C O N T E N T S Developments with Reference to North Eastern Region ¾ Developments with Reference to North Eastern Region 1

FOR FREE PUBLIC CIRCULATION Vol. XIV. No. 6, June, 20122012

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT OF INDIA A Monthly Newsletter on the North Eastern Region of India Also available on Internet at : www.mha.nic.in

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 ¾ DEVELOPMENTS WITH REFERENCE TO NORTH EASTERN REGION 1. A meeting was held in New Delhi on 12.06.2012 ¾ ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT UNDER CIVIC ACTION to finalise Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) PROGRAMME BY CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES with Dima Halam Daogah/Nuninsa (DHD/N). In the meeting a draft MoS was finalized and sent ¾ SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN SIKKIM to State Government and concerned Ministries for inter-ministerial consultation. ¾ PROGRAMMES UNDERTAKEN BY MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE NE STATES 2. A meeting was held in New Delhi on 19.06.2012 to discuss issues connected with initiation of talks ¾ GROWTH IN PRODUCTION OF BAMBOO BASED PRODUCTS IN TRIPURA with National Democratic Front of Boroland/ Ranjan Daimary (NDFB/RD). RISE IN RHINO POPULATION IN ASSAM ¾ 3. On 26th-27th June, 2012, the 19th Sectoral Level Meeting (SLM) between India and Myanmar ¾ PLAN OUTLAY FOR 2012-13 FOR NAGALAND was held at Kolkata. Both sides discussed and ¾ FLOOD AID TO ASSAM agreed to cooperate on issues like Insurgent Groups along the border, arms smuggling & ¾ CBSE TOPPER IS FROM NE drug trafficking, border management issues etc. It was agreed to operationalise a third ¾ HYBRID RICE CULTIVATION IN ASSAM Border Laison Office (BLO) at Changlang (India) and Pan Hasan (Myanmar) by October, 2012. ¾ READERS COLUMN 4. On 29.06.2012, a meeting was held by Home ¾ LETTERS TO EDITOR Secretary with the representatives of ULFA to review the progress made in the talks. Editorial Board ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT UNDER CIVIC ACTION PROGRAMME BY CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES Chief Editor Shambhu Singh (a) Activities carried out by Assam Rifles 1. Assam Rifles constructed a road connecting Editors two villages at Mon District. The Assam Rifles has recently gifted Pukha and Wetting villages in Dr. M.C. MehAnathan Mon district under Phomching Sub Division their J.P.N. Singh first road. The jeepable track of 20 km connects B.R. Dhiman Phomching, Wetting and Pukha. 6 Assam Rifles also developed a playground at Wetting Village and a school playground at Phomching.

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Assam Riﬂes constructed a road connecting Pukha and Wetting villages in Mon district, Nagaland.

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

Felicitation function for meritious students at ASSAM Riﬂes Nodal School, Mantripurkhri Felicitation 1st Khongjom circle its Achievers

2 June 2012

4. Assam Rifles organized plantation drive on Green Tuli on the occasion of World Environment Day on 05 Jun 2012. Mizoram Day Troops of 31 AR alongwith the people joined the plantation drive. 820 saplings were planted on the occasion. 7 Sector Assam Rifles and units under command observed World Environment Day at Tuensang, Mon, Mokokchung, (iii) Green Mizoram Day 2012 was observed at HQ 23 Sector Zunheboto and Longleng by launching plantation drive. All AR and at Zokhawsang, the new location of 26 Assam ranks of 7 Sector Assam Rifles, members of their families and Rifles in association with the State Govt. and the Ministry students of the Assam Rifles School participated in the drive of Environment & forests. Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri with great enthusiasm. Over 2000 saplings were planted. Lal Thanhawla graced the occasion as the chief guest. 2000 (ii) 31 Assam Rifles launched a plantation drive at saplings were planted in the AR complex at HQ 23 Sect AR Mokokchung and at company operation base at Longleng and and at Zokhawsang on the occasion.

