HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN         July 4, 2012

Indian envoy to China on Tibet tour

China to improve facilities for Indian pilgrims

Lhasa, July 3: The Indian envoy to China, S Jaishankar, is currently on a rare visit to Tibet, touring Mount Kailash and Manasarovar, two holy sites frequently visited by Indian pilgrims.

Jaishankar's visit to Tibet, the first by an Indian envoy in 10 years, comes at a time when more than 40 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Tibet demanding freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile in India.

Shivshankar Menon, the then Indian Ambassador and present National Security Advisor, had visited Tibet in 2002. Jaishankar is scheduled to trace back the Indian pilgrimage route from Mount Kailash to the Nepal border, PTI reported.

Chinese authorities have already announced plans to step up investments in the region to improve facilities for Indian pilgrims. Earlier in June, hundreds of Indian pilgrims were stranded in Nepal on their way to Kailash-Mansarovar after Chinese authorities stopped them at the border saying that their vehicles did not have route permit.

Nepalese officials had confirmed that around 700-800 Indian pilgrims, all of whom had proper visa, were left stranded at the Tibetan border.

Although the Chinese authorities had cited vehicular permit for stopping the pilgrims, business people dealing with the Indian tourists noted that the restriction was enforced as a precautionary measure against the “possible infiltration by pro-Dalai Lama Tibetan activists. According to reports, the Indian envoy, besides visiting the pilgrim centres would also be visiting other Tibetan areas.

Jaishankar’s visit to Tibet comes on the heels of New Delhi’s request to re-open its consulate in Tibet’s ancient capital city Lhasa, fifty years after it was shut following the 1962 border war between India and China.

Beijing invited Jaishankar to have first hand look at the Himalayan region, specially sacred places like Manasarovar where it plans to step up investments to improve facilities for Indian pilgrims.

Pranab's resignation letter from ISI "fabricated": BJP

BJP may resort to legal steps against Pranab

New Delhi, Jul 3: BJP termed as "fabricated" the resignation letter of UPA Presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee from the Indian Statistical Institute and said it had all options open before it, including legal, and would decide on the matter soon.

BJP also alleged the resignation letter of Mukherjee has been prepared only to save his nomination for the Presidential election and asked both Mukherjee and eminent scientist MGK Menon, who is the President of the Institute, to come clean on the issue.

"BJP alleges that it is a 100 per cent fabricated document....It's very unfortunate that persons contesting such offices as President of India are indulging in illegal activities. We are demanding justice from the Election Commission... We are waiting for a certified copy of the Returning Officer's order. It is open for all types of further action," BJP General Secretary Ananth Kumar told reporters, according to PTI

BJP leader and P A Sangma's counsel Satya Pal Jain said the signatures of Mukherjee on the reply to the objections raised by it and that on his resignation letter do not tally and their objections to his (Mukherjee's) candidature. "There are apprehensions on the genuineness of this document. This seems to have been manufactured after we raised objections to his nomination," said Jain.

On what action the party was contemplating on the matter after their objections were rejected by the Returning Officer for the President's election, the BJP leader said the party was exploring various options, including legal. "The battle has just begun. We will fight it out. It is a battle for justice. Very clearly, we are telling, all (our) options are open," said Ananth Kumar.

Jain said "we will take the next step after discussing within the party. The next step will be taken after discussing all legal aspects."

SU becomes member of Press Club

Gangtok, July 3: Sikkim University has been declared as “institutional member” of the Press Club of Sikkim.

President of Press Club Bhim Rawat said members of the Club are happy that SU had accepted its proposal to become an institutional member of the Club.

At a function here today, Rawat urged other corporate houses in the State to take membership of the Press Club.

Outgoing SU Vice-Chancellor Mahendra P. Lama handed over Rs one lakh and fifteen thousand to Rawat for membership fees and one year’s subscription of the Club.

Lama said he was thankful to the media for making contributions to the growth of the university since its inception.

Split in Nepal Maoist party will revive relations with Indian Maoists

New Delhi, July 3: The split in Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (UCPN-M) is likely to impact the Maoist movement in India.

The breakaway group headed by Mohan Baidya Kiran has already renewed ties with Indian Maoists, sources said.

Intelligence agencies are of the view that the split in Nepal will inject new energy to the Communist Party of India-(Maoist) and revive regular contact between the Maoists in India and Nepal. The relations between the CPI (Maoist) and the party in Nepal had dwindled since 2006, when Maoists formed the government in Kathmandu.

Baidya's new party Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) is likely to revive and reshape the Maoist movement in both countries. Before the final split at the Sherpa Sewa Samaj Building in Kathmandu between June 16 and 18, the last meeting of the rebel group was held in Delhi at a Karol Bagh hotel in the second week of April, a national daily reported.

One of the issues that came up for discussion at the Karol Bagh meeting was whether rebellion would be possible without armed cadres, as the Maoist army had surrendered in Nepal when the party joined the government.

But leaders of the breakaway group assured that about "3,000 armed cadres" had not surrendered in the last six years and some arms and ammunition had been kept hidden, even as most of the weapons were surrendered to the government.

Replying to a question recently on whether he will coordinate with regional Maoist parties, Baidya said, "The Coordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organizations of South Asia (COMPOSA) is an umbrella organization to struggle in the interest of patriotic, Leftist and all other pro-people elements in the South Asian region. It has been weakened for some time now. We will find ways to strengthen it again and carry on with it."

Wangdue Phodrang Dzong was built by Bhutan’s first ruler

S. Deki

Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is 21km from Punakha in Central Bhutan. Bhutan’s first ruler  Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal met a young boy named Wangdi playing in the sand by the Punak Chhu and named the new dzong Wangdi Phodrang (Wangdi's Palace) which was later changed to Wangdue.

The dzong is a dramatic example of Bhutanese architecture. The structure follows the contours of a ridge high over the river. The cacti on the slope were planted to prevent invaders from climbing to the dzong. The dzong was founded in 1638 by the Shabdrung and was Bhutan's second capital until Trongsa was founded in1644.

The Penlpop of Wangdue Phodrang was the third most powerful ruler in the country. The dzong controlled the routes to Trongsa, Punakha, Dagana, and Thimpu. The sole entrance to the dzong is flanked by large prayer wheels. The Guru Tshengy Thondrol, depicting Guru Rimpoche is unfurled on the final day of the autumn tsechu festival. In the main prayer hall there are statues of Sakyamuni, Guru Rimpoche, and the Shabdrung. The dzong was repaired after a fire in 1837 and an earthquake in 1897.

The dzong was burnt down by a fire in the afternoon of  June 24, 2012. However, as the dzong was being renovated at the time of the fire, most of the historic relics had been put into storage and so were saved from destruction, sources said.

China to develop Tibetan areas close to Arunachal

Beijing, July 3:  China will develop Tibet's picturesque Nyingchi prefecture, located close to Arunachal Pradesh border, into a major tourist hub with an investment of USD 63.5 million which included construction of 22 "well-off model villages".

More than CNY 400 million (USD 63.5 million) has been earmarked to develop tourism in "South eastern Tibet", by China's southern Guangdong provincial government as partner assistance, official media here reported, according to PTI.

China refers Arunachal Pradesh as "Southern Tibet" which formed part of border dispute negotiations being held between Beijing and New Delhi.

"Nyingchi prefecture in southeastern Tibet, with abundant virgin forests, snow mountains, rivers and pastures, has potential golden tourism resources," state-run news agency Xinhua quoted an official in Tibet as saying.

An international tourism town is planned for Nyingchi county in the prefecture, which is expected to attract investment of more than CNY two billion from government and enterprises, the official said.

