Migrants from Bangladesh

The impact of illegal migration from Bangladesh is now being felt in Nagaland where a great deal of soul-searching is being done by the intelligentsia on this process. The Nagaland Post (27 September), in its editorial ‘Useful Migrants’ wrote: ‘There is a need to look at the issue purely from a point of view of safeguarding the rights of the bona fide citizens while not being discriminatory or prejudiced against the aliens. The best way to deal with the problem is to discourage use of alien labour by restricting them with certain work permits and also making it an offence to employ aliens without registering their names with the district police.’

Similarly, in a lead story on 21 September, the vernacular Assamese daily Asamiya Pratidin expressed serious concern over the use of Karimganj district as a corridor by the Bangladeshi immigrants to enter India. The news report said, ‘now even armed militants enter as much as eight to ten kilometres inside the Karimganj border and abduct people.’ Pointing a finger at the corrupt administrative set up that facilitates this movement the report said: ‘Karimganj municipal board issues identity cards to Bangladeshi rickshaw pullers and with these cards they engage in any profession.’

The nature and extent of migration has also created power centres in the various states that openly promote such flows of people. The Sentinel (30 September) in one of its news items quoted a spokesman of the North-east unit of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind who said: ‘Some Bangladeshis may have come to India to settle here, it should be a matter of pride for us. We should greet them, rather than oust these Bangladeshi nationals.’

Assam’s New Industrial Policy

The State Government of Assam announced a new industrial policy on 25 September. An editorial in the Asamiya Pratidin (26 September), expressed satisfaction at the announcement of the policy commented ‘Assam government has greatly emphasised on ‘single window’ arrangement in the new policy. But single window is only the initial step in the path of industrial development.’ The editorial also emphasised the need for creating ‘a suitable environment for outside investors to come to Assam and stay here permanently.’

Echoing a similar line, the Sentinel (27 September) in its editorial maintained: ‘The Industrial Policy of Assam, 2003, like the four earlier ones, is full of pious intentions as evident from the aims and objectives. But experience tells us how ineffective such pious aspirations can be if they are not matched by dynamism within the bureaucracy to ensure that the objectives are actually implemented.’ 

Threat of insurgents to Dussehra celebrations

Newspapers in Assam reported on the threat of the insurgents to the forthcoming Dussehra celebration. The Assamese vernacular daily, Asamiya Khabar (28 September) in a lead item, ‘Camerare Attalikar Pora Santrasbadi Bisaribo Arakhia’ (Police to install cameras on high-rise building to keep an eye on the terrorists) stated: Police would install cameras atop high rise apartments to monitor the movements of people wandering suspiciously.’ The news item quoted the Guwahati city Superintendent of Police who indicated that the police plans to install closed circuit cameras in some sensitive areas.

Integrity Day Celebrations in Manipur

On 28 September, Manipur celebrated the 3rd Integrity and Solidarity day, which was widely reported. The Imphal Free Press (29 September) said ‘the 3rd Manipur Integrity and Solidarity Day was observed on a wide scale in the state. It was resolved that the general public should be mobilised to remain alert for any eventuality to safeguard and protect the integrity of Manipur.’

Manipur also celebrated the birthday of the communist leader, Jananeta Hijam Irabot on 30 September. The Sangai Express (30 September) in its editorial ‘Pioneering Leader’, wrote: ‘As long as the tyranny of the State remains, as long as corruption continues to flourish, as long as the weaker sections of society are exploited for the benefits of some moneyed, suited, booted class, as long as the aspirations and wishes of the people are muffled through the barrel of the gun, the teachings of Hijam Irabot will continue to remain relevant.’

Tripura Chief Minister’s Statement in Bangladesh

The Tripura Chief Minister, Manik Sarkar during his 18 October trip to Bangladesh to inaugurate the Agartala-Dhaka bus service, was quoted by the Bangladeshi media as having said that ‘I don't believe the Bangladesh government gives any support to these insurgents holed up in Bangladesh.’ This created a commotion in the state and the opposition Congress Party demanded his resignation for having given the Bangladesh government a clean chit. The Telegraph-Northeast (28 September) quoted the State Congress Leader Ratanlal Nath who accused Sarkar of ‘acting against the national interest and exceeding his brief.’ On the same day, the news portal, Tripurainfo, further quoted the opposition leader who said, ‘Even Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav never said anything on national security and bilateral relations during his recent trip to Pakistan.’

Blocking of HNLC website

Media in Meghalaya prominently reported the Union government’s decision to block the website of the Meghalaya based insurgent outfit, the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC). In a Shillong Times (27 September) news item, ‘HNLC flays Centre's ban on website’ the outfit called the decision a ‘cowardly act’.. It further said that ‘the ban sends a message to the world that the tall claim of the Indian government regarding the freedom of speech and expression in the country holds no water.’