Plantation Drive on the occasion of Green Mizoram Day. 5. Assam Riﬂes organised Medical Camp. A medical team 30 years, a resident of village - Kanto Khulen, Imphal West of 30 Assam Riﬂes saved the life of two civilians namely Y district who were bitten by venomous snakes and were Brojen Singh, aged 43 years, resident of village – Waheng brought to the medical camp organized at Sajik Thampak on of Khuman of Bishnupur district and Smt Geeta Devi, aged 09 Jun 2012. More than 65 villagers attended the camp.

Medical Camp organized by Assam Rifles. 6. Assam Rifles DUDA organised free medical camps 06 Jun and Khongsa village in Kiphire district on 08 Jun. 387 at Phek, Nagaland. A joint free medical camp was patients including 187 patients at Waziho and 200 patients organized by the Assam Rifles and the Department of Under at Khongsa were administered medical assistance. The Development Areas (DUDA) under Border Area Development villagers were treated free of cost and provided with free Project (BADP) 2011-12 at Waziho village in Phek district on medicines/injections at the medical camp.

Free medical camps organized by Assam Riﬂes at Phek district.

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7. Assam Rifles gifted sewing machine and equipment (ii) 14 Assam Rifles handed over various equipments to to Aspire School. 14 Assam Rifles handed over one usha disabled children of Aspire School, Serchhip on 08 Jun 12. sewing machine, blankets and sweets to Orphanage Home, Commandant 14 Assam Rifles handed over wheel chair, Serchhip on 08 Jun 12. 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 (ii) 28 Assam Rifles organized a seven days summer camp summer camp. which was inaugurated on 11 Jun 12 at Assam Rifles Senior Secondary School, Keithelmanbi. As part of the summer camp, (i) Headquarter 9 Sector under the aegis of IGAR(S) aided visits and educational tours were organised to important places, a football tournament organized by Nambol Area Veteran yoga classes, various competitions including on clay modeling Sports Association in Khoriphaba ground, Nambol Chingmang and painting. 50 students (19 girls and 31 boys) participated in on 10 Jun 2012. The match was kicked off by the local MLA the camp. The participants also took part in adventure activities Shri Sharatchandra. On the occasion footballs were also like horse riding, trekking and treasure hunt. distributed.

9. Assam Rifles interacted with Ex-Servicemen. 15 Assam 10. Assam Rifles donates solar lamps and ration Rifles organised an ex- Servicemen interaction programme items. 28 Assam Rifles donated solar lamps etc. to at Chandrakhong on 11 Jun 2012. Ex-servicemen from the Tom Missionary High School at Andro village on 14 Jun neighboring villages i.e Somrei, Phainom, Chandrakhong, 2012. Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest IGAR Irong, Yasom, Saram and Tangkhul Khullen attended the (S) Maj Gen U K Gurung stressed upon the importance programme and discussed various issues. Post Commander of good relations between the armed forces and local discussed with the ex-soldiers a wide range of issues like curbing militancy, controlling drug menace, recruitment people. He stated that Assam Rifles has been actively of their wards in Security Forces and social upliftment. 15 involved in assisting the local population, development Assam Rifles also assured them to provide all facilities to of infrastructure and promoting education in far flung which they are entitled such as CSD, medical facilities etc. and backward villages.

Assam Riﬂes donates solar lamps etc.

4 June 2012

11. Assam Riﬂes promotes sports activities. 30 Assam Operation Base of 30 AR at Nilakutti village on 17 Jun 12. Riﬂes organised a friendly football match between the team The large congregation from Nilakutti village witnessed of Nilakutti youth club and a team of Nilakutti Company the match which was won by the local Nilakutti Youth Club team.

