Tens of Thousands Newly Displaced in North-Eastern and Cen- Tral States

9 February 2006

India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states

The number of people known to be internally displaced by conflict in India exceeds 600,000. Insurgency and retaliatory operations by security forces are a major factor of displacement. Civilians have fled fighting and have sometimes been directly targeted by militant groups in Kashmir, the North-East and in several states of central India. A majority of the internally displaced people (IDPs) have not been able to return for several years, either due to protracted conflicts or unresolved issues related to land and property. One example is India’s largest group of internally displaced, the Kashmiri Pandits who have been fleeing the Kashmir Valley since 1989 due to perse- cution, killings and massacres. Thousands more have languished in relief camps in Assam since the early 1990s, while an undetermined number remain displaced after the communal violence that erupted in Gujarat in 2002. During During 2005 several tens of thousands more people were reported displaced in north- eastern and central parts of India. Worst affected were Assam and Manipur states in the North-East due to ethnic fighting and government security operations. Fighting between leftist extremist groups – commonly called Naxalites – and government security forces is also reported to have led to displacement in several of the central Indian states.

The national response to people fleeing confli ct is often ad-hoc and largely insuffi- cient. A first important step to improve assistance to internally displaced would be to conduct surveys in conflict-affected areas in order to document the magnitude of the problem as well as the needs of the displaced.

www.internal-displacement.org

India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

www.internal-displacement.org

India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

Jammu and Kashmir: thousands repaired their own houses, has still not await return been implemented (The Tribune, 14 Sep- tember 2005; Indian Express, 19 Septem- India’s largest situation of internal dis- ber 2005). Protection of the remaining placement stems from the conflict in the Pandit population has been far from ade- north-western state of Jammu and Kash- quate, leading to further displacement mir between militants seeking either in- during 2004 when 160 of the estimated dependence or accession to Pakistan, and 700 Pandit families remaining in the Indian security forces and police. The Kashmir Valley fled an upsurge of vio- status of Kashmir has been in dispute lence and killings (AI, 2 December 2003; since the creation of an independent India COE-DMHA, 5 April 2004; Central and Pakistan in 1947, and the two coun- Chronicle, 4 January 2005). Despite tries have twice gone to war over the is- threats from separatist militant groups sue. Although security has improved with against any attempt to return the Kash- the ceasefire concluded in November miri Pandits, the state government of 2003, militant Islamist groups have con- Jammu and Kashmir for its part main- tinued to launch attacks against local au- tains that it is moving forward with return thorities and civilians to sabotage the plans and that 1,600 families have sig- peace process. Since 1989, the insur- nalled in writing that they want to return gency in Indian-administered Kashmir to the valley (Reuters, 22 July 2005; The has claimed at least 67,000 lives (COE- Tribune, 14 September 2005). DMHA, 2 February 2006). Another long-lasting situation of internal More than 90 per cent of the Hindu popu- displacement exists along the Line of lation in the Kashmir Valley, the Kash- Control separating Indian- and Pakistani- miri Pandits, remain internally displaced controlled Kashmir. Since the end of the as a result of this armed conflict. Esti- 1990s, clashes between Indian and Paki- mates of the number of displaced vary. stani forces and attacks by separatist mili- The government estimates that 250,000 tant groups led to several waves of fled the Valley during the 1990s, while displacement from villages along the Pandit groups believe at least 350,000 Line of Control. The ceasefire has sub- people were displaced. Today, around stantially improved the security situation, 100,000 live in the capital New Delhi and but more than 12,000 (some say 30,000) some 240,000 in the city of Jammu (ORF people, are still displaced on the Indian 2003). Elections in Jammu and Kashmir side because their villages have not been in November 2002 led to the creation of a rehabilitated or their fields are mined. new coalition government and raised ex- Administrative delays have also hindered pectations for an end to the displacement their return. While the state government of the Kashmiri Pandits. However, an applied for support from the federal gov- ambitious return plan including cash as- ernment almost four years ago, a relief sistance, interest-free loans and the build- package was not approved until August ing of 500 apartments in the Anantnag 2005 (Daily Excelsior, 10 August 2005). district where some of the displaced Pan- Only 20 per cent of the funds had been dits would be able to stay until they have disbursed as of January 2006. Returnees

