[chhattisgarh-net] Digest Number 1668

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:03:20 -0800

Title: chhattisgarh-net

Messages In This Digest (8 Messages)

Messages

1.

NHRC whitewashes Salwa Judum atrocities

Posted by: "Shubhranshu Choudhary" [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Sat Nov 1, 2008 6:51 am (PDT)

NHRC whitewashes Salwa Judum atrocities
special report | Appu Esthose Suresh, Covert

New Delhi: Two Government reports, two different assessments. The National
Human Rights Commission has given a clean chit to the controversial Salwa
Judum and in the process, discounted the findings of another Government
statutory body, the National Commission for the Protection of Rights of the
Child [NCPRC].

The NHRC has also contradicted itself in its own report. The Commission
claims that it did not find the SJ guilty of intimidating and punishing
anyone suspected of being a Naxalite. However, it later observes, "The
growth of Salwa Judum at times encountered resistance on the part of some
tribals due to sympathies with the Naxalites. Thus, there were some
instances when Salwa Judum activists beat up and forced the people to join
them in rallies and processions."

Again, the Commission in another segment finds: "The enquiry team also came
across a few instances where, despite families having shifted to their
villages, able-bodied males are compulsorily asked by SJ leaders to come and
sleep in the camp. This is done to keep them away from the influences of the
Naxalites and to maintain the strength of number in SJ."

Testimonies recorded by the NCPRC corroborate these facts, while they also
cite specific instances of killings and rapes. Its report reads, "The public
hearing held in Charla [Khammam district in Andhra Pradesh] was attended by
200 Internally Displaced Peoples and the team heard the testimony of over 35
people. Every testimony included a narrative of extreme violence committed
against them by Naxalites, Salwa Judum and Security Forces. Many people
shared accounts of family members being killed and women raped by the Salwa
Judum."

After another public hearing in Dantewada in Chhattisgarh, the report notes,
"There were numerous accounts of family members being killed for resisting
the Salwa Judum." Yet, interestingly, in its report NHRC claims it did not
find SJ indulging in coercion and violent intimidation.

After the NCPRC team visited two camps in Dantewada district it found that
"The diet of the camp residents was very limited, potentially resulting in
malnutrition." Their team also found the basic amenities grossly inadequate.
On the other hand, the NHRC team found the overall conditions in the
temporary relief camps satisfactory. Shanta Sinha, Chairperson, NCPRC told *
Covert*, "We stand by our report."

The NHRC also seemed eager to look past the rape charges. "The team did not
come across any cases of rape which could be substantiated" it said, in a
clear bid to exonerate the accused SJ volunteers, special police officers
and security men of all charges. The NHRC team investigated only two
incidents and visited the wrong villages. Instead of visiting Polmpalli in
Usur Thana, as mentioned in the petition, the team investigated a village of
the same name in Drompal Thana. It is of little wonder then that it could
not substantiate the charges.

Shanta Sinha, who came across the allegations of rape and sexual violence
during public hearings, clarified, "There were harrowing stories of violence
by Naxalites, Salwa Judum and the security forces. We found these to be
genuine and included them in our report." At Charla public hearing, Nirali
of Lingagiri village, Dantewada [names were changed by the commission, for
obvious reasons] testified, "Salwa Judum would visit our villages and ask us
to go to the police stations. The Salwa Judum members were people of other
villages who would come together and harass us. No one from our village
joined the Salwa Judum. The police came with guns and killed two members of
my family and raped my niece." Shanta Sinha added, "Why would I disbelieve a
mother who walked through the forest for two days to give testimony about
violence on her family? Why would she lie?" Sridevi Panikkar, an activist
who has recorded the testimonies of rape victims for independent
fact-finding teams, alleges, "Instead of following special standards of
investigation for rape charges in a conflict area, the NHRC has not complied
with even the elementary rules of investigation."

Statements by villagers alleging killings by Naxalites were taken into
cognisance by the NHRC, irrespective of whether their bodies were found and
cases registered. However, testimonies of internally displaced people living
in Andhra Pradesh alleging crimes by SJ on them and their families did not
hold the same legitimacy for the Commission. This has raised apprehensions
among the petitioners about a fair investigation. Nandini Sunder, an
academic and petitioner, told *Covert*, "It seems the investigation went by
the police versions even though the police was also accused"

http://covert.co.in/appu.htm

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2a.

