Chakmas to be affected by land acquisition demand consultation

By Paritosh Chakma

merinews.com

IN YET another glaring instance as to how the people affected by so called developmental projects are shabbily treated in this country, the Papumpare Chakma Welfare Society has brought to the public notice that 237 Chakma families face imminent displacement due to acquisition of the lands for the proposed Itanagar Greenfield Airport at Hollongi in Papumpare district of Arunachal Pradesh.

The state government has failed to consult the affected people and there is no transparency in the proposed acquisition of the lands and the affected people are being kept in the dark.

On 13 and 14 September 2012, five Chakma inhabited villages (Chakma Blocks No. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 10) have been demarcated as proposed airport site by the magistrate/ extra assistant commissioner (EAC) Balijan Circle under the direction from the state government. But neither the government of Arunachal Pradesh nor the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has informed anything officially to the affected people regarding the acquisition of their lands. Chakmas do not know where the displaced people will be resettled, the PCWS stated in a press statement.

The proposed airport site at Hollongi is a 'Chakma settlement area' where Chakmas from the then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, had been settled by the government of India in consultation with the then local administration during 1964-69. “If the Chakmas lose their allotted lands, they stand to lose everything. In the absence of any other livelihood options as well as any government support, agriculture is the only means of survival for them,” stated Bodhisatta Chakma, President, PWCS.

The affected Chakmas have demanded that authorities make the land acquisition process transparent, and affected people be “adequately consulted” in all stages including preparation of the detailed project report.

Indian Chakmas protest attacks on Buddhists in Bangladesh

The Buddhist world erupted in protests against the attacks on Buddhist & Hindu temples by Muslim religious fanatics in Cox's Bazar and Chittagong Districts of Bangladesh on the evening of 29 September to the next morning.  According to New Delhi based Asian Centre for Human Rights, 24 temples, including 22 Buddhist temples and two Hindu temples were attacked and burnt down, while at least 100 minority houses were torched in the attacks by Muslims that lasted from the evening of 29 September upto the next morning. One of the Buddhist temples which were burnt down was 250 years old! See photos

The Chakmas of Mizoram joined the worldwide protests today as thousands marched peacefully in the heart of Kamala Nagar, Chakma Autonomous District Council of Mizoram, holding banners and placards with different slogans. The protest was organized by the Mizoram Bhikkhu Sangha and Mizoram Buddhist Association and supported by all NGOs in the Chakma heartland.

The Buddhist Chakmas also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms Sheikh Haisna through its High Commissioner in New Delhi. The Memorandum stated, “the recent well organized atrocities on 29^th September 2012 which caused destruction of several Buddhist and Hindu Temples and attacked on religious minorities in Ramu and in some other minority domain places under Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh is … a gross violation of humanity”. They sought protection of the religious minorities under the Constitution of Bangladesh, reconstruction of the damaged temples, compensation and proper rehabilitation of displaced families, and swift punishment of those involved in the gruesome attacks.

Yesterday, the Chakmas and Hindus of Tripura took out a massive protest rally in Agartala. Some photos below:

Also read, "Mizoram Chakmas protest attacks on Buddhists in Bangladesh", merinews.com

Fire razes Kamalanagar College and school; leaves behind a strong message

By Paritosh Chakma

The only symbol of educationally-backward Chakma tribe’s higher learning and a very popular private school in the heart of Kamala Nagar, headquarter of Chakma Autonomous District Council in southern Mizoram, were burnt to ashes in an accidental fire at the midnight of 29 August 2012.

The devastating fire reportedly started at Kamalanagar College and quickly engulfed the adjacent Vijoy Giri Academy, a flourishing private school.

According to official estimate, properties worth Rs.3.5 crores of the college and Rs. one crore of the Vijoygiri Academy were destroyed besides all kinds of records and documents. The college had six structures constructed out of wood and tin roofing, while Vijoygiri Academy had three two-storied partial concrete buildings.

The Kamalanagar College, which is the only college within CADC, established in the year 1992, has about 270 students in various disciplines.

Vijoygiri Academy, one of the private schools drawing the highest number of students from all over CADC, this year had enrolled about 425 students from nursery to class VIII.

“Water hose of the fire tender is smaller than a baby’s urine stream”

The tragedy totally exposed the inefficiency of the fire fighting services in the Chakma Autonomous District Council. The most shocking part of the story is that while the buildings were burning, there was no sight of the fire tender. It is alleged that one small fire engine came but its water hose was very small, prompting helpless onlookers to remark that “Ekko cigon guror mudo nalo'ttun bech cigon”. (The water pipe is smaller than a baby’s urine stream)

Nothing was learnt from the major fire devastation at a bazar in Saiha, the headquarters of the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) in southern Mizoram, not very far away from the CADC, that burnt 47 houses in February this year.