Besides the tourism town project, 22 well-off model villages, each with an investment of CNY 4.5 million, will be built in three years to help local residents to provide family hotel services and increase their incomes, the official said.

Nyingchi is located in southeastern Tibet, with an average altitude of 3,000 meters, where inhabited by Tibetans, Monba, Lhoba and other ethnic groups with unique folk customs and many rare cultural landscape.

 Azad J&K govt to host meet, prepare for polls

Meet to devise strategy for Kashmir freedom movement

Mirpur, July 3: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government will soon host all parties intra-Kashmir conference of political leadership from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), AJK and Indian-held Kashmir, to encourage and materialise sincere efforts for early peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute.

AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed announced this while addressing a news conference at the PWD Rest House on Sunday, Pakistan News Service reported.

The AJK PM also announced that local bodies elections in AJK will be held in the near future.

To this direction, he said that the AJK Election Commission has been asked to make fresh voters' lists besides undertaking and completing the required demarcation of the civic constituencies.

He continued that the objective of intra-Kashmir meet was to devise collective strategy for making the Kashmir freedom movement complete success through exchanging ideas to this direction.

"It is also aimed at to ensure the effective role of AJK, the base camp of the Kashmir freedom struggle, to its said basic objective," he declared.

Majeed said that all the political parties of Pakistan and AJK would be consulted to establish consensus for holding of the proposed intra-Kashmir conference.

REWALSAR LAKE

A Buddhist pilgrimage centre in Himachal Pradesh

 Kunga Chukie

According to tradition, Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) was incarnated as an eight-year-old child appearing in a lotus blossom floating in Lake Dhanakosha, in the kingdom of Oḍḍiyāna in ancient India and in modern times identified with the Swat Valley of South Asia present-day Pakistan. His special nature was recognized by the childless local king of Oḍḍiyāna and was chosen to take over the kingdom but he left Oḍḍiyāna for northern parts of India.

In Rewalsar (Himachal Pradesh), known as Tso Pema in Tibetan, Padmasambgava secretly taught tantric teachings to Mandarava who was the local king's daughter. When the king discovered this he tried to burn him but it is believed when the smoke cleared he was intact and in meditation. The king then offered Padmasambhava his kingdom and Mandarava. Padmasambhava left with Mandarava and later in Maratika cave in Nepal, after practising secret tantric rituals, Amitayus appeared and they both achieved immortal bodies in the form of the living rainbow body.

Since then, Rewalsar Lake has become a religious place for Buddhists. The Hindus too hold this lake sacred based on their own beliefs. Buddhist devotees from Tibet, Ladakh, Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh regularly visit Tso Pema throughout the year.

Rewalsar Lake is located at an elevation of 1360 m in the district of Mandi. It is 24 kms from the town of Mandi.

Editorial

DISTINCT IDENTITY

Centre’s Stand on Assembly Seat Issue

 The Centre’s stand on the seat reservation issue in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly is constitutional and just. The Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, himself a lawyer and once Sikkim in-charge of the Congress party, has said that 12 seats reserved for the indigenous Bhutias and Lepchas in the Assembly is based on the historic May 8, 1973 agreement. Khurshid’s  views on the seat issue is also based on the Supreme Court’s observations in the writ petition filed by Ram Chandra Poudyal, a Nepali politician who was against reservation of 12 seats for the Bhutia-Lepchas and one seat for the Sangha. Former Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Nandu Thapa has rightly applauded Khurshid for making the Centre’s position on Sikkim’s special status clear in the Parliament. Thapa was one of the prominent figures of the NB Bhandari-led Sikkim Parishad party in the 1970s which not only opposed the ‘merger’ but came to power after defeating pro-merger LD Kazi’s Sikkim Janata Congress in the first Assembly elections (in 1979) held after the ‘merger’.

     Khurshid has also rightly stated in the Lok Sabha on May 3, 2012 that any increase or decrease in Assembly seats in Sikkim would come after consulting all stakeholders on the issue. There ought to be a healthy debate and discussion in the Assembly and Parliament on the vexed issue of seat reservation in the Assembly. It is pertinent to note that while the Limbus and Tamangs, who were earlier placed in the OBC category, have demanded seat reservation in the Assembly on the basis of them being declared STs in the State, the demand for reservation of Assembly seats for ‘Sikkimese Nepalese’ has been given a quiet burial. After the unsuccessful bid to raise the seat reservation issue of Sikkimese Nepalese in the Assembly by Organisation of Sikkimese Unity (OSU) in 2000 no one has taken the matter seriously. The minority Bhutia-Lepcha leadership is unlikely to raise the Assembly seat issue of Sikkimese Nepalese as it is convinced that the political leadership of the majority community is not clear on the issue. We have ourselves to blame for dilution of our distinct identity; not the Centre.

Mamata happy with GJM’s decision to contest GTA polls

“Darjeeling is now smiling…peace, prosperity will bring new era”

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, July 3: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has welcomed the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s decision to contest elections to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

"Today is a very happy day for all of us, as my brothers and sisters of Darjeeling have decided to participate in the democratic process of elections next month," Banerjee said in her latest post on Facebook. "Truly Darjeeling is now smiling. Peace, development and Prosperity will bring new era in Darjeeling. On this happy occasion I congratulate all my brothers and sisters of Darjeeling," she said.

The GJM, which is unhappy that its demand for inclusion of Gorkha-dominated areas in the plains it wants added to the jurisdiction of the GTA has not been met, however, decided to take part in the elections on July 29 to the 45 seats in the hill council.

The party will contest the elections on its own. Altogether nine parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress, have so far decided to contest the polls. GJM president Bimal Gurung has not yet decided on whether to contest the GTA polls.

The Shyamal Sen committee has recommended inclusion of five mouzas or an area less than a sub-division in the plains for inclusion in the GTA's jurisdiction. The GJM had demanded inclusion of 396 mouzas.

Gurung together with a GJM delegation had chief minister at the state secretariat in Kolkata on June 28 after a meeting with Union Home minister P Chidamabaram in Delhi on the issue.

After backing Golay, Bhandari calls for opposition unity

Gangtok, July 3: Former Chief Minister and SPCC President Nar Bahadur Bhandari has back dissident ruling Sikkim Democratic Front leader PS Golay’s bid to take on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and expose alleged rampant corruption in the administration.

Bhandari, a three-time former chief minister of the State, has not only backed Golay but said the Assembly Speaker KT Gyaltsen’s decision to suspend Golay from the Assembly was a “conspiracy and pre-planned.” He said the decision was aimed at curbing the rebel leader’s efforts to expose Chamling in the House.

Significantly, Bhandari, who is likely to play a greater role in formation of a region party in the State, has reiterated his call for opposition unity. He said he has met a number of opposition leaders and others on formation of a united front against Chamling.

Meanwhile, Bhandari’s loaded pistol kept in his house at Church Road, has gone missing.

He has lodged a complaint to the local police.

"I had gone out of station for two days on personal work and when I returned on Sunday night I could not find my pistol," Bhandari said.

Sikkim’s merger was ‘conditional’ and based on May 8^th pact: Ex-MP Nandu Thapa

“Centre has acknowledged Sikkim’s distinct character”

  Gangtok, July 3: Former Sikkim Lok Sabha MP, Nandu Thapa, said Sikkim’s merger with India was ‘conditional’ and the historic Tripartite Agreement of May 8, 1973 paved way for the former kingdom’s absorption into the Indian Union.

Thapa has also pointed out that unlike the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, the former Chogyal (king) of Sikkim did not sign away his kingdom to its protecting power.

In a letter to the Union Law Minister, Salman Khurshid, recently, Thapa expressed his appreciation in the manner that the Union Minister has acknowledged the “correct constitutional position/status” and the “distinctive characteristic” of the State of Sikkim.