Re: Introduction from a new member

Posted by: "vijendra Aznabi" [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Sat Nov 1, 2008 10:10 am (PDT)

I agree that today politics serves the interest of powerful. To apprppriate
the benefit, the political party can go to any extent stripping off values,
ethics and morality..

The smaller or regional parties are no exception to this. For their
existence, it is the only tactics left to them. I am not defending them, but
there is something wrong with parliamentary poltics which forced crooked
players to stay in. The two-party system is not the solution to this
problem. Atleast, we have many options to vote, and can see, who represents
better to our aspiration. In the diverse society of India, multi-party
system correctly represents the democratic culture.

Party like Shiv Sena and MNS is worst in terms of ignoring the long-term
consequences of divisive politics. Shiv-shena started the game in 80s
agaisnt kannada, today MNS taking it against North Indians. Today, the
youths are desperate, lack of better employment against the ever rising cost
of living. They become easy target for such divisive politcs. The angst lead
to disrespect and disbelief on system (including judiciary), therefore, at
many places, people resorted to mob voilence for reasonable causes. (Many
incidents of burning of vehicles for causing road accidents in Chhattisgarh
happened in the past month).

Formation of vigilante groups like Salwa Judum in Bastar, and similar
formation in Orissa adivasi region, Karnataka and northeast is the showcase
of tapping desperate youth force for destruction. This phenomena lead to
escalation of voilent activities across the country and an unfortunate
indication of fall of democratic values.

No party is ready to recognise the fact that liberalisation is failed to
improve the life of poor. The sustainabilty of large sections of Indians,
who depends on agriculture, is under severe crisis. But, all the parties are
purseing the same agenda with different pace. Thus, state focussing less on
welfare and rights of marginalised and to divert the accountability, raising
more often question of security and integrity. Enactment of stringent laws
in the name of security has enough ammunition to silence the rightful
dissent against the criticism of state's failure. I feel, this is the
higtened crisis of democracy in our country......

Vijendra

------------

Hi Welcome to the group,

You have mentioned that you think that issues are common between Assam and
Chattisgarh........................

Where is the issue of "son of soil"? are we not son of India?

See what is happening in country. Raj Thakre is fueling son of soil game,
RJD being partner in the central Government is not able to do anything,
Prime minister is sounding helpless, do you think common man can do
anything?

If India is not having 2 party system then all such mushroom political
parties will have nude dance of power game.

Issue is one only and it's " no job to the right set of people" plus
corruption and exploitation.

We need to keep on fighting for right things---------------
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3.

36garh Diary | 2 Nov | 2008

Posted by: "CGNet" [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Sat Nov 1, 2008 6:20 pm (PDT)

Dear friends,

Pls find here 36garh Diary | 2 Nov | 2008. This contains news items
published in today's newspapers related to Chhattisgarh

http://cgnet.in/Med/diary/atdocument.2008-11-02.0601346666

regards
Moderators team CGnet

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4.

Right to free education gets a leg up

Posted by: "CGNet" [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Sat Nov 1, 2008 6:22 pm (PDT)

Right to free education gets a leg up
1 Nov 2008, 0033 hrs IST, Akshaya Mukul, TNN

NEW DELHI: The Right to Education Bill, a big-ticket move to make education
a fundamental right for every child in the 6-14 age group, was cleared by
the Union Cabinet on Thursday. It's slated to be introduced in Parliament in
December. If passed, one of the longest awaited political promises would be
honoured.

Activists for universal education are, however, keeping their fingers
crossed, for, it may go into limbo if the Bill is referred to the standing
committee. If it's not passed now, there is hardly any possibility of the
RTE Bill being passed next year as the government will shift into
election mode.
This would mean the Bill will lapse and the new government would have
to start work on it virtually from scratch.

If RTE becomes law, it would empower the six-year-old 86th Constitutional
amendment that made free and compulsory education a fundamental right. The
RTE Bill sets down guidelines for states and the Centre to execute and
enforce this right. Earlier, education was part of the directive principles
of state policy.

