New Delhi: A court here is likely to pronounce the quantum of sentence tomorrow in the sensational Dhaula Kuan gang rape case, in which the lone accused arrested was convicted for abducting and ravishing a Delhi University girl in a car in 2005.
Additional sessions judge Neeraj Kumar Gupta would hear the arguments on the sentence, which may go up to life imprisonment.
Relying on the "unequivocal and consistent" testimony of the 20-year-old victim hailing from Mizoram, the court had yesterday found accused Ajit Singh Katiyar guilty of the offence of abduction, gang rape, administering stupefying drug, criminal intimidation and group liability.
The girl, who stood by her statement, identified Katiyar as the culprit first in the test identification parade, held in Tihar jail and then in the court.
Police, however, failed to arrest three co-accused - Danda, Jat and Tappe. They were later declared proclaimed offenders during the trial.
The victim was abducted on May 8, 2005, when she was walking back home after buying food along with a friend and was raped by four accused in a speeding car near Dhaula Kuan in South Delhi here.
The victim was later dumped near a Gurudwara here.
641 child abuse cases in Mizoram
AIZAWL, Dec 7 – A total of 641 complaints on child abuse have been received by Mizoram’s Child Welfare Committee since its formation on September 22, 2005, CWC chairman Lalengruali Sailo said.
“The highest is sexual abuse against children and we have identified 127 child sexual abuses during the past four years,” Sailo said on the sidelines of a programme on Prevention of ChildAbuse. Out of the 127 cases, reported in over four years, a high 107 were incidents of sexual abuse by adults, she said.
CWC, working in coordination with the administration and human rights bodies, has registered 22 cases of physical abuse and two cases of using child labour while there were 18 cases of sexual abuse perpetrated by minors.
CWC Secretary said a high incidence of child sexual abuse was by relatives of the victim like uncles, step-fathers and people close to the family. She felt there could be more cases of abuse as many parents dare not approach the CWC for fear of stigmatisation of the victims.
“The highest is sexual abuse against children and we have identified 127 child sexual abuses during the past four years,” Sailo said on the sidelines of a programme on Prevention of ChildAbuse. Out of the 127 cases, reported in over four years, a high 107 were incidents of sexual abuse by adults, she said.
CWC, working in coordination with the administration and human rights bodies, has registered 22 cases of physical abuse and two cases of using child labour while there were 18 cases of sexual abuse perpetrated by minors.
CWC Secretary said a high incidence of child sexual abuse was by relatives of the victim like uncles, step-fathers and people close to the family. She felt there could be more cases of abuse as many parents dare not approach the CWC for fear of stigmatisation of the victims.
Aizawl - the scenic place of Mizoram
Location : Aizawl, MizoramHeight : 400ft. above MSL
Rainfall : 3,000 m
Temperature : Summer : Max : 30°C Min: 20°C
Winter : Max : 21°C Min 11°C
Importance : The state capital of Mizoram also famous for its natural beauty.
Best time to visit : October to March
Aizwal, the state capital of Mizoram is renowned for its natural exquisiteness, unsoiled and clean air. Positioned at an elevation of 400ft. higher than sea level, the Tropic of Cancer runs all the way through the heart of this city.
On the brink of the central edge in the middle fraction of the state, the 112 year old city stands out like a massive stronghold. Delimited by unfathomable green valley of River Tuirial on the east, Tlawng River on the west and the gorgeous Durtlang Hills stretch out on the north makes Aizawl is an idyllic hill resort. Factually means the land of highlanders, the majority of Aizawl clinched Christianity and one can perceive churches in each neighborhood.
Geographically sanctified with natural exquisiteness with striking flora and fauna, Aizawl is renowned for its handicrafts. Even though, the leading city in Mizoram, Aizwal is still very far-flung but the authority of the contemporary world can be seen exceedingly noticeably. The Assam Rifles Centre, the organizatio
nal buildings and Raj Bhavan are positioned at this point.Tourist attractions in and around Aizawl
Mizoram State Museum
It is situated at McDonald's hill, in the hub of Aizawl town. This minute museum encloses the historical remnants, antique costumes, and a compilation of weapons, musical instruments and Mizo conventional outfits. It as well has a gallery which puts on view the tribal textiles of Mizoram.
The museum remains open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Saturday 9am to 1 pm.
Entry Fee: Adults Rs 5, children Rs 2
Bara Bazar
It is the chief shopping centre in Aizawl. One can get outfits, cosmetics, vegetables, handicrafts etc from here. From the Weaving Centre above the Bata Shoe Shop, one can observe the women with their looms weaving conventional shawls.