3 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

have also faced difficulties as they were In Assam, ethnic clashes over territorial reportedly not provided with cash assis- issues, insurgency against the Indian tance to repair the houses as promised. government for separate homelands and The earthquake that struck Kashmir in communal violence among the Assamese October 2005 has delayed the rehabilita- against "foreigners", mostly immigrants tion further (J & K Government, DIPR, 6 from Bangladesh, have led to widespread January 2006: Chakma, in the Tribune, 1 displacement. During 2005, thousands of January 2006). Muslims of Bengali origin were driven out by angry mobs, accused of being ille- gal migrants from Bangladesh (BBC, 9 The North-East: new displacement December 2005). Major waves of dis- in Assam, Tripura and Manipur placement have also occurred due to violence against seasonal workers, mainly The eight states in the geographically iso- from Bengal. In November 2003, com- lated and economically underdeveloped munal violence displaced at least 18,000 North-East are home to 200 of the 430 people who fled to about 40 camps in and tribal groups in India. Between 30 and 40 outside Assam (The Hindu, 2 December rebel groups are currently active in the 2003; Frontline, 6 December 2003). region. An influx of migrants from the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, At least 10,000 people have been killed Nepal and Burma (Myanmar) has caused in separatist violence in Assam over the a massive population increase and subse- past 25 years (COE-DMHA, 19 April quent competition for resources and jobs 2005). The largest displacement situation (Nath, January 2005). This has also in the state stems from the fighting be- spurred ethnic conflicts over land and tween Bodos and Santhals which erupted fighting for political autonomy or seces- in the early 1990s and displaced an esti- sion. During the past decades, the North- mated 250,000 persons. As of December East has been the scene of repeated ethni- 2005, around 110,000 people remained in cally-motivated conflicts in which the relief camps in Assam's Kokrajhar and fight for a perceived homeland has some- Gossaigaon sub-divisions – a decrease of times resulted in ethnic cleansing. At 40,000 people since 2003. However, the least 50,000 people have been killed in displaced have not been able to return to such conflicts in the North-East since In- their former villages as they remain oc- dia’s independence in 1947 (COE- cupied, mainly by Bodo communities. DMHA, 2 April 2004). Violence has bro- Tribal leaders say they were forced out of ken out in the states of Assam, Manipur, the relief camps because the state authori- Nagaland, Tripura and Arunachal ties decided to stop all humanitarian as- Pradesh, involving at least ten different sistance. Today, they are landless and ethnic groups (Bodos, Nagas, Kukis, destitute (BBC, 9 December 2005). Karbis, Dimasas, Paites, Mizos, Reangs, Bengalis and Chakmas). The largest The Karbi Anglong and North Cachar forced displacement movements have Hills districts of Assam have been the occurred in the states of Assam, Manipur main scenes of ethnic violence in recent and Tripura (Bhaumik, p.22-24). years. Thousands of civilians have been displaced mainly due to fighting between

4 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

Karbi, Kuki and Dimasa insurgent struggle for a homeland. In April 2001, a groups. In October 2005, there were decision by the Indian government to ex- clashes between the rival Karbi and Di- tend a five-year-old ceasefire to all Naga masa tribes which continued until the end areas in the North-East was met with vio- of the year. Up to 50,000 people from lent protests in Manipur, Assam and both tribes were displaced and took shel- Arunachal Pradesh. The ceasefire was ter mainly in public buildings situated in seen as a step towards the establishment safer areas (COE-DMHA, 28 December of a greater Naga state which could in- 2005; MSF, January 2006). fringe on the territory of the neighbouring states. Some 50,000 Nagas, fearing re- The Indian government has successfully venge attacks, fled the Imphal valley in come to an agreement with several major Manipur to Naga-dominated districts in rebel groups being active in Assam such Manipur and Nagaland (NPMHR, 5 as the Bodoland Liberation Tigers and January 2002; AHRC, 1 October 2003). the National Democratic Front of Bodo- According to the Naga International Sup- land. The creation of an Autonomous port Centre, most of those internally dis- Territorial Council for the Bodos for ex- placed by this incident and previous ample, led to a major improvement of the conflict have returned to their homes. The security situation in western Assam riots forced the Indian government to re- (BBC, 9 December 2005). But at the verse their decision, and limit the cease- same time, other long-lasting conflicts fire to Nagaland only. However, the have re-emerged and threaten to destabi- parties have not succeeded in negotiating lise Assam further. The outlawed United a peace agreement, and the NCSN has Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) threatened to break the ceasefire unless launched a series of bombings in January the Indian government meets their de- 2006, at a time when it was supposed to mands (COE-DMHA, 30 January 2006; be holding exploratory peace talks with BBC, 31 January 2006). The situation is New Delhi (SAIR, 23 January 2006). destabilised further by feuding between two competing factions of NCSN. Both In Manipur, counter-insurgency opera- are involved in the formal peace process tions by the Indian army against local but have not stopped bloodshed and vio- militia groups hiding along the border lence against each other. During the last with Burma (Myanmar), as well as ethnic months of 2005, the two factions clashed clashes, have resulted in the displacement at least five times over territorial dis- of at least 6,000 people from the Hmar agreements (SAIR, 26 December 2005). and Paite ethnic groups. Like IDPs else- Indian and Burmese security forces have where in the North-East, they are also also launched a campaign against Naga reported to live in deplorable conditions, militant camps on both sides of the bor- lacking food, medicines, warm clothes der. There have been some reports about and other essential commodities (WebIn- small-scale displacement of civilians dia 123, January 2006; Sangai Express, fleeing the security operation, but no total 21 January 2006). figure is available (Sangai Express, 6 June, 30 October 2005). Another major conflict in the North-East has been the Naga people’s 50-year-long

