Activity Report (April 1998 to March 1999)

ACTION CAMPAIGNS

16 April, 1998 : The Secretary of ICITP-NEZ visited the regional office of ‘HUDCO’ and “CAPART” at Guwahati along with the members of the Tribal Welfare Society to seek information about any possible financial scheme supporting tribal NGOs; especially the ICITP affiliated NGOs of North East Zone. The Regional Directors of both of the organizations assured to provide with Self-Sustaining Schemes in the near future.

23 April 1998 : Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, Secretary, ICITP-NEZ, and few members of Tribal Welfare Society, Assam Branch, met the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Bijni to apprise him of the acute socio-economic problems faced by the people in Bijni. They sought assistance from the SDO for raising awareness on various schemes meant for the people and information regarding the means to implement them properly. The Sub-Divisional Officer extended his support for the causes and requested the delegation to work out a scheme that would act as a role model for the areas.

28 April 1998 : Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and some ICITP volunteers visited the victims of Santhal-Boro violence at Patabari village of No. 7 Amteka, Kokrajhar district, in which 4 Boros were brutally killed and 12 were seriously injured including 2 minors. ICITP members observed the pathetic situation and urged the S.D.O (C), Bijni to provide them with immediate transport facilities to be transferred to the nearest Rural Hospital, in Bhetagaon under Bijni Sub-Division, Bongaigaon. The members also approached the district authorities to arrange for immediate relief to the victims who were killed in the violence. ICITP-NEZ also appealed to the people and the local media that include Newspapers to work for peace and to restore harmony. The volunteers of ICITP also alerted the masses to abstain from being provoked by people with vested interests.

23 May 1998 : The ICITP Team under the leadership of Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Chief President, ICITP and Ms. Maria Mangte, Secretary General, ICITP, along with other Zonal Members and Volunteers visited the relief camps at Kokrajhar district who were escorted by the district Magistrate, Korajhar, Assam. They visited the “Nayek Gaon Relief Camp” and “Lalkurna Relief Camp”. The team was shocked to see the in human living conditions in the said two camps. They also met the Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar district and discussed regarding the on going ethnic conflicts between the two communities and asked him to take appropriate action to prevent further escalation of the conflict and requested to provide sufficient relief assistance in the camps.

23 May 1998 : On their way back from the relief camps; Dr. Ram Dayal Munda and Ms. Maria Mangte visited the Tribal M.L.As at Dispur, Guwahati to apprise them of the inhuman living conditions of the inmates of the relief camps in the Kokrajhar district. A request was forwarded to them, to provide relief for the victims and convened a meeting for a dialogue between the two warring factions.

24 May 1998 : The ICITP Team along with Secretary General, Ms. Maria Mangte and the Chief President Dr. R.D. Munda visited Nagaland Gandhi Ashram to discuss the possible assistance that could be obtained from CAPART to rehabilitate the inmates to the relief camps at Kokrajhar.

1-30June 1998 : ICITP North East Zone members visited regularly the Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station at Salakati, to study the latest situation over the issue raised by the people, preventing its handing over of BTPS to OGDEN, an MNC on lease.

9 Aug 1998 : The ICITP organized “Indigenous day” celebration followed by a “freedom Race” at Bijni in collaboration with the local civil Administration.

12 Oct 1998 : EDUCATION CAMPAIGN in collaboration to ABSU and BODO SAHITYA SOBHA, to revive the lost spirit of good education with an appeal to improve of the education system of the mass people of Assam. The Secretary along with Mr. U. Brahma attended the campaign for creating good environment for education in lower Assam organized by All Bodo Students Union and Bodo Sahitya Sobha at PANBARI.

