Meaning and definition of Behavioural Approach:
The behavioural approach to political science mainly emphasizes on scientific, objective and value free study of political phenomenon. This approach stresses upon the use of empirical as well as scientific methods of study political behavior. This approach shifts its emphasis from the study of the state and government to the day-today problems, activities and behaviour of individuals and groups. Behavioural approach has portraits individuals as center of attention and examines their behaviour, actions and tries to comprehend them through a scientific outlook. To Leslie Lipson, “The behavioural method records the details of what men do, seeking to explain why they do...” David Easton, one of the prominent scholars of this school said about it as, “the behavioural researcher wishes to look at the participants in the political system as individuals who have the emotions, prejudices and pre-dispositions of human beings as we know them in our daily lives.” Thus, behavioural approach studies the political behaviour of individuals through an empirical viewpoint. It studies the legislatures, voters, decision makers, policy makers etc. in a scientific way and by correlating their activities and practices, tries to conceptualize and give answer to political outcomes.
Characteristics of behaviouralism:
Behavioural approach is based on some fundamental assumptions. Scholars like David Easton, Kirkpatrick, Heinz Eulou etc have highlighted some basic characteristics of behaviouralism. David Easton has laid down eight basic characteristics. These are Regularities, Verification, Techniques, Quantification, Value free, Systematization, Pure Science and Integration. According to Eulan and Eldersveld, Study of Human political Behavior, Empirical Methods, Interdisciplinary Focus, Scientific Theory of Politics etc. are the main features of the approach. From these we can draw a few common features of Behavioral Approach. These are –importance of study political behavior, practice of theory and empirical research, use of scientific methods, importance on inter-disciplinary studies, application of new techniques and exercise of value neutral observation etc. In practice, behavioural approach studies political science through the perspective of defining individuals and group behaviours empirically by using scientific, value-neutral observations.
The behavioral approach brings to the fore, certain positive signs and makes the study of political science more authentic. By using scientific methods of study political phenomenon, exercise of value-neutrality in exploring human behaviour, the approach attempts to reach out a new height of analysis the political aspects of society theoretically. Despite having these advantages, behavioural approach to political science has been facing some criticisms on the following grounds.
Behavioural Approach advocates empirical study of individual behaviours. But all aspects of individual behaviour can’t be observed and stated through empirical generalizations. Thus, the approach loses the focal assumption, it has taken up.
This approach is based on value-neutrality, is also not practical. Because, in political science, we study human-behaviour and it cannot be make a value-neutral discipline at any cost. Again critics pointed out that, in developing countries a value-free study of political science will not be fruitful due to overlapping in political structures, relations and activities.
This approach gives more importance to individuals than institutions. But critics say that without looking at institutions we can’t draw proper conclusion as institutions hold prime importance in the subject matter of political science.
Again one can criticize the approach due to the large diversity and differences among the political scientist of behavioural school itself. Here, we can derive the answer that though theoretically behavioralism is a much applicable approach but that lakes fruitful application in practice.
Post-Behavioural Approach
After discussing the Behavioural Approach, we put light on the Post- Behavioural Approach to develop a greater understanding of the prospects of Political Science. The Post-Behaviouural Approach is such an approach which developed after witnessing the loopholes of Behavioral Approach. Considering the popularity in 1940’s, Behavioural Approach has been one of the most important approaches to Political Science. But in 1970’s, there was general dissatisfaction with the achievements of behaviouralist as it failed to solve practical problems of the society and it led to the emergence of the post-Behavioural Approach. The failure of the Behavioural Approach to make any real progress towards the objective of building a scientific political theory compelled the behaviouralists to admit reforms in Behavioural Approach and that result in Post- Behavioural Approach. David Easton, who at one time was a Behaviouralist, criticized it for its limitations in later course. Thus, the Post- Behavioural Approach complains that the Behavioural Approach had not taken into account serious social matters.
Post- Behavioural Approach is both a movement and academic tendency. It opposed the efforts of the Behavioural Approach to make Political science a value free science. The Post- Behavioural Approach is a future oriented approach which wants to solve problems of both present and future. To this approach, the study of Political Science should put importance on social change. To it political science must have some relevance to society. Along with relevance, this approach believes that action is the core of study political science. It accepts that political science needs to study all realities of politics, social change, values etc.
