HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      June 13, 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Self-rule can address Kashmir problem: Mufti

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

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

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

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

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

Ex-Nepal PM gunning for Bhattarai’s exit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pro-monarchy party wants King Gyanendra back in palace

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

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

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

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

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

Editorial

TIBET ISSUE

Dialogue Has Failed

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

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

Mamata to meet Morcha leaders on Sen panel report

GJM, GNLF and AIGL activists join TMC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mizo church snaps ties with US church on gay issue

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

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

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

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

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

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

SIKKIM OBSERVER    June 2, 2012

Who’s lying on road building work in Sikkim?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Editorial

NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN

United Force Against Corruption

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

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

Letter to the Editor

Teachers’ defiance on transfer order disturbing

Sir,

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

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

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

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

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

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

SK Lama

Jorethang

South Sikkim

Inclusion of BL languages in SU courses welcomed

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

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

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

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

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

World War II guns adorn Raj Bhavan complex

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chief Secy objects to IT office being shifted to Siliguri

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

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

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

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

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

SIKKIM OBSERVER May 26, 2012

NSUI backs Sikkim University VC

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

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

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

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

Dahal gets Ram Patro award

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

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

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

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

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

Rights seminar in Gangtok on May 26

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

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

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

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

Editorial

PROFESSOR IN DISTRESS

Demand ‘White Paper’ On Sikkim University

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

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

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

SU Vice Chancellor gets a mouthful from Rajya Sabha MP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

High-tech green house inaugurated in Bermiok

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Youth body, ‘Save Sikkim’ members meet Power Secy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      May 23, 2012

Jaya launches  ‘Sangma for President’ campaign

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nepal ignores SC deadline, extends CA term

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1,000 Tibetan monks, nuns sign motherland petition

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

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

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

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

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

Ethnic groups-madhesi bandh paralyse Nepal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burma to restore infamous Death Railway

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The rail link was destroyed by Allied bombers in 1945.

Dalai Lama’s security may be tightened

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Court drops charges against Tibetan spiritual leader

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When Benazir enjoyed `Pakeezah` in Shimla 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Editorial

TRIBAL CARD

‘Sangma for President’

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

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

SIKKIM UNIVERSITY CONTROVERSY

Centre urged not to extend Lama’s tenure

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gorkha League remembers Tamang,  plans hunger strike

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sikkim forum lambasts opposition silence on power scam

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

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

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

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

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

Power Secy admits ‘mistakes’ on hydel projects

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

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

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

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

Team Anna supports anti-dam protests in Assam

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rebel leaders disagree, Naga talks fail

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

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

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

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

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

Sikkim Observer May 17, 2012

 ‘STATE DAY’

Former CMs, ex-Chief Secy, Bhaichung Bhutia get State awards

Gangtok, May 16: Two former chief ministers, BB Gooroong and SM Limboo, former chief secretary TT Dorjee and former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia were among those who received  State awards on the State Day here today for their contribution to the State.

Governor BP Singh and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling  jointly presented the awards to 29 prominent individuals here at a colourful function at Chintan Bhawan to mark the State’s 37^th anniversary of its merger with India.

Sikkim, once a Buddhist Kingdom ruled by the Chogyals since 1642, joined the Indian mainstream following an unstable political situation on May 16, 1975.

This is the first time that the State Government has instituted the Sikkim State Civilian Awards to reward those in various fields who have served the State. The awards have been categorized into three categories: Sikkim Ratna (Category – A), Sikkim Sewa Ratna (Category – B) and Sikkim Sewa Samman (Category – C).

Along with Gooroong and Limboo, ex-politician and bureaucrat-turned-journalist CD Rai and social worker Kipu Tshering Lepcha received the Sikkim Sewa Ratna awards.

Prominent among the business community who received the Sikkim Sewa Samman award were Motilall Lakhotia and Kundanmul Sarda. Former chief engineer LB Chettri and journalist Santosh Nirash also received the Sikkim Sewa Samman award.

Besides Bhachung, archery Tarundeep Rai and mountaineer Phul Maya Tamang received the Sikkim Khel Ratna awards.