Thapa was referring to Khurshid’s statement in the Parliament on the 12 reserved seats of the Bhutia-Lepchas in the Sikkim Assembly.

In response to BJP MP BalKrishna K Shukla’s query on reservation of scheduled tribes seats in the Assembly, Khurshid had stated in the Lok Sabha on May 3, 2012: “…12 seats reserved in the Assembly for Bhutia-Lepcha is not as Scheduled Tribe but as sequel to political agreement in the year 1973 between Government of India, the ex-Chogyal of Sikkim and the political parties of Sikkim.”

Referring to possible Assembly seat reservation for Limboos and Tamangs, who have been given ST status in the State, Khurshid said, “Any possible reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, proportionate increase in Limboo, Tamang, Bhutia-Lepcha etc. will depend on data of population of Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim on the basis of 2011 Census…”

“Any increase / decrease in the present status could be considered only after wider debate from all the stake holders in the State of Sikkim,” Khurshid said.

Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid’s statement on reservation of Bhutia-Lepcha seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly in the Lok Sabha on May 3, 2012.

“12 seats in the Assembly are reserved for Bhutia-Lepchas, not for scheduled tribes”

               “As may be seen from the above composition, 12 seats are reserved for Bhutia – Lepcha not as Scheduled Tribe but as sequel to political agreement in the year 1973 between Government of India, ex-Chogyal of Sikkim and Political Parties of Sikkim. Apart from Bhutias and Lepchas, Limboo and Tamang were recognized as Scheduled Tribes vide the Constitution (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes) order (Amendment) Act, 2002 (32 of 2002).

b); Any possible reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, proportionate increase in Limboo, Tamang, Bhutia-Lepcha etc. will depend on data of population of Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim on the basis of 2011 Census, not only in terms of their number, but also dispersal patterns constituency-wise, based on such data, Sikkim Legislative Assembly may also need to pass a fresh resolution indicating number of seats that could be reserved for scheduled Tribes Communities, Bhutia – Lepchas communities, Limboo, Tamang communities etc. It is learnt form Office of the Registrar General of India that even though population enumeration exercise has been completed, it would require more then a year to get the individual Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes figures to be finalized and published. Hence, a decision regarding reservation of seats for scheduled tribes, Limboo-Tamang, Bhutia- Lepchas etc. will depend on individual population details of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes figures based on 2011 census which is still awaited. Any increase / decrease in the present status could be considered only after wider debate from all the Stake holders in the State of Sikkim.”

Sangma plays tribal card to garner support from northeast

P. Ghosh

Guwahati, July 3: Playing the tribal card, former Lok Sabha speaker and NDA presidential candidate PA Sangma on Saturday appealed to politicians in the mostly Congress-ruled northeastern states – a large share of who are tribals – to support his candidature "without any doubt or fear".

 "I belong to the northeast and I am a tribal candidate from the northeast. The presidential election is above party politics and no party can officially enforce any whip. So, I appeal to all the members of electoral colleges in all the states to vote for me without any doubt or fear," Sangma said while addressing a press conference at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport near Guwahati.

He said he would begin his campaign for the presidential polls from Tura on Sunday. Sangma, who arrived from New Delhi on Saturday, left for Tura straight from the airport after the press conference.

Sangma was also given a red carpet welcome by several organizations and people from Meghalaya and other states of the region at the airport.

He slammed media reports about apprehensions and calculations of votes over the presidential elections and said, "It's very unconstitutional to count the party-wise vote values regarding the presidential election. The election for the president's post is above party politics and that is why there is no party symbol used. The election is also conducted very confidentially through secret ballots."

The veteran politician, however, expressed his confidence about winning the presidential elections.

"I have contested parliamentary elections nine times and legislative assembly elections twice and I won all of them. I never lost elections in my life and I am going to win this presidential election too," he said.

"I am very happy to tell you that I have received lots of support from the northeastern states. I thank the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) of Assam, United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State Peoples' Democratic Party of Meghalaya, Mizo National Front (MNF) of Mizoram and many more parties who have decided to support me," he said.

Sangma said he banked on "vote by conscience" for his race to the top constitutional post of the country.

SIKKIM OBSERVER  June 30, 2012

Defiant Golay takes on Chamling, raises ‘black flag’ in Assembly

Protests suppression of democratic rights

Gangtok, June 29: Defiance has led to confrontation. And rebel leader PS Golay seems set to take on Chief Minister and SDF President Pawan Chamling.

The four-day budget session of the Assembly became a virtual battle field for the two men who hitherto have been engaged in shadow boxing.  For Golay it was a dramatic moment to start his race for the top job. For the first time since he took over as Chief Minister in 1994 Chamling faces a revolt within his party that has the potential to rock his boat.

The open confrontation was visible on the first day (Monday) of the Assembly session when Golay defiantly stayed put on his seat and refused to acknowledge Chamling’s presence while other members of the House got up when the Leader of the House re-entered the Assembly after seeing off the Governor, BP Singh.

The second day’s point-by-point attack on the budget, presented by Chamling, led to personal confrontation between the two on the third day of the session.

Golay raised a black ‘flag’ – a symbol of protest – in the Assembly on the fourth and final day of the session when he was forcefully taken out from the House by the marshals on Speaker KT Gyaltsen’s instructions for creating nuisance and disturbances.

The rebel leader attacked Chamling where it hurt him most – corruption, mismanagement and democracy. Golay claimed that he was removed from the House as he had documentary evidence to prove Chamling’s misdeeds.

He said the Speaker’s refusal to allow him to speak was proof enough that there was no freedom of speech and democracy in Sikkim.

The four-day’s high-pitched drama in the Assembly, which spilled into the streets of the capital, has given the rebel leader enough issues and ammunition to lead an anti-Chamling campaign in the State in the coming days and months to come.

THE SPEAKER’S DILEMMA

Gangtok, June 29: Many observers of this week’s drama in the Assembly hailed Speaker KT Gyaltsen for allowing dissident ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) leader PS Golay (Tamang) to speak on the second and third day of the budget session.

However, when the Speaker asked Golay to leave the House for creating nuisance and disturbances on the final day many vehemently criticized the Speaker’s decision to gag free speech in the Assembly.

The local press, too, strongly criticized the Speaker’s decision  not to allow them to re-enter the House after Golay’s removal. It also slammed the Speaker for speaking against press coverage of the Assembly in the House.

Reacting to this, three-time chief minister and State Congress President NB Bhandari alleged that there was a ‘conspiracy’ to evict Golay from the House as he was openly taking on Chamling and exposing him and his party’s anti-Sikkimese activities.

Ironically, by first allowing him to speak freely in the Assembly and then finally marshalling him out the dissident legislator suddenly and dramatically emerged as the only opposition leader who seemed ready and eager to take on Chamling head-on and thus satisfy a vast majority of the people who have been patiently waiting for someone to take a bold stand against Chamling, who till this week seemed most invincible.

PRESS IN PROTEST MODE

Gangtok, June 29: Local journalists were up in arms on Thursday when they were refused re-entry into the Assembly after they left the House to get PS Golay’s reaction after the rebel leader was literally thrown out of the House for allegedly creating disturbances during Assembly proceedings.

The Press was also angered by the manner in which the Speaker, KT Gyaltsen, Leader of the House Pawan Chamling and other legislators lambasted members of the Fourth Estate for their alleged incorrect and ‘misleading’ reporting of the Assembly proceedings, which apparently went in Golay’s favour.

More than three dozen journalists hurriedly met here on Thursday and condemned these developments and registered their protest. They alleged that their right to report was being suppressed.

“Breach of security” was the reason given for disallowing the local media’s re-entry into the Assembly.