15 Nov 1998 : Relief camps visit continues; ICITP members visited Santhal of Amguri, Kokrajhar, Soraibil Boro Relief Camps, Gossaigaon and Chapkhata Santhal Relief Camps, Gossaigaon were visited one after another, Kokrajhar D.C helped the team providing very tight security with the help of Gossaigaon Sub-Divisional administration. The whole day was spent to visit at least 6 (six) different relief camps belonging to the both affected communities of Kokrajhar district. After visiting relief camps, the team made a straight journey back to Bijni and then Guwahati to attend an all MLAs Meeting for PEACE-COMMITTEE FORMATION at Dispur M.L.A. Hostel.

MEETINGS

13 April 1998 : Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, Secretary, ICITP-NEZ along with ICITP members and volunteers attended the 30th Annual Conference of All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) meet held at Dudhnoi, Goalpara, Assam. The ICITP-NEZ agreed to support the ABSU in preventing the Assam Government’s unilateral decision of privatizing over of Bongaigaon Terminal Power (BSPS) to the Multinational Company (MNC) “ OGDEN” ( Jersey, USA).

15 April 1998 : The Secretary General, along with the ICITP team members attended the Opening Ceremony Function of “Narnarayan Sethu”the 2nd longest bridge over mighty Brahma Putra River. The bridge is the first of it’s kind in the South West Lower Assam. The Honorable Prime Minister, Shri A. B. Vajpayee inaugurated the bridge. This will meet the long felt need of the people in terms of faster economic development and speedy movement of essential items.

18 April 1998 : The North East Zonal ICITP volunteers met at Guwahati to chalk out the NEZ meeting and decided to hold two year Zonal workshop from May 20-21, at District- Library Auditorium Hall, Guwahati.

5-8 May 1998 : Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, the Secretary of NE Zone camped at Guwahati with other members to monitor the necessary arrangement for the ICITP-NEZ meeting on 20-21st May 1998.

9 May 1998 : The ICITP-NEZ Governing Body meeting was held at Dimapur to give final touch to the preparation of the Zonal Meet. The Meeting resolved to assign the meet as “NORTH EAST INDIGENOUS AND TRIBAL PEOPLES’ MEET”.

20-21 May 1998 : The ICITP North East Zone Meeting was held at District- Library Auditorium Hall, Guwahati. Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, the Chief President of ICITP and Secretary General Ms. Maria Mangte attended the meeting. The meet was also graced by Sri. Natwar Thakkar, the noted Gandhian and Founder Secretay of Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Chuchuyimlang, Nagaland. The following were the issues taken up for discussion at the meet.

22 May 1998 : The Zonal leaders and the National leaders including the Chief President and Secretary General of ICITP participated in the convention on repealing of Armed Forces Special Act (Militarization) at Jain Bhawan, Guwahati. This convention was organized by AASU and NESO to strategize action campaigns to highlight major problems and related issues of the Tribal People in the State and Central Government levels. The action campaigns were intended to go beyond the extend of high level talk in case of any failure.

5 June 1998 : The Secretary, ICTP-NEZ along with the Students of St. John’s School, participated in the World Environment Day Celebration organized by Social Forestry Department, Bijni, Assam. The awareness campaign was organized in order to disseminate information regarding the vital need to maintain an ecological balance in the area where deforestation is taking place in large scale in the locality.

14 June 1998 : ICITP-NEZ received a FAX Machine from ICITP Head Quarter, Delhi and the machine was temporarily installed with the Zonal Secretary’s telephone at Bijni.

19 June 1998 : The Zonal Secretary attended the PSP meeting, facilities by Dr. Badal Sen Gupta, Consultant, EZE Bonn, Germany at ICITP headquarter, New Delhi.

14 July 1998 : The Tribal Welfare Society, Assam Branch, Bijni headed by Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, Secretary, ICITP-NEZ attended the 12th Anniversary day of All Bodo Welfare Federation at Kokrajhar. Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary was the guest of Honour in the function. The ABWWF held a massive peace rally. ICITP-NEZ, consented to support the genuine causes of the ABWWF.

