Indian Chakmas angry at 'Bengalee' tag in Bangladesh

By Paritosh Chakma

Published in Merinews.com, 12 December, 2011

[The Indian Chakmas are angry over the fact their brethren in Bangladesh were forcibly identified as 'Bengalees' in the recently amended Constitution of Bangladesh.]

INDIAN CHAKMAS have expressed their anger at ‘Bengali tag’ of their brethren, which is aimed at ‘destruction of their identity’ in the recently amended constitution of Bangladesh. Fifteen Indian Chakma civil society organizations submitted a joint “protest letter” to the visiting Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister of Bangladesh, Mr Dipankar Talukdar at Kamala Nagar, headquarters of Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in South Mizoram today, protesting against his alleged support to the unacceptable reference of the Chakmas and other indigenous peoples including Lushai, Tripuri, Garo etc as “Bengalees” in the recently amended Constitution of Bangladesh.

The Chakmas from Mizoram, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh through their civil society organizations expressed the “angst of the Indian Chakmas” against the “destruction of identity of the Chakmas in Bangladesh” as a consequent to the 15th Amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh passed on 30th June 2011 which has branded the Chakmas and other indigenous peoples including Lushai, Tripuri, Garo as “Bengalees”.

The Chakmas civil society organizations have demanded a "written assurance" from Dipankar Talukdar (who also belongs to Chakma community) that after his return to Bangladesh he will take all the necessary measures to impress upon the Sheikh Hasina government to recognize the Chakmas and other ethnic communities as “indigenous peoples” in the Constitution of Bangladesh.

The Indian Chakmas also demanded Mr Talukdar’s personal intervention in his capacity as Member of Parliament and Minister of CHT Affairs for speedy and full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord of 1997 signed between the Government of Bangladesh and the indigenous peoples of CHT which would help restore peace and bring development to the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The 15 signatory organizations to the memorandum are Mizoram Chakma Development Forum, Tripura Chakma Students Association, Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students Union, MAADI, Meghalaya Chakma Students Union, Guwahati Chakma Students Union, Barak Valley Chakma Students Association, The Chakma Voice, Mumbai Chakma Association, Dibrugarh Chakma Students Union, Mizoram Chakma Students Union, the Central Young Chakma Association, Mizoram Chakma Social Forum, Mizoram Buddhist Association and Chakma Mahila Samiti.

Mr Dipankar Talukdar is on an official visit to India (Mizoram) from 7-11 December 2011 to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.


-----------


Also read, Chakmas peeved at 'Bengalee' tag, The Seven Sisters Post, 11.12.2011

Old age pension not paid for last nine months in Mizoram

By Paritosh Chakma

Published in Merinews.com, 10 December 2011

ON DECEMBER 9 2011, Mizoram’s well known voluntary organisation, the Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF) claimed that Old Age Pension has not been paid in the entire state of Mizoram for the last nine months, since March 2011 and has sought the personal intervention of Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla for payment of Old Age Pension to all the beneficiaries before the Christmas.

In the petition the MCDF stated that as per the Supreme Court order dated 28th November 2001, payment of the pension under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension (IGNOAPS) Scheme shall be made before seventh day of every month and that Central grants meant for the IGNOAPS cannot be diverted for any other purposes as per the direction of the Supreme Court of 27 April 2004. But old age pension has not been paid in the entire state of Mizoram for the last nine months since March 2011 which is direct and blatant violation of the directions of the Supreme Court.

Due to the inordinate delay in the payment of the old age pension, the beneficiaries in the entire state have been sufferings and the State cannot be a silent spectator to their hardships, MCDF stated.

According to Mizoram Upa Pawl (Senior Citizens’ Association) of Mizoram, there are 23,547 beneficiaries of old age pension scheme.

MCDF demands payment of Old Age Pension to all beneficiaries in Mizoram before the Christmas

9 December 2011

Press Release

Old age pension not paid for the last 9 months in Mizoram: MCDF seeks CM’s personal intervention

New Delhi: Today the Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF) stated that Old Age Pension has not been paid in the entire state of Mizoram for the last nine months, since March 2011 and has sought the personal intervention of Mizoram Chief Minister Mr Lalthanhawla for payment of Old Age Pension to all the beneficiaries before the Christmas. The petition has been submitted by fax.

“In the petition the MCDF stated that as per the Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 28^th November 2001, payment of the pension under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension (IGNOAPS) Scheme shall be made before seventh day of every month and that Central grants meant for the IGNOAPS cannot be diverted for any other purposes as per the direction of the Supreme Court of 27 April 2004. But old age pension has not been paid in the entire state of Mizoram for the last 9 months since March 2011 which is direct and blatant violation of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.” – stated  Hemanta Larma, president of MCDF.

“Due to the inordinate delay in the payment of the old age pension, the beneficiaries in the entire state have been sufferings and the State cannot be a silent spectator to their hardships”, further stated Mr Larma.

The petition was also submitted to the Mizoram Governor His Excellency Shri V B Purushathaman, and the Office of the Supreme Court Commissioners, New Delhi. 

