the thousands of followers who have visited the Karmapa every year since he arrived in India.

The Karmapa is close to the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, and both men strongly deny accusations that he works for the Chinese.

Despite his escape across the Himalayas in 2000, the Karmapa remains recognised by Beijing as the 17th incarnation of his spiritual lineage.

When Benazir enjoyed `Pakeezah` in Shimla 

New Delhi, May 22:  When her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto discussed peace with Indira Gandhi in Shimla, his daughter Benazir was busy viewing the Meena Kumari-starrer `Pakeezah`.

So says M.K. Kaw, a highly respected Indian bureaucrat who was then posted in the Himachal Pradesh capital and who had been assigned to look after the young Benazir Bhutto.

Assisting him was Veena Datta, lady officer of the Indian Foreign Service. "She helped me keep Benazir in a good mood," Kaw says in his just released book "An Outsider Everywhere" (Konark Publishers).

The year was 1972 when the senior Bhutto travelled to Shimla to sign a peace pact with Indira Gandhi after the breakup of Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh following the 1971 India-Pakistan war, IANS reported.

Kaw says Benazir wanted to see "Pakeezah", a hugely successful Kamal Amrohi production in which Meena Kumari played the role of a `tawaif`. The celebrated actress died soon after the movie was made.

Kaw says he spoke to Shimla`s deputy commissioner and a special show was organized at the Ritz cinema.

"There were only three of us in the cinema hall: Benazir, Veena and myself. Benazir enjoyed the film immensely.

"I retained the picture of the young and innocent Benazir all through the years of her tumultuous career till she was assassinated."

An IAS officer, Kaw served the government for 42 years in various capacities before retiring in 2001.

The book is replete with his numerous interesting experiences as well as encounters with leading politicians and officials at various levels all over the country.

Editorial

TRIBAL CARD

‘Sangma for President’

He may have been endorsed by two Chief Ministers as Presidential nominee, but Congress President Sonia Gandhi refused to meet PA Sangma on Tuesday.  Sangma has met leaders of various political parties to canvass for his candidature during the last few days. Sonia is the first important leader to deny him appointment. Sonia’s refusal to meet Sangma shows that Congress’ first family has not forgotten the foreign origin issue raked up by the former Lok Sabha Speaker when Sharad Pawar formed the NCP. With Sonia sending a clear signal that Sangma remained ‘untouchable’ for the Congress,  parties like SP and BSP are unlikely to  entertain the NCP leader, who has far been able to get commitment of support only from the Biju Janata Dal and AIADMK.

Shillong’s GG Swell, then Rajya Sabha MP, lost the fight for Raisina Hills in 1992 to Shankar Dayal Sharma, who secured 675,485 votes while Swell got 346,485. Sangma, however, has a national image and his stint at Lok Sabha was colourful and is worth remembering. Had he remained in the Congress party he would have been one of the oldest and most experienced politicians in the party. The Tura MP is now playing the tribal card for the top post and his candidature is sure to cause a lot of discomfort among various regional and national parties. Even if he loses Sangma is sure to have succeeded in creating a new political force in the country.

SIKKIM UNIVERSITY CONTROVERSY

Centre urged not to extend Lama’s tenure

Gangtok, May 22: Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has been asked to look into the demand for 50 per cent seat reservation for local students in the Sikkim University.

This was one of the 8-point demands of the Students Union of Sikkim placed before Sibal by the State’s lone Rajya Sabha MP Hishey Lachungpa.

Lachungpa also apprised Sibal on the growing dissent against the present Sikkim University Vice Chancellor Mahendra P. Lama, who has allegedly  deviated from his role as an educationist and has instead begun to resort to politics for selfish interests undermining the basic role for which he had been appointed, Lachungpa’s press release said.

The MP has urged the Centre not to grant further extension of his term in the university.

Issues regarding service tax, railway and setting up a regional centre in the State for passports were also taken up with various Central leaders by the MP.

The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, while regretting its earlier decision to support Lama’s candidature when he was initially appointed the Vice Chancellor of the university, has also hit out against the outgoing VC, whose term reportedly ends next month.

Former Lok Sabha MP and party spokesperson Bhim Dahal said the SDF “regrets” backing Lama and wants his early replacement. Dahal said Lama was not working in the interest of “Sikkim and the students.”

Gorkha League remembers Tamang,  plans hunger strike

Darjeeling, May 22: The All India Gorkha League on Monday threatened a relay hunger strike from June 21 if the CD of purported conversations among GJM leaders on the day of Madan Tamang’s murder is not given to the CBI by the state government in one month.

AIGL on Monday observed the second death anniversary of its leader Madan Tamang in Darjeeling with a memorial meeting where major leaders opposed to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, including Subash Ghising and Chhatrey Subba, were invited. Ghising and Subba did not attend the meeting, but senior CPM leader and former minister Ashok Bhattacharya was present, a national daily reported.

