Tipaimukhs Hydroelectricity Project:

A boon or curse?

The govt of India has planned to construct a 390 feet long and 500 feet tall dam at the confluence of Barak and Tuivai rivers in the tri-junction of Manipur, Assam and Mizoram. Target of this hydro-electricity project is to produce 1500 MW electricity per day. Such projects are called multi-purpose river valley projects which also facilitate irrigation, fishery, flood control and employment generation etc . But , since it’s inception , the project has been subjected to severe protest by political parties, social organizations, neighboring country and threat of militant outfits. The government did not genuinely tried to understand the concern of the people , nor made any effort to solve the cause of concern . The govt also failed  in publicizing the positive benefit of this ambitious project to create a favorable public opinion.

Other day, Dr. Rajdeep Roy, BJP leader of Barak Valley made his party’s stand clear on this issue .While appealing to the public to be aware of the negative effects of the project and to organize greater movement against it, he says , “BJP is not in favor of scrapping the project but wants modification to reduce the risk factors and to look into the interest of effected peoples and states. The project will destroy 78 lakh trees, 27,000 Bamboo grooves and endangered species like Dolphins and Tortoise, thus, badly effecting ecology and environment. Accidental damage to the Dam will result into sudden  gigantic water flow at 75 to 100 KM speed per hour at the height of two story buildings over Silchar and Karimganj towns and low lying areas of the valley. Lakhipur areas of the valley will be devasted .The project area falls under seismic zone which experienced 66 times earthquakes in 6.5 Rickter Scale and one time in 8.5 Rickter Scale making the project high risk prone to collapse .Existence of many militant outfits in the area makes the Dam vulnerable to sabotage.” Recently, a militant outfit ,the Revolutionary Peoples Front opposed the project stating that it will submerge hundreds of villages and displace thousand of peoples. The Hmar Students Union and many other social groups protesting against the project.

The lofty Tipaimukh project of the Union Govt is a progressive work, it could have been welcomed if the Govt assured adequate care for it’s safety precautions and provided compensation and rehabilitation to the peoples who are directly as well as indirectly effected by the construction of Dam . The govt of India used it’s brain in considering  the overall developmental prospect of the Dam to the Nation . But the govt has failed to use it’s heart in considering the risk and loses to the sons of the soil who will be affected by the project  . Sons of the soil are those who might lose their lives and property in case of the accident . It is they who will be rendered homeless and their livelihood will be affected by the Dam. Hence the logic dictates , it should be they , who deserve to be the first beneficiary of the project . But, the govt decided otherwise. Only 5% of the electricity will be provided to Manipur at subsidized rate , nothing to Assam whose population will incur maximum losses  . Electricity will be supplied to Bihar, UP and Jharkhand. This way, the protagonist of the project has a justifiable cause which easily gets masses support. The Govt also failed to make wide publicity regarding the positive benefit of the project.

The govt should stress upon the public to develop faith upon the full-proof safety precautions undertaken. Of course, the govt must backup to what it promises .The govt should also announce the compensatory measures undertaken to look into the interest of the effected people. At present adverse publicity and advocacy journalism highlighting only the negative aspects of the project, keeping silent about the positive benefit, is misleading the public. The Govt should guard against it by judicious use of all available mass media projecting the true picture so that adverse publicity do not jeopardize the project and subsequently it should not become a cause for loss of many lives and property due to violent protest movements . Undertaking such a project without making sufficient effort to create a favorable opinion of the effected people, amounts to lack of understanding and concern of the govt to the sentiment and safety of the public. And when such a feeling becomes deep – rooted among the public, the govt should rather scrap the project before the loss of many lives. An option left to the govt is either compensate and convince, or scrap the project. No third option like force implementation will yield positive result.

Silchar town

Silchar town is located in the bank of the river Barak in South Assam region . It is surrounded by Manipur in the east , Mizoram in the South , Dimahasao district in the north , Tripura , Bangladesh and Karimganj district  in the South . It is the district HQ of Cachar district .

The town is strategically located at the centre of five states and two international boundaries .It is the centre of communication for the entire region and a commercial hub . Rightly , it is said that Silchar is the second gateway of the North – East after Guwahati . The name Silchar is derieved from the Bengali dialect ‘Sil’ and ‘Char’ . ‘Sil’ means stones and ‘Char ’means river bank . Thus Silchar means an area of land formed by stony bank of the river .

Silchar town came up as a centre of tea gardens and tea trade centre during the British time . After the partition of Bengal , significance of Silchar town has been multiplied as the only centre of communication connecting the region with the main land .