5 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

In northern Tripura, it is estimated that by 2007. More than 10,000 families, or more than 100,000 people are internally 70,000 people, are reported to have been displaced due to ethnic fighting and at- evicted from their land in Tripura alone. tacks by insurgent groups. The main pat- The Indian government has rejected all tern of displacement is attacks on villages claims for compensation to the evicted inhabited by people of Bengali origin. families, saying it is up to the state gov- Considered foreigners by the local tribal ernment to provide assistance to the dis- population, they have increasingly be- placed (The Telegraph, 13 March 2005; come the target of local armed groups Deccan Herald, 4 December 2005; (Deccan Herald, 22 May 2005; 20 March Kumar, April 2005). It is not known to 2004; Rediff.Com, 21 May 2003). Some what extent the construction of the fence 31,000 Bru (also called Reang) from has created displacement in the other Mizoram remain displaced after fleeing states bordering Bangladesh. However, ethnic fighting with the Mizos in 1997. there has been anecdotal information Despite recommendations from the Na- about people fleeing security operations tional Human Rights Commission, the launched by Indian border forces against state government of Mizoram has refused insurgent groups believed to be hiding on to take back the displaced because they the Bangladeshi side of the border. This maintain that only half of them are citi- has in some cases also led to skirmishes zens of the state. Although a memoran- between Indian and Bangladeshi border dum of understanding was signed guard forces (The Telegraph, 27 February between the main Bru rebel group and the 2005; Kumar, 8 April 2005). Mizoram government in April 2005 and the Indian government has endorsed a Other populations at risk of displacement rehabilitation package for Bru IDPs, re- in the North-East are the Chakmas in patriation has yet to begin. The Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh who are regularly government has only agreed to permit the threatened with expulsion, in particular return of some 270 people, consisting of by an influential Arunachal student or- former militant cadres and their families, ganisation, which maintains that the while no timetable has been given for the Chakmas should be resettled elsewhere repatriation of the large majority of the (IPCS, 19 September 2003). Migrants displaced. In the meantime, the Bru IDPs from Nepal living in north-eastern India live in grim conditions in the camps are also a particularly vulnerable group where they face severe food shortages as and have been targeted and displaced in well as a lack of medical and education Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya. It is facilities (ACHR, 11 January 2006). unknown how many remain displaced today (Nath, January 2005). Another situation of displacement in Tri- pura has developed due to the building of Although conflicts regularly displace a fence along the border with Bangla- people in the North-East, no official es- desh. Indian authorities are currently con- timate exists. Most information is found structing a barbed-wire fence along in local newspapers, while objective re- “sensitive” stretches of the border. The search in terms of assessing the magni- fence now covers one third of the border, tude of conflict-induced displacement in and the remaining stretch will be finished the region has yet to be carried out by

6 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

either governmental or non-governmental The government’s response to the insur- agencies (IPCS, Routray, 17 January gency has been criticised of being ad-hoc 2004). and piecemeal (SAAG, 13 June 2005). In addition to federal police and paramili- tary troops, some states are also believed “Naxalite” violence causes dis- to use private armies in their hunt for in- placement in central India surgent groups and sympathisers. In Jharkhand state, for example, it is known In central India, leftist extremist groups, that the state government has sponsored commonly referred to as Maoists or Nax- village “defence” groups for this purpose alites, have significantly increased insur- (Stratfor, 16 January 2006). In Chhattis- gent activities during the past few years, garh, a popular movement against Nax- including in the states of Madhya alite violence has gained momentum. Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattis- While the movement, called Salva garh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Jodum, is gaining support among the lo- Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh (COE- cal population, state authorities have been DMHA, 14 April 2005). Violence has accused of using the campaign to justify been especially on the increase in Andhra a brutal search for supporters of Naxalite Pradesh and Orissa (ACHR, 21 Septem- groups (PUCL, 2 December 2005; Front- ber 2005; Frontline, 15 July 2005). line 21 October 2005).