The Chief Minister urged people to take interest in the past history of the State, particularly the democratic movement of the people. (also see page 4- HOW THE KINGDOM OF SIKKIM BECAME A STATE OF INDIA)

Sikkim Govt has no shares in Teesta project: report

Jagan Reddy, India’s richest politician, lied to EC on assets

Gangtok, May 16: According to his election affidavit, former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh’s son and Kadapa MP Jagan Mohan Reddy is India’s richest Member of Parliament with declared assets valued at Rs 365 crore. His wife has properties, cash and jewellery worth Rs 47.25 crore.

What is going to earn him infamy is the fact that Jagan has misled the Commission about his assets. For example, he did not declare his palatial houses in Hyderabad and Bangalore worth over Rs 200 crore, First Post reported.

The key fact that emerges from his elections affidavits of 2009 and 2011 is this: his assets, combined with those of his wife Bharathi Reddy, have grown more than five-fold in just two years: from Rs 77-and-odd crore to over Rs 410 crore, NDTV reported.

A special CBI court on Monday summoned Reddy to appear before it on May 28 in connection with an illegal assets case. The court also asked 12 others facing charges in the case to appear before it on the same day, PTI reported.

The special CBI court had admitted the first chargesheet filed on March 31 by CBI in the disproportionate assets case and listed the case for trial.

Last October, the CBI began probing the benami funding of two hydel power projects in Sikkim allegedly owned by Jagan’s companies. This followed a PIL filed in the High Court of Sikkim by a Sikkimese, Anand Lama, who alleged that Jagan had invested around Rs 500 crore under benami companies in hydel projects in north Sikkim. Lama wanted CBI probe into this multi-crore racket. Jagan is said to have invested heavily into the 1,200 MW Teesta State III hydel project in Chungthang in North Sikkim.

In a major exposure of what goes in high places, where corrupt deals are made keeping the public in darkness,  currentnews.in  on Friday (May 11) reported the alleged involvement of Union Minister Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and Jagan Reddy in what is believed to be a Rs 20,000 hydel project scam in the State.

The report says while the Teesta Stage III was supposed to be a joint venture between the Sikkim Government and Teesta Urja Ltd (TUL), a benami company allegedly floated by Jagan, the Sikkim Government does not have any shares in the 1,200 MW Teesta  Stage III hydel project in North Sikkim.

While stating that “The massive Rs 20,000 crore scandal in the hydropower sector in Sikkim that has been building up since 2004 is about to burst,” the report, quoting an order of a Gangtok District Judge, said though the project is supposed to be “under joint sector with the Government,” the Sikkim Government does not have a single share in Teesta Urja Limited, which is developing the Rs 6,000 crore MW Teesta State III power project.

“The fact that the GoS does not hold even a single share in what is supposed to be a joint venture company even though TUL and GoS had signed and executed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement on 18 July 2005 is beyond shocking. It is illegal,” the report said.

The report also alleged that TUL “was allotted the hydropower project not through competitive bidding but through an arbitrary process where it was favoured above other companies.”

“This scandal means that almost each and every official clearance and money that the project has received from the Government of India has been obtained under false pretences. TUL has illegally asked for and has received from the Government of India vital clearances like the Techno Economic Clearance from the Ministry of Power, Environment and Forest Clearance from the Ministry of Environment, land from the GoS and Rs 4, 560 crore from the Rural Electricity Corporation and 10 nationalised financial institutions,” the report said.

Worse still is the allegation that indicts the Chamling Government: “What makes the scandal even more painful is the knowledge that the GoS is not a victim of a scam but is an active and equal partner in crime with Teesta Urja Limited.”

Delay denies withdrawing CBI plea against Chamling

Gangtok, May 16: Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, who along with Pema Dadul Bhutia, sought the Supreme Court’s help to start a probe against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his cabinet colleagues for their alleged corrupt practices, said he has not withdrawn his petition.

“I have not withdrawn my petition from the Supreme Court,” Diley said after he returned from Delhi recently.

Reacting to media reports that he has withdrawn his petition, Diley said court papers circulated among the media and others over his reportedly withdrawal of the petition are “false and fabricated.” He said this was being done by vested interests to harm his image.

Reports indicated that Diley had applied to the Supreme Court on March 22, 2012 for withdrawal of his petition as another case of similar nature was pending before the High Court of Sikkim and it would be convenient “physically and monetarily” to pursue the matter in the High Court.

The writ petition challenges the refusal of the State Government to grant consent to the CBI to probe into corruption charges in the State on the basis of CBI report.

