HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      March 28, 2012

United Opposition to Oppose Bill

Gangtok, March 27: The recent introduction of the Sikkim Disposal and Destruction of Documents and Records Bill in the State Legislative Assembly has united the Opposition.

   At an all-party meeting held here last weekend leaders of the Congress party, BJP, CPI(M), Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party and Sikkim Liberation Party have decided to approach Governor BP Singh not to give his assent to the Bill.

Representatives of social organizations – Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee, Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan and National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation – also attended the all-party meeting.

SPCC President Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who recently called for opposition unity to take on the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, said the Bill was “undesirable and unnecessary”.

AD Subba-led Himalai Parishad held a 24-hour hunger strike here in protest against the Bill.

 Tibetan Parliament in exile highlights Tibet situation, seeks international help

Dharamsala, March 27:  The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile here has passed a resolution that highlights the grim situation within Tibet and sought the international community's help to end the ongoing crisis.

Protests by self-immolation are becoming more common in Tibet and in restive, ethnically Tibetan regions of China.

Outlining the atrocities faced by the fellowmen, Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, said on Friday that the resolution highlighted the deteriorating condition of the Tibetans, ANI reported.

"The resolution makes it very clear; the Tibetans are in really critical condition. Thirty Tibetans have self-immolated, of which 22 have died and many are in critical conditions. The reasons are very clear, the self-immolators and the peaceful protestors are showing their resentment against the continuing occupation of Tibet and repressive policies of the Chinese government. What the self immolators and those who have died and those who are imprisoned are demanding or seeking that His holiness the Dalai Lama returns to Tibet and freedom be restored for Tibetans inside Tibet," said Sangay.

China has tightened security in Tibet after a series of self-immolation took place in the Himalayan country..

Thirty Tibetans have set themselves alight in protest, and at least 22 are believed to have died from their injuries, according to rights groups. Most of them were Buddhist monks.

Calling for a worldwide vigil to protest against the Chinese crackdown in Tibet, Sangay said Tibetans deserve freedom.

"As per appeals, repeated appeals, by the Tibetan Parliament, the Kashag, many NGO's, Tibetans included, have urged the United Nations to send a special rapporteur or an envoy to Tibet to investigate the real conditions inside Tibet,” Sangay said.

China non-committal on stapled visa issue

Beijing, Mar 27: Ahead of its Chinese President's visit to New Delhi next week, Beijing, for the first time, indicated that it has discontinued the policy of issuing stapled visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

 Though there was no categorical answer to a question whether China has stopped issuing stapled visas to those from Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Director General of China's Foreign Ministry Li Kexin said; “Have you seen any such reports (of issuance of stapled visas to Kashmiris) in recent times?” indicating that Beijing has stopped the practice, reported Great Kashmir.

 The comments on the contentious issue by the top official came ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to New Delhi from March 28 to participate in the fourth BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit.

 However, on issuance of stapled visas to people from Arunachal Pradesh, Li referred to the boundary dispute between the two countries and said the issue should not affect the overall bilateral relations.

 “The issue should not affect the overall bilateral ties. Both the countries have different positions on the boundary issue and we must continue our efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue,” he told a group of visiting Indian journalists.

 China had in 2008 started the practice of issuing visas on loose sheets of paper to people from Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, drawing India's ire.

 China's Ambassador to India Zhang Yan had last year dropped hints of reversing the practice but there was no clear official word on it.

 Seeking better people-to-people contacts, another top official in the Foreign Ministry said the number tourists visiting each other's country was quite low compared to the size of their population

Concern over China's rail link along India's border in RS

New Delhi, March 27: Concern was expressed in Rajya Sabha last Thursday over China developing strategic rail links along India's border and demands were raised for developing the same on the Indian side on war-footing.

The small State of Himachal has been demanding the Bilaspur-Joginder Nagar-Manali-Leh rail link along the Indo-China border, which also holds strategic significance for the defence, but was being ignored for long, Shanta Kumar (BJP) said participating in the discussion on Rail Budget, PTI reported.

Kumar said Himachal Pradesh which shared its border with China, was being continuously ignored ever since Independence and not a single kilometre was being added over the years.

He cautioned that neighbouring China was fast developing rail links on its side from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, but nothing was being done by India to augment its border infrastructure.

Demanding that the issue be looked into seriously keeping in view the humiliating and shameful defeat suffered by India in the 1962 war with China, he said it was unfortunate that not a single km of rail network was added in Himachal Pradesh, which has got only 163 km of train lines built by the British.

PM told of ‘repeated Chinese incursions’ in Himachal

Shimla, March 27: Drawing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's attention to "repeated Chinese incursions" into Indian territory, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has asked him to take steps to tone up infrastructure network close to Sino-Indian borders located in the hill state.

In a letter to Singh, Dhumal put emphasis on building the strategic Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Mandi-Kullu-Manali-Leh-Ladakh rail link at the earliest, broad gauging of Pathankot-Jogindernagar railway line and also a strategically world class air field on the India side in Himachal Pradesh in view of growing threat from the neighbouring country.

While long range missiles on the Tibetan soil were a constant threat, large number of Chinese troops have been spotted in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK), Dhumal said.

"Chinese soldiers have forced the stoppage of road construction in Leh-Ladakh area and China disputes the sovereign integrity of India by protesting against your visit to the state of Arunachal Pradesh which is a matter of concern," the letter said.

Apart from a state-of-the-art railway network, China has commissioned an ultra modern air-field on the Tibetan soil and it was understood that strategically important massive installations have come up on the other side of the border which could not be taken lightly, he said.

GTA elections in July: GJM

Mamata-Gurung meet eases tension in hills

Darjeeling, March 27: A day after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee o, Gorkha Janmukti leaders said polls would be held in the hilly areas of Darjeeling district in late June or early July.

"Polls for Gorkha Territorial Administration will be held in the hill areas initially," GJM secretary Roshan Giri said in a rally at Chakbazar in Darjeeling town. Polls would be held in Dooars and Terai regions if they are included in the GTA, he said, PTI reported.

GTA will have a total of 50 seats. Polling would be held in 45 seats and five members would be nominated by government. As per the demands of the GJM, the Justice Shyamal Sen Committee had been formed to see whether 398 mouzas - 196 mouzas in Dooars, 3 mouzas in Rajganj and 199 mouzas in areas near Siliguri - would be included in the GTA

A delegation of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) led by its president met Mamata on Saturday and held talks on holding elections to the GTA and inclusion of several areas in the Dooars and Terai in the GTA.

After the meeting Gurung told reporters that "I am happy with today's meeting with the chief minister. Elections to the GTA will take place in July this year."

"The chief minister has agreed in principle to include 398 mouzas in Terai and Dooars in the proposed GTA. After these areas are included in the GTA, we will go for polls in July this year," Giri said.

Editorial

OPEN BORDERS

Pursue Look East Policy Vigorously

The Arunachal Pradesh Government’s eagerness to open its borders with Bhutan in the west and Burma in the east is aimed at facilitating border trade with its neighbours. While it wants the Centre to initiate talks with Bhutan for construction of a road from neighbouring West Bengal to the State through Bhutan, it is likely to reiterate its demand for reopening of the historic Stilwel Road, which connects Northeast India with south-western China through Burma. The gradual opening of Burma to the rest of the world will go a long way in facilitating trade in the region.

