C O N T E N T S. Editorial Board. Chief Editor Shambhu Singh. Editors Dr. M.C. MehAnathan J.P.N. Singh B.R. Dhiman

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1 FOR FREE PUBLIC CIRCULATION Vol. XIV. No. 6, June, 2012 MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS A Monthly Newsletter on the North Eastern Region of India GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Also available on Internet at : We are all knit together by bonds of blood... None can segregate us... no impassable barriers can be set up between us. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel C O N T E N T S DEVELOPMENTS WITH REFERENCE TO NORTH EASTERN REGION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT UNDER CIVIC ACTION PROGRAMME BY CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN SIKKIM PROGRAMMES UNDERTAKEN BY MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE NE STATES GROWTH IN PRODUCTION OF BAMBOO BASED PRODUCTS IN TRIPURA RISE IN RHINO POPULATION IN ASSAM PLAN OUTLAY FOR FOR NAGALAND FLOOD AID TO ASSAM CBSE TOPPER IS FROM NE HYBRID RICE CULTIVATION IN ASSAM READERS COLUMN LETTERS TO EDITOR Editorial Board Chief Editor Shambhu Singh Editors Dr. M.C. MehAnathan J.P.N. Singh B.R. Dhiman DEVELOPMENTS WITH REFERENCE TO NORTH EASTERN REGION 1. A meeting was held in New Delhi on to finalise Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with Dima Halam Daogah/Nuninsa (DHD/N). In the meeting a draft MoS was finalized and sent to State Government and concerned Ministries for inter-ministerial consultation. 2. A meeting was held in New Delhi on to discuss issues connected with initiation of talks with National Democratic Front of Boroland/ Ranjan Daimary (NDFB/RD). 3. On 26 th -27 th June, 2012, the 19 th Sectoral Level Meeting (SLM) between India and Myanmar was held at Kolkata. Both sides discussed and agreed to cooperate on issues like Insurgent Groups along the border, arms smuggling & drug trafficking, border management issues etc. It was agreed to operationalise a third Border Laison Office (BLO) at Changlang (India) and Pan Hasan (Myanmar) by October, On , a meeting was held by Home Secretary with the representatives of ULFA to review the progress made in the talks. (a) ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT UNDER CIVIC ACTION PROGRAMME BY CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES Activities carried out by Assam Rifles 1. Assam Rifles constructed a road connecting two villages at Mon District. The Assam Rifles has recently gifted Pukha and Wetting villages in Mon district under Phomching Sub Division their first road. The jeepable track of 20 km connects Phomching, Wetting and Pukha. 6 Assam Rifles also developed a playground at Wetting Village and a school playground at Phomching. 1

2 NE NEWS WSLE LETT TTER Assam Rifles constructed a road connecting Pukha and Wetting villages in Mon district, Nagaland. 2. Assam Rifles Observes World Environment Day. 37 Assam Rifles organised a tree plantation drive on 05 Jun 2012 to commemorate the World Environment Day. 250 saplings were planted at Joupi villages. 23 Assam Rifles organized a plantation drive on 04 Jun 2012 at Shangshak, Ukhrul. 600 saplings were planted on the occasion. (ii) 28 AR along with Manipur Women Foundation and Manipur State Legal Service Authority observed World Environment Day on 05 Jun 2012 at Thiyam Konjin Village. Issues such as protecting the women from domestic violence, environment pollution and some of the issues that are relevant for the common man were discussed on the occasion. Assam Rifles organsied a function on the occasion of World Environment Day at Thiyam Konjin Village, Joupi Village & Shangshak Villages. 3. Assam Rifles organized felicitation ceremony. A felicitation ceremony for meritorious students of Khongjom Circle comprisimg Langthel, Phundrei, Sibanagar, Samaram, Chingtham, Sapangsalai, Papal, Langthavan khunou and Waram villages was organised by Khongjom Youth Development Association in association with 15 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR (S) on 06 Jun Approximately 30 students were felicitated on the occasion for their outstanding performance in the higher secondary examination (ii) A ceremony was organised on 06 Jun 2012 at Assam Rifles Nodal School, Mantripukhri to felicitate meritorious students. The School achieved 100% results in the recently declared Class X CBSE Board exams. Felicitation function for meritious students at 1st Khongjom circle ASSAM Rifles Nodal School, Mantripurkhri Felicitation its Achievers 2