Discrimination against the tribal popula- No estimate of the number of people dis- tion, displacement by large development placed as a result of the insurgency in projects and government failure to ensure central India is available, but anecdotal food security have been the main reasons information suggests that thousands of for the rapid spread of the Naxalite villagers have been displaced either as a movement, according to an independent result of government mobilisation against study released in June 2005 (referred to the insurgent groups or because they flee in SAAG, 13 June, 2005). Estimates of Naxalite violence. In Chhattisgarh, ap- the extent of the Naxalite groups differ proximately 15,000 people from 420 vil- widely. The last available government lages have fled to temporary camps. report states that 76 districts in nine states People have left behind their cattle and were affected by leftist rebels (MHA- most of their household goods. Dis- GOI, 2004-2005, p. 43), while the June placement is reportedly continuing while 2005 study says Naxalite groups had ex- more police and para-military stations are tended their influence to 155 districts in being set up. Another article says 7,000– 15 states, affecting close to 300 million 10,000 people fled to camps protected by people across 7,000 towns and villages as the police to avoid Naxalite retaliation of February 2005. Furthermore, such because they had joined the Salva Jodum groups were reported to control almost 20 movement. In Orissa, local tribes have percent of India’s forests over an area reportedly been forcibly displaced by the two-and-a half times the size of Bangla- state authorities because they were sus- desh (The Telegraph, 26 November 2006; pected of sympathising with the Nax- COE-DMHA, 6 February 2006; SAAG, alites (PUCL, 16 November 2005; 13 June 2005; Frontline, 15 July 2005). Stratfor, December 15).

7 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

pensation to the displaced. Since the ri- Internal displacement in Gujarat ots, there have been several clashes between Hindus and Muslims, but rarely More than 2,000 people were killed and lasting more than two days. The state as many as 100,000 Indian Muslims were government is still being accused of forcibly displaced from their homes in a complicity in the on-going violence major outbreak of communal violence in against the Muslim community in Guja- Gujarat in February 2002. The state’s rat. According to a local organization, an Muslim population was targeted in re- estimated 61,000 people are still inter- taliation for an attack by a Muslim mob nally displaced and in dire need of assis- on a train carrying Hindu militants re- tance and rehabilitation (Communalism turning from the destruction of a cele- Combat, June 2005; IIJ, December 2003, brated mosque at Ayodhya. Women and p.51; AI, January 2005, 7.6.c, HRW, girls were particularly targeted in the re- September 2004, p.28). prisal attacks; hundreds were raped, maimed and killed during the riots. The state government organised relief camps, Humanitarian conditions where the internally displaced reportedly lacked the most basic necessities such as A large number of the displaced from the food, medical supplies and sanitation Kashmir Valley have been housed by (HRW, April 2002). Despite strong inter- relatives or in relief camps in Jammu or national concern, the Indian government Delhi. Hindu schools for the displaced refused to solicit or accept international children have been constructed and medi- assistance. By October 2002, virtually all cal care provided, although the displaced the camps had been closed, forcing many population says it is not enough to cover to return to their neighbourhoods where their needs. The remaining displaced their security was continually threatened. population from villages along the Line In rural areas, incidents of killing and of Control continue to live in tents, some looting continued until April 2003. Many of them in poor conditions. The camps were forced to flee to relief camps again, lack drinking water and health care facili- where they remained generally unassisted ties. In some camps, children have to at- (AI January 2005, 7.6.a). Both the state tend outdoor schools (Bhair/Dayala, May authorities and officials of the formerly 2003; Jamwal, December 2004). governing Bharatiya Janata Party, have been accused of planning and instigating In Gujarat, there are reports of immense the violence against the Muslim popula- trauma among children and women who tion. Furthermore, the failure of the po- witnessed atrocities or were victims of lice to intervene and stop the violence is the 2002 riots (IIJ, December 2003, believed to have been decreed at the pp.64, 67; HRW, July 2003). Also, the highest level (AI, January 2005, 7.5 b). displaced Muslim population faces acute Reports by Human Rights Watch and poverty as their livelihoods were largely Amnesty International conclude that both destroyed during the riots. Continued dis- the Indian government and the state gov- crimination has left most of them unem- ernment of Gujarat have failed to provide ployed, with female-headed households sufficient protection, assistance and com-