(b) Activities carried out by Central Reserved Police aware of the wide scope of use of computers in day to day Forces (CRPF): work with the aim of helping the unemployed youth in setting up their own enterprise for livelihood. (i) Civic Action Programme organized by 136 BN CRPF, Distt- Nalbari, Assam. 136 Bn CRPF organized a series of 7 days training programme on Rural livelihood through programmes in the month of May, 2012 in which various polultry, piggery, goatery and dairy farming for a group of 20 sports items were distributed to the students of Govt. School farmers was organized at Tadong, East Sikkim on 29th May, at Nalbari and solar lamps with plates to the needy poor 2012. This programme was organized by SSB in collaboration villagers of Barma, District Baksha (Assam). with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR, Research Complex, Sikkim Centre, Gangtok under SSB’s community development (ii) Civic Action Programme organized by 175 BN CRPF, programme in NE Region. Azara, Kamrup, Assam. 175 Bn CRPF organsied a friendly football tournament on 03/06/2012 and 04/06/2012 in which A study tour “Discovering India with SSB’’- for 60 8 teams of different schools of Kamrup, district participated. girls from the border villages of East and West districts of Final was played between the teams of Rani High School and Sikkim was ﬂagged off by Shri. D. B. Thapa, Minister, Urban Jalukbari Higher Secondary School. On the occasion, sports Development & Housing, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer items were distributed to all the teams which participated in Affairs, Govt. of Sikkim in a function held at the premises of the tournament. 12 bicycles were also distributed to needy the “White Memorial Hall”, Gangtok on 12.06.2012. Aim of students. the study tour was to provide opportunity to youth to learn new things, acquire knowledge and develop personality as (C) Activities carried out by Sastra Seema Bal (SSB) “traveling is a part of education”. A training programme in computer concepts was The tour provided youth the exposure to the outside conducted by SSB Sikkim Area in association with Lakhotia world and spot study of culture of other states. Besides they got Computer Centre from 18.06.2012 to 07.07.2012 at Gangtok a chance to exchange their views with youth of other states. for 20 girls selected from the remote villages of West and A 12 days tour to cities of Puri, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, East districts. Bangalore and Mysore was organized in collaboration with The objective of the programme was to impart IRCTC, which provided food and accommodation to the knowledge and skills in the ﬁeld and to make the participants participants during the trip.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES IN SIKKIM

(i) Inauguration of power plant in North (Nyaya Dwar) at Sokeythang near capital town Gangtok on May 14 in the presence of Justice Permod Kohli, Chief Minister for Power and Energy, Shri Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, inaugurated a 20 KW micro hydro-electricity power Justice and Justice S.P. Wangdi, Judge High Court of Sikkim plant at Gor- Shagyong village, Dzongu, North Sikkim on May and other dignitaries. 3. The plant was established at a cost of Rs 33 lakhs and the (iii) High Tech Green House inaugurated in Sikkim land was donated by the local people. The Minister for Food Security and Agriculture (ii) Foundation stone of Sikkim Judiciary Academy laid Development and Horticulture Cash Crop Development, in Sikkim Government of Sikkim Shri D.N. Takarpa inaugurated a High Justice Altamas Kabir, Judge of Supreme Court of India Tech Green House at Horticulture Farm complex at Bermoik, and Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority, South Sikkim on May 20. The green house funded by the laid the foundation stone of the Sikkim Judiciary Academy Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yozna, Government of India, was built

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at cost of R.86 lakhs. The two units of the Green house have on May 25 and 26, 2012. The summit organised by the the storage capacity of 50,000 saplings. Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim (ECOSS) and co-organised by Central Himalayan Environment Association (iv) Sustainable Mountain Development Summit-2 of The (CHEA) was inaugurated by the Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Indian Mountain Initiative at Gangtok. Assembly Shri K.T. Gyaltsen. 250 delegates from eleven The Sustainable Mountain Development Summit-2 of hill states of India including neighbouring Darjeeling hills the Indian Mountain Initiative (IMI) was held in Gangtok 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, Minister- in-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 Sustainable Mountain Development Summit 2 of the Indian cooperation with each other for sustainable development Mountain Initiative (IMI) held in Gangtok. of tourism in the region.