The legislators want appropriate action taken against newspapers which had not given a correct coverage of Assembly proceedings.

Bhandari backs Golay, calls for opposition unity

Gangtok, June 29: Former Chief Minister and State Congress President Nar Bahadur Bhandari has reiterated his call for opposition unity to take on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

When his former colleague and former Lok Sabha MP Pahalman Subba asked him what his next political move is in the light of PS Golay’s open challenge to Pawan Chamling, Bhandari reminded him that he had recently given a call for all opposition leaders to come together on a single platform to face the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, which is enjoying its fourth consecutive term.

Reacting to the Assembly drama, Bhandari not only termed “unfortunate” PS Golay’s unceremonious exit from the Assembly on the last day of the budget session but alleged that there was a “conspiracy” to ensure that he was not heard in the Assembly. The whole episode was “pre-planned”, he said.

Referring to his call for opposition unity, Bhandari said he was in touch with like-minded opposition leaders and others on the issue and was hopeful of a positive response from the people to his proposal.

Even veteran politician RC Poudyal recently said his support to Golay was “conditional”. The former minister said, “I will support him if he proves that he is capable of leading a united front to dislodge Chamling.”

Asked to comment on the Assembly episode, Subba, once one of Chamling’s key advisors, said this week’s developments in the Assembly are an indication that things are falling apart for the SDF chief.

Thrice betrayed, Sikkimese have no high hopes on next chief minister

WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR

Jigme N Kazi

When asked whether former minister and dissident ruling Sikkim Democratic Front leader PS Golay would bring the much-needed change in Sikkim, once a staunch supporter of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front said, “We are not concerned with what happens next. He (Chamling) has let us down; we just want to throw him out.”

Such reactions are a reflection of the anger and disappointment of many Sikkimese over what has happened to Sikkim in the past four decades. Arguably, most bonafide Sikkimese have a very grim view of Sikkim’s future. “The Sikkimese have been divided over casteist and communal lines and Sikkim has been thoroughly destroyed with the implementation of numerous hydel projects,” said a former chief engineer. “There is no future for Sikkim’s future generations,” he added.

Lhendup Dorji Kazi, Sikkim’s first chief minister’s promises of ushering in ‘democracy’ and ‘janta raj’ in the early 1970s seems hollow given the fact that after him two men – NB Bhandari and Pawan Kumar Chamling –  ruled the former kingdom for nearly three and half decades (1979-2012) at a stretch.

For many Sikkimese, including the majority Sikkimese Nepalese, Kazi’s definition of ‘democracy’ meant greater political power and economic rights for Sikkimese Nepalese but within Sikkim and not as part of India.
Bhandari’s Sikkim (Janta) Parishad was formed to redress the grievances of a people betrayed by its own (Kazi) government (1974-1979). The Parishad promised ‘de-merger’. “Desh Farkaow” (return Sikkim) was its political slogan.

However, as soon as it came to power on Oct 18, 1979 the Parishad government openly declared that ‘merger was a fait-accompli’. The demand on political rights of the Sikkimese Nepalese through restoration of Assembly seat reservation, which was lost in 1979, raised when Bhandari returned to power in March 1985, was gradually buried when Bhandari projected himself as the undisputed leader of the one crore Indian Nepalese.

Bhandari’s dictatorial tendencies and rampant corruption in the administration paved way for his own downfall in May 1994 when dissident legislators of his ruling Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP – merged to Congress in 2003) toppled his government.

Waiting in the wings for an opportune moment was dissident SSP leader Pawan Chamling, who in early 1993 formed his own political outfit (Sikkim Democratic Front), took on Bhandari, and came to power in December 1994. With the OBCs and tribals as his political base, Chamling’s main issues against Bhandari were restoration of freedom and democracy and eradication of corruption in high places. Ironically, Chamling’s critics and political rivals are raising the same issues against him and people are believing them.

Corruption has reached its peak, one-man-rule has not changed much and local Sikkimese’ future survival in the land of their origin have been threatened as never before.

Having fought and lost the battle for distinct identity of Sikkim and Sikkimese within India, I, a few years back during a seminar in Gangtok, said, “I have (painfully and gracefully) accepted the death of my dreams.” I still stand by this statement and I’m sure many Sikkimese feel the same way.

Having been betrayed three times in the past four decades the Sikkimese people are now thoroughly disillusioned with their political leadership. They now do not trust, rely or hope on anyone. They have no more illusions and, therefore, cannot be disillusioned.

As such, the job of the next chief minister – even if it is Chamling – is that much easier.

Editorial

TRIBAL UNITY

A Movement Has Begun

Former Speaker PA Sangma has rightly claimed that his very participation in the presidential polls is a victory for ‘tribal unity’. In India’s caste/class conscious society the forward caste – read as Brahmins – though in the minority has always taken high positions in almost every field for a long, long time. This time, however, the tribals, the subcontinent’s indigenous people, have come together and supported Sangma for the top post. It is the ‘Tribal Forum of India’ which has sponsored Sangma’s candidature. The very act of participating in the democratic process is a step in the right direction and will surely create a general awareness of the plight and prospects of the tribals and other backward communities throughout the country.

It was the Indian National Congress that gave birth and growth to Sangma’s political career. He is now no more in the Congress party but still remains a staunch nationalist, a rare phenomenon among tribal leaders in India’s much-neglected Northeast region. Sangma is justifiably hurt that though the tribals had always remained loyal to the Congress party it did not come out in support of the cause of the tribals in the presidential polls. “They (Congress leaders) will know the effect of this action,” Sangma rightly threatened.

With the BJP supporting Sangma’s candidature the party is likely to substantially improve its support base in the Northeast, including Sikkim. If Mamata Banerjee’s TMC gives Sangma the much-needed support East and Northeast India could become a solid bastion for a BJP-‘third front’ coalition government after the next general elections due in early 2014. Already, Chief Minister Navin Patnaik’s Biju Janta Dal (BJD) and Chief Minister Jayalalitha’s AIDMK are on Sangma’s side and the tribal leader is now wooing Jaganmohan Reddy’s YSR Congress party, which is taking on the Congress party and with greater degree of success in Andhra Pradesh.

The Arunachal Pradesh’s BJP has already given a call to all Northeast tribal MLAs and MPs to back Sangma. The former Speaker has already appealed to all for a ‘conscience vote.’ It should evoke the right response from tribal leaders and their elected representatives in the Parliament and State legislative assemblies. The call for ‘tribal unity’ is, therefore, loud and clear. Golay and other tribal legislators in Sikkim Assembly,  are you listening?

Sikkim’s merger with India was ‘conditional’: Ex-MP Nandu Thapa

“Chogyal did not sign away his kingdom”

  Gangtok, June 29: Former Sikkim Lok Sabha MP, Nandu Thapa, said Sikkim’s merger with India was ‘conditional’ and the historic Tripartite Agreement of May 8, 1973 paved way for the former kingdom’s absorption into the Indian Union.

Thapa has also pointed out that unlike the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, the former Chogyal (king) of Sikkim did not sign away his kingdom to its protecting power.

In a letter to the Union Law Minister, Salman Khurshid, recently, Thapa expressed his appreciation in the manner that the Union Minister has acknowledged the “correct constitutional position/status” and the “distinctive characteristic” of the State of Sikkim.

Thapa was referring to Khurshid’s statement in the Parliament on the 12 reserved seats of the Bhutia-Lepchas in the Sikkim Assembly.

In response to BJP MP BalKrishna k Shukla’s query on reservation of scheduled tribes seats in the Assembly, Khurshid had stated in the Lok Sabha on May 3, 2012: “…12 seats reserved in the Assembly for Bhutia-Lepcha is not as Scheduled Tribe but as sequel to political agreement in the year 1973 between Government of India, the ex-Chogyal of Sikkim and the political parties of Sikkim.”