(Source: http://mcdf.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/mcdf-demands-payment-of-old-age-pension-to-all-beneficiaries-in-mizoram-before-christmas/ )

Our script is our birthright

By Paritosh Chakma

The rally by Chakmas in the streets of Agartala, the capital of Tripura, on 18th August 2011, three days after the India’s Independence Day, is an unforgettable event. Although I was not physically present there, the photos flashed through the Facebook inspired me to write this article.

The Chakmas participated in the rally holding placards and banners written in Chakma script, Bengali and English conveying their demands. Most of the placards and banners were written in Chakma script but they were also written in Bengali and Roman scripts so that others and Chakmas who cannot read the Chakma script can read and understand.

The rally was participated by over 400 people, including women and girls, from the nook and corners of Tripura. Given the lackluster attitude of Chakmas towards social movements across India, the number (400) is significantly higher, also given the fact that the rally was held at Agartata where not many Chakmas live. The number reflected the honour Chkamas would like to have by getting official recognition of their script and language.

Constitution vs Tripura govt

The Constitution of India has provided adequate safeguards for minorities, including linguistic minorities. While all the constitutional safeguards like the right to equality, non discrimination etc, are also applicable to the minorities, the Constitution has spelt out several safeguards specifically for the minorities. Article 29 (1) of the Constitution explicitly states that “any section of citizens” has the right to conserve the “distinct language, script or culture of its own”. The Constitution also says that it shall be the endeavour of every state government to provide adequate facilities for instruction in mother-tongue at primary stage (Article 350 A).

But the Tripura government has “imposed” the Bengali script on Chakmas. It is an insult to the whole Chakma community and naked violation of the fundamental rights of the minorities in India.

Not many tribal languages have their own scripts. Since Chkama is an endangered language, the State must take adequate measures to safeguard it. The first and most important measure would be to officially recognize the Chakma language and script and give all the protections under the law.

But the Tripura government has separated the Mother Tongue from its script. The state government had agreed to introduce Chakma language but not the script. The million dollar question is: why should the Chakmas read or write their language in some other’s script when they have their own script which is centuries old and well developed?

Who’s to blame?

If the Tripura government has refused to adopt the Chakma script who is to blame? The Tripura government has squarely blamed the Chakmas themselves, and to be more specific, the Advisory Committee for Development of Chakma Language (hereafter “Advisory Committee”) which is headed by a Chakma. Figure this. Vide letter dated 16 August 2010, Director of SCERT, Tripura informed the General Secretary, Undandhi Sadhak (NGO) that “Chakma Text-Books are being prepared in Bengali Scripts on the basis of the resolution adopted in a meeting of the Advisory Committee for Development of Chakma Language held on 10/08/1998, which was approved by the higher Authority vide DO.No. 256/Min/Edn/99 dated 1-4-99”. “In this regards, it may be mentioned here that the Authority of School Education is acting on the basis of the advise/ recommendation of the Advisory Committee for Development of Chakma Language,” the letter further pointed out. 

Earlier, responding to an RTI application filed by Aniruddha Chakma, GS, Chakma Students’ Association, S. Debbarma, Deputy Director, SCERT, Tripura reiterated the same thing on 25 February 2008: “Bengali script was adopted [for Chakmas] as per recommendation of Advisory Committee for Development of Chakma Language”.  

The allegation also goes that the Advisory Committee on 10 August 1998 secretly embraced the Bengali script. Interestingly, the Advisory Committee has never publicly refuted these allegations. 

However, to be fair to the Advisory Committee, prior to 1998, it had indeed recommended to the state government for adoption of Chakma script. For example, such a resolution was passed on 8 October 1993 but the state government did not accept it. Instead, the state government vide letter No. F.19(8-11)-DSE/88(2-3)/850-58, dated Agartala, the 05 September 1995 announced that Chakma subject will be taught in Bengali script!

So, it is evident that prior to the Advisory Committee’s resolution of 10 August 1998, the state government had already approved Bengali script. 

There is also evidence to suggest that the Advisory Committee did indeed lobbied for Chakma script. In a letter dated 2 November 1995, Officer-in-Charge, Tribal Language Cell, Directorate of School Education, Agartala informed Pragati Chakma, Member of the Advisory Committee that “the Hon’ble Education Minister has kindly agreed to introduce only Chakma Language subject in Chakma Scripts from Class III onwards at the Primary level as per report submitted to this office by the Chairman of Advisory Committee for Development of Chakma Language.”  

But the state government of Tripura never kept its promise. It needed an excuse to scuttle the Chakma script. That excuse came in the form of the Advisory Committee’s resolution of 10 August 1998 that was passed under mysterious circumstances.  

That however does not exonerate the Advisory Committee which has a lot to answer.   

On August 29th, Chakma social leaders and Advisory Committee members held a meeting with state’s Education Minister. The Education Minister decided to send the proposal for Cabinet consideration. Chakmas believe this is a delaying tactic. Only god knows how many more years it will take to come to a solid decision.

Way forward

We must not be disheartened by the August 29th event. Chakmas must continue to keep the movement for Chakma script alive.  

