Where Assam failed, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh set an example in stemming the tide of illegal Bangladeshi migrants

States in the northeast, the worst affected by the Bangladeshi problem, have often shown varying and sharply contrasting responses to the migrants problem. The Assam blasts had been claimed by the Islamic Security Force (Indian Mujahideen), which is believed to have among its ranks illegal Bangladeshis from the northeast. Strangely, Assam’s Congress government has for weeks now, been in the dock, blamed for trying to place the blame on militant groups like National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), to avoid displeasing its alleged Bangladeshi votebank in the state.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh continue to explore every legal provision that could help them detect and flush out illegal migrants . “Our legal provisions are such that even Indian citizens are not allowed to settle in the three autonomous councils that we have in the state,” HS Lyngdoh, Meghalaya deputy chief minister told TSI. “So where is the question of allowing illegal Bangladeshi migrants to settle in our state?”

Meghalaya has for many years now a check post at Jorabat, on the Assam-Meghalaya border, where police routinely picks suspected illegals from interstate buses. “It’s a deterrent,” says Meghalaya IG (special branch) Dr SB Singh. And how bad is the situation in Meghalaya? “It’s much more comfortable than in Assam,” says Singh. Expectedly, the state is now upset with Assam because of its failure on the Bangladeshi front. “We have check posts on every road coming into the state,” says Lyngdoh. “However, given the fact that we have a border dispute with Assam, we do not have a border so to speak with the state in many forest areas, which, therefore, are beyond our control. Once our border is sorted out, we will handle the problem there as well.” As a lot of illegals allegedly get their identity papers made in Assam, Lyngdoh said that such papers would not be accepted in Meghalaya.

Fearing a situation such as Assam, where illegal Bangladeshi nationals now dominate a number of districts, groups like Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) and the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) have been demanding stringent measures against Bangladeshi illegals in that state.....Continue

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The Sunday Indian

Spot of bother

Astronomers have discovered something odd in the night sky. Millions of stars are racing at high speeds toward a single spot in the sky. The whys and wherefores of this cannot as yet be explained, simply because researchers don’t know what it is that is pulling so many galaxy clusters towards it. That is why they are calling it ‘Dark Flow’. Another mystery to ponder over about outer space....Continue

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The Sunday Indian

Astro-psephology: who will win?

LaxmanDas Madan

"Congress in gloom, Lotus may bloom"
The elections dates and date of results are quite unfavourable. Serious violence is likely to erupt. Besides the large number of complaints about illegal activities and corrupt practices. Interestingly, Mayawati will not only lose ground, these elections might see her in deeper trouble.

Congress: In the Dasamsa chart of Congress, the stars will find it difficult to sustain their existing strength. The transit of Mars and Sun from the eighth house from the Moon shows that Congress will be accused of malpractices and face embarrassing developments. BJP: The sub-sub period of Ketu in the main period of Venus and sub period of Mercury will operate from November 11, 2008, to January 10, 2009. This coupled with other planetary movements are likely to benefit the party. LK Advani was confident and hopeful even during the negative period of Rahu, which ends on November 29. During the state elections, his Mars and Sun will remain in the ascendant and Jupiter will transit the second house, strengthening the BJP.....Continue

For world 'piece'!

Since the last week of August, Russia has been consistently visible across the news spectrum, especially amongst the western media, facing brickbats from various critics and analysts. Russia’s decision to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia has not only annoyed many developed countries but has also raised the age old latent question: Is cold war over?/ Does this mark the revival of Russia?/ Is Russia indirectly challenging the super power(s)?

The in-depth analysis of the latest 'Russian Doctrine' makes it evident that she is preparing both mentally and militarily to face her obvious enemy. Russia knows very well that she needs to work on her core strengths (world’s leading oil and gas supplier) that shall not last till eternity and may exhaust very soon. The nation is also facing a problem due to a decrease in population, a majority of which are migrants and not Russians. Presently, only 70 per cent of Russians constitute the country's military. To make matters worse, it is estimated that this percentage will be reduced to 60 in the near future.

Recently, the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Russia and said, "In contrast to Georgia's position, Russia's international standing is worse now than at any time since 1991… and the cost of this self-inflicted isolation has been steep." Moreover, Putin was also found stating that the scramble of USSR was the greatest disaster of the 20th century, but now Moscow is in a position to undo the damage.....Continue

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The Sunday Indian

Eloquent justice for the dumb

Adeaf and dumb rape victim from a remote village in Ferozepore district of Punjab could possibly never had the chance to come out with her version of the ghastly incident, but for a landmark ruling by Justice Ranjit Singh of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, ordering the trial court to record evidence of Sundari (name changed) as victim, with the help of sign language experts. The rape led to pregnancy and she gave birth to a girl child. The HC recognised it as a confirmation of the sexual action of the accused.

The High Court had to step in after the prosecution closed its case before the trial court, expressing helplessness in examining the victim, arguing that she was unable to communicate being deaf and dumb. The case was put before the High Court by Sundari's father as the state government seeking revision of trial court order, declined to allow sign language experts to speak for the victim....continue

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The Sunday Indian

Independents seem to hold the key for next Assembly

IIPM Publication
Three of the four Assembly seats in Rajouri district have rebels contesting against their own party nominees. None of the rebels of major political parties -- National Conference, Congress, People's Democratic Party and BJP – stayed away from the elections for Darhal, Rajouri and Kalakote Assembly seats of the bordering district.

So far as noise making goes, the PDP election manifesto – titled 'make Self–Rule happen' – echoes its role of filling the political space between separatist and mainstream parties with its soft separatism agenda. It emphasise bringing Jammu and Kashmir politically, economically and constitutionally closer, foreseeing a "shared sovereignty" of a united J&K between India and Pakistan.

NC president Omar Abdullah released his party's Vision Document for J&K "At the political level, the NC Government will try to convince those who have taken recourse to violence and intimidation as means to achieve their goals to come on the dialogue table," the Vision Document says. Meanwhile, the only party displaying lethargy is Congress despite having ruled the state for three years in coalition with the PDP. Though it is open to elections, the party is yet to release a poll manifesto. While former chief minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, will spearhead the poll campaign, the party lacks a concrete programme to approach the elections held in an environment of strife.....Continue

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