10-16 Aug1998 : Five members, two from TWS, Assam and three TWS, Mizoram and the affiliated tribal organizations of ICITP-NEZ participated in PSP Training programme organized by ICITP New Delhi held at Indian Social Institute (ISI) New Delhi, which was facilitated by EZE, Germany.

18 Sept 1998 : The Secretary General, ICITP visited the “PORK PROCESSING TRAINING” which began from 14th August. This training was jointly organized by TWS, Assam Branch, ICITP-NEZ and Extension Education, Assam Agriculture University, Khanapara, Guwahati at farmer’s Hall in their campus.

21 Sept 1998 : Mr. J.F. Rothangliana, Ex-MLA and President of Mizoram Branch, TWS visited the Zonal Office of ICITP-NEZ at Bijni, Assam.

27 Sept1998 : The Zonal Secretary along with Mr. Umesh Brahma and other ICITP volunteers attended the ever first NGO (of the Boro Nationality) convention at Bodosa Rest house, Bijni. A new NGO of the Boros by name and style BOROSA ONSAI AFAT (BORO PEOPLE WELFARE SOCIETY) was formed and it has resolved to be affiliated under ICITP-NEZ.

29 Sep 1998 : ICITP-NEZ supported the EDUCATIONAL REWAKENING CAMPAIGN carried out by All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) within 3 days more than 8 High Schools were covered by the campaigns.

12 Nov1998 : ICITP-NEZ volunteers met to chalk-our programmes for Dr. Theodor Rathgeber a visiting member from S.T.P. Germany along with Mr. A. Singsit, Honorary Adviser, ICITP, New Delhi to visit the conflict areas of Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon district in Assam.

All the necessary arrangement were made by visiting Guwahati and meeting people like Natwar Takkar, Founder Secretary of Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Guwahati and all the tribal MLAs at Dispur, Guwahati.

13 Nov 1998 : Dr. Theodor Rathgeber, STP, Germany and Mr. A. Singsit, honorary Adviser of ICITP, New Delhi arrived at Guwahati by 2:PM and secretary along with ICITP-NEZ volunteers received them at Gopinath Bordoloi Air Port, Jalukbari, Guwahati . Visited Mr.Natwar Thakkar, Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Guwahati, All the tribal M.L.A.s at old M.L.A. Hostel, Dispur, Guwahati along with Dr. Theodor Rathgeber and Mr. A. Singsit and other ICITP-Volunteer to discuss about the peace initiative at Kokrajar and Bongaigon where Boros and Santhals indulged in killing and counter killing each-other. Dr. Theodor Rathgeber, Mr. A. Singsit and Zonal ICITP volunteers reached Bijni by 12:00 mid-night and spent the night at St. John’s School, Bijni.

14 Nov 1998 : Dr. Rathgeber, Mr. A. Singsit along with the Zonal Secretary, ICITP-NEZ attended FOUNDATION STONE LAYING FUNCTION OF BBC (Bijni Building Centre) sponsored by HUDCO which was established under the aegis of Tribal Welfare Society, Assam Branch, Bijni by 9:30 A.M and a Government function of Children’s Day organized jointly by ICDS, St. John’s School and Rama Khrishna Mission, Bijni at Town-Hall, Bijni by 10:30 PM.

Dr. Rathgeber, Mr. Singsit, Mr. Muchahary, Mr. Umesh Brahma, Mr. D. Brahma, Mr. P.L. Boro and others visited the Amguri Boro and Rabha Relief Camps by 4:00 PM along with the local M.L.As of Kokrajhar, Ms. Pramila Rani Brahma, Mr. Hemen Brahma and other local leaders including Mr. Bineswar Brahma, the President of Boro Sahitya Sobha, Mr. U.G. Brahma, ABSU and other women leaders including those from ABWWF (All Bodo Women Welfare Federation). Due to lack of time the rest of the camps were not visited and spent the night at Kokrajhar itself to resume the relief camps visit the next day early in the morning onwards. Halted the night at Kokrajhar circuit house, Kokrajhar.