Our fight must be both at state level and national level. We must bring our demand to the notice of the President of India and the National Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, who reports to the President. Under Article 347 of the Constitution, “On a demand being made in that behalf the President may, if he is satisfied that a substantial proportion of the population of a State desire the use of any language spoken by them to be recognised by that State, direct that such language shall also be officially recognised throughout that State or any part thereof for such purpose as he may specify.” There are several pockets in Tripura where Chakma speakers could be considered “substantial” in number. We must make it clear that language and script are inseparable.  

The National Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, created under Article 350B of the constitution, has the authority to “investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities under this Constitution and report to the President”. 

Chakmas must use various constitutional mechanisms. If nothing works, we must seek legal guidance as to whether or not this case could be taken to the court.

The Chakmas’ understanding is: Our script is our birthright. What does the constitution say?


(First published in SOJAAK, Issue No. 3, October 2011, available at http://sojaak.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/sojaak-october2011.pdf )

Out fenced area district !

Since the fencing along the India-Bangladesh border in Mizoram started in 2005, the fact that the four construction companies namely Engineering Projects India Limited (EPIL), National Projects Construction Corporation Ltd. (NPCC), Border Roads Organization (BRO) and National Building Construction Corporation Ltd (NBCC), all public sector companies, began to acquire lands and erected the fencing as per their whims, without consultation with the local villagers and local authorities, including the Village Councils, Deputy Commissioners and the BSF, is all well known and well documented. Yet, the state government of Mizoram surprisingly remained silent spectator. As for the Ministry of Home Affairs, it was only interested to see the fencing completed as soon as possible.

Bewildered by the silence of the Mizoram government, Dr HT Sangliana (a Mizo himself), Vice Chairperson, National Commission for Minorities during his visit to Aizawl on 6 June 2011 wondered as to why Mizoram government was not protesting against the irresponsible manner in which the fencing was erected resulting in loss of huge area. The land lost to fencing is not Chakma land but land of Mizoram, he tried to remind the state government and the people of Mizoram.  

A few days ago, while participating in a debate in the Assembly House, Chief Minister Lalthanhawla stated that he opposed fencing of Mizoram-Myanmar borders, as it would restrict the rights of the Mizos living in both the countries. I am surprised by his astounding silence on the plight of the Chakmas due to fencing in Mizoram-Bangladesh sector. Well, if not for Chakmas, at least he should have shown concerns towards losing of so huge chunk of Mizoram's territory to fencing. Has he forgotten the sacrifices made by the Mizos during insurgency days to own a state called Mizoram today?

The fruits of total freedom enjoyed by these four public sector agencies are before all of us to see. Congress legislator and president of the Fencing Committee, Nirupam Chakma claimed in the Mizoram Assembly on 18 July 2011 that the border fencing at some locations was constructed six km (6,000 meters) within the state's territory, although the MHA guidelines permit fencing only up to 150 yards from the zero point. (150 yards = 137.16 meters). 

Thereafter, the BJP, Mizoram unit, came out with an estimate that the total area which has fallen outside the India-Bangladesh border fence is “the size of a district”.

Therefore, it is funny to comment that Mizoram now has nine districts: Aizawl, Champhai, Kolasib, Mamit, Lunglei, Lawgntlai, Saiha, Serchip, and “Out-fenced Area District” !

It may sound funny, but a serious matter too. 

No minority oppression in Mizoram, says NCM vice-chairman

Source: UNI,

http://www.uniindia.com/unilive/unisite.nsf/All/19B1E4A398C8F081652578A700290D21

Aizawl, Jun 6 (UNI) The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Vice-Chairman H T Sangliana has observed that there is no serious oppression against minorities in Mizoram while not ruling out lack of adequate attention to them.

''I have seen no serious minority oppression in Mizoram. However, I feel that adequate attention has not been given to them in terms of development,'' Mr Sangliana told reporters here this morning, hours before he flew back to Delhi after a weeklong visit to the state.

During the last week, the NCM vice-chairman toured areas inhabited by minorities and discussed their situation of representatives of the minority communities like Chakma, Bru, Lai, Mara and Hmar.

He said the state government and the people of Mizoram should ensure that the minorities get their rightful opportunities in education and other development programmes. 

He found that the minorities, particularly the Chakmas and the Brus, who inhabited southern and western parts of Mizoram respectively, are very backward in education and economic sectors.

Saying that state minority commission is yet to be set up in Mizoram, Mr Sangliana urged the state government to set up the commission at the earliest possible time to ensure faster development of the minorities. 

He was happy that the state government had formed a committee to identify cremation ground in Aizawl for Hindu and other communities.

On the alleged Chakma infiltration, Sangliana found the complaints not genuine, he said, ''We have received a lot of complaints about Chakma infiltration. But there were no supportive evidences.

The vice-chairman suggested vigilance to check infiltration of any tribes from the neighbouring countries.

Mr Sangliana also endorsed the long-standing demand for OBC status by Gorkha community in Mizoram, which has been strongly opposed by social organisations in Mizoram.

''The Gorkhas have been living peacefully with the majority Mizos for more than 100 years. Due to their deprivation of OBC status, the Gorkhas remain backward educationally and economically. Educated Gorkha youths longed to become engineers and doctors but could not fulfill their dreams because they don’t have reservation as minorities,'' he said.

