CounterCurrents: Hydro Power Came With A Barrel Of Bullet In Tawang Valley, Two Killed, TTIP—American Economic Imperialism,

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In Solidarity
Binu Mathew
Editor
www.countercurrents.org

Hydro Power Came With A Barrel Of Bullet In Tawang Valley, Two Killed
By National Alliance of People’s Movements

http://www.countercurrents.org/napm040516.htm

On May 02, 2016 in an ugly turn of event, two people, namely Monk Nyima Wangdue and Tshering Tenpa, were killed and many injured, while protesting against the arrest of Lama Lobsang Gyatso in Tawang including a young Buddhist Lama. The Victims were protesting for the release of Lama Lobsang Gyatso, one of the most vocal opponents of hydropower projects in the Tawang region and secretary of Save Mon Region Federation (SMRF), an organization of the Monpa Community in the Mon-Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh


Two Refugees Set Themselves Alight In Australia’s Nauru Detention Centre
By Max Newman

http://www.countercurrents.org/newman040516.htm

Hodan Yasi, a young refugee woman from Somalia, is in a critical condition after setting herself alight on Nauru on Monday, just three days after a 23-year-old Iranian refugee, Omid Masoumali, died of injuries sustained in a similar act last week. The self-immolations came just days after the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Supreme Court ruled that the Australian-run Manus Island centre violated the PNG constitution’s ban on the unlawful deprivation of liberty


Gripped By Climate Disruption, World On Brink Of Global Water Crisis
By Deirdre Fulton

http://www.countercurrents.org/fulton040516.htm

Rising demand combined with increasingly 'erratic and uncertain' supply could reduce water availability in cities by as much as two thirds by 2050


The Spirit of Nelson Mandela In Palestine: Is His Real Legacy Being Upheld? 
By Ramzy Baroud

http://www.countercurrents.org/baroud040516.htm

I had mixed feelings when I learned that Palestine has erected a statue of Nelson Mandela, the iconic South African anti-Apartheid leader. On the one hand, I was quite pleased that the unmistakable connection between the struggles of Palestinians and South Africans is cemented more than ever before. On the other hand, I dreaded that rich, corrupt Palestinians in Ramallah are utilizing the image of Mandela to acquire badly-needed political capital


TTIP—American Economic Imperialism 
By Paul Craig Roberts

http://www.countercurrents.org/roberts040516.htm

All of the blather about free trade and tariff reduction is mere cover for the only purpose of TTIP, which is to establish American economic imperialism over the peoples whose governments sold them out for money


On Russian Border Incident, US Sources Give One Perspective, Own, 
While Russian Source Gives Multiple, Including US
By Robert Barsocchini

http://www.countercurrents.org/barsocchini040516.htm

These two stories make a fine illustration of why it is crucial to read broadly, pushing one’s comfort zone and challenging the tendency towards confirmation bias


My Visit To A Las Vegas Jail 
By Brian Terrell

http://www.countercurrents.org/terrell040516.htm

I was one of twenty five arrested by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police at Creech Air Force Base, the center of drone assassination by the US Air Force and the CIA some forty miles northwest of the city on March 31 and April 1. “Shut Down Creech” was a weeklong convergence of activists from around the country. Most of us staying in tents at a makeshift “Camp Justice” in the desert across the highway from the base, our days of discussion, study, song, reflection and strategizing built up to a dramatic series of coordinated actions, including street theater and blockades, that disrupted the lethal business as usual of Creech. While we expected to be arrested, this was not our desire or our goal. Once again, the police arrested the wrong people as they abetted the criminals and took those who acted to stop a crime in progress down town to be booked


Good Question 
Book Review By David Brooks

http://www.countercurrents.org/brooks040516.htm

This is a collection of full-length interviews with some of the foremost names in the alternative media. It’s a veritable Who’s Who of information activists: Ken O’Keefe, David Icke, Kerry Cassidy, Ole Dammegard, Kevin Barrett, Sophia Smallstorm, Zen Gardner, and Cynthia McKinney