It may be pointed out that after the petition was filed in the Supreme Court in January this year the apex court sent notices to the Centre and State Government and the CBI for their reaction.

Unconfirmed sources say that the CBI has filed its reply before the apex court, which is yet to decide on the withdrawal of the case if ever it was sought.

Bhandari for opposition unity to oust Chamling

Gangtok, May 16: Veteran politician Nar Bahadur Bhandari has given enough hints that he is not comfortable with the Congress party, which he heads in the State.

But last week, the former chief minister, who ruled the State for nearly fifteen years (1979-1994), gave enough indications that he wants to float a regional party. He stated this during a press conference here at the party office.

While stating that he was not interested in becoming the next chief minister, Bhandari gave a call to all opposition parties to unite under a common platform to take on the Pawan Chamling-led ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, which has been in power for the fourth consecutive term since 1994.

Bhandari first came to power in 1979 on an anti-merger platform and ousted the pro-merger LD Kazi-led government in the Assembly polls in 1979. His Sikkim Janta Parishad merged with the Congress party in July 1981. Three years later Bhandari was ousted from power in May 1984 by dissidents in the Congress party, who made BB Gooroong the Chief Minister.

Bhandari’s new political outfit, Sikkim Sangram Parishad, came to power in the Assembly polls in March 1985. Once again dissidents within his party plotted against Bhandari leading to the toppling of his government in May 1994.

Bhandari finally merged his SSP with the Congress in August 2003 but without much success in the Assembly polls in 2004 and 2009.

China denies Dalai Lama’s allegation

Beijing, May 16: China on Monday accused the Dalai Lama of being deceitful after he reportedly alleged that Chinese agents trained Tibetan women to assassinate him by planting poison in their hair for him to touch during blessings.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the Tibetan spiritual leader's allegations, reported in the London-based Sunday Telegraph newspaper, were not worth refuting, but added that he generally spreads false information.

"The Dalai always wears religious clothes while carrying out anti-China separatist activities in the global community, spreading false information and deceiving the public," spokesman Hong Lei said at a routine daily news briefing, AFP reported.

The nationalistic tabloid the Global Times further scorned the allegations in a commentary, saying that if China had wanted to kill the Dalai Lama it could have done so any time without waiting until he was 76 years old.

The Tibetan Buddhist leader told the Telegraph he had been warned that the Chinese government was training female Tibetan agents to put poison in their hair or scarves and to seek his blessings or touch his hand.

Hundreds of thousands of people take pilgrimages each year to northern Indian town of Dharmsala, where the Dalai Lama lives under tight security. Huge crowds also surround him during his travels abroad. The Tibetan leader usually places his hand over the heads of devotees seeking his blessing.

He told the newspaper he may ending up being the last Dalai Lama because of Chinese interference in finding his reincarnation after his death.

Sikkim, Northeast still under big quake threat: scientists

 Kolkata, May 16:  Since September last year, when an earthquake of magnitude 6.9 rocked Sikkim, scientists have recorded nearly 300 aftershocks in the region and predicted the possibility of a quake up to magnitude 9. As such, they have recommended that parts of Sikkim be upgraded to Zone 5, the classification that carries the highest risk.

   The seven Northeast states are in Zone 5 — Assam and Meghalaya had a magnitude 5.4 earthquake last week. Sikkim is now in Zone 4. The prediction — by researchers of the department of geology and geophysics of IIT Kharagpur— is for a northeastern region that includes the Sikkim-Darjeeling region in particular, The Financial Express reported.

“The entire northeastern zone is at present facing the threat of an earthquake from the Himalayan regions, one that has the potential of being of magnitude 9,” says Professor Shankar Nath of IIT Kharagpur.

Scientists studying aftershocks recorded 292 tremors since the Sikkim earthquake (Sept 18, 2012), all in the range 1.5 to 5 and including 63 in the range 3.5-5, with 17 of these of magnitude 4.5 or higher. “We have completed part of our Sikkim-Darjeeling project. We have recommended that parts of Sikkim including Gangtok, Mangan and Singtam be updated to Zone 5 from Zone 4,” Professor Nath says.

Scientists have also sought an upgrade for parts of the Doors and Terai regions of West Bengal.