3 June Assam Rifles organized plantation drive on Green Mizoram Day 7 Sector Assam Rifles and units under command observed World Environment Day at Tuensang, Mon, Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Longleng by launching plantation drive. All ranks of 7 Sector Assam Rifles, members of their families and students of the Assam Rifles School participated in the drive with great enthusiasm. Over 2000 saplings were planted. (ii) 31 Assam Rifles launched a plantation drive at Mokokchung and at company operation base at Longleng and Tuli on the occasion of World Environment Day on 05 Jun Troops of 31 AR alongwith the people joined the plantation drive. 820 saplings were planted on the occasion. (iii) Green Mizoram Day 2012 was observed at HQ 23 Sector AR and at Zokhawsang, the new location of 26 Assam Rifles in association with the State Govt. and the Ministry of Environment & forests. Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Lal Thanhawla graced the occasion as the chief guest saplings were planted in the AR complex at HQ 23 Sect AR and at Zokhawsang on the occasion. 5. Assam Rifles organised Medical Camp. A medical team of 30 Assam Rifles saved the life of two civilians namely Y Brojen Singh, aged 43 years, resident of village Waheng of Khuman of Bishnupur district and Smt Geeta Devi, aged Plantation Drive on the occasion of Green Mizoram Day. 30 years, a resident of village - Kanto Khulen, Imphal West district who were bitten by venomous snakes and were brought to the medical camp organized at Sajik Thampak on 09 Jun More than 65 villagers attended the camp. 6. Assam Rifles DUDA organised free medical camps at Phek, Nagaland. A joint free medical camp was organized by the Assam Rifles and the Department of Under Development Areas (DUDA) under Border Area Development Project (BADP) at Waziho village in Phek district on Medical Camp organized by Assam Rifles. 06 Jun and Khongsa village in Kiphire district on 08 Jun. 387 patients including 187 patients at Waziho and 200 patients at Khongsa were administered medical assistance. The villagers were treated free of cost and provided with free medicines/injections at the medical camp. Free medical camps organized by Assam Rifles at Phek district. 3

4 NE NEWS WSLE LETT TTER 7. Assam Rifles gifted sewing machine and equipment to Aspire School. 14 Assam Rifles handed over one usha sewing machine, blankets and sweets to Orphanage Home, Serchhip on 08 Jun 12. (ii) 14 Assam Rifles handed over various equipments to disabled children of Aspire School, Serchhip on 08 Jun 12. Commandant 14 Assam Rifles handed over wheel chair, crutches, shoes and T- shirts during a ceremony. Commandant also interacted with school staff. Gifting of sewing machine and equipment to Aspire School by Assam Rifles. 8. Assam Rifles organised football tournament and summer camp. (i) Headquarter 9 Sector under the aegis of IGAR(S) aided a football tournament organized by Nambol Area Veteran Sports Association in Khoriphaba ground, Nambol Chingmang on 10 Jun The match was kicked off by the local MLA Shri Sharatchandra. On the occasion footballs were also distributed. (ii) 28 Assam Rifles organized a seven days summer camp which was inaugurated on 11 Jun 12 at Assam Rifles Senior Secondary School, Keithelmanbi. As part of the summer camp, visits and educational tours were organised to important places, yoga classes, various competitions including on clay modeling and painting. 50 students (19 girls and 31 boys) participated in the camp. The participants also took part in adventure activities like horse riding, trekking and treasure hunt. 9. Assam Rifles interacted with Ex-Servicemen. 15 Assam Rifles organised an ex- Servicemen interaction programme at Chandrakhong on 11 Jun Ex-servicemen from the neighboring villages i.e Somrei, Phainom, Chandrakhong, Irong, Yasom, Saram and Tangkhul Khullen attended the programme and discussed various issues. Post Commander discussed with the ex-soldiers a wide range of issues like curbing militancy, controlling drug menace, recruitment of their wards in Security Forces and social upliftment. 15 Assam Rifles also assured them to provide all facilities to which they are entitled such as CSD, medical facilities etc. 10. Assam Rifles donates solar lamps and ration items. 28 Assam Rifles donated solar lamps etc. to Tom Missionary High School at Andro village on 14 Jun Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest IGAR (S) Maj Gen U K Gurung stressed upon the importance of good relations between the armed forces and local people. He stated that Assam Rifles has been actively involved in assisting the local population, development of infrastructure and promoting education in far flung and backward villages. Assam Rifles donates solar lamps etc. 4

