Refugee repatriation affected due to blockade in Tripura

Agartala, Nov 18 : The second phase of Reang refugee repatriation, scheduled to begin today, was affected due to road blockade by a faction of refugees on the Tripura-Mizoram road, North Tripura officials said. According to a report, the Mizoram officials could not complete the refugee identification in four camps in Kanchanpur of North Tripura following the blockade by a group of refugees who opposed it.

The identification task started on November 13 last for the second phase of repatriation but it could not be completed despite the initiative from both the Mizoram and Tripura administration, the report stated.

Earlier, 53 families had returned to Mizoram during the first phase of repatriation on November 3 and 4 last.

On the other hand, Bru Displaced Welfare Organisation (BDWO) threatened to launch an agitation against the repatriation and argued that the second phase would start only after the successful implementation of the package for those who had returned home. The BDWO stated that they would not favour immediate return of remaining refugees sheltered in six camps in Kanchanpur unless the Mizoram government implemented the rehabilitation package.

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Mizoram bans short skirts in schools

Aizawl, Nov 18 : The Mizoram government has banned school girls from wearing short skirts and boys from low-waist pants.

In a circular issued to schools across Mizoram yesterday, higher Technical Education Secretary Esther Lalruatkimi said short skirts and low-waist pants in schools were banned.

Any offender was liable to be slapped a fine of Rs 300 for first offence, which might increase to Rs 500 for second offence and expulsion from school for third offence, the circular said.

The prohibition applied to all schools, from primary to higher secondary, government and private in Mizoram.

The move came after Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the state's apex students body, raised concern over the short skirts and low-waist trousers and formerly asked the government to impose decent dress code for school-going teenaged students.

The government order stated that the skirts should reach up to the umbilicus and cover the knees.

Besides the dresses, the girls are not allowed to colour their hairs or cut them too short, while the boys are also not allowed to don spiky hairs or use too much hair gel.

''Skin-showing dresses made fashionable by rock stars find their way to Mizoram almost instantly. Even school students catch on to atrocious styles, going to the extent of tweaking their uniforms,'' MZP President VL Krosshnehzova said here today.

''We are very happy that the government has imposed decent dress code for students,'' he added.

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Mizoram: Uncertainty Over Bru Repatriation

Aizawl, Nov 17 : Uncertainty clouded the second phase of Bru repatriation, rescheduled to begin from Thrusday, as the consultations held by Mizoram and Tripura government officials with refugee organisations at Kanchanpur in North Tripura district went inconclusive.

Sources said that anti-repatriation leaders like A Sawibung and Bruno Msha of the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) opposed the repatriation unless and until a four-cornered negotiation is held between the MBDPF, the Centre and the state governments of Mizoram and Tripura to sign a memorandum of understanding incorporating a series of their demands.

Pro-repatriation leaders like Elvis Chorkhy of the Bru Coordination Committee (BCC) and Vanlallawma and Lalnunsiama of the Repatriation Implementation Committee (RIC) have expressed support to government plans to repatriate the refugees lodged in six relief camps.

They said that elaborate security arrangements be made to ensure smooth return of the refugees in view of the road blockade threats by anti-repatriation elements.

Zothankhuma, deputy commissioner of Mizoram-Tripura border Mamit district, who presided over the consultation said that the state government has been making all necessary arrangements for the repatriation and he would again consult the higher authority in Aizawl before taking any further steps.

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Manmohan Singh may visit Mizoram in December

Aizawl, Nov 17 : PM Manmohan Singh may visit Mizoram during the first half of next month, according to official sources.

A meeting of Mizoram top officials, headed by chief secretary Vanhela Pachuau, today suggested that achievements and special initiatives taken up by various departments under the present ministry be compiled in a book to be released during the Prime Minister’s tentative visit.

The meeting, held at the secretariat conference hall, New Secretariat Complex, also discussed paucity of planned funds faced by different departments as a result of pay revision, shortfall in matching share for centrally sponsored schemes, additional requirement of fund for repair of roads and buildings due to damage caused by monsoon and shortfall in the plan allocation for other priority projects.

Departments are advised to bring such shortfalls to the notice of the principal adviser to the State Planning Board, sources said.