Another Village In Odisha Rejects Mining
Press Release

http://www.countercurrents.org/pr040516.htm

The community people of Kamanda Gram Sabhaof Kalta G.P inKoidaTahasilhave differed land acquisition by IDCO for Rungta Mines in Sundargarh. Using the PESA Act 1996 and Forest Rights Act, 2006 a Gram Sabha was recently held on 23rd March 2016 in which the community people unanimously decided not to give their private land for the Rungta Mines. The Gram Sabha meeting was presided by the present Sarpanch Sabita Nayak in which around 400 members of the gram sabha participated

Another Village In Odisha Rejects Mining

Press Release

04 May, 2016
Countercurrents.org

The community people of Kamanda Gram Sabhaof Kalta G.P inKoidaTahasilhave differed land acquisition by IDCO for Rungta Mines in Sundargarh. Using the PESA Act 1996 and Forest Rights Act, 2006 a Gram Sabha was recently held on 23rd March 2016 in which the community people unanimously decided not to give their private land for the Rungta Mines. The Gram Sabha meeting was presided by the present Sarpanch Sabita Nayak in which around 400 members of the gram sabha participated.

Location and Demography of the village

The village Kamand is surrounded by Harischandanpur revenue village in the East, Taldidi reserve forest in the West, Revenue village Kusmundi in the North and revenue village Kula in the South. As per 2011 Census, there are 233 households in the village Kamanda having 1081 population. While the total population of scheduled tribe is 681 mostly(Bhiuya and Munda),the population of scheduled caste is 88. As per the Record of Rights(RoR) of the village, there are in total 1015.59 acres of community land recorded as Government land available in the village out of which 758 acres are forest land. Besides, Taldidi RF is adjacent in the west side of the villages which comes under Community Forest Resource area recognised under FRA, 2006.

In its gram sabha resolution, the Kamanda Gram Sabha has disowned the gram sabha resolution of dated 13th Feb 2009 convened by the Government of Odisha(by notice No.1512 dated 11/12/2008) for land acquisition for Rungta Mines. They have alleged forging of Gram Sabha resolution by the district administration hands in glove with the Rungta Company(BhagbanSahu-Land Acquisition Officer),Bhawani Shankar Mishra(BDO-Koida) and Aswini Kumar Das(the Executive Officer of Rungta Company were present in that meeting). “while only 30 people of the village were present in that 13th Feb 2009 gram sabha meeting, the district administration along with the Rungta company had brought about 100 people from outside who signed in the gram Sabha resolution” said Binod Nayak, the present Nayab Sarpanch of village who was present in the 13th Feb 2009 gram sabha meeting. The Kamanda Gram Sabha has sought high level investigation over the forged gram sabha resolution.

The gram sabha has also protested illegal construction of wall by Rungta Mines over both private and community land in the village.

It is to be noted that based on the 13th Feb 2009 Gram Sabha resolution, Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (Idco) reported to have been acquired 75.40 hectare(186.34 acres) of private land in Kamanda village in Koida Tahasil of Sundargarh district and have allocated to Rungta Mines Ltd for expansion of its existing steel plant facility for a period of 90 years with a value of Rs.19.40 crore(Business Standard on Sept 2, 2014 has also reported http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/rungta-mines-gets-land-for-sundergarh-steel-plant-expansion-114090201118_1.html).The Company in its application submitted on 18th August 2015 vide Letter No. RML/KSP 406-/98/15-16 for the extension of Environmental Clearance to the MoEF claims that the total plant area is 154.489 ha (381.740 Acres). Out of 154.489 ha of land, the Rungta Mines claims to have purchased 111.08 acres of private land directly, which is already under industrial usage. The Company also claims that 186.34 acres private land of village Kamanda has been already acquired through IDCO for the company. Besides, another 61.52 acres Government land has been acquired by IDCO and balance 22.80 acres government land is under process.

However, the Kamanda Gram Sabha has contended that the 186.34 acres of private land which the Rungta Company claims to have been acquired by IDCO is false. The gram sabha is of the view that these 186.340 acres of private lands from two villages(180.62 acres of Kamanda and 5.72 acres of Kusmundi) belong to 103 families of the village including 54 STs, 39 OBCs and 10 SCs community. And out of 103 land owners, only 24 families have so far received the compensation amount of Rs.8500/-per decimal and rest 81 families have not received the compensation till date and are protesting against land acquisition.
The Kamanda Gram Sabhahas also alleged the Rungta Mines too have fooled the villages in 2003-04 while purchasing 111.08 acres of private land which it purchased @25.000/- per acre and promised to provide jobs to the land losers. The villagers have also alleged community land grabbing by Rungta Mines. The Kamanda Gram Sabha have sent its 23rd March 2016 Resolutions to all the concerned State and district level officials.