It is a thickly populated town with approx 10 lakh population . Bengali speaking Hindus constitute majority , followed by Bengali Muslims . Approx 10% population are Biharis ,Manipuries ,Dimasas , Hmars and Jaintias to which 5% belong to Christians by faith .

The town is connected with the main land by rail , road and air .

Like any other place Sichar town has certain problems like poor drainage systems ,poor town planning , traffic and pollution ,poor road and railway communication and flood – prone  law lying sorroundings .

Important  spots to visit are :-

Ancient Kachakanti temple at Udarband appx 10 KM away .

Siddeshwar temple at Badarpur in the bank of river Barak appx 12 KM .

Vuboneshwar temple at Vuban Hills appx 30 KM .

Remnants of the capital of last Kacharri king at Khaspur appx 10 KM dist .

The town has a few good hotels like Barrail View , Riya ,Sudakshina etc. Cachar Club begun by the British is functioning till date.

Silchar together with the Barak Valley is called as the island of peace. When rest of the Seven Sisters are burning with insurgency and other disturbances, Silchar town surrounded by the Barak Valley is considered to be the the only peaceful place . People of the town are culturally rich and intellectually inclined.

Resurgence of an insurgent outfit in Southern Assam

                                                  The BRU’s of South Hailakandi hogs the limelight.

Unlike the rest of Assam, the three districts of southern Assam has so far remained aloof from the scourge of militancy. But things of late has changed and changed for worse. A lesser known outfit which surrendered was back in 2008 regrouped itself under the name and style of ‘UDLA (United Democratic Liberation Army)’ making life miserable for the people of ‘island of peace’. Team Impression has unveiled an ‘exclusive story’ risking their lives along the rugged and inhospitable terrain in Southern Hailakandi.

The recent kidnapping of train driver Tarun Kumar Bhattacharjee is still afresh in the minds of the people. It is no surprise that a lesser known militant group under the name and style of UDLA- has claimed responsibility behind the kidnapping. 

Violence ,kidnapping extortion etc are not something new in the Bru occupied areas of South Hailakandi .It’s all happening to no place other than the famous state politician, Sri Gautam Roy’s constituency .It reflect nothing but political mismanagement and neglect.

                                                  United Liberation Front of Barak Valley (ULFBV) emerged out of the Bru people which surrendered with 350 Armed cadre  during the year 2007 under the leadership of Pancharam Riang . Their unconditional surrender under the C.M, Tarun Gogoi was assured  by fulfilling some of their demands. When asked, Pancharam Riang revealed the charter of demands projected by the group to the State Govt. as under :-  

 (1)Introduction of all Rural Developmental Programmes in tribal inhabited villages.

 (2)Schools /Education: Setting up of schools and recruitment of  tribal youths as teachers as per qualification as non tribal teachers are reluctant to work in remote tribal villages – 3 High Schools, 15 M.E Schools and 30 L.P Schools are to be set up.

 (3) Road Communication :Total four feeder roads to connect all tribal villages.

 (4) Provision of basic health care facilities through National Rural Health Mission .

 (5)Reservation in local self –governance.

Once considered  god- father,Pancharam Riang ,today he is the most hated person in the community,  because, he trusted the govt. but  the govt. did not keep up its promise .Finding no response from the govt., frustrated community once again formed a new extremist group during the recent past and named it as UDLA (United Democratic Liberation Army )  under its undeclared head Dhynaram Riang and self-styled commander-in-chief Nandiram Riang .                                                                    With lot of  risk  our reporters reached to the UG hideout (name of the place is kept secret). After the whole day expedition through the inhospitable terrain.Interview with Nandiram Riang who revealed that the Railway Driver, Bhattacharjee will be left only if their demand for Rs 50 lacks is fulfilled. They will not surrender till their demand is fulfilled by the Govt. He was reluctant to reveal any further information about the strength and weapons of the group and cautioned us not to take any photographs.Interview of the CRPF Cdr , AC Santosh Kumar who is carrying out combing operation to rescue the train driver declared optimistic outcome in a short span of time .  
   When we reached to another Bru village in Kalapahar Hill Ranges, all men and women welcomed us and narrated their owe-inspiring tale of betrayal and challenge to their very survival .Their history and problems can be summed up as under :-
                                         In  three districts of Barak Valley there are about 40,000 population of about 5000 families residing  in 80 villages .Their main concentration is on the Southern part of Hailakandi  distirict.                     
The village head man Shanku Ram Riang feels that there is no one who has really tried to understand the seriousness of the Bru problems nor any one genuinely tried to solve their problems .He requested our correspondent to  spread his message  about the problem of his community  to the rest  of the world. According to him :- “The plight of Bru community in Mizoram and Assam can be compared with the massacre of Bengali Hindus in earstwhile East Pakisthan prior to 1971 war and  genocide of Jews under Hitlarite despot during WW-II.
                                                   Political leaders like Sri Gautam Roy is hell-bent to punish the community due to our non-affiliation with the Congress party .On the name of UG’s, innocent Bru civilans were regularly tortured by the police and CRPF. Even our women folks are also not spared.
The picture is still more gloomy in Mizoram where due to the awakenning  of Mizo National spirit, minority Bru’s had to face the Mizo onslaught. Thousands of Bru’s were massacred in Mizoram and rest fleed for their life.
            In our struggle for mere existence ,Bru’s today are the most helpless people. About 99.9 percent Bru’s are illiterate, residing in difficult terrain, devoid of basic health care and amenities of life”