5 June Assam Rifles promotes sports activities. 30 Assam Rifles organised a friendly football match between the team of Nilakutti youth club and a team of Nilakutti Company Operation Base of 30 AR at Nilakutti village on 17 Jun 12. The large congregation from Nilakutti village witnessed the match which was won by the local Nilakutti Youth Club team. (b) Activities carried out by Central Reserved Police Forces (CRPF): (i) Civic Action Programme organized by 136 BN CRPF, Distt- Nalbari, Assam. 136 Bn CRPF organized a series of programmes in the month of May, 2012 in which various sports items were distributed to the students of Govt. School at Nalbari and solar lamps with plates to the needy poor villagers of Barma, District Baksha (Assam). (ii) Civic Action Programme organized by 175 BN CRPF, Azara, Kamrup, Assam. 175 Bn CRPF organsied a friendly football tournament on 03/06/2012 and 04/06/2012 in which 8 teams of different schools of Kamrup, district participated. Final was played between the teams of Rani High School and Jalukbari Higher Secondary School. On the occasion, sports items were distributed to all the teams which participated in the tournament. 12 bicycles were also distributed to needy students. (C) Activities carried out by Sastra Seema Bal (SSB) A training programme in computer concepts was conducted by SSB Sikkim Area in association with Lakhotia Computer Centre from to at Gangtok for 20 girls selected from the remote villages of West and East districts. The objective of the programme was to impart knowledge and skills in the field and to make the participants aware of the wide scope of use of computers in day to day work with the aim of helping the unemployed youth in setting up their own enterprise for livelihood. 7 days training programme on Rural livelihood through polultry, piggery, goatery and dairy farming for a group of 20 farmers was organized at Tadong, East Sikkim on 29 th May, This programme was organized by SSB in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR, Research Complex, Sikkim Centre, Gangtok under SSB s community development programme in NE Region. A study tour Discovering India with SSB - for 60 girls from the border villages of East and West districts of Sikkim was flagged off by Shri. D. B. Thapa, Minister, Urban Development & Housing, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Govt. of Sikkim in a function held at the premises of the White Memorial Hall, Gangtok on Aim of the study tour was to provide opportunity to youth to learn new things, acquire knowledge and develop personality as traveling is a part of education. The tour provided youth the exposure to the outside world and spot study of culture of other states. Besides they got a chance to exchange their views with youth of other states. A 12 days tour to cities of Puri, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mysore was organized in collaboration with IRCTC, which provided food and accommodation to the participants during the trip. SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES IN SIKKIM (i) Inauguration of power plant in North Minister for Power and Energy, Shri Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, inaugurated a 20 KW micro hydro-electricity power plant at Gor- Shagyong village, Dzongu, North Sikkim on May 3. The plant was established at a cost of Rs 33 lakhs and the land was donated by the local people. (ii) Foundation stone of Sikkim Judiciary Academy laid in Sikkim Justice Altamas Kabir, Judge of Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority, laid the foundation stone of the Sikkim Judiciary Academy (Nyaya Dwar) at Sokeythang near capital town Gangtok on May 14 in the presence of Justice Permod Kohli, Chief Justice and Justice S.P. Wangdi, Judge High Court of Sikkim and other dignitaries. (iii) High Tech Green House inaugurated in Sikkim The Minister for Food Security and Agriculture Development and Horticulture Cash Crop Development, Government of Sikkim Shri D.N. Takarpa inaugurated a High Tech Green House at Horticulture Farm complex at Bermoik, South Sikkim on May 20. The green house funded by the Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yozna, Government of India, was built 5

6 NE NEWS WSLE LETT TTER at cost of R.86 lakhs. The two units of the Green house have the storage capacity of 50,000 saplings. (iv) Sustainable Mountain Development Summit-2 of The Indian Mountain Initiative at Gangtok. The Sustainable Mountain Development Summit-2 of the Indian Mountain Initiative (IMI) was held in Gangtok Sustainable Mountain Development Summit 2 of the Indian Mountain Initiative (IMI) held in Gangtok. on May 25 and 26, The summit organised by the Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim (ECOSS) and co-organised by Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA) was inaugurated by the Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly Shri K.T. Gyaltsen. 