There are some basic characteristics of Post- Behavioural Approach. Importance on action and relevance, human problem oriented, qualitative and qualitative, concerned with regularities and irregularities are the basic features of Post-Behavioural Approach. David Easton has mentioned about seven key features of Post- Behavioural Approach to political science. Considering this seven features, he opined that substance must have precedence over technique, political science should put emphasis on social change, research in social science must not lose touch with reality, study should accord value also, study should also be future oriented etc. To him mad craze for scientism should be discarded as social science can’t be pure science at any cost. Therefore, we can say that Post- Behavioural Approach lays emphasis on substance than technique. It is an attempt to develop a practical, social change oriented approach to political science. Actually, the Post- Behavioural Approach refines the Behavioural Approach and tries to make it acceptable.
Monday, April 4, 2011
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Political Science:
We have already read the meaning of the term politics. Now we will see what political science means. Many a times, the two terms “politics” and “political science” are used interchangeably. Aristotle used the term ‘politics’ instead of political science. Originally the discipline, which studies state, came to be designated as politics. Later on philosophers started using the term political science and in the early 20th century almost all the political scientist used the term “political science”. Now a large number of political scientist use both these terms but preferred to use political science. But there are some distinction between political science and politics. Political science is a body of knowledge about the state and politics refers to the actual operation of a political system.
Origin of the discipline of Political science can be dates back to the origin of the state. As an academic discipline it is concern about individual’s, groups, their political institutions, structures, arrangements, terminologies and activities such as the state, government, citizenship, public administration, public affairs etc. It is a part of social science revolves around individual and his/her political environment, which is a vital ingredient of social life. There is no universally accepted definition of political science. As a separate subject, Political Science concerned with the study of state, government, citizenship etc. Definitions of political science have two different manifestations, i.e. traditional and modern. Traditional definitions identify political science as the study of the state, government, society etc. whereas modern school defines political science as the study of political system, power and authority.
Traditional view to Political Science:
Traditionally Political Science is related with the study of the state and government. Aristotle, the ‘Father of Political Science’ used the term politics, from which the term political science is derived, to denote the state. Hence, the traditional school of Political Scientist considers that as the body of knowledge about the state and its various manifestations. This school defines Political Science as the study of the state, the government, their prospects and practices and so on. They viewed Political Science as the science of the state and government or the theory of the state and government. It talks about the systematic study of the state and the process of governing its internal and external affairs, both theoretically and from its empirical dimensions. To this school Political Science is somewhat different from that of politics. They have provided numerous definitions of Political Science. Some of these are mentioned below---
According to Garner, “Political Science begins and ends with the state.” According to Paul Janet, Political Science is a “part of social science which treats of the foundations of the state and the principles of government.” Gettel defines it as “the historical investigation of what the state has been an analytical study of what the state is and a political-ethical discussion of what the state ought to be.” P. Jenks observes that Political Science is a subject which deals with the state and government.” To Willoughby, “Generally speaking there are three topics with which Political Science deals with-the State, Law and Government.”
From these definitions mentioned above, we can say that, the idea of Political Science spins around the concepts like state, government, political systems, ideologies, theories and affairs of national and international lives, power, authority, legitimacy etc. In simple words Political Science is a subject which studies the activities of state and government. It contains the study of both the organizations and functions of the state, government and the principles and theories appear in the political life with the course of history.
Modern view to Political Science:
Modern Political Scientists believe that traditional view regarding Political Science is unscientific and backed by illusion. According to modern view, Political Science studies politics and political relations. To them Political Science is the science of political relations and interactions characterized by power. Here, focal point of consideration is power. It studies the political relationship of the individuals and the social groups with that of political institutions. This provides a wider connotation to that of Political Science. There are several definitions of Political Science given by the modern school. Some of these are given below.
According to Jellinek, “The task of political science is to study in their fundamental relations the public powers, to examine the conditions under which they manifest themselves, their end and their effect, and to investigate the state in its inner nature.” Apter defines Political Science as, “Taken as whole political science is about the relations between the rulers and ruled, and the means and the ends each employs.” To Harold Lasswell also politics is the process of shaping and sharing power.