Saying that the Gorkhas are one the most peace-loving and law-abiding communities and that there is no threat of infiltration from outside, the NCM saw no reason for the Mizos to fear demographic invasion due to granting OBC status to the Gorkhas. 

It's like epidemic but no medical facilities in this Mizoram village

By Paritosh Chakma

Merinews.com, 7 May 2011,

http://www.merinews.com/article/its-like-epidemic-but-no-medical-facilities-in-this-mizoram-village/15848884.shtml

AT LEAST 3 tribal children including two girls have died during the first week of May 2011 due to malaria and unknown diseases in remote village of Parva I under Chakma Autonomous District Council area in Lawngtlai district in southern Mizoram.

Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF), in a petition to the Mizoram authorities yesterday, claimed that these children died due to lack of medical facilities. Over 50 persons, including women and children are ill at Parva I and neighbouring villages such as Siminesora and Kamtuli, and they have not been receiving any medical aid. The only health centre at Parva I village has been lying defunct and unused. (See Photos on the right)

“It is like epidemic. So many have fallen sick. We do not know why people are dying”, informed a villager at Parva I to this writer over phone.

“Several patients could die as they are not receiving any medical aid,” stated MCDF’s petition signed by its president Hemanta Larma. “MCDF had conducted a fact finding visit to Parva areas between 28 February to 3 March 2011 and found the health situation to be extremely terrible. This area is extremely remote, inaccessible and prone to epidemic each year during the monsoon but there is absolutely no health care facility. The health sub centre at Parva I village has been lying totally unused and without any staff or medicine ever since it was established some years ago”, further stated Larma.

The three children who died at Parva I village have been identified as Miss Renuka Chakma, aged 1 year, daughter of Kinasur Chakma who died at due to suspected malaria on 1 May 2011; Master Mono Agosh Chakma, aged 3 years, son of Guno Sindhu Chakma who died on 3 May 2011 due to unknown disease and Miss Hojpana Chakma, aged 1 month old, daughter of Guno Ban Chakma who died on 6 May 2011 due to unknown disease.

MCDF sought the immediate intervention of Mizoram’s Chief Secretary, the Chief Medical Officer, Lawngtlai; the Director, Health & Family Welfare; and the Chief Executive Member of Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) to immediately send a team of doctors with adequate medicines to the affected villages and establish a Health Sub Centre with adequate number of staff and medical facilities at Parva I village.

Larma informed this writer over phone that Lawngtlai CMO, R B Dey has assured him that immediate action would be taken to provide medical facilities to the affected people and Senior Medical Officer in Kamalanagar, CADC, has been instructed to dispatch a medical team to Parva areas immediately.

Mizoram needs to be proud of its diverse culture and show it to the world

I read with pain an article "An Insulated domain" by Patricia Mukhim, an eminent journalist, published in The Telegraph (India) on 22 March 2010 (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100322/jsp/northeast/story_12241610.jsp )

I am pained, not because the eminent journalist was wrong in the portray of my state, but on the contrary because most of the things she pointed out were actually true, in practice. “Mizoram is a fairly homogenous society where people speak the same language,” she writes and calls the Mizo society “insular”.

Being a Chakma who does not speak Mizo language well, I can understand why Ms Mukhim has called Mizoram “homogenous society” when it comes to speaking of language. It is not a fact that Mizoram state has only one language called Mizo (Dulian) but there are several indigenous ethnic communities who speak their own languages like Chakma, Bru, Mara etc. Chakmas who form 8% of the state’s population even have their own script called Arog and it is in use in Chakma Autonomous District Council. But sadly, Mizoram government has never ever tried to develop the Chakma script/language, which is actually a rare treasure it has. (It must be stressed here that not many tribals in India have their own scripts.)

One decade back, it was difficult for non-Mizo speakers to even buy a bunch of bananas, or anything for that matter, from road side stalls due to language barriers. Most Mizo shopkeepers did not know any other language except their mother tongue. Those who knew the languages were quite adamant to speak. As a student returning from Shillong to my native village via Aizawl, my only defence while roaming the streets were two words I coarsely learnt: when a Mizo passerby asked me anything which I didn’t understand, I would glance at him and ask him back “Eng Mo”? (wanting to know what he meant). Then, he would repeat the query and I would reply back: “Kaar Seilo” (don’t have any idea) and the fellow would walk away. It is funny actually. I would of course try to remember the catch word asked by the Mizo and try to know the meaning of it from my elders once I am back to my room. This way I learnt a few terms. For example, in a hotel, when the pretty lady asked something like “porem”?, I only smiled back, unsure of what she asked me. Later, my friend explained to me that she wanted to know if I had eaten stomach full. Now I know how to respond to this question, which is quite common in any hotel/restaurant in Mizoram. It is a matter of hospitality.

With commerce, education and exposure to other cultures, now Mizoram is transforming. It is now “ok” if you can’t speak Mizo. Earlier, you would get gesture of intolerance. They used to tell me, “being in Mizoram you must know Mizo”. It sounds pretty logical, but how would a Mizo feel if he or she is told in Delhi that being an Indian, he/she must be able to speak in Hindi? I feel that language can’t be imposed on others but it is always useful to know others’ languages. But there are creatures like me who are slow learners when it comes to languages. My friends know, I never could learn Bodo language (after nearly five years of stay in Bodo areas in Assam), except this useful sentence: Aang Nongko Mojaang Mano (I love you).