PROGRAMMES UNDERTAKEN BY MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE NE STATES

(i) Flood Management a scheme namely ‘Flood Management Programme’ under state sector was approved for XI Plan period. Flood Management being within the purview of States, the schemes for flood control are planned, funded and executed (iii) Status of schemes from North Eastern States under by the State Governments. The role of Central Government is Flood Management Programme (FMP) technical, catalytical and promotional in nature. 195 flood management and anti erosion works with a (ii) Flood Management Programme total cost of Rs. 1402.78 crore (Central Share Rs. 1261.56 crore) from North Eastern Region are being provided central In order to provide Central assistance to the state assistance under FMP. Central Assistance amounting to Rs. governments for river management, flood control, anti- 1024.83 crore was released to the North Eastern Region erosion works, anti-sea-erosion works, drainage development, as on 31.03.2012. Out of 195 works, 141 works have been flood proofing, flood prone area development programme, completed as on 31.03.2012. State-Wise details of the restoration of damaged flood management works etc., in schemes included under FMP and funds released during XI critical reaches, which have secured all mandatory clearances; Plan are given below. Details of Works Approved and Completed under Flood Management Programme during XI Plan upto 31-3.2012.

Works taken up under FMP SI. State No Nos. Total Cost in Central Share Funds Released Works crore in crore in crore completed

1. Arunachal Pradesh 21 107.33 96.55 78.77 11

2. Assam 100 996.14 896.5 744.9 77

3. Manipur 22 109.34 98.41 65.03 19

4. Mizoram 29.13 8.22 3.4 -

5. Nagaland 11 49.35 44.38 28.96 9

6. Sikkim 28 104.92 94.42 82.86 21

7. Tripura 11 26.57 23.92 20.91 4

Total 195 1402.78 1262.4 1024.83 141

6 June 2012

GROWTH IN PRODUCTION OF BAMBOO BASED PRODUCTS IN TRIPURA

Production of bamboo-based products like handicrafts, 60 percent of the country’s total demand for the product. furniture and sticks for Agarbatti-making in Tripura has The state has set a target of Rs. 54 crore as revenue next grown three-fold to Rs. 93.05 crore since 2006-07. Expressing year from bamboo and handicrafts alone. According to the satisfaction at the growth rate, state’s Forest Minister Shri state government, there are 21 known species of bamboo Jitendra Chowdhury said that there has been a commensurate available in the State. Bamboo is used by 2.5 billion people increase in the revenue also. While in 2006-07 the turnover worldwide, of which one billion people use it for housing. was Rs 28 crore, it grew more than three-fold at Rs. 93.05 The state government in collaboration with the crore this year which is 240 percent absolute growth rate. Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), Buoyed by the performance, the state government has launched a massive drive for bamboo cultivation in has set an ambitious target of Rs. 200 crore turn-over per the state. The state government had launched the Tripura annum by 2016. The state earned 80 percent of its proﬁt in Bamboo Mission in the year 2007 under a PPP framework, for bamboo products by making sticks for Agarbatti, which met integrated development of the sector.

RISE IN RHINO POPULATION IN ASSAM

Poachers may have been on the prowl and killing a In Kaziranga, which has the highest concentration of number of rhinos, especially at Kaziranga National Park in the one-horned rhinoceros, the ﬁgure has gone up from Upper Assam. However, the population of the one-horned 2,048 in 2009 to 2,290 now, despite the death of roughly rhinoceros has shot up in the state very encouragingly, with 120 rhinos between 2009 and 2011. The highest number of the just-concluded census putting it at 2,505 over 300 more 14 rhinos were killed by poachers in Kaziranga National Park than what it was three years ago. 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 2012-13 other Senior Officers of the State Government. has been fixed at Rs. 2,300 crores which represents a 27 The Annual Plan outlay of Rs. 2300 crores includes percent growth over last year’s Plan outlay of Rs. 1810 a provision of Rs. 300 crores as a special development crore. The State Plan outlay was fixed on June 26, 2012 package for Eastern Nagaland. The Planning Commission in a meeting held at the Planning Commission between had also advised that for Eastern Nagaland a special Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr Montek Singh development project for a period of five year should be Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Neiphiu worked out by the State Government and the current Rio. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Planning year’s provision of Rs. 300 crores should be treated as Minister, Shri TR Zeliang, Deputy Chairman, State the first installment. Planning Board, Shri Neiba Kronu, Chief Secretary and