From these definitions, one can derive the fact that the modern Political Scientists accept Political Science as the study of power relations and prefer to use the term ‘Politics’ than ‘Political Science’. In its modern connotations, the concept of Political Science can be defined as the analysis of power in relation to society. Moreover, the study of Political Science concentrates upon the concepts like political system, power, authority and many more.
Practically, one can combine the traditional as well as the modern view to Political Science to acquire the exact meaning of the term comprehensively. In summary, the discussion wants to draw the point that political science is one of the branches of social science which studies the state and its relation with other political institutions. It studies the activities of the individual in relation to political institutions and systems. As an academic discipline, Political Science includes the study of political institutions, activities and behaviours of individuals, social groups, state and non-state actors.
Scope of Political Science:
We have already discussed the meaning, concepts and definitions of Politics and Political Science. Now, we will explain the depth of the discipline. At this crucial juncture, we tend to focus on the subject matters, which comprise the study of Political Science. Regarding the scope, we can say it as an emerging area of study today having dynamism and overwhelming ness in its character. As the discipline lakes precision in defining and providing meaning to the concept of Political Science, there is no harmony among the scholars regarding its scope. Consequently, it is difficult to draw out the boundary lines for the scope of the discipline. But on the whole, we can say that the subject Political Science studies the concepts like the state and its organs; their past, present and future; government; political thoughts and ideologies; political groups and political structures; election and participation in politics; comparative politics and constitutions; concepts, theories and approaches to politics; political behavior, political authority, political infrastructure, public administration, international politics and the articulation of power, power-relation and other associated issues. It includes the study of the concepts like citizenship, democracy, justice, rights, nationalism, secularism, peace, development etc. As we have already know that it is a growing discipline and its scope is changing and updating day by day, it now incorporates all the regional, national and international affairs, having direct and indirect impact upon political lives of individuals and society concerned. Sir Frederic Pollock breaks up the subject of political science into two parts. Firstly, the Theoretical Politics- which studies the features of the state and the basic principles of government and secondly, the Applied Politics- which studies the actual working of any particular government. In this regard, it is important to describe the fact that, before second world war, political science primarily focus on the study of the state, but in the post second world war era, it shift its emphasis from state to the political system. Thus, political science comprehensively includes the study of the theoretical as well as empirical experiences related to state, government and political lives of individuals and social institutions, both structurally and from its empirical dimensions.
We have already read the meaning of the term politics. Now we will see what political science means. Many a times, the two terms “politics” and “political science” are used interchangeably. Aristotle used the term ‘politics’ instead of political science. Originally the discipline, which studies state, came to be designated as politics. Later on philosophers started using the term political science and in the early 20th century almost all the political scientist used the term “political science”. Now a large number of political scientist use both these terms but preferred to use political science. But there are some distinction between political science and politics. Political science is a body of knowledge about the state and politics refers to the actual operation of a political system.
Origin of the discipline of Political science can be dates back to the origin of the state. As an academic discipline it is concern about individual’s, groups, their political institutions, structures, arrangements, terminologies and activities such as the state, government, citizenship, public administration, public affairs etc. It is a part of social science revolves around individual and his/her political environment, which is a vital ingredient of social life. There is no universally accepted definition of political science. As a separate subject, Political Science concerned with the study of state, government, citizenship etc. Definitions of political science have two different manifestations, i.e. traditional and modern. Traditional definitions identify political science as the study of the state, government, society etc. whereas modern school defines political science as the study of political system, power and authority.
Traditional view to Political Science:
Traditionally Political Science is related with the study of the state and government. Aristotle, the ‘Father of Political Science’ used the term politics, from which the term political science is derived, to denote the state. Hence, the traditional school of Political Scientist considers that as the body of knowledge about the state and its various manifestations. This school defines Political Science as the study of the state, the government, their prospects and practices and so on. They viewed Political Science as the science of the state and government or the theory of the state and government. It talks about the systematic study of the state and the process of governing its internal and external affairs, both theoretically and from its empirical dimensions. To this school Political Science is somewhat different from that of politics. They have provided numerous definitions of Political Science. Some of these are mentioned below---
According to Garner, “Political Science begins and ends with the state.” According to Paul Janet, Political Science is a “part of social science which treats of the foundations of the state and the principles of government.” Gettel defines it as “the historical investigation of what the state has been an analytical study of what the state is and a political-ethical discussion of what the state ought to be.” P. Jenks observes that Political Science is a subject which deals with the state and government.” To Willoughby, “Generally speaking there are three topics with which Political Science deals with-the State, Law and Government.”