Ms Mukhim in the above article goes on to suggest that Mizos are so obsessed for their culture to the point of “the exclusion of others”. She warns that “The more we insulate ourselves from others the more likely we are to develop institutions that are oppressive and regressive.”

Of course, in reality Mizoram is not a homogenous society. Rather, Mizoram is a land of diversity. It is multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious. Mizoram has over half a dozen tribes each having distinct dresses, languages, folklores, dances etc. Although Christianity is dominant, there are Buddhists like Chakmas (photo: a Chakma woman, right) and Hindus like a section of Brus (photo:two Bru women, below). There is also an ancient Mosque at the heart of Aizawl. But sadly, Mizoram government has failed to showcase its cultural diversity to the world.

If official websites are the virtual doors of a State through which people of other territories will get the opportunity to understand the State, then Mizoram government’s two official websites, (www.mizoram.nic.in and www.mizoram.gov.in, I am afraid, have little to offer in terms of understanding its people and their rich and diverse culture. Going through the web pages (The People: http://mizoram.nic.in/about/people.htm , Custom: http://mizoram.nic.in/about/custom.htm and dances: http://mizoram.nic.in/about/dances.htm) the foreigner will get the impression that Mizoram culturally has nothing more than Mizos and their beautiful dances. For example, Chakmas, their famously traditional attire ("pinon-haadi") and their beautiful Bizu festival and dances have been totally ignored. (See a Bizu dance of Chakmas in Delhi, above - first photo)

Mizoram should learn from the examples of Tripura and Assam, among others.

The Assam government’s web page on culture (http://assamgovt.nic.in/culture.asp ) starts with the following introduction: “Assam is the meeting ground of diverse cultures. The people of the enchanting state of Assam is an intermixture of various racial stocks such as Mongoloid, Indo-Burmese, Indo-Iranian and Aryan.” “The state has a large number of tribes, each unique in it's tradition, culture, dresses and exotic way of life. Diverse tribes like Bodo, Kachari, Karbi, Miri, Mishimi, Rabha, etc co-exist in Assam, most tribes have their own languages though Assamese is the principal language of the state.” it proudly adds. Alongside “Bihu”, Assam government has included dances like “Bagurumba” dance of the Bodos and “Jhumur Nach” of tea tribes, among others.

Tripura’s website begins with the following sentence: “Tripura has rich cultural heritage of 19 different tribal communities, Bengali and Manipuri communities. Each community has its own dance forms which are famous in the country.” (http://www.tripura.nic.in/cul3.htm)

The website further highlights different folk dances with photographs like “Hozagiri dance of Reang (Bru) community, Garia, Jhum, Maimita, Masak Sumani and Lebang boomani dances of Tripuri community, Bizu dance of Chakma community, Cheraw and Welcome dances of Lusai community, Hai-Hak dance of Malsum  community, Wangala dance of Garo Community, Sangraiaka, Chimithang, Padisha and abhangma dances of Mog community, Garia dances of Kalai and Jamatia communities, Gajan, Dhamail, Sari and Rabindra dances of Bengali community and Basanta Rash and Pung chalam dances of Manipuri community. Each community has its own traditional musical instruments. The important musical instruments are ‘Khamb (Drum), Bamboo flute, Lebang, Sarinda, Do- Tara, and Khengrong, etc.”

Instead of hiding its treasures, Mizoram should be proud of its cultural diversity, and protect and promote these. It must proudly show to the world its diversity in terms of ethnicity, religions, languages, dances and folklores. This will help foster integration, unity and feeling of oneness amongst its various ethnic groups. Mizoram therefore urgently needs a shift in its policy: from exclusion to inclusion of all category of people for the sake of a “modern Mizoram” that can meet all challenges and become a shining example in India.

BADP is a failure in Mizoram, finds CAG report

Merinews, http://www.merinews.com/article/badp-is-a-failure-in-mizoram-finds-cag-report/15846444.shtml

By Paritosh Chakma

THE LATEST report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, tabled in the State Assembly by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla on March 29, 2011, has made stunning revelations about the implementation of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) in Mizoram. The CAG has found that BADP has been a failure in the state due to “inherent deficiency in planning and implementation of the programme”.

BADP implementation is plagued with high level corruption, the CAG report has revealed. The Rural Development department drew an amount of Rs 46.76 crore during 2005-2010 presenting false bills to the government treasury before actual commencement of approved works, the CAG report has stated. Further, out of Rs 103.40 crore drawn during 2005-2010, only Rs 23.40 crore (23 per cent) was released to the 16 Rural Development Blocks, and the remaining Rs 80 crore (77 per cent) was disbursed in the subsequent financial years, causing inordinate delay.

Further, the RD department incurred an expenditure of Rs 6.71 crore during 2005-2010 towards execution of 134 “ineligible” works, mainly pertaining to construction of office buildings, residential accommodations and rest houses. Expenditure under infrastructure sector constituted 55 per cent of the total expenditure while social, education, security, health and agriculture sectors were utterly neglected.