   India’s Look East policy will surely take a great leap if Arunachal Pradesh’s suggestions are pursued at the earliest. New Delhi must not remain content with merely pumping funds in the Northeast. It must help towards real economic development in the region by creating better atmosphere for the people to take active part in economic regeneration. Northeast, and even Bhutan,  have much in common with Burma and Southeast Asia and it is high time New Delhi realizes this by ensuring greater people-to-people contact in the region and faster economic activities.

Assam BJP supporters burn Chinese flag in protest against incursion

Guwahati, March 27: The youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam on recently burnt a Chinese flag, protesting against Chinese military incursion into India's northeast.

The protesters also denounced the Congress-led central government for not taking action against Beijing's repeated claims over Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of the region, IANS reported.

The protest came after an English daily here published pictures of Google Earth, showing a thin red line marked as China Claim Line passing over areas of north of Brahmaputra river in Assam.

The map sought to give an impression that these were Chinese territory.

"Initially it was Arunachal Pradesh and now the Chinese have started claiming the north bank of Assam," said PS Dey, the Yuva Morcha secretary.

"It’s a matter of shame that a prime minister elected from Assam is not taking any action," he said.

Manipur worst militancy-affected State in India

Imphal, March 27: Manipur is now the worst militancy-affected state in the country, overtaking Jammu and Kashmir and other northeastern states, while Mizoram and Tripura are among the most peaceful.

In a reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, minister of state of home affairs Jitendra Singh said a total of 246 militancy-related incidents have occurred in Manipur in the first three months of 2012 against just 34 incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.

Similarly, 21 militants, five security personnel and seven civilians have been killed in the State this year which went to polls last month, while J&K recorded killings of six militants and four civilians.

Among the northeastern states, numbers of militancy-related incidents have come down from 424 in 2009 to 251 in 2010, which further reduced to 145 in 2011 and 26 in the current year.

Meghalaya is turning out to be a disturbed state with the number of militancy-related incidents increasing every year. In 2009 there were 12 incidents, which rose to 29 in 2010 and then to 56 in 2011. In the first three months this year alone 35 incidents have taken place.

In Tripura just one incident has been reported in this year till now. In 2009 there were 19 incidents, 30 in 2010 and 13 in 2011, while no incident has taken place in Mizoram since 2010. There was just one incident in 2009 in Mizoram. In Nagaland, the numbers of incidents have been declining from 129 in 2009 to 64 in 2010, 61 in 2011 and 37 so far in the current year. In Arunachal too, which does not have any militant outfits but is infested with outfits from neighbouring Assam and Nagaland, 53 incidents have taken place in 2009, 32 in 201, 53 in 2011 and 13 so far in 2012.

The minister added that the Centre in association with the state government have adopted a multi-pronged approach to check infiltration on international borders by carrying out round the clock surveillance, construction of fencing, installation of floodlights and upgrade of intelligence networks along the international border with Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan.

March 24, 2012

Sikkim MPs raise IT exemption for old settlers

Gangtok, March 23: Sikkim’s two MPs, PD Rai (Loka Sabha) and Hishey Lachungpa (Rajya Sabha), have demanded exemption of central service tax and income tax for old settlers in the State.

The proposal was placed before the Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is believed to have assured the two Parliamentarians that he was aware of the issue and would look into it, according to informed sources.

The duo submitted a memorandum to the Finance Minister in New Delhi to reiterate the State Government’s demand for income tax exemption for old settlers in the State. They have pointed out that there were around 400 old settlers in the State, who have been denied tax exemption.

The Centre has exempted income tax exemption for ‘Sikkim Subjects’, who possess the Sikkim Subject Certificate and whose names were enlisted in the Sikkim Subjects Registrar maintained by the State Government.

The two MPs also endorsed the memorandum submitted by the Joint Action Committee of All Sikkim Tourism Stakeholders before the Union Finance Minister demanding that the Central Service Tax be applicable in Sikkim from a Prospective date preferably from 1st April, 2012 rather than from retrospective date.

Mukherjee was positive to the demands of the MPs and assured the two members that he would look into the matter and come up with some solution, according to a press release.

‘Black Bill’ to hide ‘black deeds’: BJP

Say no to Destruction of Documents Bill, BJP chief tells Guv

Gangtok, March 23: The State unit of the BJP has reacted strongly against the introduction of the Sikkim Disposal and Destruction of Documents and Records Bill, No 25 of 2102 in the State Legislative Assembly last week. It said the Bill was placed before the Assembly to hide the “black deeds” of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, whose alleged corrupt practices, has been raised in the Supreme Court.

BJP State unit chief Padam Bahadur Chettri in a letter to the President, Prime Minister and Sikkim Governor BP Singh highlighted Chamling’s alleged bid to destroy official documents that would prove that he is guilty of misappropriation of public money and misuse of power.

“If the Bill is signed, democracy in Sikkim will be in great danger and we will have no faith in Indian democracy as practiced in Sikkim,” Chettri said in a press release.

“The Bill is an attempt” by Chamling “to hoodwink the people of Sikkim and to conceal his massive corruption, and misdeed and to save himself from the clutches of the Central Bureau of Investigation,” Chettri added.

“I am told that Dr. Chamling wants to selectively destroy all documents relating to his corruption. Subject to verification, I also understand that already Dr. Chamling has burnt official papers to destroy irrefutable documentary evidence to prove his corruption in a Court of Law beyond any shadow of doubt. But, through RTI, certified true copies of documents allegedly destroyed by Dr. Chamling are already with applicants. In the event of a corruption case being filed in a Court of Law, Dr. Chamling plans to escape conviction on the ground that original documents are not available and that the certified true copies are not valid to convict him,” Chettri said in the letter.

“Last year, the Chief Minister brought a ‘Draconian Bill’ to throttle the voice of Sikkim people. This year, he has brought another Black Public Documents Destruction Bill to erase all traces of his black deeds. But the people of Sikkim will not allow him to destroy the public documents,” Chettri said in his letter.

Referring to Chamling’s 2006 corruption case in the Supreme Court leveled by State Congress leaders, the BJP chief said though the argument of the case was concluded on October 23, 2008 judgement was reserved for a considerable period and after two years the matter was disposed off on October 25, 2010 by court headed by former Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, who is currently facing charges of corruption in the apex court, Chettri said.

Chettri has urged the Governor not to give his assent to the “Black Bill.”

Editorial

TRIVEDI’S DILEMMA

Will Of The People Must Prevail

Former Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi may have placed the best railway budget for the country but in a democracy the will of the people must prevail. Mamata Banerjee did the right thing by replacing Trivedi with Mukul Roy, who has, in line with the Trinamool’s policy, has rolled back fares for lower classes in the railway. In a democracy the people elect you on certain issues and policies and it is the bounden duty of the elected representatives to represent the people in the Parliament, Assembly and in the offices they hold.

Trivedi erred a great deal by failing to consult Mamata, who is not only the Chief Minister and party boss, but also a former union railway minister. After the party has given you the ticket, got you elected and made you a minister can you suddenly become totally independent of the party? Trivedi seems to think this way and in this he is totally wrong. There has to be a fine balance between people’s aspirations and the ground reality. Too many well-meaning politicians fail in moving along the middle path when they are faced with a crisis. Better luck next time, Mr. Trivedi.

TRADE LICENCE MISUSE

A Wake-Up Call

Subletting of trade licences by locals to non-locals to run business and trade in Sikkim has become a regular affair. Most petty shops, including liquor stalls, are run through subletting. This practice not only leads to greater influx but makes the local people lazy and more dependent on others. But in many cases those who actually run the business do not even pay the required tax payments to the government.