From these definitions mentioned above, we can say that, the idea of Political Science spins around the concepts like state, government, political systems, ideologies, theories and affairs of national and international lives, power, authority, legitimacy etc. In simple words Political Science is a subject which studies the activities of state and government. It contains the study of both the organizations and functions of the state, government and the principles and theories appear in the political life with the course of history.
Modern view to Political Science:
Modern Political Scientists believe that traditional view regarding Political Science is unscientific and backed by illusion. According to modern view, Political Science studies politics and political relations. To them Political Science is the science of political relations and interactions characterized by power. Here, focal point of consideration is power. It studies the political relationship of the individuals and the social groups with that of political institutions. This provides a wider connotation to that of Political Science. There are several definitions of Political Science given by the modern school. Some of these are given below.
According to Jellinek, “The task of political science is to study in their fundamental relations the public powers, to examine the conditions under which they manifest themselves, their end and their effect, and to investigate the state in its inner nature.” Apter defines Political Science as, “Taken as whole political science is about the relations between the rulers and ruled, and the means and the ends each employs.” To Harold Lasswell also politics is the process of shaping and sharing power.
From these definitions, one can derive the fact that the modern Political Scientists accept Political Science as the study of power relations and prefer to use the term ‘Politics’ than ‘Political Science’. In its modern connotations, the concept of Political Science can be defined as the analysis of power in relation to society. Moreover, the study of Political Science concentrates upon the concepts like political system, power, authority and many more.
Practically, one can combine the traditional as well as the modern view to Political Science to acquire the exact meaning of the term comprehensively. In summary, the discussion wants to draw the point that political science is one of the branches of social science which studies the state and its relation with other political institutions. It studies the activities of the individual in relation to political institutions and systems. As an academic discipline, Political Science includes the study of political institutions, activities and behaviours of individuals, social groups, state and non-state actors.
Scope of Political Science:
We have already discussed the meaning, concepts and definitions of Politics and Political Science. Now, we will explain the depth of the discipline. At this crucial juncture, we tend to focus on the subject matters, which comprise the study of Political Science. Regarding the scope, we can say it as an emerging area of study today having dynamism and overwhelming ness in its character. As the discipline lakes precision in defining and providing meaning to the concept of Political Science, there is no harmony among the scholars regarding its scope. Consequently, it is difficult to draw out the boundary lines for the scope of the discipline. But on the whole, we can say that the subject Political Science studies the concepts like the state and its organs; their past, present and future; government; political thoughts and ideologies; political groups and political structures; election and participation in politics; comparative politics and constitutions; concepts, theories and approaches to politics; political behavior, political authority, political infrastructure, public administration, international politics and the articulation of power, power-relation and other associated issues. It includes the study of the concepts like citizenship, democracy, justice, rights, nationalism, secularism, peace, development etc. As we have already know that it is a growing discipline and its scope is changing and updating day by day, it now incorporates all the regional, national and international affairs, having direct and indirect impact upon political lives of individuals and society concerned. Sir Frederic Pollock breaks up the subject of political science into two parts. Firstly, the Theoretical Politics- which studies the features of the state and the basic principles of government and secondly, the Applied Politics- which studies the actual working of any particular government. In this regard, it is important to describe the fact that, before second world war, political science primarily focus on the study of the state, but in the post second world war era, it shift its emphasis from state to the political system. Thus, political science comprehensively includes the study of the theoretical as well as empirical experiences related to state, government and political lives of individuals and social institutions, both structurally and from its empirical dimensions.