FLOOD AID TO ASSAM

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on 28.06.2012 The Prime Minister also announced exgratia assured all help to the Assam Government to fight the assistance to the families of those who lost their lives current floods in the State and instructed the Defence in the recent floods in Assam. An assistance of Rs. 1 Ministry to provide assistance of the Army for the lakh has been announced for the next of kin of each of rescue and relief operations undertaken in the affected the deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief area. Fund.

CBSE TOPPER IS FROM THE NORTH EAST

Manipur boy Mohammad Ismat, who has topped the Ismat studied at the Zenith Academy at Sangaipron, CBSE Class 12 examinations 2012, aspires to become a which has decided to take care of his academic expenses. civil servant. He is the ﬁrst student from the North East It felicitated Ismat with an award of Rs. 10 lakh State to achieve the distinction, scoring 99.6 percent marks. government presented him Rs. 5 lakh in appreciation of his He scored 100% each in Mathematics, Chemistary, Home achievement. Science and Fine Arts, 97 in Physics and 98 in English.

7 NNEE NENEWSWSLELETTTTERER RNI Reg. No. R-72398/99

HYBRID RICE CULTIVATION IN ASSAM

Assam Government has set an ambitious target of The productivity rate was estimated to be 6,765 kg per expanding area under hybrid rice cultivation to 20 percent hectare with winter rice and summer rice accounting for of the total rice producing area to increase production. At 15.85 lakh MT and 20.85 lakh MT respectively, agriculture present, 2.4 percent or 62,743 hectares of the total area department sources have said. At present (2010-11), the of 27.30 lakh hectares are under hybrid rice farming and productivity of rice per hectare in Assam is 1,983 kg as this was expected to be enhanced to 5.46 lakh hectares against national average of 2,240 kg, the sources said by implementing a new scheme at a cost of Rs 417 crore during 2012-13. 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 36.70 lakh MT during 2012-13. Agriculture department has set an overall target of rice production of 78.30 lakh MT in 2012-13, 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, public are also solicited on specific issues/problems and Assamese, Bengali and Manipuri and has a circulation including on measures for resolution thereto in the North of 40,000 copies. Ministry of Home Affairs brings out East. the publication incorporating important information/ developments concerning North Eastern States. Articles should be sent in a hard copy format accompanied by ﬂoppy/CD version along with photographs. Ministry of Home Affairs, requests for inputs for Articles should be accompanied by an abstract of maximum the Newsletter from the State Governments, agencies, of 150-200 words. Readers are encouraged to send comments institutions and individuals highlighting the area specific and suggestions (upto 300-400 words) on published articles. issues, problems, special features potential for tourism, All letters should have writer’s full name and postal address. environmental protection or special efforts/achievement The selected articles will be published in the monthly NE in various fields. Views and write-ups from general Newsletter with due editing.

LETTERS TO EDITOR

1. I shall be very grateful if you 2. I shall be highly obliged if you 3. While working in Assam since kindly send a free copy of the NE kindly send a copy of NE Newsletter last three years, I am interested Newsletter in English to the address to the address given below. to update information regularly given below. about North Eastern States. Kindly send me copy of NE Newsletter to Sd/- Sd/- the address given below. Dingu Kenye, Mrinmay Choudhury, Director, Community Development C/O Diptikana Deb, Sd/- Agency, PWD Sub-Division No. II, M.K Vishwakrma, Director, T. Chikri, Pfutsero-797101, P.O. Kailashahar- 799277, Farm Machinery Training & Testing Dist- Phek, Nagaland Unakoti District, Institute (NER), Tripura State Biswnath Chariali, Dist- Sonitpur, Assam, Pin- 784176

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