After being considered by a high-powered group for more than two years and
facing stiff resistance from the ministries of finance and law and the
Planning Commission, the Bill first went to the Cabinet in August but due to
objection of the Planning Commission, it was referred to a GoM. This mainly
looked into the finances of the scheme.

The earlier draft had said the financial sharing would be done as per
discussions with the state governments but the GoM decided to make the
central share more specific.

While stating that both the Centre and states would be responsible for the
finances, it said the Centre would prepare the capital and recurring
expenditure and provide it as grants-in-aid to each state from time to time.
The GoM also decided to consult the finance commission for additional
resources. However, the share between the Centre and states is yet to be
decided.

Education as right to cost Rs 12000cr a yr

To cost the exchequer nearly Rs 12,000 crore every year, even private
unaided schools would not be out of its ambit since 25% of seats would have
to be reserved for poor children in the neighbourhood. On its part, the
Centre would reimburse the cost to these schools.

The legislation has
a host of features that stress not only on reaching out to every child
in the 6-14 age category but also on quality and accountability of the state
and education system. Sources said the legislation is aimed at dealing with
criticism that state-run schools lag behind in quality. To ensure that the
law gets effectively implemented, the Bill has provisions prohibiting
teachers from undertaking private tuitions as well as not letting them being
used for non-educational purposes.

To ensure that parents have equal stake in the system, the Bill provides for
School Management Committees in all government and aided schools. Each
committee would monitor and oversee the working of the school, manage its
assets and ensure quality. There is also a provision that teacher vacancy
should never exceed more than 10% of the total strength.

To monitor the implementation of the law, the Bill proposes a National
Commission for Elementary Education to be headed by a chairperson. He would
be appointed by a committee consisting of the PM, leaders of opposition in
both Houses of Parliament, HRD minister and the Lok Sabha Speaker.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Right_to_free_education_gets_a_leg_up/articleshow/3659677.cms

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5.

NREGA in Dantewada : A report by Jean Dredge

Posted by: "CGNet" [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Sat Nov 1, 2008 7:51 pm (PDT)

Dear friends

We have uploaded NREGA in Dantewada : A report by Jean Dredge on
Employment page of CGnet at http://www.cgnet.in/E/

We thank Jean Dredge Ji for sending the report to us. We request all
of you to send similar report about Chhattisgarh which you think
others should know about.

Sincerely
Moderators CGnet

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6a.

Friends of Earth report on Jatropha by Souparna Lahiri

Posted by: "CGNet" [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Sat Nov 1, 2008 8:11 pm (PDT)

Dear friends,

We have uploaded Friends of Earth report on Jatropha by Souparna Lahiri
on Agriculture page of CGnet at http://www.cgnet.in/A/

We thank Souparna Lahiri Ji for sending the report to us. We request all
of you to send similar report about Chhattisgarh which you think
others should know about.

Sincerely
Moderators CGnet

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Messages in this topic (3)
6b.

Re: Friends of Earth report on Jatropha by Souparna Lahiri

Posted by: "rahul" [EMAIL PROTECTED]   aarohini

Sun Nov 2, 2008 2:30 am (PST)

I have been trying to open the cgnet site and failing to do so for about a week or so now. is there a problem as i am getting an error message that says - error reading from remote server

Rahul Banerjee

( Moderator's Note : Thanks Rahul Ji for letting us know. We will check on this. Can we request all of you to check and tell if you are also facing similar problem)

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6c.

Re: Friends of Earth report on Jatropha by Souparna Lahiri

Posted by: "madhu sarin" [EMAIL PROTECTED]   madhu_sarin

Sun Nov 2, 2008 3:06 am (PST)

I had no problem in opening the site and downloaded the report a short while ago,
Madhu
----- Original Message -----
From: rahul
To: chhattisgarh-[EMAIL PROTECTED]com
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 3:38 PM
Subject: Re: [chhattisgarh-net] Friends of Earth report on Jatropha by Souparna Lahiri

I have been trying to open the cgnet site and failing to do so for about a week or so now. is there a problem as i am getting an error message that says - error reading from remote server

Rahul Banerjee

( Moderator's Note : Thanks Rahul Ji for letting us know. We will check on this. Can we request all of you to check and tell if you are also facing similar problem)

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Messages in this topic (3)
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