Months of study have resolved another contentious issue over which the scientists had been divided. Geo-scientists have come to agree that the earthquakes frequently hitting Sikkim and neighbouring areas of Bengal have not been induced by water reservoirs. “After the September 18 earthquake, there was a brainstorming session... we reached a conclusion that the earthquake is not reservoir-induced; therefore hydel projects are not a threat to the area.” Geo-scientists are of the opinion that the earthquakes have originated rather from tectonic shifts.

Sikkim government officials say the State has 27 hydel power projects, of which four are operational. According to professor Nath, “The projects can be affected due to earthquakes, but the projects cannot cause earthquakes.”

Professor Sugata Hazra, a senior professor of geology and head of the school of oceanographic studies of Jadavpur University said, “The seismicity in these regions has increased and these are not reservoir-induced earthquakes. So we think that the Sikkim and Bengal governments have to revise disaster management plans. If a strain is building up then the region can potentially have an earthquake of magnitude 8.5 in the near future.”

Editorial

SIKKIM ISSUE

Swallowed Up In Silence

The Sikkimese people view the ‘State Day’ function on May 16 each year with mixed feelings. Over the years the people have come to know the real truth of the ‘merger’. How India, Sikkim’s protecting power, took over Sikkim in the guise of ushering democracy is known to most people. However, the establishment in Sikkim, in their eagerness to please New Delhi, always pretend not to know this fact and act in a most hypocritical manner. The Sikkimese people, over the years, have certainly perfected the art of sycophancy. The political leadership in Sikkim never fails to praise LD Kazi, Sikkim’s first chief minister and the chief architect of the ‘merger’, for having brought democracy to the former kingdom. If Sikkim had retained its independent status we would have a Prime Minister and not a Chief Minister in a democratic set-up. This was actually the demand of the people during the chaotic ‘merger’ era in the early 1970s. In fact, Ram Chandra Poudyal, a prominent Nepali politician, had demanded a Prime Minister and not a Chief Minister in 1975 just before Sikkim was swallowed up in silence.

Gorkha League to observe Madan Tamang death anniversary on May 21

Darjeeling, May 16: The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) is all set to observe the second anniversary of its slain leader Madan Tamang here on May 21.

Hill Opposition leaders opposed to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha have been invited for the memorial meeting.

Subash Ghising, Chhatrey Subba, RB Rai and Enos Das Pradhan are among those who have been invited for the occasion, it is learnt.

Tamang, a prominent Gorkha leader, was killed in broad daylight in Darjeeling town on May 21. The League has been urging the authorities to ensure speedy probe into the murder of their leader.

Youth body for Press freedom, condemns threat to scribe

Gangtok, May 16: The All Sikkim Educated Self Employed & Unemployed Association has condemned the reported threat to a journalist in the State.

In a statement, the Association’s President Nawin Kiran Pradhan said there is no place for suppression of the voice of a free Press in a democracy.

Pradhan said those who are not satisfied with media reports are free to take legal action but  “threatening” the media is not “justified.”

While assuring that his Association would protect the rights of the Press, Pradhan urged the law enforcing agencies to ensure that “anti-social elements” don’t get an upper hand.

‘It is very unfortunate that in Sikkim the numbers of assault physical/verbal

    History bares witness to the fact that after the British left India and Sikkim signed the 1950 Indo-Sikkim Treaty, the Chogyal of Sikkim restored democratic rights to the people of his kingdom. He did this by giving political rights to bonafide Sikkimese who possessed the Sikkim Subject Certificate. Despite them being in the majority the Chogyal ensured that seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly were also reserved for the Sikkimese Nepalese. Even after the main demand of ‘one-man, one-vote’ was conceded the anti-Sikkim forces were not satisfied as their main objective was to erase Sikkim’s international entity. Which country would have given up its sovereignty for democracy? Democracy cannot be imported; it has to evolve from within.

The Nepalese leadership in Sikkim is now helplessly realizing that without seats being reserved in the Assembly for their community as one of the ‘ethnic’ communities of the State their democratic rights and distinct identity would soon become meaningless. And yet the powers-that-be never fail to cling on to its short-term goals while making eloquent speeches on its ‘vision’ for Sikkim’s future. This farce must end now or else Sikkim will inevitably head towards total self-destruction in the near future. There is no future for Sikkim if its distinct identity is erased and political and economic rights taken away. The massive influx from outside will ensure that the Sikkimese people become refugees in their own homeland. This is the ultimate design of our adversaries and those in power are merely agents of disunity and division.

