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Training camps in Bangladesh cause for concern in NE

        Guwahati: Militant groups wreaking havoc in India's north-east have, for decades, carried out their activities from neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh. After being expunged from Bhutan last year, the training camps continue to function in Bangladesh and Myanmar. However, with Yangon sealing its borders and willing to co- operate with New Delhi, Bangladesh remains the only safe haven for these militant groups. Such training camps are spread all over the dense forests of the hill tracts on India's eastern borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. In these camps, recruits of various insurgent groups are trained to carry out terrorist attacks against India.

        The recent surrender of three militants of the ULFA and their statements, reflect New Delhi's concerns that reports of militants operating from foreign soil are neither unfounded nor exaggerated. One of the surrendered ULFA militants said that their training camps in Myanmar imparted training to as many as 400 boys. He however, could not specify the number of camps operating there as personally he had seen only one camp, the one in which he received his training. He also could not throw any light on whether the ULFA and the NSCN (Khaplang) was having any sort of understanding. Only leaders, he added were in a position to answer such queries. However, he did add that all militant organizations co-operated with each other. "We cooperate with other militant groups. All the organisations help each other. As for example if one organisation plans an operation in Manipur, other outfits provide all possible help for that operation. The outfits cooperate with each other," said one of the surrendered militants.

        Most of the youths at such camps are misled with hopes of a liberated motherland and better future. The dogmatic leaders ensure that cadres are replenished regularly, and according to some reports, militant groups even resort to abduction of these youth. However, some of these youth have now begun to see the futility of terrorism as a means of achieving any goal and have realised that leaders have been using them for their own selfish needs. "I realised that lot of people are suffering because of me. If 10 people face harassment and tension, if they suffer, then definitely I need to think it over. I do not have any alternative. And if people do not support the cause, then it is futile. I realised this and I came back," said another surrendered militant. "I joined the organisation to provide nursing care to the injured militants and children. I thought as a doctor I need to do that and I think to a extent I succeeded. But gradually I knew about internal bickering and feud in the organisation. I was not satisfied," said the third militant. The army too having realised that the youth have realised the futility of carrying terrorist activities against India, undertaken efforts by civil authorities and NGOs to bring back the youth to the mainstream.

       "Our prime aim is to bring back the boys to the mainstream. They should come back to the mainstream. They should put their effort into development of the country; should put their effort for people's cause. To make them return to the mainstream is our prime objective," said Jogamaya Phukan Handiq, a social worker. As more and more militants get rehabilitated back into the social mainstream, people across the north eastern states can hope to reap the developmental dividends of peace. However, with certain separatist forces at work from foreign soil, the Centre's best hope would be to bring in diplomatic pressure on the respective governments, for lasting peace to prevail in the region.

Tripura looks ahead to prosperity as support for militancy wanes (Go To Top)

       Agartala: Tripura, in India's north-east is again looking up towards normalcy as support for the various insurgent groups operating in the state seem to decline. Militancy had been one of the major causes for the region's poor economic development. Now with active support for the insurgency having died down, with the people realising that insurgency will stem the state economic development, many of the insurgent groups in the state have lost ground. The atmosphere of peace in the state due to the collaborated efforts of the state government, police force and the state's people, have finally brought hope for economic prosperity of the state. The people are also hoping for lasting peace to prevail in the state.

       "Tripura has over a period of time has showed signs of improved law and order. Infact in the past one year, we have been able to manage four major militant groups surrender which would mean that over 180 people have surrendered during this period which includes big leaders of the outfit which have been a terror in the area. So that has had an impact on the general activities in the state. However we are still not in a position to say that we have totally contained and controlled militants in that bed," said GM Srivastava, the Director General of Police, Tripura. But, the state police is not taking things easy as two of the major militant groups, the ATTF and the NLFT are still active in the state. Srivastava said that though efforts are on to make the state completely strife free, the truth is that the problem of militant groups operating out from Bangladesh is creating problems.

       "Basically Bangladesh is emerging as a major hub of all militant activities, especially affecting the North East. In Bangladesh, the whole population is broadly divided into two groups. One is pro-India and the other is anti India. Those who are anti India are fundamentalists. People have the backing and support of the ISI, which is getting support from other agencies. In fact a portion of Bangladesh Intelligence agency also may be involved in it. So the fundamentalists and others who have an anti India stance are getting lot of support," he added. He however added that if Dhaka actively lends its support, then many of the groups causing unrest can be brought to book.