Bru’s are a semi- nomadic tribe. Jhoom cultivation is their primary occupation .Such an occupation demands  shifting of place every year to find a new pasture. Bru’s were happy with their  occupation until the jungles have been encroached upon by the increased number of peoples from the plains which virtually made them landless .
Inspite of so much inhuman treatment given to the Bru’s ,still if you pay a visit to a their house you will  be amazed with  their hospitality .They still treat their guests as gods. They offer food ,while themselves starve . They offer bed , while themselves sleep on the floor .
                                             Who will help them to cope up with their problem of existence ?Who will help to preserve the endangered culture of the Bru people ? Today the Bru people appeal to all govt. Org. , NGOs and international org to help them  in their  struggle for survival .’

 “Extremist” problem is the product of a dissatisfied society and hence it can’t be wiped out nip in the bud unless and until the basic social problems of the Bru’s are resolved. It is high time that the Govt. must give due importance to the Bru problem so that peace and tranquility is maintained.

 

Traffic problem in Silchar town

Silchar town is characterized by narrow, broken roads with stagnant water. Today no.of vehicles plying in the roads has increased by manyfold. This is attributable to some factors like readily available vehicles at a cheaper rate, increased affordability & easy financing etc. About three decades ago, bi-cycle was a luxury, than it was motor-cycle but now, even a car is no more a luxury but a necessity for the middle class people.

But the road condition remain same as it was in the bicycle days. Specially the roads of Silchar are not at all geared up to take the load of such an increased traffic. Just count the no of vehicles ply in the way of Rangirkhari during peak hours of the day, it is approximately estimated that 75 x four wheelers, 200 x two wheelers & 100 x three wheelers per minute. For poorly maintained narrow roads of Silchar such a massive traffic is beyond the control of small detachment of traffic police deployed for the purpose.  Rickshaw & Thela pullers being slow moving are the major cause for jamming the roads. It must soon need to be replaced by town buses. In Silchar town there is no traffic rule. Motor cyclist drives without helmet and overtake from wrong sides. On an average, every third day there is a fatal motor cycle accident. Auto drivers take pride to overtake from wrong sides. Footpath is ladened with petty shops. Silchar court is over burdened with motor vehicle accident cases, which is much higher than any other town of Assam. Unless an early & drastic  step is taken by the Govt , Silchar will be a difficult place for all of us to live in.

INTERLINKING OF RIVERS IN INDIA:

                            What  stops  to undertake the project 

The supreme court  has recently passed directives to the union Govt of india for early implementation of the project on interlinking of rivers. The concept of the National Water Grid was first conceived by Dr K. L Rao of the National Water Grid – an engineer & Minister of Indian  cabinet in the 1970s. Intervening in a Lok Sabha debate on drought on November 20, 2002, the then Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee disclosed that the government proposed to take up the scheme for interlinking of rivers on a war footing as a long term solution the recurring problem. The UNDP mission visiting India in the early 1970s suggested that it was none too soon to start the complete investigations required for the execution of the National Water Gird by the year 2000 & here we are at the threshold of 2012, still scratching our heads as to whether, when & how to start the spade work

