Witch Hunting in Assam - A Matter of Public Concern

Four women have been hacked to death in Kokrajhar district in between  15-18 April 2011 and all the deaths are the result of the blind superstitious practice of witch hunting. Purni Basumatari, 57, and Modani Basumatari, 55, were beaten to death in Belguri Guwabari village on April 15, and Bifula Narzary, 49, was killed in Bosabeel village the next day. Another woman was killed in Samthaibari village on Sunday. Earlier on January 1, a couple - Sarat Bindo Hazowary, 65, and Tapashree Hazowary, 52, were killed in Habrubeel village.

The practice of witch-hunting is an extreme form of violence against women. Suitable measures should be adopted to eliminate the practice of witch-hunting by prosecuting and punishing the perpetrators. Presently there is no law in Assam to deal with the rampant practice of witch hunting. 

“Witch Hunting” is a matter of public concern that requires urgent attention and to prosecute and punish those involved in the gruesome practice. It is also essentially required to create awareness among the masses to eradicate this evil practice and to adopt a policy on eradication of the practice at an urgent measure.

Give A Chance To The Earth - The Only Planet We Have

Today is 5th of June 2011. The “World Environment Day” is celebrating throughout the world. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. It is a people's event with colorful activities like street rallies, green concerts, essay writing and poster competitions in schools, tree planting as well as re-cycling waste products and clean-up campaigns.

The biggest challenge of the 21st century is “The Global Warming.” We can’t ignore it and remain silent any more. The Earth is the only planet we have. It needs us. So let us unite together and save this unique planet. It is now or never; else it will be too late. Anybody can do so many things to save the Earth from any corner of the globe. Instead of plastics we can start using eco-friendly shopping bags, eco-friendly light bulbs etc. We can start planting trees in our areas. Plants are always at our service and it plays a key role in our battle against climate change, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere while absorbing carbon dioxide.

Celebration of “World Environment Day” on a particular day only is not enough to protect the fast deteriorating human environment. If we want to save this unique planet, we need to change our attitudes towards environmental issues. We have to bring awareness to the people about the environmental issues; empower them to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development and promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

I have started using eco-friendly shopping bags instead of plastic bags and also started planting trees in my area. So, when you are starting? If you have any comments, please email me heikrujamonline@gmail.com or please visit my blog www.heikrujam.blogspot.com and post your comments.

Lifting of the Protected Area Permit from Manipur

After all the Government of India has lifted the Protected Area Permit for foreigners visiting the three States of India - Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, thereby excluding the aforesaid three States from the Protected Area Regime notified under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, for a period of one year beginning January 1, 2011.

Thanks to the Government of India for lifting the Protected Area Permit in the aforesaid three North Eastern States of India. However, the irony of the decision of the Government of India is that – “The Foreign Nationals entering the three North Eastern States of India - Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland would still be required to register themselves with the foreigners’ registration officer (FRO) of the district they visit, within 24 hours of their arrival”.

Wow! what an excellent idea of alienating the people of the North Eastern Region from the mainstream of the Indian Union … ? Wow … heads off to you India, My Mother Country, You are great! I hope you will keep it up for creating wider and wider gaps between the States of the Indian Union. Please come all the helpless citizens of India and let’s cry with all our mights … “Mera Bharat Mahan”.

Please visit www.heikrujam.blogspot.com