Agartala (Tripura) Sep 5: Following are selected news reports published in today’s newspapers.
Assam Tribune, Guwahati, September 5, 2015:: Centre must depute observers: AASU One major part of the process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) of 1951 has been completed with the submission of application forms and the Government of India should depute Central observers to closely monitor the second and most vital phase, that is, verification of the application forms. This was the view of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), which is closely monitoring the process of updating the NRC.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, the chief adviser of the AASU, Samujjal Bhattacharya said that the verification of the documents submitted by the applicants would be the most vital phase of the NRC update process. He pointed out that the Election Commission always sends Central observers to ensure free and fair elections. Similarly, the Government of India should send Central observers to ensure that the process of verification of applications and documents is carried out without any foul play by anyone. The officials engaged in the process should also realise the fact that they would be doing a great national duty by ensuring that no foreign national can include his or her name in the NRC by providing false or forged documents, Bhattacharya said.
Ajker Fariad, Agartala, September 5, 2015 :: Food Security Act, LF Govt claiming credit: The Left Front Government’s Food Minister Bhanulal Saha admitted that the State is implementing the Food Security Act as per central rule. Earlier reports said that the Union government has been mounting pressure upon the State to implement the FSA soon. However, it has been announced, the ruling party, CPIM began to go for widespread propaganda claiming the Left Front government’s credit to ensure food security to 25 lakh people. More interestingly, the FSA at central level has been enacted by the Congress led UPA government, which has later amended by the present BJP led NDA government.
Dainik Sambad, Agartala:: September 5, 2015:: Food Security: 25 lakh people of Tripura unable to buy rice at Rs. 3 :The State identified 25.2 lakh people (out of the total population of 35 lakh) as beneficiary to reap the benefit of the Food Security Act. The rules made it clear that, 20 lakh people, of the beneficiary segment, has been labelled as priority group and the remaining as beneficiary under Antodaya Anna Yojana – about 5 lakh – whose families are entitled to get 35 kg rice per month as per central rule. (As per the central rule,) The families of priority group are supposed to get rationing rice as per the provision of 5 kg rice per head of a family at the rate of Rs. 3 per kg, interesting the state decided to provide subsidy of Rs. 1 upon it making the rate fixed at Rs. Per kg ultimately. Interestingly, the calculation and figures is simply a manifestation to the fact that the LF Government, during in its 32 years rule, cannot make 25 lakh people capable to afford Rs. 3 per kg that caused the State government to provide Re. 1 as subsidy upon Rs. 3.
Dainik Sambad, Agartala:: September 5, 2015::Attack on judiciary, says Chief Justice of Tripura High Court: Following the incidence of picketing and two judges assaulted at Sabroom in South Tripura on September 2 in connection with trade unions’ all India strike, Chief Justice of Tripura High Court Justice Deepak Gupta toured the locations on Saturday. Later he told media that he was deeply concerned with such incidence that was an instance of attack on judiciary – which is a serious matter, also adding that he asked the local administration to book the culprits immediately.
Imphal Free Press, Imphal, September 5, 2015:: Tribal organisation point out contentious areas in bills:: The All Tribal Chiefs’ Forum convened a consultative meeting of several tribal organisations at the Tribal Research Institute on the present opposition to the three bills for not consulting the Hill Areas Committee.
The tribal leaders participating in the meeting deliberated exhaustively on the three bills passed recently in the special session of the assembly and concluded that the implementation of these bills after they become Acts will affect the tribal and the tribals’ land ownership. This was communicated at a press meet after the consultative meeting by former MP BD Behring. He also pointed out the contradictions to Article 5 of the Constitution of India where definition of Indian citizenship is clearly defined. ‘Hence this is an unconstitutional Bill which has the potential to reduce bonafide citizens to “Non-Manipuri” status he said.
Nagaland Post, September 5, 2015:: Tribal apex bodies reject ILP bills passed by Manipur Assembly :: A joint meeting of apex tribal bodies of Manipur on Saturday rejected three bills passed by Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31 for introduction of inner line permit system (ILPS) in the state. It, however, resolved to uphold unity of tribals and agreed to fight jointly for securing a common political issue. The meeting condemned the brutal killing of eight persons, including a minor boy and injury to hundreds in police action during 12-hour bandh call given by three tribal student organisations in five hill districts of the state on August 31.The meeting which was attended by representatives of Hmar Inpui (HI), Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), United Naga Council (UNC) and Zomi Council (ZC), reviewed the prevailing political situation of the state, especially the situation in Churachandpur district…………NC Hills Indigenous Student’s Forum (NCHISF), Indigenous Women Forum (IWF), Indigenous Village Chief’s Forum (IVCF) and affiliated apex bodies of Zeme, Hmar, Kuki, Vaiphei, Biate, Rongmei, Hrangkhul and other communities expressed resentment over three bills passed by Manipur Assembly for introduction of inner line permit system (ILPS) and said that it was a desperate attempt of Manipur government to oust indigenous tribal people living in hill areas from their own land. In a press release issued here on Saturday, the IPF said that the bills have been passed by the Legislative Assembly without prior consent of representatives of tribal organisations of hill areas. It also said that the attempt of state government to introduce ILPS has violated the provisions of article 26 (1) and 26 (2) of UN Declaration on the rights of indigenous people.
