2010 The Year that was

January

The Domino Effect

The arrest of ULFA Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa led to a string of surrenders of top level members of the banned outfit as Bangladesh under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina cracked down on anti – Indian groups operating across the international border. Speculations abounded about what would be the outcome of the surrenders and whether the surrendered leaders would in time emerge as politicians in Assam.

Copenhagen Summit

World leaders congregate in Copenhagen for the much talked about Copenhagen Climate Conference. Issues were however caught in a state of limbo as, instead of thinking globally, world leaders sought to protect national interest and pass the blame.

February

Sheikh a Friendly Hand

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed visits India and opens up doors to combat terrorism besides avenues to greater trade relations between the two neighbouring countries. Sheik Hasina’s pro active role in stopping cross border terrorism led to a visible fall in the impact of terrorist outfits in the North East and is arguably the most important state visit of the year for India as a whole and the North East in particular. Its direct results were access to previously inaccessible shipping routes and a conspicuous stemming of terrorist activities.

March

The Train of Thought

Union Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee unveils her Railway Budget for 2010 -2011 which envisions rail connectivity to all the major cities of the North East. The long awaited Trans – Asian Railway Network through the North East promises integration of the region with the mainland as never seen before. Speculations and protests however abound as traditional institutions and NGOs foresee an adverse effect on the demography of the region.

Manipur’s Sacrificial Lambs

The issue of fake encounters comes to the fore in Manipur as the Human Rights Commission gave a directive to the Manipur State Government to pay a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs as compensation to the next of kin of late R. K. Sananjaoba who was killed in such an incident. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which is applicable in Manipur, Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir gives security personnel the right to persecute people suspected of involvement in militancy with no questions asked. This Act has drawn international interest and is oft deemed draconian. Instead of abating militancy and terrorism, it has fuelled the fires and has become more of a catalyst for trouble than a solution.

April

When Peace Comes Knocking

The signing of the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ between NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) promises peace between the warring factions of the NSCN besides being a big step towards an end to the Indo – Naga conflict which hxas dragged on since India attained its independence. Talks to address the issues of contention start and the people of Nagaland wait with bated breath for a solution which has dragged on for far too long at the cost of the local population.

The Delhi Chalo Slogan

Rebel Congress members of the Meghalaya State Assembly make a concerted demand for the removal of independent ministers and a minister of one of the regional parties to make way for the placement of Congress members in the coveted ministerial seats. These Congress dissidents also called for a change in leadership in the state which meant the removal of. D. D. Lapang as Chief Minister of the state. These ministers had even flocked en masse to New Delhi to voice out their demands. This ultimately led to the fall of the Congress led MUA Government in the state.

May

The Birth of a Golden Future in Meghalaya?

Months of political rumblings in Meghalaya led to the ouster of Chief Minister D.D. Lapang and the taking over of the reigns of power by Dr. Mukul Sangma who stated that he foresaw a golden future for Meghalaya. Meghalaya has, over the years picked up the notoriety of being home to unstable governments which struggle to complete their full term of office. In fact, over a period of 24 years, there have been 38 Chief Ministers leading the state. This has indirectly led to a lag in development activities and non - implementation of countless schemes in the state.

IPL from Premier to Paisa

After having risen to a worth of $4 billion dollars within a period of only three years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) was suddenly in the media limelight for all the wrong reasons. Amidst allegations of bias in procuring shares, pulling of strings and monopoly, Lalit Modi whose brainchild IPL was, was suspended from the post of Chairman of the IPL. The issue took a serious turn when Cabinet Minister Shashi Tharoor was compelled to vacate his Cabinet seat after revelations of him being a stake holder of the newly formed Kochi Team in the name of one of his lady ‘friends’.

June

The Second Coming

NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah was given permission to visit his native village at Somdal in Manipur’s Ukhrul District after 43 years. This led to tensions between Nagaland and Manipur as the latter was adamant in not permitting Muivah to enter Manipur. Fears abounded in Manipur that with the visit of Muivah, the movement for ‘Greater Nagalim’ would be given renewed impetus.