HOW THE KINGDOM OF SIKKIM BECAME A STATE OF INDIA

The demand for democracy led Sikkim to becoming the 22^nd State of India in 1975.

Early History

The earliest historical mention of Sikkim is a record of the passage of the Buddhist saint Guru Rinpoche through the land in the 9th century. The Guru is reported to have blessed the land, introduced Buddhism, and foretold the era of monarchy that would arrive in Sikkim centuries later. In the 14th century, according to legend, Khye Bumsa, a prince from the Minyak House in Kham in eastern Tibet, received a divine revelation instructing him to travel south to seek his fortunes. A fifth-generation descendant of Khye Bumsa, Phuntsog Namgyal, became the founder of Sikkim's monarchy in 1642, when he was consecrated as the first Chogyal, or priest-king, of Sikkim by the three venerated lamas at Yuksom.

Phuntsog Namgyal was succeeded in 1670 by his son, Tensung Namgyal, who moved the capital from Yuksom to Rabdentse. In 1700, Sikkim was invaded by the Bhutanese with the help of the half-sister of the Chogyal, who had been denied the throne. The Bhutanese were driven away with the help of the Tibetans, who restored the throne to the Chogyal ten years later. Between 1717 and 1733, the kingdom faced many raids by the Nepalese in the west and Bhutanese in the east, culminating with the destruction of the capital Rabdentse by the Nepalese. In 1791, China sent troops to support Sikkim and Tibet to defend against the Gurkhas.

During the British Raj

Following the beginning of British rule in neighboring India, Sikkim allied with Britain against their common enemy, Nepal. The Nepalese attacked Sikkim, overrunning most of the region, including the Terai. This prompted the British East India Company to attack Nepal, resulting in the Gurkha War of 1814. Treaties signed between Sikkim and Nepal resulted in the return of the territory annexed by the Nepalese in 1817. However, ties between Sikkim and the British weakened when the latter began taxation of the Morang region. In 1849, two British physicians, Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker and Dr. Archibald Campbell, the latter being in charge of relations between the British and Sikkim governments, ventured into the mountains of Sikkim unannounced and unauthorised. The doctors were detained by the Sikkim government, leading to a punitive British expedition against the kingdom, after which the Darjeeling district and Morang were annexed to British India in 1853. The invasion led to the Chogyal of Sikkim becoming a titular ruler under the directive of the British governor. In 1890, Sikkim became a British protectorate, and was gradually granted more sovereignty over the next three decades.

After Indian Independence

In 1947, when India became independent, a popular vote rejected Sikkim's joining the Indian Union, and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru agreed to a special protectorate status for Sikkim. Sikkim came under the suzerainty of India, which controlled its external affairs, defence, diplomacy and communications, but Sikkim otherwise retained administrative autonomy. A State Council was established in 1955 to allow for constitutional government under the Chogyal. Meanwhile, the Sikkim State Congress demanded fresh elections and greater representation for Nepalese in Sikkim.

22^nd State of India

In 1973, riots in front of the Chogyal's palace in Gangtok led to increasing political instability in the kingdom. This led to signing of a historic tripartite agreement between the Government of Sikkim, the Chogyal and three major political parties in Sikkim on May 8, 1973.

In an Assembly election that followed the agreement the Lhendup Dorji Kazi-led Sikkim Congress won the polls and formed the government with Kazi as its first Chief Minister.

Amidst pro and anti-merger political battle between the people, Sikkim was made an Associate State of Indian in the latter part of 1974 on the insistence of the Kazi Government.

When anti-merger forces led by supporters of the Chogyal and a Nepali leader Nar Bahadur Bhandari refused to give into to the Sikkim Congress’s demand for merger with India a special poll was called in April 1975. Most Sikkimese alleged that the polls were unfair but the official results showed that the people had voted unanimously for the ‘merger’ of the kingdom with the Indian Union.

Thereafter, the Indian Parliament hurriedly passed the 36^th Amendment Bill making Sikkim the 22^nd State of India on April 26, 1975. Sikkim formally became a full-fledged State of India on May 16, 1975 and this day is observed as ‘State Day.’