8 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

being particularly vulnerable (AI, January National and international re- 2005, 7.6.c; IIJ, December 2003). sponse

The relief camps for internally displaced The Government of India has repeatedly in the North-East are reportedly in a de- expressed reservations in international plorable condition. Camps for the newly fora about the UN Guiding Principles on displaced in Assam and Manipur are said Internal Displacement, which it sees as to lack adequate shelter, food, health infringing national sovereignty. India has care, education and protection (Chakma, no national IDP policy targeting conflict- in the Telegraph, 1 January 2006; Indo- induced IDPs, and the responsibility for Asian News Service, 9 December 2005). IDP assistance and protection is fre- This pattern has been confirmed by ear- quently delegated to the state govern- lier reports which have documented that ments. Furthermore, although it is well displaced throughout the North-East face documented that Indian military, para- severe hardship. Many of the displaced military and police forces have engaged live in public buildings and makeshift in serious human rights abuses in conflict shelters, with little health care and no ac- zones, there have been no attempts at cess to formal education (SAHRDC, transparent investigations or prosecutions March 2001). In Assam, acute food short- of those responsible (HRW 2006). ages and lack of health care have been reported in camps housing Santhal inter- Although the Indian government provides nally displaced (The Hindu, 16 March support to conflict-affected populations, 2004; Times of India, 8 January 2004). such assistance is mostly ad hoc and does In Tripura, children in a relief camp for not correspond to the needs of the dis- displaced in Chhawmanu were reported placed. State governments are assigned to have died due to the consumption of the main responsibility to assist and reha- poisonous berries and contaminated wa- bilitate the displaced, but practices vary ter (The Telegraph, 17 January 2004). significantly from state to state (Nath, The state government says it has no January 2005, p.68). Overall, the gov- money to provide relief to the displaced ernment’s response to displaced Kashmiri population. The Bru displaced in Tripura Pandits has been more generous than the do not have adequate food rations and response to displaced elsewhere in the suffer from lack of drinking water, sanita- country (Chakma, in the Telegraph, 1 tion and health-care (The Assam Tribune, January 2006). The federal government 6 December 2003). Furthermore, thou- has granted assistance to relief camps in sands of those displaced by local insur- Indian-controlled Kashmir, Assam and gent groups in the state are reported to Tripura, but on a lower scale than to have received no relief at all, and are Kashmiri Pandits (GOI, Notes on de- camping alongside roads in makeshift mands for grants 2005-2006). The New houses seven years after having been dis- Delhi-based Asian Centre for Human placed (Deccan Herald, 22 May 2005). Rights (ACHR) has on several occasions appealed to the Indian National Human Rights Commission to address the situation of the internally displaced in the North-East. The Commission reportedly

9 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

agreed to visit relief camps in the vio- The lack of credible information on num- lence-affected areas of Assam in Novem- bers and subsistence needs of the dis- ber 2005 (ACHR, 25 November 2005). placed in India leaves thousands of people unassisted and unaccounted for. While access to affected populations in There is thus an urgent need for national the conflict zones frequently has been authorities to conduct surveys in conflict- denied, international NGOs have assisted affected areas to document the number of IDPs in Assam and, occasionally, in internally displaced and their specific Kashmir. Médecins Sans Frontières needs. A more coherent response to situa- works with Santhal displaced in Assam tions where people flee conflicts would and started programmes in the Karbi An- also include the creation of a national in- glong area when violence erupted there in stitutional focal point on internal dis- October 2005. placement and a national legal framework upholding the rights of internally dis- The Indian government has been accused placed. of failing to adhere to standards laid out in the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and to international human Displacement due to development rights standards in its response to dis- projects and natural disasters placement in Kashmir and Gujarat (AI, January 2005; HRW July 2003, p.38; Available reports indicate that more than ORF September 2003). In Gujarat, hu- 21 million people are internally displaced man rights organisations blame local au- due to development projects in India. Al- thorities as well as the state government though they only make up eight percent for failing to address the needs of the dis- of the total population, more than 50 per placed altogether, despite promises made cent of the displaced are tribal peoples – by the government with regard to reha- in India also known as Scheduled Tribes bilitation (IIJ, December 2003; HRW, or Adivasis (HRW, January 2006). While July 2003). the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre focuses on conflict-induced dis- The international community has largely placement, a brief background note and failed to address issues of internal dis- links to further information on develop- placement in India. In the case of Gujarat, ment-induced displacement is included in Amnesty International accused the UN the background section of the profile and other international aid agencies of (link included in list of sources). failing to put sufficient pressure on the state to provide relief to thousands of in- Floods and other natural disasters also ternally displaced victims, many of them displace millions every year. The Indian women and children. Governments Ocean tsunami, which hit southern India around the world by and large ignored in December 2004, devastated the Anda- the humanitarian crisis in Gujarat, pro- man and Nicobar Islands and a 2,260 km viding no relief to the thousands of dis- stretch of the mainland coastline in An- placed persons in the state (AI, January dhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and 2005, 7.6.a). Pondicherry. An estimated 2.7 million people were affected by the disaster and