The CAG report further castigated the RD department for its failure to prepare comprehensive district plans and village wise baseline surveys, as required under the BADP Guidelines. Neither the local authorities were consulted nor the villages situated near to the international borders of Myanmar and Bangladesh were identified for preparation of Annual Action Plan for 2009-2010. “As a result, the BADP failed to meet the needs of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas near the borders”, the CAG report said.

Corruption in the BADP in Mizoram, which shares international borders of 404 kms with Myanmar and 318 kms with Bangladesh, is an open secret. Earlier in December 2009, Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF), which works among the border people, cautioned about the corrupt practices taking place.

“The prima facie evidence of leakage of funds is the absolute lack of development in the areas closest to the international border. Because the state government has been submitting utilization reports claiming full utilization of the BADP funds, the primary question is: Where are the money flowing since there is little improvement in the living condition of the border people?’” asked MCDF.

The Forum further pointed out that Mizoram Chief Secretary Vanhela Pachuau on May 26, 2009 had admitted corruption in BADP and warned strong action against anyone found misusing the BADP funds. Mizoram Chief Secretary Vanhela Pachuau must therefore act upon the CAG findings and prosecute the wrong doers.

Leaders visit Thanzamasora village, promise road, health centre

Merinews, 30 March 2011, http://www.merinews.com/article/leaders-visit-thanzamasora-village-promise-road-health-centre/15846343.shtml

By Paritosh Chakma

FOLLOWING THE death of six Chakma tribals due to mysterious diseases at Thanzamasora village in Lunglei district in south Mizoram, three top political leaders, Minister of State Nihar Kanti Chakma, Parliamentary Secretary, S Laldingliana and Chief Executive Member of Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Kali Kumar Tongchangya, visited the village on March 26, 2011.

As Thanzamasora village is inaccessible by roads, these leaders along with a team of doctors had to track down the hills from Lalnuntui, with the nearest village having road connectivity 8 km from Thanzamasora village.

Six tribals who have died during the past fortnight have been identified as Mrs Doyal Lota Chakma (40), w/o of Denga Chakma; Malay Chand Chakma (20), s/o Oguro Send Chakma; Punyo Lota Chakma (45), w/o Amar Chakma; Prapha Ranjan Chakma (27), S/o Shanti Lal Chakma; Sumiron Chakma (27), s/o Shanti Lal Chakma, and Mrs Chittiso Chakma (22), w/o Pulin Chakma. 

All of them reportedly suffered vomiting, high fever and headache before their deaths and their bodies turned blue-black after the death which caused panic among superstitious villagers. The villagers believed that the deaths occurred after they were cursed with black magic by a witch from another village. 

However, doctors sent from the Lunglei Civil Hospital suspected the cause of deaths to be cerebral malaria and distributed malaria drugs free of cost.

Earlier, Kali Kumar Tongchangya, CEM, CADC, met all the patients from Thanzamasora undergoing treatment at Kamala Nagar hospital. As per Dr. Arun Singh of Kamala Nagar hospital, two were confirmed case of malaria, one of chicken pox, one of diarrhea and the fifth was diagnosed Septicemia.

The leaders also provided some immediate relief assistance. Minister of State N K Chakma provided Rs. 2,000 to families of each of the deceased and five quintals of rice and assured that Thanzamasora village would be linked with PMGSY funds. Kali Kumar Tongchangya, CEM of CADC provided Rs.20,000 to the villagers being the cost of quota of ration for two weeks. Parliamentary Secretary, S Laldingliana also announced that a Health Sub Centre would be established soon at Thanzamasora village.

Chakma tribals fleeing village due to mystery disease

Merinews.com, 26 March 2011, http://www.merinews.com/article/chakma-tribals-fleeing-villages-due-to-mystery-disease/15846221.shtml

By Paritosh Chakma

TRIBAL VILLAGERS of Thanzamasora, a small Chakma-inhabited hamlet in Lunglei district of Mizoram are fleeing their homes after a 'mysterious' disease struck their village since early this month. This shows complete absence of health care facilities in this village.

So far, at least 5 tribals have died, many are sick, and 13 families have fled the village, as per the Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF), which submitted a petition today seeking urgent intervention of the Mizoram Chief Secretary, the Deputy Commissioner of Lunglei, and Lawngtlai Chief Medical Officer to “immediately provide medical facilities to prevent epidemic-like health crisis prevailing at Thanzamasora village”.

MCDF in a press release stated that “So far, five Chakma tribal villagers have died, and many others are sick but there is total lack of healthcare services. A medical team, which visited the village stated that the deaths were due to acute respiratory infections (ARI), including pneumonia.

The medical team distributed some medicines but this is not enough. Worst, the superstitious villagers believe that deaths are due to black magic cast upon them.

At least 13 families have already fled the village and more families are likely to flee if the situation is not brought under control immediately”.

“Although the situation is taking a serious proportion, there is delayed response from the authorities. There seems to be some problem as Thanzamasora village is under the administrative control of Lunglei district but falls under Chief Medical Officer, Lawngtlai of Lawngtlai district in the delivery of health services.

