Rebel outfits to form common forum

Caesar Mandal, TNN 19 July 2009, 04:36am IST

KOLKATA: To spearhead the movement for a separate state comprising North Bengal and a portion of lower Assam, a new platform of ethnic groups in

the region is likely to surface at New Bongaigaon a town in lower Assam on Sunday afternoon.

Amidst the ongoing impasse on the Hills, the outfit may come as a nightmare for the administration as the leaders of the outfit have threatened to intensify the movement across North Bengal, which may singe the region all over again.

After a series of three meetings to form an united platform, represented by leaders of different camps of the local ethnic groups Gorkha, Koch and Bodo the new organization may be called the North East Democratic Alliance. There is a clear indication of an attempt to link up the decade-old ethnic problem of North Bengal with the ethnic strife-torn north-eastern states.

During the past three meetings held in Dinhata, Mathabhanga and Cooch Behar town in North Bengal, members of all major ethno-political parties active in the area, including the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the ones fighting for Kamtapur and Greater Cooch Behar, have agreed to drop any specific name for the separate state they are demanding.

"Our main aim is to get a piece of land as our new state. It was a unanimous decision to drop names like Kamtapur or Gorkhaland under the umbrella organization as it could create differences among us. We have a specific blueprint on the basis of which we would be able to convince each ethnic group fighting for separate land," said Shivaji Sarkar, who had played a significant role in the Greater Cooch Behar movement and is now acting as the convener of the organization.

Sarkar confirmed that on Sunday, in the presence of members from each organization, they would form the executive committee of the new outfit to be headed by the chief convener. Sources said three members from each group will represent the executive committee.

Biswajit Roy, another key person behind the unification programme, hinted that the Bodos another major group in Assam fighting for a separate state would support their movement. "Both Kochs and Bodos have the same origin and we are fighting for the same reason. I have spoken to their leaders who have assured me of joining us," said Roy, president of the All Assam Koch Rajbanshi Student's Union believed to be one of the powerful ethnic outfits in Assam.

Roy, however, extended his support to other groups, like Dimasa, which have been demanding similar status like the Kochs in North Cachar Hills clearly indicating the ongoing bonding between North Bengal and the North-East on the issue of ethnic identity.

Farewell to arms, back to books

TIMES OF INDIA simang Daimary, TNN 12 July 2009, 11:04pm IST

KOKRAJHAR: From the world of blood to the world of books . For those once trigger-happy rebels, who even some time ago, would be engaged in
bloody fare with security forces and rival groups, it's been an intriguing but hugely learning and churning journey.

And somewhere in the bargain, they had lost out on education. Now, these surrendered militants have decided to make up for go back to the world of books.

With a renewed zeal to study, they have enrolled their names for distance learning at the Kokrajhar Science College branch of Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University (KKHSOU) in the district. The former rebels include those who once belonged to the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), the now-disbanded Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), the Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (Multa), the Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO), and the Adivasi Cobra Militant Force (ACMF).

"I was lured into militancy way back in 2001. I had just passed my higher secondery exams the year before and rebellion was a full-time job which prevented me from pursuing further studies," said Sudem Brahma, a former NDFB militant, adding with a glint in his eyes, "I have joined the college to begin life anew after surrendering to security forces in 2004."

Philimon Bhaskey, a former ACMF ultra who had also enrolled his name at KKHSOU said, "I did not see any point in continuing with the militancy and therefore surrendered. I feel I am still a student who has unfortunately missed out on a lot in life due to a wrong decision in the past." He also thanked the institute's management for giving him the opportunity to begin his life afresh.

Bigrai Narzary, an ex-BLT militant, said, "BLT has been disbanded after a successful struggle leading to an accord with the Central government and Assam in 2003. Now, after our mission has been accomplished, I have set a new target for myself pursuing education. I'm sure of making it successful here, too."

KKHSOU, with its branch at the Kokrajhar Science College, has played a vital role in helping these men chase their academic dreams. Its distance learning course has opened up new horizons for them. R N Singh, principal of the Kokrajhar Science College, said, "More than 200 students have successfully passed the BPP programme."

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/nepal-gives-world-its-first-rajbanshi-gita_100205361.html

TheThailand news

Nepal gives world its first Rajbanshi Gita

June 16th, 2009 - 9:56 am ICT by IANS -

By Sudeshna Sarkar
Kathmandu, June 16 (IANS) It is available in languages as diverse as Hebrew and Hungarian. Now the Bhagvad Gita - a scriptural classic that provides the essence of Hindu philosophy - has been rendered in an ancient tribal language still spoken in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Pawan Rajbanshi, a 41-year-old fine arts teacher from Ghailadubba village in Jhapa, a tea garden district in eastern Nepal bordering India, has come out with the first Gita in the Rajbanshi language spoken by his community.