Luangmual Handicrafts centre
The traditional bamboo hat Khumbeu is finished at Luangmual Handicrafts Centre, by the use of waterproof natural Hnahthial leaves. Positioned in Luang mual village 7 km gone from the weaving centre, it makes available to the visitors to witness handicrafts items of Mizoram.
Durtlang Hills
Situated on the northern side of Aizawl, the hill offers a fine view of Aizawl Township.
Mini Zoological Garden
Positioned on a hill identified as Bethlehem Vengthlang, it is a dwelling to species of animals and birds which are frequently institute in the hilly province of Mizoram. The chief appeal is the dying out Sun Bear.
Berawtlang Tourist Complex
In the region of seven km from Aizawl is Berawtlang Tourist Complex celebrated for amusing picnics.
There are conveniences of accommodation in tourist cottages and an assortment of Cultural or Heritage Fairs and Festivals are as well held here.
Bung and Paikhai
Paikhai is an superlative picnic spot, it is located in the region of 16 km north of Aizawl. Bung Picnic Spot (15km) is adjoining to this place.
Sairang
It is a gorgeous village positioned about 19 km west of Aizawl on National Highway 54. Located on the banks of Tlawng River, the position draws a huge number of tourists.
Rungdil (lake of partridge) Lake
Positioned about 150 km from Aizawl, it is a artificial lake. Spreads over a region of nearly 3 hectares, it consists of two lakes, alienated by a constricted extend of land. Enclosed by lush green deciduous forests the lake was the dwelling to a hefty number of partridges. Boating capability is accessible at Rungdil.
How to Reach
Air: The adjoining airport is Lengpui (20 kms) which has daily flights to Kolkata and Guwahati.
Rail: Adjoining railhead is Silchar in Assam (184 kms) and the adjacent railway station is at Guwahati which is superior linked to all major cities and towns in the country.
Road: A good quality network of roads connects Aizawl to all significant cities and towns through Silchar. NH - 54 connects Aizawl with the rest of the country. Buses and taxis are on hand from Silchar to Aizawl.
For further Information:
• Tourist offices
Director, Department of Tourism
Aizawl-796001.
Mizoram, India
Ph: 0389-2312473-77
Fax : +91 (0)389 2333475
• Liaison Offices
Delhi : +91 (0)11- 23015951
Kolkatta : +91 (0)33- 24757887
Guwahati : +91 (0)361- 2529411
Shillong : +91 (0)364- 2520315
Silchar : +91 (0)3782- 225655
Dhaula Kuan rape case verdict deferred till Dec 7
NEW DELHI: A city court on Monday deferred the verdict in a case in which a Delhi University student was allegedly abducted from Dhaula Kuan area of the national capital and gang-raped in a moving car in 2005.
Additional Sessions Judge N.K. Gupta deferred pronouncement of the verdict to Dec 7.
"The 20-year-old student, hailing from Mizoram, was abducted around 2.15 a.m. May 8, 2005, from Dhaula Kuan when she was walking back home after buying food from a roadside eatery and was raped by four accused in a moving car," said the prosecution.
The victim, who was later dumped near a gurdwara in south Delhi, was accompanied by a friend who, however, managed to flee from the clutches of the accused.
Police, however, could arrest only one of the accused - Ajit Singh Katiyar.
The other three accused - Danda, Jat and Tappe - evaded arrest and were declared proclaimed offenders.
Katiyar, a driver with a Noida-based call centre, was arrested five days after the incident and was later identified by the victim in a test identification parade conducted inside Tihar Jail.
Additional Sessions Judge N.K. Gupta deferred pronouncement of the verdict to Dec 7.
"The 20-year-old student, hailing from Mizoram, was abducted around 2.15 a.m. May 8, 2005, from Dhaula Kuan when she was walking back home after buying food from a roadside eatery and was raped by four accused in a moving car," said the prosecution.
The victim, who was later dumped near a gurdwara in south Delhi, was accompanied by a friend who, however, managed to flee from the clutches of the accused.
Police, however, could arrest only one of the accused - Ajit Singh Katiyar.
The other three accused - Danda, Jat and Tappe - evaded arrest and were declared proclaimed offenders.
Katiyar, a driver with a Noida-based call centre, was arrested five days after the incident and was later identified by the victim in a test identification parade conducted inside Tihar Jail.