The former MP pointed out that the State’s ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Sikkimese Nepalese – were ‘subjects’ of the Chogyal and their distinct identity and “rights and interests’ were safeguarded under Article 371F of the Constitution, which was inserted into the Constitution during the merger in 1975.

“The Historic Tripartite Agreement of 8^th May 1973 in this regard cannot be overemphasized nor undermined at all as it being the conditionality of the merger,” Thapa said in the letter and added, “In other words the merger of Sikkim is conditional.”

“Unlike Jammu & Kashmir there was no instrument of accession signed by the ruler, the Chogyal. It is a historical fact,” Thapa said in the letter and added, “I write this to appreciate your upright and honest statement based on the historical perspective and facts.”

                            DOCUMENT

                                LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4590

TO BE ANSWERED ON THURSDAY, THE 3^RD MAY, 2012

Reservation of Seats for ST in Assembly in Sikkim

4590. SHRI BALKRISHNA K. SHUKLA:

Will the minister of law and justice be pleased to state:

a)      whether the Government is aware that Sikkim legislative Assembly does

      not have a single seat reserve for Scheduled Tribes: and

b)      if so, the action taken by the Government to preserve and protect the

      Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim Legislative Assembly?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI SALMAN KHURSID)

a): The present composition of the seats in Sikkim legislative assembly is as

    under:-

(i) General-17

(ii) Bhutia –Lepcha -12

(iii) Scheduled Caste -2

(iv) Sangha -1

As may be seen from the above composition, 12 seats are reserved for Bhutia – Lepcha not as Scheduled Tribe but as sequel to political agreement in the year 1973 between Government of India, ex-Chogyal of Sikkim and Political Parties of Sikkim. Apart from Bhutias and Lepchas, Limboo and Tamang were recognized as Scheduled Tribes vide the Constitution (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes) order (Amendment) Act, 2002 (32 of 2002).

b); Any possible reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, proportionate increase in Limboo, Tamang, Bhutia-Lepcha etc. will depend on data of population of Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim on the basis of 2011 Census, not only in terms of their number, but also dispersal patterns constituency-wise, based on such data, Sikkim Legislative Assembly may also need to pass a fresh resolution indicating number of seats that could be reserved for scheduled Tribes Communities, Bhutia – Lepchas communities, Limboo, Tamang communities etc. It is learnt form Office of the Registrar General of India that even though population enumeration exercise has been completed, it would require more then a year to get the individual Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes figures to be finalized and published. Hence, a decision regarding reservation of seats for scheduled tribes, Limboo-Tamang, Bhutia- Lepchas etc. will depend on individual population details of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes figures based on 2011 census which is still awaited. Any increase / decrease in the present status could be considered only after wider debate from all the Stake holders in the State of Sikkim.

Duk Nath Nepal, uncle robbed in New Delhi

Gangtok, June 29: Sikkim Liberation Party President Duk Nath Nepal and his uncle were robbed of their cash and other belongings at knife point allegedly by a group of miscreants in a white Toyota Innova car near Delhi Secretariat late on Wednesday.

Police said the incident was reported to the police control room around midnight. The victims were travelling in an auto rickshaw.

Nepal, also the editor of Gangtok-based Shangrila Times (daily Nepali) and critic of the establishment, and his uncle Madhusudan had arrived in the city to attend a seminar. The two, a senior police officer said, were headed towards Paharganj from Anand Vihar interstate bus terminal in an auto rickshaw when they were intercepted by the assailants, The Hindustan Times reported.

"The miscreants intercepted the auto rickshaw and two of the accused overpowered the auto rickshaw driver. Three others robbed the victims of their laptop, mobile phones and Rs. 14,500 in cash after pointing knives at them. After robbing the victims, the assailants fled in their Innova car," said the senior police officer. A case was registered at the IP Estate police station.

The complainants said there were five men in the car who were aged between 20-30 years.

"We have got definite clues about the accused and are hopeful of arresting them soon," said an investigating officer.

The incident, which took place barely 300 metres from the Delhi Police headquarters where two PCR vehicles are deployed round the clock, has raised serious questions on security in the capital.

GJM meet on Saturday on GTA polls

Darjeeling, June 29: While the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leadership will announce on Saturday its stand on the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) elections slated for July 29, there were heated discussions here on Thursday between party president Bimal Gurung and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the outstanding issues relating to the territorial jurisdiction of the proposed new body.

“We have been discussing the territory issue (with the State Government) for long. So it is natural there will be a few heated exchanges on the matter,” Gurung told journalists at the State Secretariat after a meeting between a five-member GJM delegation led by him and Banerjee, which he otherwise described as “good”, Indian Express reported.

“Our anger is justified. There has been so much delay in determining our territory. Moreover, we are not satisfied with the Justice Shyamal Sen Committee report. We have informed the CM about out issues. She has directed us to submit all documents and our issues in writing to the committee that was formed to verify the facts presented in the Justice Sen Committee report. We have faith in the fact verification committee and we will submit all our documents to them,” Gurung said.

On the GJM participating in the upcoming GTA polls, he said though a decision would be taken at a core committee meeting of the party in Darjeeling on June 30, it would win in all the 45 constituencies where elections will be held, were the GJM to contest.

“If we don’t win in 45 out of the 45 constituencies, I will leave politics,” Gurung said, throwing ample hints that the GJM is considering participating in the elections despite its differences with the Government on the question of inclusion of Gorkha-dominated mouzas in the Terai and Dooars within the ambit of the GTA.

The GJM’s opposition to the recommendation of the committee headed by Justice (Retired) Shyamal Sen, that five mouzas in the Terai and the Dooars be transferred to the GTA — as against the party’s demand for 396 — was reasserted at the meeting with Banerjee. “We gave our views on the matter, and were asked by Madam (Ms. Banerjee) to submit our complaints and reports to the fact-verification committee (set up to look into the factual aspects of the report of the panel headed by Justice Sen),” Gurung said. The GJM has faith in the fact-verification committee, and is ready to wait for its findings,” he added.

On the presidential election, Gurung confirmed that the GJM would back the decision of the West Bengal government. “We will support Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision regarding the presidential polls. Whatever she will decide, we will be with her,” Gurung said.

Bridge collapses on Yangang-Makha route

Yangang, June 29: Last week, a massive boulder slip occurred along Yangang-Makha road in South Sikkim, which probably had been shaken loose by the September 18, 2011 earthquake.

The Bhaley Khola steel bridge located below was completely damaged by the boulder slip. The left side portion of the bridge has been dislodged from the abutment. The impact on the bridge has been so huge that the whole structure of the bridge has been twisted; traffic on both sides has come to a standstill, IPR release said.

Keeping in view the urgency of the matter, Addl. Chief Engineer(S/W) accompanied by Superintending Engineer (South) and other field engineers visited the site the very next day i.e. on  June 21 and took stock of the situation.

 The road connects far flung areas such as Lingipayong, Makha, Lingmoo, Tokdey, Mangzing to Yangang where  Block Administrative Centres are located. Construction of temporary foot suspension has already been started and will be completed in within next fifteen days. The steel bridge will take at least four months to complete, the release said.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      June 27, 2012

Sangma blames Pranab for price rise, corruption

Amritsar/New Delhi, June 26: A day after inviting rival Pranab Mukherjee for a debate, BJP-backed Presidential candidate PA Sangma took him on directly, blaming him for the slowdown of the economy.

Formally beginning his campaign from Amritsar on Sunday, Sangma spoke to Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, the Hindustan Times reported.

"The country today faces devaluation of money, price rise and issues like corruption, and the finance minister is individually responsible for this," Sangma told reporters after the visit to the Golden Temple.

All this will definitely have an impact during the Presidential elections, where members of the electoral college cast a conscience vote and there is no whip, the former NCP leader added.

In the face of solid support for Congress candidate Mukherjee even from NDA allies like Shiv Sena and the JD(U), Sangma is banking on the conscience vote and a "miracle".

Though BJP ally and the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab has offered him support, Sena leader Sanjay Raut said on Sunday party chief Bal Thackeray would not meet Sangma.

China, Bhutan to establish formal ties, resolve border issue

Beijing, June 26: China and the remote Himalayan nation of Bhutan have agreed to establish diplomatic relations and resolve a long-standing border dispute, China's foreign ministry said.

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao held talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Jigmi Y. Thinley on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio De Janeiro on Thursday, the ministry said in a statement, AFP reported.

"China is willing... to establish formal relations with Bhutan, resolve the border issue between the two nations at an early date, strengthen exchanges in all areas and advance Sino-Bhutanese relations to a new stage," Wen said.

China appreciated Bhutan's support for the "one China policy" which maintains that Taiwan and Tibet fall under China's sovereignty, Wen said.

Thinley said his talks with Wen carried historic significance as it marked the first meeting between the heads of the two governments, the statement, posted on the ministry website, said.

"Bhutan resolutely pursues the one China policy and has the strong desire to strengthen understanding and friendship with China," it quoted Thinley as saying.

"(Bhutan) is willing to establish formal diplomatic relations with China at an early date."

Bhutan, a strong ally of India, has refrained from establishing relations with China and watched with concern as Beijing took over control of Tibet in the 1950s.

Despite a lack of formal ties, China and Bhutan have engaged in several rounds of talks to resolve the ongoing dispute along the about 470 kilometres (290 miles) of shared border.

In 1998, the two sides signed an agreement to maintain peace in the border area.              

Rebel leader Golay enters Assembly, goes on offensive mode

Gangtok, June 26: Dissident ruling Sikkim Democratic Front MLA PS Golay has finally lived up to the people’s expectation as a rebel leader. He gave a virtual thumbs down to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling by refusing to stand up (while rest of the SDF legislators stood up) when he re-entered the Assembly after seeing off the Governor, BP Singh, on the first day of the budget session here on Monday.

The rebel leader’s reappearance in the Assembly on the second day of the session, when the budget was presented by the Chief Minister, has further boosted the morale of his supporters who were visibly present everywhere in the capital. This prompted the authorities to tighten security measures in the capital to ensure that things don’t go out of control.

Speaking in the Assembly on the second day, Golay, who was in a combative mood, attacked the Chamling Government on many fronts, including the alleged Rs. 20,000 hydel power scam in North Sikkim.

An observer said, “Golay sat on the same chair that Chamling sat in the Assembly when he was the lone dissident MLA in the Bhandari government.” Besides the oath-taking ceremony which he attended after winning the Assembly polls in 2009 this is the first time that Golay attended the Assembly session.

The three-time minister in the Chamling cabinet is expected to float his own political outfit soon to prepare for the Assembly polls in early 2014, according to sources close to Golay.

Editorial

TRIBAL CARD

Sangma’s ‘Conscience Vote’ Appeal

He may finally lose the presidential polls if the MPs and MLAs fail to respond positively to his call for ‘conscience vote’. But by choosing to participate in the presidential polls former Speaker Purno A. Sangma has proved that he cannot be ignored given the fact that his main appeal is on the sub-continent’s backward communities, including his own tribal clan. By declining Sangma’s challenge for an open debate ahead of the presidential polls Pranab Mukherjee has been able to shy away from the public domain on matters such as economic slowdown, price rise and rampant corruption in governance. The tribal leader is right when he says democracy demands debate and in a democracy people have the right to choose and demand accountability.

Sangma’s utterances such as "The election will be by a secret ballot. Secret ballot means conscience vote. I depend on conscience vote and I believe in conscience vote" will surely provoke many citizens and their elected representatives who are faced with a dilemma on what their conscience says and the diktat of their political parties. Playing the tribal card, Sangma said that he wanted to correct the historic mistakes the country has committed as "tribals have not been given their due...I appeal to the conscience of the nation. We have given our land, our forest, our natural resources...please recognize us."

When at least 60 percent (5% STs, 15% SCs and 40% OBCs) of the electoral college in the ensuing presidential polls belong to the backward section of the population Sangma’s hopes are not misplaced. Even if he loses he would have surely set the agenda for the next general elections in the country.

Nepal's new Maoist party targets India

India interfering in Nepal’s political affairs: Baidya

Kathmandu, June 26: A day after its formation, the breakaway faction of Nepal’s ruling Maoist party launched an attack on India on Tuesday.

Communist Party of Nepal, Maoist, which parted ways from Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on Monday, blamed the southern neighbour for several problems plaguing Nepal.

"India has been encroaching Nepal’s territory and interfering in our economic, social and political affairs," CPN, (M) Chairman Mohan Baidya told a press conference at Kathmandu while formally announcing formation of the new party, the Hindustan Times reported.

He also accused India of controlling political parties in Nepal and installing and removing "puppet governments" at will.

Baidya said that the new party would strive towards scrapping of old agreements with India like Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and signing of new treaties on equal terms.

"If India doesn’t stop its interference, our energies will be targeted against it to protect our national unity and sovereignty," he stressed.

Baidya accused UCPN (M) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai of having "special relations" with India.

Terming formation of the new party as a new episode in the country’s communist movement, he informed continuance of the unfinished tasks of the “peoples’ revolution” in a non-violent manner as its aim.

Baidya and several members of his faction who were in Indian jails when the Dahal-Bhattarai combine signed the peace deal on New Delhi’s guidance had been at loggerheads with the party’s establishment faction for digressing from "peoples’ revolution".

The new party would concentrate on formation of a third political front comprising nationalist and leftist forces to oppose to the ruling Maoist-Madhesi coalition and the opposition combine of Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist).

Reviving historic links, Pak for move people-to-people contacts with Bhutan

Islamabad, June 26: A 12-member delegation of Buddhist Monks from Bhutan, who are on a week-long visit to Pakistan, on Wednesday called on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan.

The delegation was led by Lopen Kunzang Wangdi, Chief Monk of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan. Dasho Bap Kesang Ambassador of Bhutan to Pakistan, resident in Dhaka, and his spouse were also part of the delegation. Minister of State expressed his satisfaction over the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bhutan and highlighted the historical links that date back centuries.  He recalled the meeting between Prime Minister Gilani with Jigmi Y Thinley, Prime Minister of Bhutan when the latter visited Islamabad in March 2011.

The Minister emphasized the need to further deepen people-to-people contacts, adding that to promote interfaith harmony, such visit would be welcomed by Pakistan in the future as well.

To mark the occasion, the minister presented a replica of “Fasting Buddha” to the visitors.

The delegation will be visiting different sites of spiritual and religious significance for Buddhism in Mardan and Swat. The delegation will also visit Taxila and Lahore museums, home to historical origins of Buddhism.

Wangdi thanked the Government of Pakistan for the hospitality extended to the delegation and praised the warmth they received from the people of Pakistan.

He expressed his admiration for Pakistan to have preserved the historical Buddhist sites and for promoting visit of this nature from abroad.

Fire engulfs Bhutan’s historic dzong

Thimphu, Jaune 26: The fire that broke out at the entrance of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong on Sunday afternoon has completely destroyed the historic 17^th century dzong even as fire crews tried their best to douse the fire.

His Manesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyal along with his father His Majesty the 4^th Druk Gyalpo and Bhutan Government officials arrived at the dzong in central Bhutan to witness the tragic event.

Sources said as the dzong was under renovation important historic and religious relics have been saved as they were kept away.

Panun Kashmir seeks separate homeland for JK Pandits

Jammu, June 26: Panun Kashmir last week sought establishment of a separate homeland with full and free flow of Indian constitution in the Kashmir Valley.

"The geo-political aspirations of the seven lakh Kashmiri Pandits can only be addressed with the establishment of a separate Homeland with full and free flow of Indian constitution in Kashmir valley", President Panun Kashmir Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo said today.

The organisation held a conference at Jammu to review the recently announced rehabilitation measures for the displaced community and the Goa conclave, PTI reported.

Referring to the resolution passed at the Goa conclave recently, he said the government of India should take strong measures for the reversal of genocide and ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir.

It also demanded the abrogation of Article 370 and also demanded that the Kashmiri Pandits be provided all facilities till they are settled in their homeland.

The resolution also demanded that the refugees of 1947 who continue to live in the Jammu and Kashmir state be given full citizenship rights under the constitution of India, Chrungoo said.

Political parties not serious in fighting corruption: Kejriwal

Shimla, June 26: Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday alleged that none of the political parties were serious to combat corruption.

Kejriwal, who arrived with Manish Sisodia here to attend an anti-corruption rally, said the country's main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not serious in its fight against corruption.

"The BJP is indulging in politics. If they are so serious then why do they not create an effective law for the creation of the office of Lokayukta in Himachal to combat corruption? Why are they not creating an effective anti-graft law wherever they are in power? They are only playing politics. All the parties are playing politics," he said, ANI reported.

Kejriwal added that the demonstrations undertaken by the BJP were "drama."

"Whom should the people of Himachal Pradesh go to? A third alternative has to emerge from among the people because the politics that is being played by both the BJP and Congress is having an adverse impact on the country. Neither BJP nor the Congress wants to fight against corruption. All these rallies and demonstrations are only drama," he said.

The Right to Information (RTI) activist urged the people of Himachal Pradesh to participate in their campaign against corruption.

"We will once again fast from July 25 at Jantar Mantar. When there will be fast at Jantar Mantar, then all the people from the villages of Himachal Pradesh will have to come out and support us," Kejriwal said.

Historic Dastageer Sahib shrine in Srinagar gutted

Srinagar, June 26:  Tension gripped this Jammu and Kashmir summer capital on Monday following a blaze that gutted the revered Peer Dastageer Sahib shrine.

The historic Dastageer Sahib shrine in old Srinagar was gutted in a big blaze early Monday morning.

As per latest reports the fire has now spread to some adjoining homes as well even though fire tenders were battling to control the blaze.

The two-century-old shrine located in the Khanyar locality of Srinagar was an epitome of Kashmir architecture laden with ornate Khatamband ceilings and elaborate carvings with grand chandeliers adorning the main prayer hall, IANS reported.

The shrine contained holy relics of the revered Muslim saint of Bhagdad, Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani. The shrine also housed the relics of other Muslim saints

The shrine is thronged by thousands of people from across the Valley on the annual Urs every year to observe the birth anniversary of the 11th century patron saint, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani.

Not only Muslims, the shrine has been an object of reverence for Kashmiri Pandits also.

The blaze in the second most revered shrine in Kashmir after Hazratbal is stated to have engulfed the adjacent new structures as well which included a mosque and the under construction additional extensional structure.

The blaze has sent shockwaves across Kashmir Valley and people were seen crying at the scene. Police had a tough time in controlling the mob.

GJM divided on GTA polls, Gurung to meet Chidambaram on Tuesday

Darjeeling, June 26:  The meeting of the central committee of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), convened at Darjeeling today to decide whether the party should take part in the elections for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), ended in a stalemate.

The party is vertically divided, admitted Harka Bahadur Chhetri, MLA and spokesman for the GJM. “The meeting ended in a stalemate. There is a sharp difference of opinion,” Chhetri said.

The party now seems to have lobbed the ball in the Centre’s court as a five-member delegation of the Morcha led by president Bimal Gurung will leave for Delhi this week to meet Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. On their way back, they will meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata, the Indian Express reported.

While one section of the Morcha expressed its desire to go ahead with the agitation following rejection of the Justice Shyamal Sen Committee report that allotted only five mouzas of Terai and Dooars to GTA, another section firmly rooted for election, saying development of the region came first. This section does not want the hills to be rocked by turbulence again.

Another issue that remains unresolved is whether the four GJM MLAs would attend the Assembly session. “We have been instructed not attend the session,” Chhetri added.

The GJM delegation,which has expressed disappointment over recommendations of a panel report over inclusion of new areas in the proposed hill council, will meet Chidambaram in Delhi on Tuesday.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said the delegation may also meet Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee the same day.

"We will take up with the Home Minister the Justice (Retd) Shyamal Sen Committee report", Giri told PTI.

Swine fever outbreak in West Sikkim

Gangtok, June 26: With three blood samples having tested positive at Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL) authorities yesterday confirmed ‘swine fever’ outbreak as the cause of high mortality among pigs in Rinchenpong, West Sikkim.

Joint Director, Animal Husbandry department [West], Dr D S Tewari, said in a statement that results of three blood samples sent to RDDL, Khanapara, Assam, confirmed that it is swine fever and the department embarked on a vaccination drive in Rinchenpong constituency, PTI reported.

In the first phase, villages in the constituency have been identified and divided into different segments for the purpose of vaccination. The Upper Hathi Dhunga, Zeel and Lower Hathi Dhunga/12 Mile have been categorised as the 'Infected Zone' while Lower and Upper Sangadorjee and Lower Zeel and Tapel have been identified as 'Hazardous Zone'. Lower Takuthang, Bompool Reshi Bazaar and Chunbhatti fall under areas, beyond 100 meters of focal area of infection, where vaccination in going on.

Initially, the sick animal shows symptoms of hyperthermia followed by lachrymal discharge, staggering gaits, diarrohea finally leading to death. Besides, the department’s para-veterinarian has also covered nearly 200 pig spots where disinfection and fumigation was conducted. The District Collector, West has directed BDO, B A C Kaluk to impose temporary ban on the sale of piglets/pigs in all the nearby markets, the statement said.

 A team of veterinarian from the headquarters will also be visiting the infected area on June 24, the statement said urging vets at Melli, Rangpo, Rambang and Reshi check posts along the West Bengal border to ensure prohibit entry of piglets for at least two more months. PTI COR SUS SUS

Gorkha Manch formed, to create greater awareness of ‘Indian Gorkha’ identity

Siliguri, June 26: Conscious Gorkhas in the north eastern region of the country on Sunday launched the Gorkha Bharati Vichar Manch to preserve and promote the distinct identity of Indian Gorkhas.

Leading the movement towards greater awareness of ‘Indian Gorkhas’ is the former Working President of Bharati Gorkha Parisangh CK Shrestha, whose book The National Identity Crisis of the Indian Gorkhas and the Concept of Bharati Gorkha Manch, was released during the launch of the new organization in Siliguri.

Representatives from Sikkim, North Bengal and the Northeast were present during the function.

The convener for the function was Krishna Bhujel from Guwahati and Dr. BR Chettri, an eminent educationist from Kalimpong, was present as the Guest of Honour, a release of the organization said. 

Manch leaders feel the need to create greater awareness of the “identity issue” of Indian Gorkhas, whose identity has been “misinterpreted and misrepresented,” the release said.

“The Vichar Manch is of the opinion that the Indian national history has to be” re-written in the “correct perspective so that minority communities like Gorkhas do not get sidelined and marginalized from the country’s mainstream,” the release said.

Due to “the incorrect interpretation of history that communities like the Gorkhas are faced with the dilemma of always having to prove their national identity,” the release added.

INTERVIEW PA Sangma

God and time are on my side: Sangma

Former Speaker and BJP-backed Presidential nominee PA Sangma has said that he believes that although he may not have the numbers as yet, God is with him and that he will win the election by a miracle.

In a candid interview to CNNIBN’s Devil's Advocate, Karan Thapar, the leader from the North-East said that his desire to be a part of the Presidential race stemmed from his desire to assert his rights as a citizen of India and as a tribal. Excerpts of the interview.

Karan Thapar: Hello and welcome to Devil’s Advocate. Given that he has little chance of winning, why is Purno Sangma determined to contest the presidential elections? That’s the key question I shall ask Purno Sangma himself. Mr Sangma I have spoken to many people and practically all of them, including many of your sponsors, say that you have very little chance of winning. Then, why are you contesting the presidential elections?

PA Sangma: On what basis people come to a conclusion that there is a little chance?

Thapar: Can I answer that?

Sangma: Yes.

Thapar: Even today, more than 60 per cent have decided to support Pranab Mukherjee. In those circumstances if you stand, you would have lost even before the first vote is counted. Sangma: Well, voting is not going to be on the floor of Lok Sabha where three-line whip applies, where Article 56 applies. Here Article 55 of the Constitution of India applies, which says the election shall be by secret ballot. So, how have you started counting votes when it is going to be a secret ballot?

 Thapar: Mr Sangma you are assuming that people are going to vote, not one or two or three people, differently to the way party suggests, but in a massive way people are going to defect from their party’s position, it’s impossible and you know it. You can’t get the size of conscious vote you need to overturn a 62 per cent majority in Pranab Mukherjee’s favour?

 Sangma: It has happened. Look at a history. In 1969 it had happened, why can’t it happen now?

 Thapar: Those were very different circumstances where the prime minister of the day, was secretly if not publicly, revolting against her party. Nothing of the sort is happening this time, there is no comparison with ’69.

 Sangma: Mr Karan election is a different game. I have never lost an election, I have won nine times the Lok Sabha election, two times the Assembly elections. So, I know what election means.

 Thapar: But there is always a first time to lose and I am putting to you that even Mamata Banerjee, who is adamant about not supporting Pranab, is not even prepared to meet you. That’s the extent of the problem that she won’t even meet you.

 Sangma: How do you know that?

Thapar: It’s all over the front page of The Hindustan Times.

 Sangma: Hindustan Times, they didn’t say they have talked to Mamata Banerjee. It is just a guess, just a speculation. I have requested for time and I am waiting for a reply.

Thapar: But you still haven’t got the time.

 Sangma: I will, you can’t say now. There is still time. The last date for filing the nomination is 30th and the voting is on the 19th of the next month, so it is almost one month away.

 Thapar: Her party is making it perfectly clear that they will prefer to abstain but they won’t vote for you.

 Sangma: Things will change everyday, you just watch…Day before yesterday, all the news channels were showing that PA Sangma has only six per cent votes, right? But day before yesterday when the BJP started announcing their backing and some of their allies started talking about it, suddenly from six per cent it has gone up to 28-30 per cent.

 Thapar: Mr Sangma let me put it to you, people are fond of you, they indulge you, but they are laughing at the fact that you believe that you can win. Nobody believes it, but you.

 Sangma: Yes, many people laugh at my height also. I don’t mind, if people laugh at it.

 Thapar: Are you a little worried that by standing in the face of such odds and they are incredible odds, you might make yourself a laughing stock?

 Sangma: Not at all, not at all. Mr Thapar you will just see how things move, politics move very fast. What happened day before yesterday, a designated Prime Minister of Pakistan had to suddenly drop and some unexpected man took over. You know this is politics and in politics anything can happen.

 Thapar: Mr Sangma, miracles and the unprecedented don’t happen everyday. You are really depending on a miracle, that’s the truth. Isn’t it?

 Sangma: Yes. Miracles do happen in this world. It happens, I believe in miracles. You are very right. I don’t know how you read me so correctly.

Thapar: All right, let’s then leave that to god, it’s not long before we’ll see whether miracles happen or not. Let’s now look at the contradictions in your position.

 Sangma: Somebody came day before yesterday and they told me, sir be careful the corporate body in this country is with Mr Pranab Mukherjee…So, I told him all right. You know the corporate sector may be with somebody but can you tell whose side god is. He became nervous. That is what matters most.

Thapar: You’re saying god is with Purno Sangma?

PA Sangma: Yes… I am standing for principles, I am standing for democracy, I am standing for the welfare of poor people. I am very clear in my conscience.

Thapar: You are being big hearted. So let me come to a third problem. How confident are you that your sponsors aren’t using you. To begin with, Naveen Patnaik who does not need PA Sangma, but who needs his support to reach out to the 25 per cent of Odisha which is tribal and whose support he badly needs. You are a tool for his strategy.

 Sangma: Not at all. The fact that he is giving importance to the tribals.. we are grateful to him.

Thapar: He is using you.

Sangma: Not at all.

Thapar: He is exploiting you.

Sangma: Not at all. Nobody can exploit me. I have stood for principle everywhere. Even if you look at my past, I don’t go for posts, I don’t go for chairs.

 Thapar: Mr Sangma, even if you look at the BJP, who you said a moment ago had increased their support for you to 26-28 per cent, are using you… as a stepping stone over the bridge to Jayalalithaa and Naveen Patnaik. Mr Sangma you are a tool. You are a part of a strategy that supports their convenience. That’s why they are supporting you, not because they believe in you.

Sangma: You think we are ignorant of which media is whose tool? Mr Karan, you think we are ignorant of which media is whose tool. Mr Karan don’t talk about tools.

 Thapar: Are you suggesting that my questioning is motivated?

 Sangma: Yes, yes, you are also a tool. We are all tools. Don’t bring these kind of questions. We are all tools. These are small, petty things.

 Thapar: So, you say that you want to become a president to advance the tribal cause. How is the tribal cause advanced when you are willing to make yourself a pawn in the hands of Jayalalithaa?

 Sangma: Till 1995, the tribals of this country had no representation in Indian politics. In 1995, I was the first tribal to become a Cabinet minister in this country.

Thapar: Yes, but that was a Congress government, not the BJD or the AIADMK or the BJP.

 Sangma: No, no! That’s not the point. How the country forgot the tribal people, I am talking about that. The country did not realise that we had a hundred million tribals in this country. And today, that I am a candidate is a demonstration of the country’s recognition that yes, there are tribals in India also.

Thapar: And you believe that the BJP, the BJD and the AIADMK, by supporting PA Sangma, a man about whom two weeks ago, they had nothing to say, now suddenly have become great champions of the tribals, because they are supporting you. Do you really believe that?

Sangma: Yes, these are minor things that do not come to mind that often. You see, the morning after I became a Cabinet minister, Vajpayee ji entered my house and said, “Mr Sangma is it true that India has never had a tribal minister?? I said, “Yes! It is true. I am the first tribal to join the Cabinet.” And he said, “How could India make such a huge mistake?”

Thapar: Let’s come to the next question. You have been speaker of the Lok Sabha. You have been Chief Minister of Meghalaya. You have been a very honourable Cabinet minister. Why are you throwing all of that away behind a pipedream?

 Sangma: I am not. I am just asserting my right as a citizen of India, as a tribal, as a person coming from the North East.

Thapar: Is this determination to be the President of India an obsession that you are fulfilling?

 Sangma: Not at all. It is not an obsession. 1974, when I met Indira Gandhi, she told me don’t run after posts. Do your work, the posts will run after you.