Also known as Kamtapuri and Tajpuri, the Rajbanshi language bears a striking resemblance to the Bengali and Nepali languages and uses a script that the Rajbanshis say is also the foundation of the Bengali language.

“It took me four months. For the translation, I used the original Sanskrit, Nepali and Hindi versions,” Pawan Rajbanshi told IANS.

Pawan Rajbanshi, whose ancestors migrated to Nepal after the fall of the powerful Koch kingdom in eastern India that had held sway over the present Assam state and north Bengal, speaks Sanskrit. The language of ancient Indian classics and Hindu scriptures is a legacy handed down to him by his grandfather.

“As a child, my grandfather used to read out ’shlokas’ (Hindu holy chants) to me and encourage me to explore Sanskrit texts. That is how I came to grow up with the language,” said Pawan Rajbanshi, who is also a news reader and editor for the Rajbanshi language service of Kanchanjungha FM, a private radio station in Jhapa.

He hopes the Rajbanshi Gita, which costs Nepali Rs.150, will be read by members of the community in Nepal, who number about 300,000 and live in three districts bordering India: Morang, Sunsari and Jhapa.

However, his dream is that it will also be read by Rajbanshis in India’s West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and other northeastern states as well as in Bhutan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

“The Gita is not just a religious text,” he says, explaining why he chose the ancient classic. “It also guides you to a better way of life. For an advanced society, we need upliftment in all spheres - social, economic, religious and spiritual. The Gita gives you a spiritual uplift.”

When he began the translation, people asked him to start with “Muna-Madan”, Laxmi Prasad Devkota’s 20th century epic that is one of the best loved works in Nepali literature.

“However, ‘Muna-Madan’ is a love story,” says Pawan Rajbanshi. “Our community has a very rich drama tradition and we are familiar with narrative masterpieces. I wanted to make a contribution to society. The Gita also stands for a dynamic and progressive way of life, emphasising the culture of ‘work is worship’. I myself believe in that culture.”

Though the Rajbanshi Gita is out now, its creator doesn’t want to stop there. He says he will start work on another interpretive, modernised version - in Rajbanshi.

(Sudeshna Sarkar can be contacted at sudeshna.s@ians.in)

Health plea to step up security around Cooch Behar hospitals

Health plea to step up security around Cooch Behar hospitals

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=10&theme=&usrsess=1&id=258033

COOCH BEHAR, 14 JUNE: The Cooch Behar district health department asked the district administration to strengthen security around the hospitals, in the wake of frequent ransacking incidents. According to the police department, the proposal is now under consideration.
Trinamul Congress activists ransacked the office room of the Maharaja Jitendra Narayan hospital superintendent, alleging that three newborn babies died on 8 June following an oxygen cylinder explosion. They also staged a demonstration at the office of the chief medical officer (health) in Cooch Behar.
Earlier, the Forward Bloc and the CPI-M activists demonstrated at Dinhata sub-divisional hospital on 1 June, protesting against low quality diets, poor services and irregularities. They are reported to have thrown rotten potatoes at the hospital superintendent and the doctors while a doctor was also manhandled after which the doctors observed a ceasework at the outpatients’ department. Mathabhanga sub-divisional hospital is also bearing the brunt of the public anger with ransacking incidents becoming more frequent.
Defending the district health department's initiative, the Cooch Behar unit secretary of Indian Medical Association, Dr Amal Basak said, “There was a demand for police outposts in the district hospital and all the sub-divisional hospitals. Ransacking hospitals and attacks on doctors amount to non-bailable offences in many states and this rule should be introduced in Bengal too.” The Cooch Behar CMOH, Dr Radha Raman Banik said he had asked the district magistrate to set up police outposts outside hospitals. A district police official said, the proposal is under consideration. ;SNS

Remote bio-diversity reserve beckons tourists

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090520/jsp/northeast/story_10987560.jsp The Telegraph Remote bio-diversity reserve beckons tourists OUR CORRESPONDENT

May 19: The dedicated efforts of a wildlife conservation group are paying dual dividends — in transforming a remote bio-diversity reserve in lower Assam into a tourist hotspot, slowly but surely and helping villagers sustain their livelihood.

Ultapani — a bio-diversity reserve located along the Bhutan foothills in Chirang district under BTAD — is gradually turning into a tourist hub. Thanks to the work done by the Ultapani Bio-diversity Conservation Society apart from its unique natural beauty and habitat of many a rare and endangered avi-fauna and flora, the reserve today has caught the attention of the naturalists and tourists.

Kanak Narzary, the secretary of the conservation society, said of late, people living in and around the periphery of the Ultapani and Labanyapur have understood the loss of natural resources and if it continues in the future, then nothing would be left to sustain their livelihood.