Implementation of Forest Rights Act
RAJYA SABHA
The States have progressed in varying degrees in implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 . While the States like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tripura and West Bengal have established the prescribed structures and procedures, have received a large number of claims and have started distributing the title deeds, other States, because of various reasons, are still to catch up. As per the information collected till 31st October 2009, more than 24.90 lakh claims have been filed and more than 5.68 lakh titles have been distributed. More than 43 thousand titles were ready for distribution.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been interacting with all the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations urging them to expedite implementation of the Act. Review meetings with the concerned officers of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations are being held at regular intervals. The officers of the Ministry are also visiting the States to assess and guide the pace of implementation. The Ministry has advised and is pursuing all the State/ UT Governments to ensure completion of the work relating to vesting of forest rights by end of December, 2009.
Status of State-wise implementation of the Act (as on 31.10.2009) is given in the table below :-
| S. No | State | Total number of claims received | Total number of titles deeds distributed/ ready | Number of claims rejected |
| 1. | Andhra Pradesh | 3,26,303 {3,19,703 individual and 6,600 community} | 1,73,091 distributed | 42,866 |
| 2. | Arunachal Pradesh | | | |
| 3. | | 66,546 (63,448 individual and 3098 community) | | |
| 4. | | 788 | | |
| 5. | Chhattisgarh | 4,57,857 | 1,92,088 distributed | 2,01,903 |
| 6. | | | | |
| 7. | | 1,84,329 (1,76,242 individual and 8,087 community | 5,668 distributed | 528 |
| 8. | Himachal Pradesh | | | |
| 9. | Jharkhand | 4,539 | 72 distributed including 2 community rights | |
| 10. | Karnataka | 45,801 | - | |
| 11. | Kerala | 35,620 (34,886 individual and 734 community). | 23 distributed | 9 |
| 12. | Madhya Pradesh | 3,71,993 (3,69,437 individual and 2,556 community) | 47,460 distributed and 39,799 ready. | 2,27,964 |
| 13. | | 2,66,572 | 2,453 distributed | 170 |
| 14. | Manipur | - | - | |
| 15. | Meghalaya | - | - | |
| 16. | Mizoram | - | - | |
| 17. | Orissa | 3,06,034 (3,04,336 individual and 1,698 community) | 50,190 distributed | - |
| 18. | Rajasthan | 58,721 (58,708 individual and 13 community) | 5,412 distributed | 7,608 |
| 19. | | | | |
| 20. | Tamil Nadu | 8,352 | | |
| 21. | Tripura | 1,62,819 | 82,741 distributed | 43,836 |
| 22. | Uttar Pradesh | 52,736 | | 26 |
| 23. | Uttaranchal | | | |
| 24. | | 1, 41,783 | 9,602 distributed and 3,396 ready | 43,997 |
| 25. | | | | |
| 26. | Daman & Diu | | | |
| 27. | Dadra & Nagar Haveli | | | |
| | Total | 24,90,793 | 5,68,800 distributed and 43,195 ready. | 5,68,907 |
Notes:
1. Arunachal Pradesh: The State Government has informed that though they have constituted the SDLC, DLC and SLMC under the Act but unlike the other States of Indian Union where the Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers are in minority and socio economically marginalized by other dominant non-tribal population, the State of Arunachal Pradesh is wholly domiciled by various ethnic tribal groups whose land and forests are specifically identified with natural boundaries of hillocks, ranges, rivers and tributaries. Barring few pockets of land under wildlife sanctuaries, reserved forests, most of the land in entire State is community land. Territorial boundaries of land and forest belonging to one community or tribes from the others are also identified in the same line leaving no scopes for any dispute over the possession of land forest or water bodies among the tribes. Therefore, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 in true sense does not have much relevance to the State of Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Haryana: The State Govt. has informed that there are no Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers living in the forests of Haryana.
3. Manipur: Information not available.
4. Mizoram: The State Government has informed that the Act is to be approved by the State Legislative Assembly as per the Article 371(G) of the Constitution. This is awaited.
5. Nagaland: The Government of Nagaland has informed that the land holding system and the village system of the Naga people is peculiar in that the people are the land owners. Hence, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 per se may not be applicable to the State of Nagaland
6. Sikkim: The Government of Sikkim has issued a notification dated 28.1.2008 regarding constitution of an Expert Committee for identification of Critical Wildlife habitats in Protected Areas (PAs) and have also constituted the various Committees under the Act but has not sent any report regarding the progress of implementation of the Act in the State so far.