They have also challenged the land acquisition in the High Court in 2012 and 2015 have requested the high Court to cancel the land acquisition by IDCO for the Rungta Sponge Iron Ltd. JualOram, the Tribal Affairs Minister, Govt. of India can be seen objecting land acquisition for Rungta Mines in Kamanda village in the link….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UyFEblvhRg

Basil Ekka, leader of the Aam Admi Party(APP) who supports the villagers said “the so called land acquisition by IDCO in the village Kamanda is in direct violation of Supreme Court’sSamata Judgment, 1997, Article 39 of the constitution, PESA, 1996. It is also violates the spirit of the 5th Scheduled of the Constitution”.

Ms.Bidesini Patel, Video volunteer of ‘India Unheard’ said “the Govt. of Odisha who claims to be champion of the tribal’s should adhere to the law of the land. PESA gram sabha should be organised properly and people consent should be given priority.”

According to Dr.Manohar Chauhan, member Campaign for Survival and Dignity who works for tribal rights in the State, “out of the 186.34 acres of private land said to have been acquired by IDCO from village Kamanda, 117.11 acres belongs to the 54 tribal families which is in direct violation of OSATIP 1956, Regulation-2 duly amended in 2002 and the Order of the Revenue Department, No.46008/Ag-49-2013 dated 3rd Dec, 2013 which supersedes all other laws. Quoting the circular he said “transfer of immovable property” as defined in Para-2 (f) of the Regulation 2 of 1956 has to be assigned a very wide meaning including any transaction or dealing with immovable property which would have the effect of extinguishing title, possession or right to possess such property in the tribal and vesting the same in a non-tribal. Hence, the consent given by the tribal to the mining lease to start mining operation over his land would deprive him the possession, use and enjoyment of the land though may be for temporary period vesting such rights in the lease. Thus, since transfer of surface rights is coming within the meaning of transfer of immovable property, as defined in clause (f) of Para -2 of Regulation of 1956, grant of surface right or giving consent for mining operation either by a tribal or acquired by IDCO for Rungta Mines (a non-tribal be null and void and the lease (IDCO or Rungta Mines Ltd) would be liable to eviction.” Thus, all the tribal lands being purchased by private companies or acquired by Govt. in scheduled 5th area is illegal as per the Revenue Dept. Circular, He said.

The Idea Of JNU And The RSS Jingoism 
By Ish Mishra

http://www.countercurrents.org/mishra040516.htm

The youth, historically, has been the guiding force of the past revolutionary movements. It may be my fantasy but to me it appears to beginning of a cultural revolution, the Indian Enlightenment with a new vigor, new insight and new alliance of forces. The objective conditions of fascist repression and united resistance by students with twin slogans of the Jay Bhim Bhim-Lal Salam has created a platform of unity in struggle of all the radical forces. This platform has potentiality of the transcendence of unity/alliance in practice into unity/alliance of theory, only if the high commands do not command and allow the youth to take the lead


Suicide Of Soldiers: A Grave Concern For India's Defence 
By Ravi Nitesh

http://www.countercurrents.org/nitesh040516.htm

On 02 May 2016, Manohar Parrikar, the Defense Minister stated in Loksabha that 77 members of Army have committed suicide in the year 2015. Data for previous years is 84 in 2014 and 86 in 2013. He also informed that in these three years, 9 cases of fratricide were reported in army itself, while there was no case of fratricide in navy and only 1 case in airforce


Talk Period Campaign 
By Arjun Unnikrishnan

http://www.countercurrents.org/unnikrishnan040516.htm

In association with Menstrual Hygiene Day observed on May 28, 'The Red Cycle' is launching the Talk Period Campaign. Through the campaign 'The Red Cycle' would like to address the various facets of menstruation, introduce alternate menstrual hygiene products, raise awareness about the threat of menstrual wastes, tackle taboos and misconceptions and push for legal rights for women to menstrual hygiene