Ban diagnostic technology to control female foeticide (Go To Top)

      Sydney: A new report presented at the World Bioethics Congress in Sydney this week, has suggested that in order to check the rampant instances of female foeticide in India, instead of limiting the use of prenatal and preconception technologies, such technologies should be banned altogether. The report prepared by the Indian Council of Medical Research said that the growing availability of diagnostic technologies like ultrasound, amniocentesis and, more recently, pre- implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), is largely responsible for the falling sex ratio. The researchers said that even though sex determination tests were banned in 1994, implementing the ban and monitoring it was a problem. They said that imposing the ban was difficult as it depended on medical practice and ethics in a flourishing private sector, reports ABC Online. According to them a 2001 census reported there were 927 girls for every 1000 boys as opposed to a much better 976 girls for every 1000 boys in 1961. They said it would be impossible to know if a doctor was disclosing the sex of a foetus after screening for disease or not and the best way to control the falling sex ratio was to ban these diagnostic technologies from being given to medical practitioners. "A technology has not been banned, a particular use of it is being banned. Within a patient-provider setting in a room, it's difficult to monitor," the report quoted a researcher as saying.

Pak arrests 35 Indian fishermen (Go To Top)

      Karachi: Pakistan has arrested as many as 35 Indian fishermen for allegedly illegally fishing in its coastal waters, the country's Maritime Security Agency said. Quoting Security Agency sources, the Daily Times reported today the Indian fishermen occupying five boats was arrested while fishing in a 30 km radius of Pakistan's coastal line. They said that the Agency had arrested a total of 204 Indian fishermen during 2004 for violating Pakistani coastal waters, while India detained 102 Pakistani fishermen over similar charges during the year.

Kalam emphasises on globalisation of industry (Go To Top)

      New Delhi: President APJ Abdul Kalam today called upon the country's industry to face globalization and leave their imprints as multinationals. Inaugurating the India International Trade Fair (IITF) in New Delhi, Kalam said that Indian industry must acquire the cutting edge technologies. "I would like to request that Indian industries should learn to think big with the whole world as our market by developing a strong and interactive Technology- Market - Value Adding Competitive Linkage. It will be a great resurgence for our manufacturing, marketing, and maintenance services. Indian industries should aim to become multi-nationals. Our youth love challenging jobs. We have to create challenging opportunities for them. We can win if we think we can win and act tenaciously with our clear goals in India to excel in a competitive new-world and create India brand," said Kalam.

       This year's Trade Fair focuses on the twin theme of "Agriculture" and "Information Technology", both of which are the key drivers of India's socio-economic development. Showcasing the achievements of country and other countries over a broad sectoral canvas, the IITF is one of the biggest annual congregations of businessmen, technocrats, entrepreneurs and users in the world. The fortnight long annual fair would witness participation by 7000 exhibitors including 323 foreign companies from 28 countries, with eight from Iran. This year, China is participating as 'Partner Country', and Brazil as the 'Focus Country'. Sale and launch of new products ranging from heavy machinery to consumer electronics are expected to draw nearly two million visitors to the fair, which closes on November 27. A series of seminars, workshops and conferences is also part of the IITF menu every year. These seminars and workshops provide valuable insights into selected industrial sectors, investment opportunities, scope of technology transfers etc. Serious business will pave the way for entertainment in the evenings, when Pragati Maidan, the venue of the fair, will reverberate with lights and sounds of fashion shows, dances, enchanting classical music, ballets and State Day celebrations, bringing to light distinct art and culture from various states of India.

Ganguly suspended for two Tests over slow over rate (Go To Top)

      Kolkata: Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly was today suspended for two Tests by the ICC match referee Clive Lloyd who found him guilty of slow over rate in BCCI Platinum jubilee day- night match against Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The suspension was announced after a hearing by Lloyd. This means that Ganguly will not play in the two Test matches against South Africa.

Inability to break partnership led to defeat: Wright (Go To Top)

      Kolkata: Indian cricket coach John Wright has said that the inability to break Pakistan batting partnership led to India's defeat in the BCCI Platinum Jubilee Cup match held yesterday. "We could not break the partnership which was essential for winning the match. Their top order has done the job for the team," he said. John added, "We have to improve our skills so that we can hit the accelerator at the right time." Asked whether not including Kumble in the team was a mistake, he said the collective decision was taken after considering the ground reality. Regarding Harbajan's performance, he said he bowled better but much more was required of him. The coach further said that the team needed to develop its fielding skill to make a difference in any match. He said the Pakistan team had become a balanced side with the presence of more effective bowlers and quality all-rounders. About the forthcoming South African series, he said, "'It will be a tough series and we will have to match it by improving our fielding which had cost us runs."