Activity Report (April 2002 to March 2003)

April 5 to 7, 2002 : ICITP-NEZ organised a three-day Leadership training at Kangpokpi in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra and Highland Welfare Society where 50 local Kuki Naga youths took participation.

April 11 to 19 2002 : Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, the President of this zone was invited to participate in COP-6 (6th Conference of the Parties) held at the Nether land Congress Centre, Hague to contribute in the discussion of Article 8(j) of CBD Mrs. Pancha Narzary also participated from Bodo Community to represent in the IWBN (Indigenous Women’s Net work on Biodiversity during this week who was funded by NCIV, Netherlands. ICITP-NEZ opened up a new chapter in its contemporary history to expand the participation in UNCBD (United Nation’s Convention on Biological Diversity) with effect from this conference.

May 19 to 25, 2002 : Mr. J. R. Muchahary, the President of ICITP-NEZ participated the 1 st Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) held in the headquarter of United Nations, New York, USA, sponsored by the Chief of BAC (Bodoland Autonomous Council).

June 5, 2002 : ICITP-NEZ along with St. John’s Mission, Bijni observed World Environment Day with 200 school children participating in sapling plantation in the Bijni Town and a talk on “SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY IN RELATION TO INDIGENOUS LIVE” was organised in St. John’s school hall, which was addressed by J. R. Muchahary, the President, ICITP-NEZ, the senior teachers, parents and some youths of Bijni subdivision.

 June 14 to 16, 2002 : Mr. J. R. Muchahary, the President, Ms. Tingcha Singsit, the Treasurer and Mrs. Lhingboi Misao, an active member of ICITP-NEZ participated in the National Workshop on capacity Building cum GB Meeting of ICITP held at Western Language Institute, Deccan College, Pune.

June 21, 2002 : A Zonal Governing Body meeting was held at Guwahati to discuss about the follow-up of National Workshop on Capacity Building at Pune. The meeting also unanimously reshuffled the GB of the zone for more effective functioning as: (1). Jebra Ram Muchahary, President (2) Tingcha Singsit, General Secretary and (3) Lhingboi Misao, Treasurer.

July 20 to 27, 2002 : ICITP-NEZ deputed 5 Indigenous leaders from this zone to participate in the 20 th session of UNWGIP held in Geneva at their own expenses. They are: Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary ( Assam), Dr. Dhanbir Laisaram, Mr. Umakanta Meithei (Manipur), Mr. S.T. Parte and Mr. L. Phungte (Mizoram). They along with other Asian representatives submitted a memorandum to the Chair person, the Secretary of UNWGIP and to the Voluntary fund committee to check some Non-Indigenous Peoples participating in the name of Indigenous Peoples from India availing the Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations. Mr J. R. Muchahary, the President of this zone had the privilege to chair the 20 th session of ASIAN Caucus meeting held in Geneva

August 9, 2002 : ICITP-NEZ observed the International Indigenous Day with a seminar on “Indigenous Youth and Children” at St. John’s Mission, Bijni, Assam where more than 250 Indigenous youths and children actively participated. Participants expressed happiness over the initiative taken by the Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples North East zone for observing this important day of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. The seminar was addressed by local leaders of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples including Mr. J. R. Muchahary, the President of ICITP –NEZ, Mr. Dimbeswar Burman, the founder Principal of Little flower Educational Foundation, Manikpur.

 August 14, 2002 : ICITP-NEZ carried out an action campaign in regional media against the RACIAL DISCRIMINATION against the Boro Indigenous People of Assam in the present 11 th Assam Assembly, which was published in local Newspapers. The ICITP-NEZ criticised the present government of Assam for practicing racial discrimination against the Boros and Sonowal Kocharis by non-including any Boro or Sonowal Kochari MLAs in to the present ministry ship even after having 12 MLAs from their community. The ICITP-NEZ sent a fax message to all the heads of the government of India including the opposition leaders expressing concern and regret over this practice and demanded to stop the practice of racial discrimination while India is heading for celebrating its 55 th Indian Independence day.

August 28 to September 4, 2002 : ICITP-NEZ deputed 3 indigenous delegates in the WSSD (World Summit on Sustainable development) conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team comprises with Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, the President, Mr. Praneswar Basumatary, M.L.A, and Mr. Banendra Kumar Mushahary, M.L.A. They participated actively in the Summit where they highlighted the inhuman Forced Eviction of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples by the Government of Assam and also intervened in the briefing of “POVERTY ERADICATION” . This is the first time that ICITP has got accreditation as a Major Group in the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

September 24, 2002 : An executive meeting of ICITP-NEZ was held in Guwahati to urgently discuss about the participation in the forthcoming COP-8 of UNFCCC to be held in New Delhi from 22 nd - to 26 th October 2002. The executive meeting came up with a position paper to participate in the said conference. International Climate Alliance had invited ICITP-NEZ to participate and contribute in the said forum.

October 22 to 26 October 2002 : The President of ICITP-NEZ participated in the COP-8 of UNFCCC (United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change) held at Bigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, who raised the issue of forced eviction against the indigenous and tribal peoples in Assam. He was sponsored by International Tropical Climate alliances.

December 2 to 9, 2002 : ICITP-NEZ deputed six indigenous leaders from this zone to participate in the UNWDD held at Geneva to highlight the forced eviction drive carried out by Assam Government against the indigenous and tribal peoples in Assam and appealed for international support to pressurise to stop this unjust forced eviction drive. The Team comprised of Mr. Praneswar Basumatary, Mr. Banendra Kumar Mushahary, Mrs. Usha Hazoary, Mr. Gangadhar Ramchiary, Jebra Ram Muchahary and Mr. S.T. Parte. Mr. Ramchiary and Mr. Praneswar Basumatary also participated as observer in the 1 st Intercessional Meetings of WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) held at Geneva from 7 th December till 11 th December 2002.

January 29 to 30, 2003 : ICITP-NEZ organised a two day zonal meeting of the MOs leaders to review the organisational strategies to strengthen and expand the organisational activities for greater interest of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in the region in Guwahati, Assam. The meeting deeply expressed regrets at the inability to join the National Workshop in Mumbai due to communication gap with National Office and lack of fund and discussed widely about various issues of the Tribal Peoples in the region and resolved the following resolutions:

1. The Meeting strongly resolved to carry on the world wide ACTION CAMPAIGN on unjust Forced Eviction Drive of the State Government of Assam against the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of Assam in collaboration with Forest Peoples Programme, London.

2. ICITP-NEZ resolved to initiate a process of registering the zonal body separately and to establish a permanent office building in Guwahati for its effective function and better communication with various groups of IPs in the region.

3. The Meeting resolved to appeal the National Office to release the zonal funds for carrying out its action plans effectively.

4. The Meeting resolved to send delegates from this zone to participate in World Water Council’s 3 rd Water Forum to be held in Kyoto, Japan in March 2003, where the proposed Brahmaputra River linking project of the Government of India would be raised in the forum.

5. The Meeting also resolved to initiate to raise fund for Zonal body in consultation with the National Office to meet the zonal expenses in its own effort.

 February 11, 2003 : ICITP-NEZ congratulated the Government of India, Assam and the Bodoland Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF) for signing BTC accord on 10 th February 2003 to solve the long cherished dream of Boro Indigenous People of Assam through press releases in the local dailies.

March 14, 2003 : Mr. Hans Escher from “Komitee Arzte Fur Die Dritte Welt ” from Germany visited ICITP-NEZ camp office for a friendly visit. Mr. Hans expressed happiness over the role of ICITP in inculcating the spirit of solidarity among the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in India and expressed willingness to collaborate programmes in future.