This week, the Commercial Tax Division of the State Government, during its search operation, caught M/s Computer India, located at MG Marg, Gangtok, not only running a business through subletting but also failing to pay taxes. While the trade licence was made in the name of Hemu Tshering Lepcha the shop is being run by one Vishnu Gupta. The authorities not only seized the items, including computers, from the shop but warned all trade lincence holders that they are liable to pay for all damages if the operations are found to be illegal. This indeed is a wake-up call for all those indulge in illegal activities.

How Nepal and Sikkim were betrayed to please New Delhi

Koirala, Kazi and Bhattarai are birds of the same feather

By Dirgha Raj Prasai

   Nepal is on the verge of disintegration and loss of its identity. In a short period of time, it has become evident that ideologies of republicanism, federalism and secularism are against the welfare of Nepalese. Should matters continue as they are, it is feared that a divided nation may cease to exist due to instability and lack of peace. In a monarchy, the monarch has to be a nationalist representing the people's wishes. This is necessary if the monarch wishes to maintain his throne and the continuity of his lineage. An elected head of state can always go against the good of the nation and the wishes of his people for short term personal gains. Furthermore, an elected head of state will come from a political party, but a monarch is above partisan politics without party affiliation. Ethnic and provincial affiliations in Nepal will divide the country and will only create warlords and new parasitical elements. Social in fighting will be the sole end result.

    The fact is that secularism will only help entice the impoverished and illiterate Nepali people away from their religion and culture with the mirage of economic benefits. Inter-religious conflict will begin, which will also affect the stability of neighboring countries. We must establish a system which preserves Nepal's stability, development and democracy. The independence, sovereignty and self respect of the Nepali people must be strengthened, thus helping to provide stability, peace and development in neighboring countries also. It is imperative that we Nepali people unite and rise up to prevent the nation's disintegration and death. Efforts to save the country and democracy must be kept in the forefront.

    The party leaders of uprising-2006 reached an agreement with the king to reinstate the parliament On 24 April 2006. As per this pact, the king issued a declaration to reinstate the parliament but Nepali Congress (NC), UML and Maoists driven by their purpose to attain power betrayed the monarch. Their very conspirator role of betrayal was not only fatal for their future but it rendered the nation unstable. What was the spirit of the agreement of 24 April and what came of it? Why did they pretend to reach an accord with the king if their true intention was to betray him? Do such leaders have the right to speak in national politics?

The protesters- 2006 could have launched the uprising under the slogan of establishing republic from the initial phase, but they did not! Nepali Congress leader, the PM- G.P Koirala, who spearheaded the uprising, took oath of Prime Minister’s office from the king in accordance with the 1990 Constitution, but why? Isn’t it suicidal to get entangled in politics that is devoid of cause and effect? The rise of Maoist rebellion is the effect of the corrupt rule under NC and UML. However, the same Maoists joined hands with these parties and participated in the uprising under the direction of India, due to which the nation is in a chaotic position.

    These leaders were backed by Indian intelligence agency. They were under tight grip of the Indian and American agencies. So it is worthless to complain. Had these leaders accepted their past mistakes committed before and after the Constitutional Assembly (CA) election and criticized it, they could have had walked without having to slink. But they do not even have such level of morality due to which today they are known as foreign stooges and traitors. They do what they are told by foreign master. In such a condition India, America, UN, European nations belong to them. Indian concern is to take Nepal under its control, whereas the purpose of western countries is to insinuate Christianity and hit China under its belly in name of Free Tibet.

   Late Girija Prasad was made a stooge to instill disorder in the nation. Now the Maoist leader, the PM Baburam Bhattarai, is being used to destroy Nepal’s identity, prestige and unity. The leaders of NC, UML, Maoists and Madhesi parties have openly accepted foreign slavery. They will not be able to walk showing their face in coming future. Jaya Prakash Gupta became the right hand of Indian intelligence agency and established the so-called Madhesi party. He indulged in corruption and tried to hide it. Under the shelter of his powerful connections he issued threats to hide it and now he is in jail. Tomorrow the leaders of Maoist and Madhesi parties holding the reign of government, the opposition parties that have declared to be secular and republic – NC and UML – will be subjected to same fate.

    There is a proverb- 'a cunning person trips thrice while an innocent trips only once.' Leaders like Girija and Madhav have been fed billions worth of facility and sources under the aegis of Indian intelligence agency. They have been manipulated to destroy Nepal’s stability and identity. On 15 Setember, 2008, an article by S.D Muni, the policy maker of the South Block, was published in Indian newspaper- 'The Hindu’. Muni’s article sheds light on the fact relating to mobilization of billions to institutionalize republic, secularism, ethnic federal states after the uprising in order to disintegrate Nepal so that it can never recover. A concerned person had said that Nepali leaders Krishna Sitaula, Baburam Bhattarai, Shekhar Koirala, Bamdev Gautam were given accommodation during the days preceding the 12-point understanding at Muni’s residence in Delhi. Prachanda used to visit the residence in the afternoon. Amaresh Kumar Singh and Hari Roka were among their reliable messengers.

    At the time when the Indian agency took the initiative for the uprising, NC and UML had no ground to step on and took the support of the Maoists. The Maoists were delighted at the prospect of using their former enemies. In 1975 India had made use of such wrong elements to annex Sikkim in name of Legislative Assembly. Then traitors like Lendup Dorje and Narbahadur Khatiwada were used to absorb the land of Sikkim. It is crystal clear that in Nepal the poisonous tree of Constituent Assembly (CA), ethnic federalism, secularism- ‘One Madhes One State’ are being used to disintegrate Nepal.

    No constitution will be promulgated by throwing ourselves into the Indian sewer of CA. Why did we need a CA when we have the 1990 Constitution? Had not NC, UML and Maoists leaders participated in the drafting of the 1990 Constitution? Can’t we modify it and move forward? If the objective was to create instability why had they need of contriving an agreement with the monarch on 24 April, 2006? Has the 1990 Constitution been dead legally? Can such forceful attitude continue with the threat of Maoist army and foreign agents? So, we should decide the path of safe landing. There is only alternate to reinstate the 1990 constitution with constitutional monarchy. (The International News Magazine - dirgharajprasai@gmail.com)

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      March 21, 2012

Bhandari calls for Opposition unity

“Corruption and communalism” have led to discrimination

Gangtok, March 20: While alleging that the virus of “corruption and communalism” had engulfed Sikkim, former Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari called on all Opposition leaders to rise above their narrow political objectives and unite the Opposition to create a democratic atmosphere in the State that would protect the constitutional and democratic rights of the Sikkimese people.

The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee President while briefing reporters here at the party office yesterday said he would soon tour the State to create awareness among the people about their political rights guaranteed by the constitution.

He said corruption and communal politics have led to discrimination among various sections of the people in the State. He added that although the Congress party got 32 per cent of the votes polled in the Assembly elections in 2009, Congress workers and supporters have become “victims of political discrimination.”

Bhandari said lack of unity among the Opposition was mainly due to the fact that Opposition leaders’ main aim is to become the next chief minister.

Nepal govt bid to halt Gurkha recruitment in foreign countries

Kathmandu, March 20:  Indian and British Armies may no longer be able to employ Gurkhas, known for their valour, following a Nepalese government decision to eventually stop their recruitment in foreign countries.