250 delegates from eleven hill states of India including neighbouring Darjeeling hills participated in the summit. The theme of the summit was Water, mountain livelihoods, communities and forests and climate change. (V) Sikkim - Arunachal Sign MOU on Tourism Development A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on May 24, 2012 between the Government of Arunachal Pradesh represented by Shri Pema Khandu, Ministerin-Charge of Tourism and the Government of Sikkim represented by Shri Bhim Dhungel, Minister-in-Charge of Tourism and Civil Aviation for development and promotion of tourist destinations, creation of new avenues of tourism activities including adventure, culture and rural tourism and cooperation with each other for sustainable development of tourism in the region. PROGRAMMES UNDERTAKEN BY MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE NE STATES (i) Flood Management Flood Management being within the purview of States, the schemes for flood control are planned, funded and executed by the State Governments. The role of Central Government is technical, catalytical and promotional in nature. (ii) Flood Management Programme In order to provide Central assistance to the state governments for river management, flood control, antierosion works, anti-sea-erosion works, drainage development, flood proofing, flood prone area development programme, restoration of damaged flood management works etc., in critical reaches, which have secured all mandatory clearances; a scheme namely Flood Management Programme under state sector was approved for XI Plan period. (iii) Status of schemes from North Eastern States under Flood Management Programme (FMP) 195 flood management and anti erosion works with a total cost of Rs crore (Central Share Rs crore) from North Eastern Region are being provided central assistance under FMP. Central Assistance amounting to Rs crore was released to the North Eastern Region as on Out of 195 works, 141 works have been completed as on State-Wise details of the schemes included under FMP and funds released during XI Plan are given below. Details of Works Approved and Completed under Flood Management Programme during XI Plan upto SI. No State Nos. Total Cost in crore Works taken up under FMP Central Share in crore Funds Released in crore Works completed 1. Arunachal Pradesh Assam Manipur Mizoram Nagaland Sikkim Tripura Total

7 June 2012 GROWTH IN PRODUCTION OF BAMBOO BASED PRODUCTS IN TRIPURA Production of bamboo-based products like handicrafts, furniture and sticks for Agarbatti-making in Tripura has grown three-fold to Rs crore since Expressing satisfaction at the growth rate, state s Forest Minister Shri Jitendra Chowdhury said that there has been a commensurate increase in the revenue also. While in the turnover was Rs 28 crore, it grew more than three-fold at Rs crore this year which is 240 percent absolute growth rate. Buoyed by the performance, the state government has set an ambitious target of Rs. 200 crore turn-over per annum by The state earned 80 percent of its profit in bamboo products by making sticks for Agarbatti, which met 60 percent of the country s total demand for the product. The state has set a target of Rs. 54 crore as revenue next year from bamboo and handicrafts alone. According to the state government, there are 21 known species of bamboo available in the State. Bamboo is used by 2.5 billion people worldwide, of which one billion people use it for housing. The state government in collaboration with the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), has launched a massive drive for bamboo cultivation in the state. The state government had launched the Tripura Bamboo Mission in the year 2007 under a PPP framework, for integrated development of the sector. RISE IN RHINO POPULATION IN ASSAM Poachers may have been on the prowl and killing a number of rhinos, especially at Kaziranga National Park in Upper Assam. However, the population of the one-horned rhinoceros has shot up in the state very encouragingly, with the just-concluded census putting it at 2,505 over 300 more than what it was three years ago. In Kaziranga, which has the highest concentration of the one-horned rhinoceros, the figure has gone up from 2,048 in 2009 to 2,290 now, despite the death of roughly 120 rhinos between 2009 and The highest number of 14 rhinos were killed by poachers in Kaziranga National Park during 2009 while 2010 was the worst year in the park as far as natural deaths were concerned- 68 rhinos had died. PLAN PANEL APPROVED ANNUAL OUTLAY FOR NAGALAND The Nagaland State Annual Plan outlay for has been fixed at Rs. 2,300 crores which represents a 27 percent growth over last year s Plan outlay of Rs crore. The State Plan outlay was fixed on June 26, 2012 in a meeting held at the Planning Commission between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Neiphiu Rio. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Planning Minister, Shri TR Zeliang, Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board, Shri Neiba Kronu, Chief Secretary and other Senior Officers of the State Government. The Annual Plan outlay of Rs crores includes a provision of Rs. 300 crores as a special development package for Eastern Nagaland. The Planning Commission had also advised that for Eastern Nagaland a special development project for a period of five year should be worked out by the State Government and the current year s provision of Rs. 300 crores should be treated as the first installment. FLOOD AID TO ASSAM Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on assured all help to the Assam Government to fight the current floods in the State and instructed the Defence Ministry to provide assistance of the Army for the rescue and relief operations undertaken in the affected area. The Prime Minister also announced exgratia assistance to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent floods in Assam. An assistance of Rs. 1 lakh has been announced for the next of kin of each of the deceased from the Prime Minister s National Relief Fund. CBSE TOPPER IS FROM THE NORTH EAST Manipur boy Mohammad Ismat, who has topped the CBSE Class 12 examinations 2012, aspires to become a civil servant. He is the first student from the North East to achieve the distinction, scoring 99.6 percent marks. He scored 100% each in Mathematics, Chemistary, Home Science and Fine Arts, 97 in Physics and 98 in English. Ismat studied at the Zenith Academy at Sangaipron, which has decided to take care of his academic expenses. It felicitated Ismat with an award of Rs. 10 lakh State government presented him Rs. 5 lakh in appreciation of his achievement. 7

8 NE NEWS WSLE LETT TTER RNI Reg. No. R-72398/99 HYBRID RICE CULTIVATION IN ASSAM Assam Government has set an ambitious target of expanding area under hybrid rice cultivation to 20 percent of the total rice producing area to increase production. At present, 2.4 percent or 62,743 hectares of the total area of lakh hectares are under hybrid rice farming and this was expected to be enhanced to 5.46 lakh hectares by implementing a new scheme at a cost of Rs 417 crore during The productivity rate was estimated to be 6,765 kg per hectare with winter rice and summer rice accounting for lakh MT and lakh MT respectively, agriculture department sources have said. At present ( ), the productivity of rice per hectare in Assam is 1,983 kg as against national average of 2,240 kg, the sources said A plan has been chalked out to bridge the huge gap between rice productivity in the State and the National average by popularizing hybrid farming as with increase in productivity, the net income of farmers will also increase. It is estimated that by expanding the area under hybrid cultivation to 20 percent of the total rice, yield would increase to lakh MT during Agriculture department has set an overall target of rice production of lakh MT in , and the yield from hybrid cultivation would account for nearly half of it while covering only one-fifth of the total rice cropland, he said. READERS COLUMN The NE monthly Newsletter is published in English, Assamese, Bengali and Manipuri and has a circulation of 40,000 copies. Ministry of Home Affairs brings out the publication incorporating important information/ developments concerning North Eastern States. Ministry of Home Affairs, requests for inputs for the Newsletter from the State Governments, agencies, institutions and individuals highlighting the area specific issues, problems, special features potential for tourism, environmental protection or special efforts/achievement in various fields. Views and write-ups from general public are also solicited on specific issues/problems and including on measures for resolution thereto in the North East. Articles should be sent in a hard copy format accompanied by floppy/cd version along with photographs. Articles should be accompanied by an abstract of maximum of words. Readers are encouraged to send comments and suggestions (upto words) on published articles. All letters should have writer s full name and postal address. The selected articles will be published in the monthly NE Newsletter with due editing. 1. I shall be very grateful if you kindly send a free copy of the NE Newsletter in English to the address given below. Sd/- Dingu Kenye, Director, Community Development Agency, T. Chikri, Pfutsero , Dist- Phek, Nagaland LETTERS TO EDITOR 2. I shall be highly obliged if you kindly send a copy of NE Newsletter to the address given below. Sd/- Mrinmay Choudhury, C/O Diptikana Deb, PWD Sub-Division No. II, P.O. Kailashahar , Unakoti District, Tripura State 3. While working in Assam since last three years, I am interested to update information regularly about North Eastern States. Kindly send me copy of NE Newsletter to the address given below. Sd/- M.K Vishwakrma, Director, Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute (NER), Biswnath Chariali, Dist- Sonitpur, Assam, Pin MHA requests the readers to send their response through at: donedc-mha@nic.in Readers are also requested to their address for getting a copy of the N.E. News Letter through . Request for free copy of the NE Newsletter indicating language preferred or suggestions, if any, may be sent to the Chief Editor/Editor at the address given below: 8 Edited and Published by N.E. Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block, New Delhi Printed by: Chandu Press, D-97, Shakarpur, Delhi-92, Ph.: