Development work to be undertaken by India and Bangladesh within 150 yards of the Zero Line along the international border; Rabha Hasong poll violence in Goalpara, Assam leaves few dead; Peaceful polling in Tripura; Land swap deal with Bangladesh cleared
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    • February 11-17

    According to reports, Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde said that India and Bangladesh have agreed to undertake development work within 150 yards of the Zero Line along the international border. The Union Home Minister presenting his monthly report said that apart from undertaking development work along the international border, there would be regular interaction on the both sides of the borders. The consultations between the district commissioners and district magistrates of the border districts for resolving local issues have started. 1

    In another development, reports noted that eleven persons were killed and many injured when police opened fire to quell groups of protesters ransacking polling stations and preventing other voters from casting their ballots at several places in the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) areas during the third and final phase of Panchayat election on February 12. The clashes occurred following a call given to the people living in the RHAC areas by the Rabha Hajong Joint Movement Committee (RHJMC), an umbrella organisation of 34 bodies, to oppose holding of Panchayat election in the RHAC areas. 2

    Reports noted that voters queued up in large numbers outside polling booths in Tripura from early morning February 14 as the single-phased assembly elections proceeded peacefully and briskly. Of the total population of 37 lakh, about 23.5 lakh are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 249 candidates, including 15 women and many independents. 3

    Reports noted that the Union Cabinet on February 13 cleared the land swap deal with Bangladesh. A Constitution amendment Bill ratifying the agreement is likely to be tabled during the ensuing Budget Session of the Parliament. At least 268.39 acre of land belonging to Assam would be transferred to Bangladesh. An estimated 200 acre of land in Karimganj and Dhubri districts is likely to go to Bangladesh, though the boundary problem is expected to be resolved permanently. The Bill would be moved by the Minister of External Affairs, Salman Khursid. 4

    In other developments, according to reports, three armed groups – United Revolutionary Front (URF), Kangleipak Communist Party (Lamphel) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (MDF) signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) involving the Centre and the Manipur Government in a ceremony at the 1st Manipur Rifles campus on February 13. A total of 197 cadres of the three armed groups surrendered 138 weapons. The MoU was signed by Joint Secretary (NE) Union Home Ministry Shambhu Singh and PrincipalSecretary (Home) Dr J Suresh Babu of the State Government. The MoU signing ceremony was attended by the State Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam. 5

    Reports noted that cooperation between India and Israel is increasing in different fields with every passing year and Israel is willing to extend its expertise in fields like agriculture, irrigation, and water management etc to the North East region of the country. This was disclosed by Shimon Mercer Wood, who is the head of political affairs of the Embassy of Israel in New Delhi. Shimon Mercer Wood had recently visited Assam and Meghalaya to assess the situation and to explore the possibility of mutual cooperation. 6

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