Nepal's government has directed Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and other concerned ministries to implement the recommendations of a report that seeks to ultimately halt Gurkha recruitments in foreign armies.

The report approved by the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Human Rights on December 26, 2011, was later presented in the Legislature Parliament.

The report has drawn sharp criticism from Ex-Gurkha organisations which have warned to launch protests if Gurkha Recruitment Centres are shut down in Nepal, the Republica reported.

Nepalese Gurkhas are mainly serving in Indian Army and British Army.

The parliamentary report argues that although the Gurkha recruitment gave the Nepali youths limited employment opportunity, serving with foreign military had not allowed the country to hold its head high.

"Nepal's government is put on further loss after the Britain decided to provide citizenship to Gurkha soldiers, and the time has come to evaluate Nepal's foreign policy in regards to Gurkha recruitment," the parliamentary report said.

Oz seeks China’s nod to probe Tibet suicides

Melbourne, March 20:  Australia on Monday sought China's permission to send a top diplomat and lawmakers to Tibet to investigate a spate of reported suicides in the Himalayan plateau, a move that could irk Beijing.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said that Australian Ambassador to Beijing Frances Adamson was seeking permission to visit Tibet to investigate the reasons for the self-immolations by young Buddhist monks and nuns, Australian news agency AAP reported.

Close to 30 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze during the past 12 months to protest against Chinese rule and Carr described protests as "distressing".

The Foreign Minister said that the ambassador will also ask Beijing to allow an Australian parliamentary delegation to tour Tibet.

"Our ambassador will be seeking today to travel to Tibet to see for herself the grievances that have given rise to the self-immolations," Carr told the Senate.

Adamson's deputy also would make a request to inspect Tibetan establishments in adjourning Sichuan province. Carr's announcement came as a delegation of 12 Tibetan-Australians visited Canberra to discuss the shocking protests with government, opposition and cross-bench parliamentarians.

Delegation leader Kyinzom Dhongdue welcomed Carr's announcement.

China is Australia's biggest trade partner in Asia with the two-way trade topping USD 106 billion in 2010.

Kashmir decks up to attract 20 lakh tourists

Srinagar, March 20: With a staggering 11-lakh tourists visiting Kashmir last year, the Jammu and Kashmir government aims to welcome 20 lakh tourists this year. An optimistic tourism director Farooq Shah says, "We have worked hard to promote our tourism industry throughout the world. Now it is time to reap the rewards. We are hopeful to receive around 20 lakh tourists this year."

The government is upbeat about tourist potential this year, in view of a peaceful summer-2011 that followed three consecutive years of turmoil in the state. With signs of violence ebbing in the state, the government has embarked on a major overhaul of the tourism industry to attract more tourists.

"We have to showcase Kashmir as a destination that attracts both high-end overseas travellers and the domestic visitors, while consistently projecting an impeccable image of the state," says tourism minister Nasir Aslam Wani.

He adds, "Besides the Jammu and Srinagar airports, the surface entry points at Lakhanpur and Lower Munda will provide a 'quick response mechanism,' facility to ensure that tourists are not made to wait for long hours."

The administration is roping in services of free porters for shifting tourists' luggage. "Two more buses will operate for luggage transit from the first airport drop gate to the terminal," said the minister.

Tourism director Shah says, "The tourism department has already kicked off a campaign under the title 'Preparation for Tourist Season 2012'. The campaign was required to bring professionalism among stakeholders. If we deal with tourists professionally, they will become our promoters."

The tourism minister has also asked the valley-based tour and travel operators to come under one roof to put in a joint mechanism to ensure better results for promotion of tourism. The tourism department is also planning to hold festivals every month.

Several departments, which take care of roads, electricity and water supply, have been instructed to work on betterment of roads, regular water and power supply, in preparation for the up-coming tourist season.

Himachal may cancel land allotted to Tibetans: Dhumal

Shimla, March 20: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal recently indicated that  his government will cancel allotment of land by the previous Congress government to Tibetan refugees if an ongoing probe found "any irregularity" was committed.

Dhumal said the allocation of land by the Virbhadra Singh-government to exiled Tibetans "is being enquired into".

"The Virbhadra government himself amended (land) laws to favour Tibetans. The allocation of land would be cancelled, if any irregularity is found," the Dhumal told reporters

The cancellation threat comes two days after Virbhadra Singh, the union minister of micro, small and medium enterprises, slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Himachal Pradesh for violating land laws by giving special permission to Team Anna member and counsel Prashant Bhushan to buy property in the State.

Dhumal said the land in Palampur town of Kangra district was allotted to Bhushan's Kumud Bhushan Educational society on his request.

Virbhadra Singh, a five-time former chief minister and Congress leader alleged that Bhushan's society had bought a tea garden that violated the Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on Land Holdings Act of 1972.

The row over the land given to Tibetans, who fled to India in 1959 with their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is in a court since November 2010.

A division bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued notice to the Tibetan government-in-exile based in Dharamsala, the central and state governments regarding the case.

EDITORIAL

OPPOSITION UNITY

Congress Must Take The Lead

After former chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari took over the Congress party in Sikkim in August 2004 the party’s performance in the Assembly polls jumped from 2-4 per cent to around 30 per cent in the 2004 Assembly polls. This performance was repeated in the 2009 Assembly polls, when, according to Bhandari, the party polled 32 per cent of the votes polled. The rest of the Opposition parties polled around 5 per cent in the 2009 Assembly polls. The fact that the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front won all the 32 seats in the Assembly despite the Opposition party’s impressive performance makes one wonder about the way elections are conducted in this part of the world.

Bhandari’s bid to unite the Opposition, therefore, has sound basis. Ever since he was abruptly dethroned by his party (Sikkim Sangram Parishad) legislators in 1994, Bhandari has proved that he has the backing of a substantial section of the people with him. If dissident SDF legislator PS Tamang (Golay) fails to come out openly to challenge Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Bhandari alone will not be able to effectively unite all anti-Chamling forces. However, Bhandari must make the first move to win over Golay if he is really serious on tackling Chamling, who seems to be firmly in the saddle as of now.

GTF  raises Gorkhaland demand in Delhi, holds dharna

"Only the creation of Gorkhaland will solve our identity problem"

New Delhi, March 20:  Gorkhaland Task Force (GTF), an alliance of political parties and social organisations, on Monday held a demonstration here to press for their demand of a separate Gorkhaland.

"We are demanding creation of a separate Gorkhaland state under the Union of India since a long time. We have organised a two-day dharna to assert our demand," Enos Das Pradhan, Chairman of Gorkhaland Task Force, said.

The activists demanded the creation of a separate state for Gorkha community as they feel that this will meet their aspiration for political identity, PTI reported.

"Our national identity is confused. We resemble the Gorkhas of Nepal and that's why many people in India think we are foreigners. The creation of Gorkhaland will establish our national identity in India," Pradhan said.

"The government created Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and said they have solved our problem. GTA does not have any legislative powers. It does not meet our aspirations," Pradhan said.

"In 1988 they created Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, we only suffered under it," he alleged. "Only the creation of Gorkhaland will solve our problem."

The Gorkhaland Task Force has units in 22 states of India and comprises political parties like the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists, the All India Gorkha League and Gorkha Rajya Nirman Manch.

Rich tributes to Sister Declan of Kalimpong

GOAL paid rich tributes to Galway missionary nun Sister Declan Fahey who passed away in  Kalimpong on February 12 last month.