10 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

some 650,000 were displaced (World Bank, 3 May 2005; IFRC, 23 March 2005). Indian-controlled Kashmir was also badly affected by the South Asia earthquake in October 2005, which made thousands of people homeless.

Note: This is a summary of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre’s country profile of the situation of internal displacement in India. The full country profile is available online here .

11 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

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12 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

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The Assam Tribune, 6 December 2003, "Centre, Mizoram govt urged to resolve Bru refugees issue"

The Central Chronicle, 4 January 2005, "State Pulse Jammu & Kashmir: Rehabilitating the migrants" The Hindu, 16 March 2004, "In Kokrajhar, refugees wait to cast their vote"

The Hindu, 2 December 2003, "Relief package for violence-hit in State"

The Observer Research Foundation, 3 September 2003, Recommendations made at the Con- ference on Kashmiri Pandits 2-3 September 2003

The Observer Research Foundation, 3 September 2003, “Two-Day Conference on Kashmiri Pandits: Problems and Prospects“

The Sangai Express, 21 January 2006, Govt assures relief to displaced villagers

The Sangai Express, 6 June 2005, SF begin to sanitise NH-53, villagers flee to safer climes

The Telegraph, 26 November 2005, Maoists eye link between states - Andhra-Jharkhand lifeline for red aid

The Telegraph, 17 January 2004, "Hunger deaths in relief camps"

14 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

The Telegraph, 13 March 2005, Central team to fix compensation

The Telegraph, 27 February 2005, "Standoff after skirmish - Border villagers flee in fear, door to crops closed"

The Tribune, 2006, Need for a policy for the displaced people

Times of India, 8 January 2004, "100,000 people still in Krokajhar relief camps"

Web India123.com, 23 January 2006, NHRC urged to intervene on the Hmar IDPs of Manipur

Web India123.com, 22 January 2006, Manipur govt to help the displaced villagers moving to Mizoram

World Bank Group, 3 May 2005, India: Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project

Note: All documents used in this overview are directly accessible on the India List of Sources page of our website.

15 India: tens of thousands newly displaced in north-eastern and central states 9 February 2006

About the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, established in 1998 by the Norwegian Refugee Council, is the leading international body monitoring conflict-induced internal displacement worldwide.

Through its work, the Centre contributes to improving national and international capaci- ties to protect and assist the millions of people around the globe who have been displaced within their own country as a result of conflicts or human rights violations.

At the request of the United Nations, the Geneva-based Centre runs an online database providing comprehensive information and analysis on internal displacement in some 50 countries.

Based on its monitoring and data collection activities, the Centre advocates for durable solutions to the plight of the internally displaced in line with international standards.

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre also carries out training activities to en- hance the capacity of local actors to respond to the needs of internally displaced people. In its work, the Centre cooperates with and provides support to local and national civil society initiatives.

For more information, visit the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre website and the database at www.internal-displacement.org.

Media contact:

Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer Head of Monitoring and Advocacy Department Tel.: +41 (0)22 799 07 03 Email: [email protected]

Tone Faret Country Analyst Tel.: +41 (0)22 799 07 11 Email: [email protected]

Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre Norwegian Refugee Council Chemin de Balexert 7-9 1219 Geneva, Switzerland www.internal-displacement.org Tel: +41 22 799 0700 Fax: +41 22 799 0701