“We are trying to save this unique place of nature to showcase the beauty and habitat of several rare animals and plants which would attract people to visit this site and this would in turn economically benefit the villagers,” Narzary said.

“Though there is a shortage of tourist amenities, members of the conservation society are now providing accommodation in their traditional huts and also in the Ultapani inspection bungalow. They also act as guides to the tourists and help out everything to get all those facilities which the domestic tourists require,” Narzary said.

The area is located under the Chirang Reserve Forest surrounded by Manas National Park on the east and Ripu Reserve Forest on the west while the lofty hills of Bhutan greet on the northern side.

Niraj Sarkar of Nature’s Foster, an NGO of Bongaigaon district, said Ultapani had enough potential to be developed into a tourist hotspot in lower Assam.

“In view of the growing campaign by the activists of the society, the BTAD administration has taken up infrastructure development, including remodelling of the inspection bungalow, into a tourist guest house to promote this site as a tourist destination,” Sarkar added.

From Bongaigaon, it is a two-and half-hour journey and it is 24km from Bishmuri village by National Highway 31 in Chirang district. Ultapani is covered with tropical semi-evergreen forests, tropical moist and dry deciduous forests and alluvia grasslands which provide shelter to many a wild animal, including big cats like tiger (panthara tigris) and leopard (panthara pardus) and elephant (elephas maximus).

Besides these, one can see some rare birds like pied hornbill, wreathed hornbill, nightjars, tragopans, falcons, peafowls, partridges, vultures, doves and minuets. In the two forest villages — Ultapani and Labanyapur — the activists have been campaigning to save the forest to save the habitat of avi-fauna and flora.

Nature clubs of lower Assam districts also organise camps to educate and create awareness among the youths on the environment in Ultapani.

Tribals’ anger simmers in ‘calm’ Dooars

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Tribals--anger-simmers-in--calm--Dooars/474103/

Tribals’ anger simmers in ‘calm’ Dooars

Kolkata:

A tenuous normalcy returned to the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district on Tuesday, after Monday’s clashes between the police and supporters of Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad (ABAVP) that left four tribals injured in the police firing.

Twelve police personnel, including the deputy superintendent of police, Alipurduar, and officer-in-charge of Hashimara police outpost, were injured when protesters resorted to pelting stones and shooting bows and arrows.

Trouble flared in Hashimara when ABAVP supporters gheraoed the Hashimara police outpost during a bandh called by them over alleged police inaction in a rape and murder case.

According to ABAVP leaders, an FIR was filed on April 1 against a local resident Ranjit Mochari for allegedly molesting a tribal woman, and for killing another tribal Sukra Oraon who had protested against the rape. FIRs had also been filed against the pradhan and an office-bearer of Kalchini Block Panchayat Samiti for trying to hush up the case. Based on the complaint, Mochari was arrested.

KPP-NCP merger talks

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=6&theme=&usrsess=1&id=256789

THE STATESMAN JUNE 5, 2009

KPP-NCP merger talks
SILIGURI, 4 JUNE: Talks are on between the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the north Bengal-based Kamtapur Progressive Party (KPP) for a possible merger.Sources said KPP president Mr Atul Roy floated the proposal for a merger with the NCP in March after the NCP general secretary, Mr PA Sangma, had announced support to the demand for Constitutional recognition of the Kamtapuri language. The NCP is also eyeing to take into its fold another Kamtapuri faction ~ the Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) ~ which too thrives on the socio-political aspirations of the Kamtapuri community. “Talks are moving ahead in a positive direction with Mr Sangma personally handling the matter. What we are planning is to merge both the KPP and the GCDP in the NCP, but not obliterating their identity overnight,” said Mr Ratan Shome ~ the NCP West Bengal in-charge and a close aide of Mr Sangma. Though no timeframe has been fixed yet for the proposed mergers ~ it could happen as early as mid July or even a few months later. Two separate merger ceremonies ~ one in Jalpaiguri for the KPP and another in Cooch Behar for the GCDP, are being planned. But there are two issues that are delaying the merger. First, while the KPP wants the NCP to recognise its demand for a separate Kamtapur state, the NCP is not willing to stretch beyond the language demand at this juncture. Secondly, the GDCP founder president Mr Bansibadan Burman and other important leaders of the faction are currently lodged in jail. The GCDP is insisting on their release before agreeing to the merger.According to the KPP president, Mr Atul Roy, while the merger with the NCP is yet to take a final shape, they have already taken a plunge to establish the NCP in north Bengal. “We have offered to merge with the NCP on certain conditions pertaining to the Kamtapuri aspirations and the negotiations are still on. But right now, what we are focusing on is to establish the NCP in north Bengal as an alternative to both the Left and the Congress-Trinamul combine,” the KPP president said. Towards this end, the KPP members have now filed their nominations as NCP candidates for the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad polls slated for 28 June. ;Bappaditya Paul