7. A&N Islands : The Andaman & Nicobar Administration has informed that in A&N Islands
8. Daman & Diu : No progress.
9. Lakshadweep: The UT Administration has intimated that there are no terrestrial forests and no forest tribes or traditional forest dwellers in Lakshadweep .
10. Puducherry: The Government of Puducherry has informed that there are no recognized Scheduled Tribes in the Union Territory of Puducherry and also no land in Puducherry is classified as “Forest Land
ACHR team to visit conflict ridden areas of Mizoram
The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has decided to send a fact finding team to the communal valance affected areas of Mizoram and also meet all sections of people including those involved in relief and rehabilitation activities. The New Delhi based rights body has stated in a statement that it has accepted the offer of the Mizoram home minister Pu R. Lalzirliana to visit the State in a convenient time (preferably December 4 to 11).
In a recent press meet at in Aizawl, the minister welcome ACHR representatives to Mizoram and see the facts and ground realities by themselves. Mentionable that soon after the violent attacks on Bru minorities by the miscreants in the State, the ACHR director Suhas Chakma wrote to the Mizoram government. “We have welcome the gesture of the minister Lalzirliana. Undoubtedly it is a positive step,” said Suhas Chakma. He of course urged the State government to make ‘necessary arrangement for adequate safety and security for the fact finding team’.
The ACHR, in order to ensure absolute independence, impartiality and objectivity, has already constituted a five member team. Chaired by Miloon Kothari, former United Nations special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, the team also includes Suhas Chakma (ACHR), Dashalene Karbetang (Advocate and human rights activist of Meghalaya), Nava Thakuria (journalist of Assam) and Bamang Tago (chairman of Arunachal Citizens Rights).
“The investigation team has representation from most Northeastern States and headed by a former United Nations expert from India. The members are well known in the field of human rights both in the Northeast and the world,” stated in a release from the ACHR. It also added that the team would visit the affected areas and meet all sections of people including those involved in relief and rehabilitation, interview all the communities, representative of the civil society groups including the MZP and YMA and the officials of the government of Mizoram as well as those who recently fled to Tripura because of the conflict.
In a recent press meet at in Aizawl, the minister welcome ACHR representatives to Mizoram and see the facts and ground realities by themselves. Mentionable that soon after the violent attacks on Bru minorities by the miscreants in the State, the ACHR director Suhas Chakma wrote to the Mizoram government. “We have welcome the gesture of the minister Lalzirliana. Undoubtedly it is a positive step,” said Suhas Chakma. He of course urged the State government to make ‘necessary arrangement for adequate safety and security for the fact finding team’.
The ACHR, in order to ensure absolute independence, impartiality and objectivity, has already constituted a five member team. Chaired by Miloon Kothari, former United Nations special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, the team also includes Suhas Chakma (ACHR), Dashalene Karbetang (Advocate and human rights activist of Meghalaya), Nava Thakuria (journalist of Assam) and Bamang Tago (chairman of Arunachal Citizens Rights).
“The investigation team has representation from most Northeastern States and headed by a former United Nations expert from India. The members are well known in the field of human rights both in the Northeast and the world,” stated in a release from the ACHR. It also added that the team would visit the affected areas and meet all sections of people including those involved in relief and rehabilitation, interview all the communities, representative of the civil society groups including the MZP and YMA and the officials of the government of Mizoram as well as those who recently fled to Tripura because of the conflict.
Mizoram rejects autonomous council demand for Reang tribals
Aizawl/Agartala, Nov 23 Mizoram has rejected the demand to set up an Autonomous District Council (ADC) for Reang tribals but said the government was ready to talk with them to solve any of their other problems. It also refused to seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the ethnic violence in the state.
“My government is unable to accept the demand for a separate ADC for Reang tribals. We can discuss any other demands of the tribal minorities with the community leaders,” Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana told reporters in Aizawl late Sunday.
The minority Reang tribals, locally called Bru, and erstwhile separatist outfits have been demanding a separate ADC for the tribals since the early 1990s.
Lalzirliana also rejected a CBI probe into the killing of a Mizo youth Nov 13 and the subsequent ethnic violence in Mizoram.
Responding to accusation by New Delhi-based Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) that the state government was behind the recent ethnic conflict triggered by the murder of a Mizo youth, the minister said: “ACHR representatives are most welcome to come to Mizoram and see the facts and ground realities by themselves.”