GOAL’s Country Director in India, John Wain said St Declan was a powerful woman, who devoted more than 40 years of her life helping to improve the lives of less fortunate children in India by developing access to education in the town of Kalimpong in West Bengal.

“In 1995, with the support of GOAL and the Irish public, I assisted Sr Declan with the construction of a primary school for children who could not afford to pay the fees demanded by the private schools,” he said, Ireland’s Galway Independent reported.

“In the 16 years since I left India, she had managed to introduce to the region a women’s college, a vocational training centre, a home for HIV-affected children, a school ‘drop-out’ centre, while she had also developed a proposal for a research institute,” added  Wain.

Wain said Sr Declan’s untimely death was “the end of an era” for Irish missionaries working in the hill stations of West Bengal. “Their work not only helped give the country its reputation for generosity and compassion, but provided a yardstick by which all aid agencies continue to judge themselves and be inspired by,” commented  Wain.

“We all owe people like Sr Declan a large debt of gratitude,” he added.

Originally from Roo, Craughwell, Sr Declan devoted more than 40 years of her life helping to educate young boys and girls in the town of Kalimpong. She was the last of the foreign missionaries in the hill town.

Sr Declan arrived in Kalimpong in April, 1971 and took charge of St Joseph’s Convent. She later served as the Superior at St Anne’s Convent and St Philomena’s School, Kalimpong, before establishing Cluny Women’s College for underprivileged boys and girls in Kalimpong in 1998.

Travel with Ian Wright from Sikkim to Singapore

The show will be telecast every Monday at 8 pm starting March 26

Gangtok, March 20: Globetrotter extraordinaire Ian Wright is back to discover the world’s best travel destinations through authentic local experiences in new episodes of INVITE MR WRIGHT only on India’s favourite lifestyle channel- TLC.

Thanks to Ian’s friends from across the world, who offer not just their hospitality but an inside track into their home turf! Follow Ian as he is invited to some of the best tourist destinations in the world by the people who call those places home. From Sikkim to Singapore and more, Ian gets a different perspective on life and culture in these vibrant places. INVITE MR WRIGHT 2 will air on TLC every Monday at 8PM, starting March 26th.

The first season of INVITE MR WRIGHT took a humorous and off-beat look at the world of travel. This new season sees our intrepid host back for more, this time in India, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam where he hangs out with an eclectic mix of people to learn about the life of the locals.

China may takeover Arunachal: ex-Army Chief

Guwahati, March 20: General V P Malik, former Indian Army Chief, said China may try to forcefully occupy Arunachal Pradesh anytime and that India has to step up the vigil along the Chinese border in that region.

Malik, addressing a symposium on how prepared India is to defend herself organized in Nagpur by the local daily The Hitvada, also stated that China may even forcibly occupy some of the territories in North West India.

Malik also voiced his concern to the fact that Chinese Defence budget has gone up by 11.5 percent but Indian policy matters are not even discussing about the raise, The Times of Assam reported.

Besides Malik, former Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis and former Admiral Sushil Kumar also participated in the event. The two former service chiefs stressed importance on the need to engage Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar to counter the threat and adopt a long-term foreign policy.

Speaking about the Kargil war, Admiral Sushil Kumar said the Indian Navy had deployed its ships in the Arabian Ocean though the war was fought on hills by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. But we succeed in blocking Pakistan’s supply chain through the sea route which was a key factor in our victory, – said the Admiral.

Former Air chief marshal AY Tipnis spoke about the need for government-to-government, military-to- military and people-to-people interaction in the sub-continent.

BJP suspects Chinese role in Siang drying up in Arunachal

Himalayan News Network

Itanagar, March 20:  BJP has not ruled out a role by China in the steep fall in the level of the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh, a party release said.

A five-member party team headed by National General Secretary Tapir Gao visited the river, gathered local public opinion on the causes of the fall in water level and met officials of the Central Water Commission and the district administration during its three-day visit from March 11, the release said.

The team did not rule out a role by China in the phenomenon and found reasons to believe that China may be diverting the waters of the river in Tibet, it said. There were apprehensions that many areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and even in Bangladesh would go dry if the Chinese went ahead with their plan of building a dam, the release said, PTI reported.

The team was informed that some areas in the upper reaches of the river Siang had almost dried up. Stating that it was not possible to ascertain the causes in a single visit, it said, there was need for satellite-based observation on the phenomenon to reach a conclusion. The team will submit its report to the national BJP president  and the party MPs will take up the issue in and outside the Parliament, the release said.

TRAVEL&Living

Asian way of life

The best travel experience is one in which the traveller gets a whiff of a city’s culture and lifestyle. And that is exactly how Ian Wright does it in season two of TLC’s ‘Invite Mr Wright’, writes Juanita Kakoty 

The brilliant raconteur that he is, Ian Wright, the celebrated globetrotter and travel host, in a couple of minutes, offered me a kaleidoscopic peep into his experiences in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Australia and Singapore. These are the countries he has visited for the upcoming second season of the TLC series Invite Mr Wright, premiering on March 29, 2012 at 8 pm.

“In India, I travelled to Sikkim this time. I lived in a monastery and experienced Sikkim with three monks who showed me around. Initially, I thought it would be boring. But once we got there, I was amazed to see how colourful Sikkim was. There were coloured buildings all around you, everyone was in a costume, and everyone was with music. And to my surprise, the monks were such fun to be with. It was fantastic!” spoke Ian, who is often described as the funniest and best loved travel presenter on British TV, excitedly.

   “I lived in the Rumtek monastery near Gangtok, which is the first monastery built outside of Tibet after the Chinese invasion; and took a crash course in how the monks live their lives. That’s a feat, and it’s special because, usually, this is not allowed. I shaved my hair, learnt to chant, and ate vegetarian food that was great.”

In season one, Ian had travelled around Mumbai and Goa. “There I lived with Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi, visited film sets and learnt to act, dance and stage a fight. Hence, Sikkim was an altogether different experience from Mumbai and Goa. But both the times have been uniquely charming.”

Been there, done that

Invite Mr Wright, as a concept, has been very well received by the audience. “It is a great idea where I get to go to a country, stay there for a relatively long period, build relationships with the local people, live with them and see their culture through their eyes. And season two gets all the more better because it is more refined, more about personal opinions, relationships and more focussed,” revealed Ian. Talking of his varied experiences in season two, he spoke about how, in Indonesia, the team visited the island of Sumatra and spent time with conservationists trying to save the orangutans and green sea turtles. “This bit is more like a wildlife conservation film. There, we saw the local authorities sell and destroy the orangutans’ land; and how they have no desire to keep the apes safe.”

In Vietnam, Ian and his team visited Sapa, a frontier town in the northwest that borders China. “We drank rice wine for three continuous days at a hill tribe wedding. It was crazy! We also helped a young woman, who has started an orphanage for young girls, with photographic exhibitions.” In the island of Okinawa, Japan, Ian tried to pass on his Ipswich (believed to be England’s oldest Anglo-Saxon town) skills to the only football team on the island — Ryukyu FC. Then there were crazy experiences with Indians in Northern Australia, where he hung out with a mud-racing couple.

But the most difficult bit was when Ian had to cook for a top chef in Singapore. “Over there, I was with one of the top chefs of Singapore in the best restaurant, enjoying life, when one day I had to cook a meal. I made some English dish for them and the feedback that I received was pathetic.”