16 Nov 1998 : Meeting with tribal M.A.L.s at Dispur, Guwahati to discuss about the PEACE process at Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon districts at 9:30 AM. Discussed the possible ways and means to bring back PEACE in the trouble torn districts by joint Peace Committee of Boros and Santhals. Mr. Derhagra Muchahary M.L.A stressed importance in involvement of ICITP as an impartial NGO to create an environment of mutual understanding amongst the Boros and Santhals. Dr. Debokanta Ramchiary, M.L.A suggested on appealing to the Militants involved in fighting and flaring up of the conflict not to continue doing so and to come forward to settle the crisis through amicable negotiation. Mr. Mahini Basumatary, M.L.A suggested to explore the feasibility to form an NGO for mobilizing peace in the area and ICITP and appealed ICITP to take initiative for the same. Mr. Prithivi Majhi, M.L.A suggested to initiate to form a joint Peace-co-ordination committee comprising members both from the Boros and the Santhals. He also expressed happiness over the ICITP’s effort to bring back peace in trouble torn districts of Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon of Lower Assam. Mr. Andrious Hazoary, M.L.A and other Tribal leaders were also present in the discussion. Dr. Theodor Rathgeber and Mr. A. Singsit, Left for Delhi by 2: 00 PM flight and all the ICITP volunteers saw them off at Air Port, Guwahati.

18 Nov1998 : ICITP-NEZ, deputed more than 8 MOs to participate in the CAPACITY BULIDING programme organized by ICITP, New Delhi in collaboration with STP, Germany and EZE, Germany. The programme continued till 26th November/98 and the Secretary attended the last 3days of the meeting.

29 Non1998 : ICITP-NEZ, deputed two Boro leaders to participate in the UN Working Group’s Draft Declaration meeting to be held from 30th of Nov. to 11 of December/98. Mr. Bolo Ram Brahma and Mr. Gangadhar Ramchiary were facilitated to attend the working group on behalf of ICITP-NEZ at their own expenses.

30 Nov 1998 : Zonal Secretary, Mr. Christopher, Mr. Alex and Mr. Singsit had a joint discussion on the ICITP-NEZ and prepared the zonal budget for the next 3 years at ICITP-Head Quarter, New Delhi.

27 Dec1998 : ICITP-Volunteers met at St. John’s School, Bijni to review all the Working procedure of the organization and about action plans on strengthening of the organization as a whole.

17 Jan1999 : ICITP-NEZ camps office held a public meeting about the educational environment and establishment of more residential schools in the Bijni Sub-Division areas to help boosting the growing spirit of better education for the future generations, particularly for the down trodden tribal peoples and their kids.

24 Jan1999 : The Zonal Secretary attended Bijni Ancholik Committee’s annual convention held at Barlawgaon along with 17 ICITP local volunteers.

12 Feb1999 : Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary along with Mr. Umesh Brahma attended the Seminar on “Science Education and it’s impact on human Society, held at Town-Hall, Bijni, organized by BODO SAHITYA SOBHA, Bijni.

9 March 1999 : The Zonal Secretary, Mr. J.R. Muchahary, Mr. Sankar Mohan Sarkar, legal advisor (Advocate, Supreme Court of India) and Mr. Dominic Basumatary attended the Seminar on “IMPACT OF INSURGENCY AND CONFILICT ON THE CHILDREN OF ASSAM”. Organized jointly by Govt. of Assam and UNICEF at Staff Administrative College, Khanapara, Guwahati.

22 March 1999 : Mr. Alex, the national coordinator of ICITP came from New Delhi to assist for organizing a Zonal meeting of ICITP-NEZ. A Meeting was held to discuss about the future strategies to strengthen NEZ, ICITP and resolved to convene a Zonal meet of ICITP on April 20, 1999