“We organised the event to mark the second death anniversary of our leader. We have learnt that a digital file containing telephonic conversations of hill leaders named in the FIR is in the custody of the chief minister and she is refusing to hand it over to the CBI. If the CBI gets hold of the file, senior Morcha leaders could be arrested. We have requested the chief minister to hand over the recording, but we are yet to get any response. We want justice. So we have decided to give a month’s time to the government to hand over the digital file to the CBI. If it is not done, we will start a relay hunger strike from June 21,” said Pratap Khati, general secretary of AIGL.

“We will observe the strike for 10 days initially, but if the state government does not respond, Bharti Tamang, Madan Tamang’s wife, will fast unto death,” he added.

AIGL leaders in their speech hinted that the state government is not handing over the CD to the CBI for vested interests. “With the help of the CD, the state government is able to make the GJM leaders do everything it wants,” Khati added.

Bharti Tamang said, “Had there been this sort of security arrangement on May 21, 2010, my husband would not have been murdered in broad daylight.” Madan Tamang was killed by a khukri-wielding mob that day.

Sikkim forum lambasts opposition silence on power scam

Gangtok, May 22: The Platform for Joint Action against hydel projects in the State has criticized the Opposition for its silence on the alleged multi-crore scam in the State’s hydel projects.

The forum recently held a discussion on the recent Current News report alleging Rs. 20,000 scam in the power sector.

“The meeting noted with concern the scam of such magnitude in a small state like Sikkim that has escaped the attention of our civil society and political leaders. In fact, such revelation was made by the national print media which is under wide circulation in the nation across thus putting bad image and impression of Sikkim,” the forum press release said.

It criticized the “inaction of opposition political parties” on the matter, which is highly “condemnable.”

The forum consists of Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), All Sikkim Educated Self Employed and Unemployed Association (ASESE&UA), National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO 371F), Save Sikkim, All Sikkim Monasteries’ Association (ASMAN), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS), Affected Citizen of Teesta (ACT), Denjong Chyarig Tsogpo and  People’s Forum on Earthquake (PFOE).

Power Secy admits ‘mistakes’ on hydel projects

Gangtok, May 22: Issues relating to the alleged Rs 20,000 scam in the 1200 MW Teesta State III hydropower project and other hydel projects in north Sikkim were taken during a meeting between the Power Secretary and members of the All Sikkim Educated Self Employed & Unemployed Association and SAVE Sikkim here last week.

The involvement of Teesta Urja Ltd in the 1200 MW hydel project in Chungthang was raised during the meeting. Controversial Andhra Pradesh MP Jaganmohan Reddy, who is currently facing CBI trial on corruption charges, is said to have invested heavily into power projects in north Sikkim.

The demand for scrapping power projects in west Sikkim was also taken up with the Secretary. While welcoming the scrapping of Ting Ting and Lethang power projects, the members demanded the scrapping of Tashiding power project.

The Power Secretary said the department had made “errors” and “mistakes” regarding power projects in the State, a release of the Association said.

Team Anna supports anti-dam protests in Assam

New Delhi, May 22: Team Anna on Monday came out in support of anti-dam protests in Assam led by one of its members Akhil Gogoi and asked the government to accept the demands of the protestors.

In a statement, Team Anna said the construction of dams in Arunachal Pradesh be stopped "as people of Assam cutting across their economic background have been opposing it".

They said the construction activities should stop till an agreement is reached with the people living in the downstream, PTI reported.

They also demanded the alleged police action against protestors be stopped and all those detained released unconditionally.

Gogoi, a Team Anna Core Committee member and general secretary of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), is on an indefinite fast along with 30 others since last Saturday as part of anti-dam protests.

Gogoi alleged "police atrocities" have increased and that is why he is sitting on an indefinite fast to press for their demands like release all the detained activists unconditionally and stopping of police attrocities, a statement said.

"India Against Corruption believes that the demands made by Mr. Gogoi must be implemented with immediate effect. IAC urges the government to take immediate steps in this regards.

We stand with the activists led by Gogoi in the struggle for betterment of the people in the North East," it said.

Rebel leaders disagree, Naga talks fail

New Delhi, May 22: The widening rift between Naga rebels has led to NSCN (Isak-Muivah) opting out of the reconciliation meeting to be held at Chiangmai in northern Thailand this week.

The decision that NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah will not participate in the meet was taken on May 14 and confirmed by NSCN sources on Friday. However, sources in the Union Government said they never expected Muivah to participate in the meet, reports said.

The reconciliation exercise, initiated by the church in Nagaland and continued by civil society groups, is over 10 years old. Naga Hoho, the apex body of Nagas, was the prime mover for several years before the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) was formed. Though FNR’s efforts have borne some fruit, a complex web of inter and intra-rebel group politics along with the shifting policies of the Centre has made reconciliation a tough exercise. The forum has held several meetings for reconciliation at Chiangmai.

Differences between the NSCN(I-M) and NSCN (Khaplang) surfaced last year when the Khaplang faction led by Kitovi Zhimomi threatened to hold talks with New Delhi.

As the rebels fail to reconcile, the government now seems to be in the mood to talk to more than one group.