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Mizoram: Second phase of Bru repatriation might get affected

Aizawl, Nov 15 : The second phase of Bru repatriation, scheduled to begin from tomorrow, may run into trouble due to a road blockade by elements against the deportation in relief camps.

Around 100 families were identified but the officials could not undertake identification work in three relief camps due to the blockade, general secretary of the pro-repatriation Bru Coordination Committee (BCC) Elvis Chorkhy, told PTI today from Tripura.

Preparations to repatriate families identified by Mizoram government officials began on Saturday.

Mizoram and Tripura government officials would discuss the proposed repatriation today where the issue of providing adequate security to those who want to return to Mizoram will be discussed.

Earlier, 53 families had returned to Mizoram during the first phase of repatriation on November 3 and 4.

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Our bridge to southeast Asia

Myanmar's generals are nothing if not manipulative and sharp. This explains why they timed the elections, which of course, the army won hands down, days before the house arrest of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi came to an end. She has been released, but the generals are safely in power and
there is not much she can do to unseat them for quite a while to come, if at all.

India has held its counsel on developments in Myanmar, despite a rap on the knuckles from President Barack Obama. While India has always expressed its support for democracy, it has followed the southeast Asian policy of constructive engagement with the regime much as the US as done with undemocratic regimes like Saudi Arabia and military regimes in Pakistan. India's geopolitical considerations are slightly different from those on the Washington beltway given that it shares a 1,600-km border with Myanmar. The generals have been more than accommodative of India's concerns on counter-terror cooperation and border management. New Delhi sees Myanmar as a bridge to southeast Asia, consistent with the UPA government's Look East policy. Foreign policy pragmatists in India don't feel that the promotion of democracy can be a consistent pillar of policy for any nation, and India is no exception. There are restive minorities on both sides of the border with Myanmar and long-standing insurgencies that India wants to contain on its side. For this, security cooperation with Yangon is vital. India also wants transport corridors from its volatile northeast to some of Myanmar's cities. It has recently asked for a transport corridor to the northeast through Myanmar and for shipping routes from Kolkata to Sittwe port from where goods can move overland to Mizoram. Indian companies have substantial stakes in Myanmar's rich oil and gas fields and in its abundant natural resources.

The theory that we have to engage with those in power, irrespective of their democratic credentials has worked for western powers who are quick to preach a different set of rules to us. While New Delhi is chary of China's growing influence in Myanmar, it has not made an issue of it. Instead, it has actually explored the possibility of joint ventures with China in Myanmar, a smart bit of foreign policy thinking on the part of both countries. The recent upheavals in Myanmar and the refugee crisis have underscored the need for both China and India to ensure that there is stability in that country. The release of Ms Suu Kyi could be a sign that the military is now toying with the possibility of easing restrictions in the country, something that will hopefully be a harbinger of democracy in the future.

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DoNER secretary visits Mizoram

AIZAWL, Nov 7 – The Secretary to Ministry of DoNER, Ms Jayati Chandra recently held a series of meetings with the top officials of Mizoram Government on the developmental projects in the State.

At a meeting which was attended by Chief Secretary of Mizoram Van Hela Pachuau, PL Thanga, Member Secretary, State Planning Board and other senior officers, the DoNER secretary advised the officers to implement the projects sanctioned by the DoNER in Mizoram.

The meeting reviewed implementation of Non Lapsable Pool of Central Resources (NLCPR) in the State. Till date a total of 88 projects costing Rs 691.02 crore has been sanctioned by the DoNER Ministry out of which 57 projects costing Rs 31,079.11 lakh have been completed. There are 31 on-going projects with a total project cost of Rs 38,022.88 lakh. Senior officers highlighted a brief report on the progress of these projects and presented various suggestions to induce quicker and better quality of work.

Earlier, Ms Jayati Chandra visited Land Custom Station building, Zokhawthar, Border Trade Point at Melbuk and Horticulture department’s Rose and Mushroom Green Houses at New Champhai.

The Secretary was apprised of the present situation at Melbuk Border Trade Point where the Trade Point is yet to be formally commissioned due to delay on the part of the Myanmar Government.

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