But villagers can’t be put at the mercy of fate” - further stated Mr Hemanta Lama, MCDF president.

In its petition, which has been forwarded to Chief Secretary of Mizoram, MCDF has requested the authorities to immediately send a team of medical experts with all the necessary equipments and medical facilities, establish a makeshift health camp at the village to treat the patients.

It has also been requested to shift critical patients to hospitals in Lunglei or Aizawl for better treatment, undertake awareness campaign with the help of local NGOs, take measures to bring back families, which have fled the village, and establish a Health Sub Centre with adequate number of staff and medical facilities at Thanzamasora village as a long-term solution.

Ensure right to education to Chakma children: NCPCR to Mizoram

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the Mizoram government to ensure that schools in all Chakma inhabited villages are established in accordance with the RTE Act 2009, writes PARITOSH CHAKMA

Merinews, 17 Feb, 2011

http://www.merinews.com/article/ensure-right-to-education-to-chakma-children-ncpcr-to-mizoram/15843273.shtml

ACTING ON a complaint filed by an NGO, Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF), the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recently directed the Mizoram Chief Secretary to investigate the alleged denial of access to elementary education to the Chakma tribal children in Mizoram due to lack of schools. 

In its petition to the Commission, MCDF alleged that over 72 per cent of Chakma inhabited villages in Mizoram still do not have Middle School, and over 96 per cent do not have High School. The failure of the state government to set up Middle and High Schools tantamounts to denial of education to the Chakma children and the absence of schools has led to high dropout rate amongst the Chakma children, the petition added.

The Forum further pointed out that in September 2009, the Mizoram government had admitted that there were over 15,000 children out of schools in the state and majority of them belonged to Chakma and Bru minority communities.

Taking cognizance of the MCDF’s petition, the NCPCR directed the Mizoram Chief Secretary, inter alia, investigate the denial of access to elementary education to the Chakma tribal children in Mizoram due to lack of schools in clear violation of section 6 of Right to Education Act 2009 which requires the local authority to establish the school in areas or neighbourhood limits where there is no such school as prescribed in the Act; and (2) ensure that schools in all Chakma inhabited villages are established in accordance with the RTE Act 2009.

But the Mizoram government failed to submit a report within 30 days as per the Commission’s directive. This prompted the Child Rights Commission to issue a reminder to the Chief Secretary on 10 February 2011 asking him to send a report within 20 days.

Six border villages served eviction notice in Mizoram

The Deputy Commissioner of Lunglei in Mizoram has issued notice to residents of six villages fallen outside the India-Bangladesh border fence to leave their homes by February 25 or face action, writes PARITOSH CHAKMA

Merinews, 16 Feb, 2011

http://www.merinews.com/article/six-border-villages-served-eviction-notice-in-mizoram/15843085.shtml

The Deputy Commissioner of Lunglei district in Mizoram, Ms M Zohmingthangi has allegedly served eviction notice to Chakma residents of six villages in the district to leave their homes before February 25, 2011 or face action. These six villages namely Saisen, Bandiasora, Nekuksora, Debasora, Malsury and Tablabagh, situated near the India-Bangladesh border, have fallen outside the border fence being constructed by Ministry of Home Affairs.

At least two reputed Mizo dailies Vanglaini on February 15, 2011 and The Zozam Times on February 14, 2011 reported that earlier the Lunglei DC had issued notice to leave the villages by February 15 but the villagers refused to leave. While issuing the eviction notice, the Lunglei DC has contented that since the villagers have got fencing compensation, they must vacate their lands and homes.

However, no alternative arrangement has been made for their resettlement. The fencing affected villagers have been demanding rehabilitation inside the fence.

On February 15, 2011, a New Delhi based human rights group, Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) intervened on behalf of the victims. In its letter sent to Shri GK Pillai, Home Secretary, Government of India, the ACHR stated that, “The threat issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Lunglei is totally uncalled for and unacceptable and is in total contravention of the existing policies of both the Mizoram government and the Ministry of Home Affairs with regard to the fencing victims. ”

The rights group pointed out that earlier on July 17, 2008, Mr Romawia, Deputy Secretary to the Government of Mizoram, Home Department, had stated that: “It may be mentioned that those families placed on the other side of the Fencing Line may not be called ‘displaced’ since the Fencing Line is not the boundary of Indo-Bangla Border... It is also informed to the villagers that their shifting from outside to the inner side of the fencing will depends upon the will of the villagers. There is no compulsion to have their residence shifted to the inner side of the Fencing Line.”

As a result of the threat, the villagers of these six villages and other villages along the India-Bangla border areas have been left completely terrified and uncertain about their safety, security and future, ACHR’s letter to Mr Pillai added, and demanded all human rights and fundamental freedoms of the villagers who have fallen outside the India-Bangladesh border fence must be protected, and appropriate action be taken against the Lunglei DC for threatening the innocent villagers.

Earlier on September 27, 2010, Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana informed the State Assembly that over 35,000 people from 45 villages are required to be relocated inside the fence due to the India-Bangladesh border fencing in Mizoram.