Ian might have travelled to India on work with Invite Mr Wright, but his tryst with the country began some 25 years ago. “I was about 23 years old then and had travelled all over India — to Kerala, Kodaikanal, Calcutta, Delhi, Darjeeling, Amritsar, etc. Those days, there was no Internet or mobile phones, and the only time I could speak to my mother was during Christmas, from a post office in Darjeeling. But in all those months, India had so much to offer that I was never bored, nor was my mind ever blank.”

Ending the conversation, even though he admitted to ‘hour-long’ anecdotes that he could share from his travels, Ian reflected, “What I love about India is that it is several countries united into one. As you move from one place to another, body shapes change, languages change, colours change, food changes, neighbourhoods change. And the most amazing thing about the country is that you don’t really have to go looking for places to see the local cultures and lifestyles. You just go to the street and watch the whole world go by.”

Himalayan Guardian March 14, 2012

Burma minority leader jailed for 20 years

Yangon, March 13: A court in Burma has sentenced a leader of the Karen ethnic minority group to two decades in prison for treason, his legal adviser says.

Nyein Maung, a member of the Karen National Union (KNU) central committee, was arrested last year in China and deported to Myanmar, where he was taken into custody.

A special court at Insein prison gave him life imprisonment - which is equivalent to 20 years - for high treason, said adviser Aung Thein, The Irrawaddy magazine reported.

Nyein Maung was handed an additional three years under the illegal organisation act, but will serve the two sentences concurrently, he said.

Burma considers the KNU - whose leadership is based in Thailand - to be an illegal organisation. Its armed wing has been battling the government since 1949.

The KNU signed a pact with the new reform-minded government in January in a move that raised hopes of a permanent end to one of the world's oldest civil conflicts.

But the organisation warned last month that the pact was "fragile", and pointed to the detention of Nyein Maung as a key issue of contention.

"I do not think the government will harm the peace talks with the KNU by keeping him in prison. Who knows? The president can grant a pardon for his release any time," the adviser said.

Focus on stability, progress in Tibet: Chinese Prez

Beijing, March 13: Chinese President Hu Jintao asked the military should pay more attention to safeguarding social stability amid a volatile situation in northwestern Xinjiang province and Tibet.

Speaking at a plenary meeting of People's Liberation Army (PLA) deputies to the National People's Congress, Hu said every soldier in the military must be aware that development and stability are the priorities, state-run Xinhua news agency said.

Hu, who is also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), stressed that the PLA and the armed police must focus on national defence and army building, and adhere to the fundamental requirement of making progress while maintaining stability.

Hu is set to retire towards the end of this year. Internal stability continue to be main focus of Chinese leaders as China like last year would be spending more on internal security budget than that of defence this year.

 There is growing stress on internal security due to heavy deployment of forces in Xinjiang, where the security forces battled separatist forces of East Turkistan Islamic Movement,(ETIM). Tibet has witnessed unrest following over two dozen self-immolation attempts by Buddhist monks calling for the return of the Dalai Lama from India.

New road to link Yunnan, Tibet

Beijing, March 13: A deputy to China's top legislature has suggested constructing a new route linking southwestern Yunnan province with Tibet autonomous region.

The new route would originate in Kunming, Yunnan's capital, and pass through the city of Dali and the Lisu autonomous prefecture of Nujiang to reach Lhasa, capital of Tibet, and is of "strategic significance" in promoting the local economy, boosting ethnic solidarity and maintaining stability in the border region, said Ding Xiuhua, a National People's Conference deputy from Nujiang prefecture.

The current route from Kunming to Lhasa is 2,314 kilometers, but the new route would be just 2,055 kilometers, she said, Xinhua reported.

The current route is hazardous, as it traverses three major rivers and more than 10 mountains with altitudes of over 4,000 meters, making it almost impassable in winter, according to Ding.

The new route would be passable year-round if two 1,600-meter tunnels were created, Ding said.

"The construction of the new route will also boost economic development along the road," Ding said.

Moreover, the route would connect the resource-rich, but impoverished regions of Nujiang in Yunnan province and Nyingchi county in Tibet to the outside world and make their resources accessible, Ding said.

Tibet-Bhutan border police station set up

Beijing, March 13: China has established its highest border police station at 5,373m above the sea level on its border with Bhutan in Shannan prefecture. It has also set up an all-female police station in Tibet's Nyingchi prefecture, which borders Arunachal Pradesh in India.

These moves are being seen as aimed at keeping a close watch on a road being laid to connect Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh with Bhutan, said a Beijing-based source on Sunday.

The Chinese authorities, it is learned, may also use these police stations to keep a tab on Tibetans who try to escape across the border.

The police station has come up in a Tibetan village, Pumaqangtang village of Shannan prefecture, which has a population of 900 people. The site of the female police station, Nanyi Village of Mainling County in Nyingchi prefecture, has 445 inhabitants. "The foundation of the police station marks the progress of border administration , and it plays a positive and important role in social development and lasting peace and stability along Tibet's border," Tashi Dodan, head of the public security border detachment of Shannan prefecture, told the official media.

China has intensified scrutiny on its border with Nepal to curb the flow of Tibetan rebels, who often find their way into India.

It is being helped by the Nepalese government in this. But Chinese authorities fear that Tibetan dissidents might use the Bhutan route to escape from China, the source said.

The female police station will cover the Lopa people, China's least populous ethnic tribe. It has 20 officials between the ages of 18 and 31. Nanyi's beautiful landscape attracts a large number of tourists every year, said the official Xinhua news agency.

The move follows a call by Chinese leader Jia Qinglin, who recently stressed the need to safeguard social harmony and stability in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Burma holds peace talks with ethnic Kachin rebels

The Kachin are one of Burma's largest ethnic rebel groups

Yangon, March 13: Burma's government is holding talks with ethnic Kachin armed rebels in the hope of brokering a truce in the decades-long conflict.

The government has signed provisional ceasefires with several armed ethnic groups in recent months as part of political reform in the country, the BBC reported.

But attempts to end the fighting in Kachin state have proved difficult.

Western nations say the lifting of sanctions depends on progress being made towards national reconciliation.

Meanwhile, a prominent monk, who served years in prison for anti-government activities, has been questioned in custody for the second time in recent weeks.

The family of Shin Gambira told the BBC's Burmese service he had been detained for about 24 hours and questioned about a recent visit to Kachin state.

Conflicts between Burma's central government and rebels from the various ethnic minority groups have flared sporadically over the decades since the country gained independence.

Gambira was one of the leader's of the "saffron revolution" protests in 2007

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by fighting and there are many reports of human rights abuses.

The civilian government, backed by the military, which came to power in 2010 is attempting to sign ceasefires with rebel groups in preparation for further political discussions.

Last week, they signed a preliminary ceasefire with the ethnic Karenni rebels in the east of the country.

But the BBC's South East Asia correspondent Rachel Harvey says that after decades of mistrust, many of the groups that have agreed a truce have done so with extreme caution.

The Kachin have so far refused to sign any agreement before political issues are resolved but are now entering into talks.

Meanwhile, fighting between the rebels and the army is continuing, say reports, forcing thousands of people to remain in temporary camps on either side of the border with China.

Our correspondent says reaching a nationwide peace deal is widely recognised as key to Burma's future political and economic development.

“Karmapa not connected to funds scam”

Shimla, March 13:  Tibetan spiritual leader the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje did not appear personally in a recent court hearing in Una town of Himachal Pradesh .

