easternpanorama.in

Flash Back April 1998

The Siachen Tigers

A prime example of the balance between military and civilian duties of a helicopter unit is borne out by one of the most cherished units of the Indian Air Force – the 128 HU better known as the “Siachen Tiger”. The Siachen Tigers shot into limelight during the Siachen imbroglio of the mid-eighties when its dare devil pilots fought natures vagaries on a daily basis to keep the lines of communication with the worlds highest battle field open through out the year. After completing its tour of duty on north India, the Siachen Tigers moved to their new home in Upper Assam. Presently, the unit is involved in providing Air maintenance Operation of the entries state of Arunachal Pradesh as well as parts of eastern Nagaland. Sector served include Tawang, Subnsiri, Siang, Lohit, Trap and eastern Nagaland. In the absence of all weather motorable roads, the local populace for the better part of the year, are dependent o these versatile machines and their brave pilot. Although the Government of Arunachal Pradesh pays in hard cash  for ferrying essential commodities to remote and inaccessible areas, .......................

Flash Back March 1998

Meghalaya poll analysis

The results of the Mghalaya Legislative Assembly election 1998 are poised for a hung assembly.

The analysis showed that in Khasi Hills wherever the regional parties failed to put up a common platform against the Congress, the Congress party has come out winners. In the constituencies dominated by the non-tribal the decrease in the votes of Congress has benefited the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in three constituencies, i.e Laban, Pynthorumkhrah and Dalu. If the peoples Democratic Movement and UDP would have formed a common platform then the chances of the regional parties sweeping the polls in the Khasi hills would have been complete.

Another interesting factor emerges when we scan through the involvement of the most of the minister who were tainted with various scams. As many as fourteen sitting MLAs lost their seats. However, the overall performance of the Congrss have shown a marginal improvement in this election over 1993 one in terms of increase in the number of seats by just one. But this increase was not commensurate by increase in the percentage........

Flash Back February 1998

Bangla - PCJSS Accord facilitates Chakmare regugee’s return to CHT

The Chakma refugee problem in Tripura came to an end after the Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina Wajed’s assurance of implementing a 20 point economic programme and rehabilitation package for the returning refugees in Chittagong Hill tract of Bangladesh. The fourth phase repatriation of the Chakma refugees began from 21st November 1997 and continued up to 5 December 1997. During those days a total of 2028 Chakma families numbering about 10,710 people left for their home in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh from Kathalchari and Silachari camps of South Tripura district through Tabalchari border in Bangladesh.

The Chakmas after so many years of repression and exploitation by the non-tribals and neglect shown by successive Bangladesh government towards them hope for a security and regain their homes under the present Awami league government of Shiekh Hasina in the CHT.

Flash Back January 1998

Chief Minister and Chief Secretary under cloud of suspicion

The golden jubilee of India’ independence is just the scenario to take a critical look at the north-eastern border lands which form the bottom-line between the rule of law and disintegration; good governance and a shoddy administration. The mushroom growth of militant outfits among the hill tribes, plains tribals, ethnic groups and the “marginal” tribes (led by the late Rani Gaidiliu) was, and is disturbing since they can be misled and exploited by bigger and relatively less inhibited underground groups which claim to be ideologically motivated and committed to fighting New Delhi’s neo-colonialism and tyranny to the bitter end. The political leaders are no less career-minded than their counterparts in other states; corrupt and opportunistic, they and the community at large were skeptical of Gujral’s competence and mandate and seriously concerned over the lack of understanding or ignorance of a policy line on north eastern affairs.  Ideological motivation, bringing the rebels under the Moist umbrella, was soft pedalled to accomodate Christian sentiment. Whereas the MNF (Mizo National Front) was  lukewarm to feelers from the Shanti Bahini, the armed wing of the Chakmas, to undergo weapon training . . . . ..