CBI investigating multi-crore fencing scam in Mizoram

The CBI has launched probe into multi crore India-Bangladesh border fencing scam involving several senior Congress leaders in Chakma District Council in Mizoram, writes PARITOSH CHAKMA

  

www.merinews.com, 9 Feb, 2011: http://www.merinews.com/article/cbi-investigating-multi-crore-fencing-scam-in-mizoram/15842527.shtml

AWAY FROM the media glare, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is quietly investigating alleged fraud in payment of land compensation to those affected by Indo-Bangla border fencing involving more than Rs 5 crore in Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram.

The premier investigating agency is investigating the involvement of several senior Congress political leaders and officials of the CADC and the National Projects Construction Corporation Ltd after a complaint was filed by Laxmi Bikash Chakma, President, Bharatiya Janata Party, CADC.

On February 8, 2011, a two-member team of the CBI arrived at Kamala Nagar, headquarters of CADC and started the investigation. So far, the CBI has reportedly questioned the CADC Chief Executive Member, Kali Kumar Tongchangya and Executive Member in-charge of Revenue department,  Buddha Lila Chakma at the CADC rest house at Kamala Nagar.

Earlier, on August 30, 2010, the Governor of Mizoram had provided sanction to the CBI “for registration of a case under section 120B/420/468/471 IPC and Section 13(2) R/w 13(i)(c)& (d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and all attempts, conspiracies, abetment relating to the alleged fraud in payment of land compensation to those affected by Indo-Bangla Border Fencing involving more than Rs 503,96,680 by National Projects Construction Corporation Ltd. and Chakma Autonomous District Council, Mizoram, during the year 2008-2009, to carry out investigation of the same and prosecute the offenders for the aforesaid offences or any other offence/offences made out of the same transactions in the court of competent jurisdiction.”

It is worth mentioning that this is the first ever CBI probe in the Chakma Autonomous District Council ever since the Council was created in 1972.

The CBI in this particular case has a wide ranging mandate to probe “all attempts, conspiracies, abetment relating to the alleged fraud” and to “prosecute the offenders”.

Sources informed that the CBI has already found clinching evidence against certain accused. However, it is to be seen whether the CBI will be able to bring the culprits to justice, many of whom are senior political leaders of the ruling Congress party in the Chakma Autonomous District Council.

My RTI Certificate

Mizoram told to act on starvation of Chakma tribals

Merinews, 7 January 2011, http://www.merinews.com/article/mizoram-told-to-act-on-starvation-of-chakma-tribals/15839478.shtml

On January 5, 2011, Supreme Court Commissioners in the right to food case directed the Mizoram government to immediately provide food and nutrition to over 4,000 Chakma tribal villagers who have been starving for weeks in Lawngtlai district.

By – PARITOSH CHAKMA

OVER 4,000 Chakmas including men, women and children have reportedly been starving for several weeks in four villages – Parva I, Parva II, Parva III and Kamtuli under Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram. Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF), an NGO, which moved to the Commissioners of the Supreme Court (in the case: CWP 196/2001, PUCL v. UOI and others) after inaction by the state government of Mizoram, stated that no food grain under the Public Distribution System has been distributed to the poorest of the poor families since October last year. The authorities of CADC and the state government of Mizoram failed to take cognizance of the severe starvation although the matter was brought to their attention, MCDF stated.

Acting on the MCDF’s complaint the Commissioners of the Supreme Court in the right to food case on 5 January 2011 issued direction to Mizoram Chief Secretary,  Vanhela Pachuau to urgently supply food grain to the poor families from backlog of October 2010 and issue ration cards to all who don't have ration cards.

Further, in their order of January 5, 2011, Commissioner of the Supreme Court Dr N. C. Saxena and Special Commissioner Harsh Mander directed the Chief Secretary of Mizoram to “undertake a survey in all these villages and identify the families, who suffer from acute malnutrition, identify starvation & hunger related deaths (if any) and share information on the full coverage of all these residents of all food and livelihood schemes such as ICDS [Integrated Child Development Scheme], MDM [Mid Day Meal scheme], NREGA [National Rural Employment Act] and pensions in the district Lawngtlai. Please also send us a copy of instructions that would be issued in this direction and an action taken report within one month.”

MCDF has hailed this order as historic. “This is a historic order from the Supreme Court Food Commissioners as this goes beyond food security. MCDF is well aware that many Chakma families in Mizoram have been denied welfare schemes including PDS food grain, old age pension, maternity benefit scheme, nutrition etc. MCDF will monitor the implementation of the Supreme Court Commissioners’ order by the Mizoram government very closely.” – stated Mr Hemanta Larma, President of MCDF in a statement released to the media yesterday.

Larma further started that his organization complained to the Supreme Court Commissioners on 28 December 2010 after no action was taken by the Mizoram authorities to prevent possible starvation deaths in the affected villages if the situation deteriorated further.

These affected villages are located in far flung areas near to the Indo-Myanmar border and they do not have access to food grain even in the open market. On December, 23, 2010 MCDF had submitted petitions to the Deputy Commissioner, Lawngtlai district and the Chief Secretary, Mizoram government but the plea fell on deaf ear, the statement added.