Obviously, people are both angry and sad. “Mone nw hoye guri puri jeyedeh!” (the buildings burnt reluctantly) was how one person summed it up, meaning that if fire engine was effective and timely, the fire could have been subdued, and major damage prevented.

A “message” survived:

Nothing could be saved, but a message survived. Among the burning debris was discovered a half burnt answer sheet of a Class-V student that said “A working ant is better than a sleeping elephant.”

I believe this message was both for the Fire Department and the CADC administration as a whole.

Relief and reconstruction:

On a positive note, an otherwise lackluster government of CADC swung into action. Today, an emergency meeting of the Council’s Executive Committee was held with local Member of Legislative Assembly Nirupam Chakma as special invitee. The Executive Committee pledged to sanction Rs.50,000 to each of the institutions, the MLA agreed to release Rs.50,000 to each of the institutions as furniture grant under MLALAD fund. Mizoram Member of Parliament, C L Ruala assured assistance to the tune of Rs.12 lakhs to the College and Rs.3 lakhs to Vijoygiri Academy. It was also proposed to provide grants from MsDP towards reconstruction of the Vijoygiri Academy. Meanwhile, in New Delhi, CADC Chief Executive Member Kali Kumar Tongchangya met DoNER Minister Pawan Singh Ghatowar who agreed to release the 1^st Installment against the construction of Kamalanagar College.

In order to ensure that the students do not suffer, the CADC government has reportedly made temporary arrangement by providing one school each to run their classes. 

Citizens' campaign for a rural health centre in CADC

Good to see Citizens' Movement for activating a healthcare centre lying defunct at Borapansury, CADC, Mizoram

Read more about this campaign at https://www.change.org/en-IN/petitions/health-minister-mizoram-appoint-doctors-and-staff-at-borapunsary-phc

Border PHC lying sick for 20 years in Mizoram

The Government of Mizoram must do something about this rural PHC urgently.. 20 years is a long time, and countless people have died due to lack of life saving drugs and doctors at this PHC !!

The Seven Sisters Post, 3 August 2012

Online petition to appoint doctors, staff at a rural health centre in Mizoram

Paritosh Chakma

Merinews.com

THE MIZORAM Chakma Development Forum (MCDF), a social organization working for the development of rural areas in Mizoram, has launched an online petition at www.change.org to get a rural primary health centre (PHC) start functioning. This particular PHC at Borapansury village, near India-Bangladesh border, within CADC in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram has been defunct for the last 20 years, it is said.

The online petition calls upon the Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Mizoram, Lalrinliana Sailo to immediately appoint doctors and staff at this rural primary heath centre. Recently, Mr Sailo had confirmed in the Mizoram Assembly that no doctor is posted at Borapansury PHC but he failed to initiate any further action on this.

Many people, mostly the poorest who cannot go to towns to receive medical care, die in this area each year due to lack of basic healthcare facilities. If functional with doctors, staff and medicines, the Borapansury PHC can cater to a neighbourhood of 17 villages having a combined population of more than 12,000 tribal people, MCDF’s petition claims.

The online petition,launched on Friday, quickly received 42 signatures. The petition is available at https://www.change.org/en-IN/petitions/health-minister-mizoram-appoint-doctors-and-staff-at-borapunsary-phc

Online campaign to appoint doctors, staff at Borapansury PHC in Mizoram

The Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF) has launched an online petition to make the Primary Health Centre at Borapansury village in Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Lawngtlai district in southern Mizoram functional. MCDF said, this PHC has been lying non-functional for the last 20 years and officials or politicians are not bothered about it. Only poor people who cannot go for medical treatment in towns are suffering and a lot of people die every year due to lack of medical facilities. 

Please support this campaign and sign the petition: https://www.change.org/en-IN/petitions/health-minister-mizoram-appoint-doctors-and-staff-at-borapunsary-phc

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"The lone Primary Health Centre in the entire Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in southern Mizoram is lying non-functional for the last 20 years without officials or politicians being bothered about it. The said PHC is located at Borapansury, a border town situated on the India-Bangladesh border, under CADC in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram.

In the entire Chakma Autonomous District Council, created under 6th schedule to the Constitution of India in 1972, there is only one Community Health Centre located at headquarter Kamala Nagar and one defunct PHC at Borapansury.

Recently, Mizoram’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare Lalrinliana Sailo confirmed in the Mizoram Assembly House that no doctor is posted at Borapansury Primary Health Centre. However, he failed to initiate any further action on this.

In the name of Primary Health Centre, all we have is an empty building.

Many people, mostly the poorest, die in this area of CADC each year due to lack of basic healthcare facilities. If functional with doctors, staff and medicines, the Borapansury PHC can cater to neighbourhood 17 villages having a combined population of more than 12,000 tribal people.

So, Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF), on behalf of the local population, is calling onMizoram Health Minister Pu Lalriana Sailo to appoint doctors and staff in Borapunsary Public Health Centre. 

Please Sign and Share this petition with your friends."

A primary health centre in Mizoram is an empty building

By Paritosh Chakma

THE LONE Primary Health Centre in the entire Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in southern Mizoram is lying non-functional for the last 20 years without officials or politicians being bothered about it. The said PHC is located at Borapansury, a border town situated on the India-Bangladesh border, under CADC in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram.

In the entire Chakma Autonomous District Council, created under 6th schedule to the Constitution of India in 1972, there is only one Community Health Centre located at headquarter Kamala Nagar and one defunct PHC at Borapansury, apart from a number of health sub centres to cater to a population of over 40,000.

A villager from Borapansury told this citizen journalist that the first PHC building was constructed two decades ago, but the PHC was never operationalized. Instead of being a health centre, it was used as shelter by cows and other animals until it dilapidated. A new building was constructed sometime in 2010. Staff quarters have been built alongside the PHC building. Yet, no doctor or staff has been posted as of date. There is also no medicine.

Recently, Mizoram’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare Lalrinliana Sailo confirmed in the Mizoram Assembly House that no doctor is posted at Borapansury Primary Health Centre. However, he failed to mention that just an empty building is continuing to exist as Primary Health Centre on official papers.

“In the name of Primary Health Centre, all we have is an empty building,” lamented a local while speaking to this citizen journalist on the phone.

Many people, mostly the poorest, die in this area of CADC each year due to lack of basic healthcare facilities.

Now, a social organization Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF) has said, it will launch a campaign to make the Borapansury PHC functional as soon as possible. On its Facebook page, it has already announced, “MCDF will adopt a well-devised strategy to make the PHC functioning with staff, doctors and medicines and other facilities which is extremely important for the poor people in the area.”

Published in Merinews.com

Corruption in Chakma Council: Mizoram Governor orders investigation

By Paritosh Chakma

TAKING SERIOUS note of the allegations of the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) regarding alleged destruction of evidence by the Congress-ruled Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in southern Mizoram, Governor of Mizoram, Shri Vakkom Purushothaman has ordered a time-bound investigation by the Deputy Commissioner of Lawngtlai district to be completed within one month.

The MNF has alleged that the crucial papers that could have nailed high level political corruption in awarding of compensation in India-Bangladesh border fencing were destroyed under the directives and consent of the incumbent Chief Executive Member of the Council Mr Kali Kumar Tongchangya in order to save themselves from CBI’s inquiry.

In the morning of 25 June 2012, Mr Zoramthanga, MNF chief, met the Mizoram Governor and sought the dissolution of the CADC’s Congress government and arrest of all Members of Executive Committee of the Chakma District Council alleging that all papers, files, registers, receipt books etc bearing correspondences of land passes issued from the year 1972 to 2005 were destroyed following an order by Mr Tongchangya, the incumbent chief of CADC.

In his defence, the Chakma District Council chief has issued a statement denying all allegations. 

However, the allegations are so serious that the Mizoram Governor acted almost immediately. In his letter No. F. 23015/58/2009-GS dated 25th June 2012, a copy of which is with this citizen journalist , addressed to B Lalhmingthanga, the Deputy Commissioner of Lawngtlai, the Secretary to the Governor writes, “His Excellency, Shri Vakkom Purushothaman, Governor of Mizoram has received a complaint from Pu Zoramthanga, President, MNF, bringing to his knowledge irregularities in the Chakma Autonomous District Council regarding destruction of records pertaining to compensation for construction of Indo-Bangladesh Border Fencing. His Excellency desires that an enquiry be conducted immediately by you and a report is submitted within a month.”

It is important to mention here that the CBI in its preliminary enquiry has found prima facie evidence against sitting Members of District Council, including Executive Members, officials of CADC and their relatives. It registered a case No. RCSHG2010A00007 dt 30/12/2010 u/s 120-B, 420, 468, 471 IPC and Sec 13(2) r/w Sec 13(1) (c) & (d) of P.C. Act, 1988 and started investigating in December 2010.

The CBI preliminary enquiry report has made explosive revelations against sitting Executive Members of the CADC. For example, at Page 3 (I) of the CBI report it is mentioned thus,

“Enquiry further reveals that apart from above fake claim by different persons, the family members of the Executive Members of Chakma Autonomous District council and Officials are getting compensation against fake land pass certificates even though they do not have land over the affected areas.”

This is a case seen by many as acid test for CBI’s impartiality and effectiveness in dealing with cases of high level political corruption in one of the three Autonomous District Councils in Mizoram, which enjoys autonomy under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

Published in Merinews.com