Northeast India reaches out to Myanmar
Civil societies on both sides look at smuggling problems and tribal issues
- Ritu Sharma, New Delhi
- India
- May 14, 2012
As Myanmar emerges as a more democratic neighbor, civil societies in northeastern India came together with representatives from the once-isolated country to discuss ways the region could work together across borders.
Drugs, arms, and human trafficking were identified as problems that affect the area, and establishing cooperation between the divided communities was prioritized by participants at a meeting over the weekend.
What happens in Myanmar has serious implications for northeast India, said Jesuit Father Walter Fernandes, who organized the event in Guwahati, the commercial capital of northeast Indian state of Assam.
Participants at the meeting were hopeful for increased interaction between the two sides as Myanmar transitions after by-elections that saw pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi win a seat in parliament.
Fernandes said he hoped that dialogue between the two countries would bring divided communities closer and also help in their development. He said that they hope to conduct several such meetings in future.
The participants noted that although changes have started taking place in Myanmar, there is still much progress to be made.
“A major challenge and an urgent issue for Suu Kyi and her party is the plight of the ethnic nationalities in Myanmar,” said Alana Golmei of Burma Centre Delhi, currently living in exile in India.
Northeast India has over 220 ethnic groups. Mizos and Nagas live in both India and Myanmar.
Chairman of Naga National League for Democracy in exile U Saw Sa said the Nagas of Myanmar are the most neglected tribe and to date there are no proper roads, schools, electricity, water supply or health care centers for the tribal communities.
The participants at the meeting also expressed concern over an Indian law known as AFSPA that authorizes armed forces to kill anyone on the basis of suspicion. Besides some other Indian states, the law is enforced in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland, which borders Myanmar.
“AFSPA and democracy cannot go hand in hand. We need to get the act repealed,” Fernandes said.
The meeting was a joint initiative of Jesuit-run North Eastern Social Research Centre and Burma Centre Delhi.
Related stories:
Catechism books for “melting pot”
Drugs, arms, and human trafficking were identified as problems that affect the area, and establishing cooperation between the divided communities was prioritized by participants at a meeting over the weekend.
What happens in Myanmar has serious implications for northeast India, said Jesuit Father Walter Fernandes, who organized the event in Guwahati, the commercial capital of northeast Indian state of Assam.
Participants at the meeting were hopeful for increased interaction between the two sides as Myanmar transitions after by-elections that saw pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi win a seat in parliament.
Fernandes said he hoped that dialogue between the two countries would bring divided communities closer and also help in their development. He said that they hope to conduct several such meetings in future.
The participants noted that although changes have started taking place in Myanmar, there is still much progress to be made.
“A major challenge and an urgent issue for Suu Kyi and her party is the plight of the ethnic nationalities in Myanmar,” said Alana Golmei of Burma Centre Delhi, currently living in exile in India.
Northeast India has over 220 ethnic groups. Mizos and Nagas live in both India and Myanmar.
Chairman of Naga National League for Democracy in exile U Saw Sa said the Nagas of Myanmar are the most neglected tribe and to date there are no proper roads, schools, electricity, water supply or health care centers for the tribal communities.
The participants at the meeting also expressed concern over an Indian law known as AFSPA that authorizes armed forces to kill anyone on the basis of suspicion. Besides some other Indian states, the law is enforced in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland, which borders Myanmar.
“AFSPA and democracy cannot go hand in hand. We need to get the act repealed,” Fernandes said.
The meeting was a joint initiative of Jesuit-run North Eastern Social Research Centre and Burma Centre Delhi.
Related stories:
Catechism books for “melting pot”