But his attorney appeared on his behalf seeking exemption of the 26-year-old spiritual guru in connection with a seizure of a huge amount of foreign currency in his monastery in Dharamsala a year ago.

 “We have applied for the exemption of his appearance in court as the Karmapa is in Bodh Gaya presiding over an import religious function (puja),” Narender Pal Singh his attorney said,  the Hill Post reported .

Distancing himself from the case Singh said the Karmapa said the chargesheet is mainly against the people who are involved in selling land to the Karmae Garchen Trust for cheating and forgery.

“The Karmapa has not even been served the court summons so far,” Singh claimed.

“Even though the Karmapa heads the trust he has never attended even a single meeting which involves building a permanent structure in Dharamsala,” he said.

“Nor has he played any administrative, financial or management role. These duties are held by his administrative office, ” he said .

“The Karmapa has expressed his feelings of hurt, he has also said that he has great faith in the Indian judicial system and has the highest respect for the democratic values of this country,” Singh said.

A chargesheet was filed by the state police against the Karmapa in December last year. The chief judicial magistrate in the town of Una had asked the Karmapa and nine others, including his aides, to appear personally in court on March 6.

The Karmapa has been charged under penal provisions related to conspiracy.

A year ago the Himachal Pradesh police recovered Indian and foreign currencies including 120,197 Chinese yuan.

The Karmapa is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu school, one of the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism. He fled Tibet in 2000 and has been living in Dharamsala since then under the protection of the Dalai Lama.

Editorial

CONG DILEMMA

Let The People Command

After a humiliating performance in the just-concluded Assembly polls in five states the Congress party has made yet another blunder by dumping its man and party supporters in Uttarakhand. Harish Rawat was the obvious and unanimous choice for the chief ministership but the party high command chose a less popular man for the job. The revolt within the party for this lack of sensitivity is inevitable. Rawat’s supporters, including majority of the elected legislators, have threatened to split the party and rightly so.

  The Congress party ought to know by now, particularly after its poll debacle in Uttar Pradesh, that it cannot afford to cold shoulder regional leaders. Having lost the upper caste battle to BJP, the tribals, dalits and minorities in UP are split between SP and BSP, leaving the Congress without a vote-bank to build up the party in UP. In many other states the party is toying the same line. It must now reconcile itself to the fact that depending on a few individuals, no matter how great they may be, to win votes does not work anymore. It must listen and respond to the sentiments of its supporters and stop commanding from New Delhi.

Until 1852, Kanchenjunga was the highest peak in the world

Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world with an elevation of 8,586 m (28,169 ft) and located along the India-Nepal border in the Himalayas. Kangchenjunga is also the name of the section of the Himalayas and means "The Five Treasures of Snows", as it contains five peaks, four of them over 8,450 m (27,720 ft). The treasures represent the five repositories of God, which are gold, silver, gems, grain, and holy books.

Three of the five peaks – main, central, and south – are on the border of North Sikkim in India and Taplejung District of Nepal, while the other two are completely in Taplejung District. The Kangchenjunga Himal includes twelve more peaks over 7,000 m (23,000 ft).

Until 1852, Kangchenjunga was assumed to be the highest mountain in the world, but calculations made by the Great Trigonometric Survey of India in 1849 came to the conclusion that Mount Everest (known as Peak XV at the time) was the highest and Kangchenjunga the third-highest.

 Kangchenjunga was first climbed on May 25, 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band, who were part of a British expedition. The British expedition honoured the beliefs of the Sikkimese, who hold the summit sacred, by stopping a few feet short of the actual summit. Most successful summit parties since then have followed this tradition. (Wikipedia)

DILEMMA OVER GTA POLLS

No elections without inclusion of Terai & Dooars: GJM

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, March 13: The first elections to the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) has run into a controversy. While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wants the polls to be held now that the GTA has obtained the presidential assent, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) insists that elections would not be held without the inclusion of Terai and the Dooars in GTA.

Briefing the media for the first time every since President Pratibha Patil gave her assent to the GTA Bill in Kolkata on Wednesday, the chief minister, while announcing the surrender of Maoist leader Suchitra Mahato, said: "What else would you ask for? The GTA Bill has been cleared and elections will be held as per the agreement. In another three months, you would have nothing more to ask for. We've fulfilled most of our commitments."

GJM supporters took to the streets in the Darjeeling hills on Sunday reiterating their opposition to any move to hold elections to the GTA without the inclusion of areas in the Terai and Dooars region in the north Bengal plains within the territorial jurisdiction of the proposed body.

Processions were taken out and rallies organised by the youth and women wings of the GJM in the three hill subdivisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong where demands were also raised for an interim set-up comprising nominated members till the formation of the GTA, The Hindu reported.

But even as the GJM leadership has made clear that there could be no compromise on its demand for the inclusion in the GTA of what it claims to be 398 Gorkha-dominated mouzas in the Terai, Dooars and Rajgunj block of Jalpaiguri district, various regional groupings in these areas including the local units of the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad (ABAVP) have reaffirmed their opposition to any such move.

“We are against the transfer of any areas in the Dooars and Terai to the proposed GTA and shall launch a prolonged agitation if any move towards this end is made”, said Birsa Tirkey, State president of the ABAVP which claims to enjoy substantial support among the tribals of the region.

The Bengalis, Kamptapuris and the Adivasis have however rejected the idea of ceding any part of the Plains to the GTA.

History of Darjeeling

Darjeeling originally belonged to Sikkim

Until the beginning of the 18th century, the area between the present borders of Sikkim and the plains of Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, belonged to the kings of Sikkim. In 1706 the king lost Kalimpong to the Bhutanese. And control of the remainder was wrested from them by the Gorkhas who invaded Sikkim in 1780, following consolidation of the latter's rule in Nepal

 These annexations by the Gorkhas, however, brought them into conflict with the British. A series of wars followed, eventually leading to the defeat of the Gurkhas and the ceding of all the land they had taken from the Sikkimese to the British. Part of this territory was restored to the king of Sikkim and the country's sovereignty guaranteed by the British in return for British control over any disputes which arose with neighboring states.

 One such dispute in 1828 led to the dispatch of two British officers to this area, and it was during their fact-finding tour that they spent some time at Darjeeling. The officers were quick to appreciate Darjeeling's value as a site for a sanatorium and hill station, and as the key to a pass into Nepal and Tibet. The officers' observations were reported to the authorities in Calcutta and a pretext was eventually found to pressure the king into granting the site to the British.

The transfer, however, rankled with the Tibetans who regarded Sikkim as a vassal state. Darjeeling's rapid development as a trading center and tea-growing area in a key position along the trade route leading from Sikkim to the plains of India began to make a considerable impact on the fortunes of the lamas and leading merchants of Sikkim. Tensions arose and eventually the British annexed the whole of the land between the present borders of Sikkim and the Bengal plains, and withdrew the Raja's annual stipend. These annexations brought about a significant change in Darjeeling's status. Previously it had been an enclave within Sikkimese territory, and to reach it the British had to pass through a country ruled by an independent king. After the takeover, Darjeeling became contiguous with British territory further south and Sikkim was cut off from access to the plains except through British territory.