 Why this delay? what stops us from undertaking the project ? Answer follows at the end. Let us discuss the need & importance of interlinking the rivers. Climate- wise India is possibly a most diverse nation. We have dry desert areas , snow - cloud mountains, certain areas covered by perennial rivers while some other areas covered by seasonal rivers. Some areas experience extreme draught while certain areas experience devastating floods. No doubt. India has substantial water resources, but their distribution over the land is uneven. This is because of the seasonal & region- specific distribution of rainfall. Large tracts  in western, central & southeastern India witness very scanty rainfall while in the northern & eastern regions heavy monsoon cause extensive floods. Interlinking of major rivers in India would have solved both flood & draught problems, agricultural productivity would have increased, hydroelectricity would have helped industrial development, property & lives of millions would have saved , drinking water & electricity for domestic consumption would have been easily made available at a cheaper rate. In fact Indian economy and living standard would have improved beyond calculated limit. The estimated cost of the National Grid in Rs 5, 60, 000 crore,which is by no means a small amount. But it should not be a cause of worry keeping in view the gains that the project promises in future. India will be able to solve a host of problems once the plan is successfully implemented. Those who view the project with skepticism must look at the shining examples in other Countries where such projects yielded results. Many people dismissed the idea as utopian and highly expensive. They should calculate how much is it costing the nation in terms of losses of life and properties and how much losses we are incurring in terms of developmental works for non- implementation of the project. Gains will be much above the proportion to the likely cost of the project. There are region-based lobbies who are also against the mighty project. They must understand India is one and its resources belong to the entire Country; we cannot afford to allow regional chauvinism to play, spoilsport with the greater good of the country. Every part of India has an equal claim to the National wealth. India is one well-knit family and if anything happens to one member, it affects all. A calamity in one part of the country affects the entire nation. An earthquake in Gujarat is not the sole concern of the state, its affects the country as a whole. Likewise, no state can lay claim that it’s natural resources are exclusively it’s own and hence cannot be shared with others.

Above all, the government lack the desired will to undertake the work which is the primary reason for  not taking a bold decision. Let us now wait and see the collective will of the present Monmohan singh government and force of the Supreme Court direction on the issue for much desired project on interlinking of all rivers in India.         

Ceremonial wastages

The amount of food wasted and thrown away in ceremonial halls like Ishaan, Kunjalata  and the like is growing after every party. When asked about the quantity of food thrown away, Raju a worker in the Kunjalata Marriage Hall said, “It is on the rise. There is no measure for it. The Babus are rich, they throw lavish parties. At times we have to starve because of our work load. After every occasion, huge quantities of food are thrown. We cannot do any thing about it”. An underfed rickshaw puller, Bipul Das says, “Whatever I take home, it is not enough for my wife and childrens. We do not get two square basic  meals for survival but they just throw such luxuries.”

Irony of the society is that those who need most, do not get it and suffer from malnutrition but those who do not exert manually, afford and over-eat. Result is same for both the Haves and the Have-nots i.e, ill-health. Secret of their mutual sound health  lies in sharing the surplus to thepoor by the rich .

Tipple Sales in Silchar: Business that Let Live and Let Die

 Silchar : The local liquor bar in and around Silchar is gradually increasing. The families who have no other source of income have taken up the business extensively. This can also be due to the impact of unemployment in our country. Regardless of the results, the number of seller and the number of customer has a good uniformity. The survivability of any business in-fact depends on its customers. It can be said for sure that people’s affinity towards alcohol of all types is tipping  up the sales of liquor .The unauthorized liquor bars in and around the Silchar town are run mostly by  poor and helpless families .In spite of  routine arrest by  police they are still doing the business. These illegal bars along with the legal bars actually has no difference.

Neither of them is serving the society. Though on the one hand the business is ‘let live’ but on the Other  hand it is ‘let die’. This amazing sales report from a revenue official of Kamrup excise dept was  published in “The Times of India” on 13^th October issue as “The total sales figures of the last  few days are yet to come in as we get the detailed figures only after the end of each month. But, to our knowledge, liquor sales have crossed some Rs 8 crore only in October. The increase in revenue is rapid here due to the rising number of  consumers. During the Durga Puja last year, liquor worth Rs 5,19,28,681 was sold as compared to the reported Rs 8 crores sale  this year. The jump could be because we have got reports that this year some city pubs violated thedeadline norms”. The report clearly depicts that the celebration choice of the people has turn to liquor. A “Tribal Sungho” President once said “planning up a program with students has become difficult this days, as because, their attention are already drawn towards alcoholism, intoxication and thereby, violence and trouble”. This can be a threat to  the culture,  religion and  health of our society. Some of the students are already found to be regular consumers. In spite of their Knowledge  about the health effects of alcohol consumption, they  use to it as a fashion and show off. Such wrong notion in the aspects of alcohol consumption bitterly draw our attention.