“They (ACHR officials) should come and see the relief work and other measures being undertaken by the state government, the churches and the NGOs in the violence hit western Mizoram areas,” the home minister said.
ACHR had last week urged the central government to order a CBI probe into the killing of a Mizo youth and the subsequent ethnic violence in Mizoram.
“Prima facie evidence does exist to establish beyond any reasonable doubt that the Mizoram government and some Mizo NGOs were behind the premeditated attacks to stall the process of repatriation of refugees. The authorities have remained silent. Therefore a CBI inquiry is indispensable,” Suhas Chakma, director of ACHR, had said in a statement.
In Mizoram, the estimated population of Reang tribals is 100,000. Besides, there are Chakmas and other tribals living in the mountainous border state, whose total population is about one million.
Over 35,000 Reang tribal refugees have been sheltered in six camps in north Tripura camps across the state border since 1997 after they fled Mizoram following ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos.
The tribal refugees’ repatriation from Tripura to Mizoram has turned complicated with violent mobs in western Mizoram burning down around 500 houses of Reang tribals last week following the gunning down of an 18-year-old Mizo youth.
Following the arson and violence, thousands of displaced Reang tribals have taken shelter in adjacent southern Assam and northern Tripura. Most of the displaced people are still living either in the jungle or under the open skies as winter draws in.
The central and Tripura governments have asked Mizoram to resolve the 12-year-old deadlock on the repatriation of Reang refugees to the state, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told reporters in Agartala after returning from New Delhi Sunday.
In New Delhi, union Home Minister P. Chidambaram met Sarkar Friday and discussed ways to resolve the deadlock on the repatriation of 35,000 Reang refugees to Mizoram and fresh exodus into Tripura following the recent ethnic violence.
An inconclusive tripartite meeting was held in Aizawl Nov 4 between representatives of the central and Mizoram governments and tribal refugees to resolve the deadlock.
“My government is unable to accept the demand for a separate ADC for Reang tribals. We can discuss any other demands of the tribal minorities with the community leaders,” Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana told reporters in Aizawl late Sunday.
The minority Reang tribals, locally called Bru, and erstwhile separatist outfits have been demanding a separate ADC for the tribals since the early 1990s.
Lalzirliana also rejected a CBI probe into the killing of a Mizo youth Nov 13 and the subsequent ethnic violence in Mizoram.
Responding to accusation by New Delhi-based Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) that the state government was behind the recent ethnic conflict triggered by the murder of a Mizo youth, the minister said: “ACHR representatives are most welcome to come to Mizoram and see the facts and ground realities by themselves.”
“They (ACHR officials) should come and see the relief work and other measures being undertaken by the state government, the churches and the NGOs in the violence hit western Mizoram areas,” the home minister said.
ACHR had last week urged the central government to order a CBI probe into the killing of a Mizo youth and the subsequent ethnic violence in Mizoram.
“Prima facie evidence does exist to establish beyond any reasonable doubt that the Mizoram government and some Mizo NGOs were behind the premeditated attacks to stall the process of repatriation of refugees. The authorities have remained silent. Therefore a CBI inquiry is indispensable,” Suhas Chakma, director of ACHR, had said in a statement.
In Mizoram, the estimated population of Reang tribals is 100,000. Besides, there are Chakmas and other tribals living in the mountainous border state, whose total population is about one million.
Over 35,000 Reang tribal refugees have been sheltered in six camps in north Tripura camps across the state border since 1997 after they fled Mizoram following ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos.
The tribal refugees’ repatriation from Tripura to Mizoram has turned complicated with violent mobs in western Mizoram burning down around 500 houses of Reang tribals last week following the gunning down of an 18-year-old Mizo youth.
Following the arson and violence, thousands of displaced Reang tribals have taken shelter in adjacent southern Assam and northern Tripura. Most of the displaced people are still living either in the jungle or under the open skies as winter draws in.
The central and Tripura governments have asked Mizoram to resolve the 12-year-old deadlock on the repatriation of Reang refugees to the state, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told reporters in Agartala after returning from New Delhi Sunday.
In New Delhi, union Home Minister P. Chidambaram met Sarkar Friday and discussed ways to resolve the deadlock on the repatriation of 35,000 Reang refugees to Mizoram and fresh exodus into Tripura following the recent ethnic violence.
An inconclusive tripartite meeting was held in Aizawl Nov 4 between representatives of the central and Mizoram governments and tribal refugees to resolve the deadlock.
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