This eventually led to the invasion of Sikkim by the Tibetans and the British military expedition to Lhasa. When the British first arrived in Darjeeling it was almost completely forested and virtually uninhabited, though it had once been a sizeable village before the wars with Bhutan and Nepal.Development was rapid and by 1840 a road had been constructed, numerous houses and a sanatorium built and a hotel opened. By 1857 Darjeeling had a population of some 10,000. The population increase was due mainly to the recruitment of Nepalese laborers to work the tea plantations established in the early 1840s by the British. (SikkimOnline.Info)

SIKKIM OBSERVER March 17, 2012

Stage set for GTA polls, govt issues notification

Kolkata, March 16: The Mamata Banerjee government on Wednesday issued the notification for the GTA Act, signalling preparations for elections in the Darjeeling Hills, even as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) demanded the inclusion of some 400 moujas in the Terai-Dooars. The notification to formulate rules for the elections to the GTA will be issued on Thursday.

According to the gazette notification issued by the hill affairs department, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Act to set up the GTA for the Darjeeling Hills takes effect on March 14, 2012, a Kolkata daily reported.

The GTA Bill was passed in the Bengal Assembly in September last year, accommodating most changes sought by the GJM. Through 54 amendments, the GTA Bill had tried to ensure that the legislation was in accordance with the tripartite agreement and the Hills body got more autonomy than the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), which it will eventually replace.

After the chief minister had blamed the Centre for the delay in getting assent, there was possibility that the fragile peace brokered by the GTA deal might have been disturbed once again. The GTA Bill got presidential assent on March 7, paving the way for setting up the GTA and holding elections in the Hills.

On Tuesday, chief secretary Samar Ghosh had said, "The election to the formation of the GTA will be held with the existing area as per the tripartite agreement. The government is not taking cognizance of the GJM's demands."

On Friday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had iterated that elections in the Hills will be held as per the tripartite agreement. The GJM has been demanding that the high-power committee, looking into the inclusion of fresh areas from the Terai and Dooars in GTA, should submit its report before elections are held.

Now that the notification for giving effect to the GTA Act has been issued, the delimitation process for the election will also begin. After delimitation, a draft will be published for the delimited constituencies. There will be an interval of 15 days to register objections.

Hishey sworn in as Rajya Sabha MP

Gangtok, March 16: Former Minister and senior ruling Sikkim Democratic Front leader Hishey Lachungpa was on Monday sworn in as the new Rajya Sabha member from Sikkim by Vice President Hamid Ansari.

Lachungpa, who succeeds OT Lepcha, was elected to the lone Rajya Sabha seat in February this year.

The new Rajya Sabha MP hails from the tribal-dominated region of Lachung, North Sikkim.

Editorial

GTA POLLS

Participate In The Democratic Process

The decision of the Mamata Government in West Bengal to go ahead with elections to the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) is an indication of its firmness to implement  the tripartite pact signed in July 2011 despite the fact that the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), one of the signatories to the deal, is in no mood to go ahead with the polls before settling the territorial jurisdiction of the new body. In fact, the GJM has indicated its unwillingness to join the poll fray if its demand on inclusion of the Gorkha-dominated areas in the Terai and Dooars in the GTA are not met. With the West Bengal Government formally proceeding ahead with the poll process the ball is now in the GJM’s court.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee swung into action when she was apprised of the delay in getting President Pratibha Patel’s approval of the GTA by the GJM leadership.

The Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre, which was blamed for the delay in getting the GTA implemented, acted promptly to Mamata’s appeal and without any delay got the presidential approval of the pact. The GJM should now act responsibly and participate in the poll process and ensure that Darjeeling gets the much-needed economic boost. A committee is looking into the issue of inclusion or non-inclusion of areas in the Terai and Dooars in the GTA. Reactions from the GJM should be reserved until the findings of the committee are in the public domain. Majority of the plainspeople, including Adkivasis and Bengalis, have opposed GJM’s demand on the issue. The Mamata Government will have to play a balancing role on this controversial issue when the time comes. As of now hill people must not be led astray but wholeheartedly participate in the democratic process.

 State preparing for panchayat polls

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, March 16: The State Election Commission has begun the process for elections to Zilla Panchayats/Gram Panchayats, which is likely to be held later this year.

The Commission has already issued its schedule for the polls:

Preparation of Draft Electoral Rolls               -12.3.2012

Segregation of ward wise electoral rolls         -13.3.2012 - 02.04.2012

Filing Claims and Objections                          -23.4.2012- 30.04.2012

Disposal of claims and Objections                              -01.5.2012 to 09.5.2012

Printing & Final Publication of electoral rolls - 21.5.2012

A designated officer appointed for each Polling Station are to be contacted by all concerned voters for inclusion of their names in the electoral rolls and filing of claims and objections by filling up the forms available with the designated officer, a press release of the Commission said.

“All political party workers and concerned public are requested to kindly cooperate with the authorities for preparation of defect free electoral rolls,” the release said.

Monasteries reflect Sikkim’s unique identity

Observer News Service

Gangtok, March 16: The Governor BP Singh has urged everyone to work unitedly for restoration of monasteries in the State which were destroyed by last year’s earthquake. He said the monasteries in the State reflected Sikkim’s unique and distinct identity.

A presentation on the State Government’s strategy to restore and rebuild the monasteries damaged during the  September 18 earthquake was made before  the by the representatives of the Ecclesiastical Department, Cultural and Heritage Affairs Department and Building and Housing Department at the Raj Bhavan Winter Camp.

The representatives were led by the Additional Chief Secretary, R. Ongmu. The presentation was made by Devika Chettri, Additional Town Planner, UDHD, a Raj Bhavan release said.

The Governor was informed that the Ecclesiastical Department had received reports of damages from 326 monasteries. Acting on the reports, the Ecclesiastical Department and the Buildings and Housing Department had undertaken a joint survey of monasteries.

Following this, the Building and Housing Department has submitted detailed project reports for restoration, repair and minor retrofitting of 124 monasteries to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of India.

The Government of Sikkim has recognised 6 monasteries (Ringhim, Chawang,  Tashiding, Chungthang, Hungri and Tholung) as critically damaged.

 The restoration process will be handled by experts in various fields, the release said.

The Governor emphasised that the monasteries in Sikkim lend a unique identity to it among the union of States. The State should do its best to ensure that the sanctity and the beauty of the monasteries are maintained.

The Governor directed the Building and Housing Department to ensure that the restored and reconstructed monasteries, to the extent possible, be made earthquake resistant. He also called for involvement of the local communities in the rebuilding process.

The Governor also expressed the need to create inventories of all the relics in the monasteries.

CM inspects Tadong college, makes promises

Gangtok, March 16: The Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling along with the Minister for HRDD NK Pradhan, Minister UDHD D.B.Thapa and Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso visited the Sikkim Government College, Tadong on Wednesday to inspect the ongoing infrastructural development in the college premises.

The visit is also aimed at solving some of the long-pending problems of the people residing near the college. The people living in this area have been facing the problem of thoroughfare as the road passes from inside the college premises. Hence the people have been demanding an alternative road, an official release said.

The Chief Minister has directed the concerned department to take a holistic approach and prepare a comprehensive project report to solve the problem once and for all. Sanctity and security of the college should not be a compromise while preparing the project report, the Chief Minister added.

While interacting with the college authorities and the student representatives at the meeting hall of the college, the Chief Minister said the government would give two new buses to the College. He also sanctioned in principal the demand of the student representatives for internet facility in the college and solve the drinking water problem of the college. The Chief Minister also dealt upon the various issues pertaining to the college.

The Sikkim Government College was established during the year 1972 and moved to the present premises in 1983.