Black Gold in Manipur

The price of petroleum products in Manipur goes through the roof as supply is stemmed by a road blockade imposed on the Imphal – Mao section of National Highway 39 and the Imphal - Jiribam section of National Highway 53. During the worst phases of the crisis, petrol was sold at Rs. 160 per litre, diesel at Rs. 110 per litre and an LPG cylinder was tagged at Rs. 2000 in Manipur.

July

Justice Interrupted

After judicial deliberation which spanned 26 years, the verdict was pronounced for the Bhopal Gas tragedy in which officials of Union Carbide were held responsible for negligence which resulted in an explosion of which effects are visible to this day. A paltry fine of Rs. 2 lakhs was imposed on each of the erring officials for a crime which, over the years has resulted in the death of over 15000 people.

The Highway from Hell.

With reports of a scam through which Rs. 1000 crore was siphoned off development funds in Assam’s North Cachar Hills district, it is no wonder that roads in the district are in such deplorable conditions. The CBI had probed into the matter and the extent of the corruption is yet to be ascertained while the Public Works Department of the state is under the CBI scope. In light of such extensive corruption, it is no wonder that the PWD has no funds to repair let alone build new roads.

August

Child Soldiers of Manipur

A disturbing trend of kidnapping for recruitment by militant groups is unveiled in Manipur. Such kidnappings are carried out by commission agents who lure the children with promises of jobs and security only to deliver them into the hands of the militants. Letters are then issued to the parents stating that they will be returned after 15 years.

Anti Mega Dam Protests Vs Hydro Dollar Dream

Following the report of the Expert Group formed to assess the downstream impact of the 2000 Mega Watt Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project, anti – mega dam protesters have sought a closure on construction work on the project. It was found that no downstream impact study was conducted before the construction of the mega dam and as such, the consequences of its operation on the downstream areas were not taken into consideration.

September

The Great Indian PDS Scam

India reels in shock after revelations are made of the involvement of one of the stalwarts of the nation in one of India’s most blatant scams. Gegong Apang who had at one time occupied the post of Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for 19 years had been implicated in a scam which shows mammoth excess payment for distribution of food grains.

Houdini Act

The prime suspect in the high profile murder case of Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang disappears while he was still in CBI custody. Nickole Tamang disappeared from Pintall village while he was in the custody of a five – member CID team. Conspiracy buffs had a field day with the revelation and speculation abounded about Nickole Tamang’s fate.

October

Magnificen t Mary

Manipur’s Mangte Chungnejang Mary Kom popularly known as Magnificent Mary becomes the first woman boxer in the world to have won five world titles consecutively.

The Shillong Chamber Choir

Shillong once again basks in the national spotlight as the Shillong Chamber Choir wins the second season of the hit reality show India’s Got Talent (Khoj 2).

Lessons for Legislators

Deficit school teachers in Meghalaya are caught in a stalemate as they refuse to resume teaching till 40% of their arrears are cleared by a state government which has no funds.

November

NEHUSU says ‘NO’ to new Vice Chancellor

The North Eastern Hill University in Meghalaya had its daily routine stalled as students vehemently oppose the selection of Professor A. N. Rai in lieu of an indigenous aspirant as the new Vice Chancellor of the University. The student body leaders were of the contention that Vice Chancellors from outside the region are not sensitive towards the needs and problems of the local students and had also alleged that there were strings pulled to ensure that Professor A. N. Rai was selected for the job of running the University.

The Black Hole in Assam PDS

After the unearthing of the major PDS scam in Arunachal Pradesh, yet another PDS scam is revealed in Assam where a diversion of PDS food grins to the black market was found to be prevalent. It was revealed that 44.97% of rice for BPL families, 83.28% of rice for APL families, the entire 100% of wheat allotted to Assam in the years 2007 – 08, 2008 – 09 and 2009 – 10 under Targeted PDS found its way to and was sold in the black market.

Dec

Obama’s Visit to India

The implications of US President Barack Hussein Obama’s visit to India. An in - depth look at what America offers India and what the latter has to pay for this offer. Analysts see a disproportionate exchange as America gets tangible goods while India has to settle for promises decked by many ifs and maybes.

NDFB – 20 Eyes for an Eye

The anti – talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland carries out its threat to kill 20 Indian nationals for every one of its cadre killed by security forces. As a result, Assam is swept in a wave of panic as the general public ponder over the next target and date of attack of the banned militant outfit.