POLITICS
Politics is a widely observed phenomenon. Every social being is a part of politics. In general parlance, politics referred to the activity of the individual and social groups, which express their wills and interests in ordering and managing public affairs. The word politics is applied to a particular social phenomenon which involves the study of political lives of the individual, society, social groups, State and Non-State Actors and over all private and public spheres of society and administration. The term politics is derived from the Greek word ‘polis’ which means the City-State. However, some scholars believe that apart from ‘polis’ two other Greek words ‘polity’ and ‘politeia’ means government and constitution respectively, also contributed to the development of the term politics. So, politics means the study of the state and its administration in practical as well as philosophical terms. It can be understand as the study of the state and government. The term “politics” was first used by Aristotle in his book ‘The politics’ where he used the term to indicate state as a distinct branch of study. It is not easy to define politics. There have been numerous definitions of politics. There are two major schools to define politics one is traditional and the other is modern or scientific school. The traditional and modern school not only debates about the definition of politics but also debates that whether it is science or art. One school believes that it is arts and the other as science. According to the traditional school, politics is the study of the state and the government whereas modern school defines politics as the study of power-relations and power-structures. To comprehend the thoughts of both of these two schools, we can go through the following definitions on politics.
According to H. J. Price “politics is the exercise of power in society.” To Bluntschlli politics “is concerned with the state which endeavours to understand and comprehend the state in its fundamental conditions, in its essential nature, in its various forms of manifestations, its development.” Catlin writes, “Politics is the study of political aspects of organized human society.” According to Dahl “politics is the process of the shaping and sharing of power in society.” According to Laski “The study of politics concerns itself with the life of man in relation to organized states.”
So, defining politics is not an easy task. But by correlating both the traditional and modern views, we can define politics as a social practice associated with power-structure, legitimacy, law, authority, government, state and other political and non-political institutions being formal and informal and non-formal kind. It is the activities of the individual in relation to political institutions and political systems. Politics can be evaluated through exploring what is political or what influence the political environment. It studies the activities of individual and social groups in public life characterized by political socialization, mobility and political articulation. It is about power and its relation with individual, groups and institutions.
According to H. J. Price “politics is the exercise of power in society.” To Bluntschlli politics “is concerned with the state which endeavours to understand and comprehend the state in its fundamental conditions, in its essential nature, in its various forms of manifestations, its development.” Catlin writes, “Politics is the study of political aspects of organized human society.” According to Dahl “politics is the process of the shaping and sharing of power in society.” According to Laski “The study of politics concerns itself with the life of man in relation to organized states.”
So, defining politics is not an easy task. But by correlating both the traditional and modern views, we can define politics as a social practice associated with power-structure, legitimacy, law, authority, government, state and other political and non-political institutions being formal and informal and non-formal kind. It is the activities of the individual in relation to political institutions and political systems. Politics can be evaluated through exploring what is political or what influence the political environment. It studies the activities of individual and social groups in public life characterized by political socialization, mobility and political articulation. It is about power and its relation with individual, groups and institutions.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sustainable Development: concept and development.
Pankaj Bora
Concept of Sustainable Development:
Development refers to the yearning for a better life. This development should be environment friendly. It is why Sustainable Development is the need of the time. But what is sustainable development?
Worlds Commission on Human Environment defines Sustainable Development as it is development that “meets the needs of present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Again another definition is “Sustainable development (SD) is the process which effectively balances the needs of development with concern for the health of the environment.” Sustainable Development is socio-economic development that meets the needs of the present without negotiating the ability of future generation to meet their own needs. It is an ideology which maintains an appropriate balance between economic development, social development and environmental protection. Sustainable Development is characterized by economic growth that does not exhaust the resources.
The ideology of Sustainable Development refers to the process of development in sustainable way. Sustainable Development in the words of Baylis and Smith is “economic and social development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; programmes which maintain an appropriate balance between economic development, social development, and environmental protection. In practice, this is a contested concept, in that groups with differing political, economic, social, and environmental perspectives disagree about its exact meaning.”
Sustainable Development is typified by economic and social growth with sustainability. This development does not exhaust the resources of the country. Sustainable development, to Abraham “is characterized by economic and social growth that does not exhaust the resources of a host country; that respects and safeguards the economic, cultural, and natural environment; that involves grass roots participation and builds indigenous institutions; and that is nurtured by eco-friendly policies and programmes.” Investment in human capital like in education, food, health, and total well being of the population can bring Sustainable Development.
So to sum up, Sustainable Development is a development pattern where resources are used in such a way that it meet the human needs by preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come.
Emergence of the concept:
Though there were few discussions about the importance of environment in the era of Aristotle and Montesquieu but as the development activities of those days were not identical to these days, environment had not degraded as it is today and hence importance of Sustainable Development was not realized. It is only after the two world wars, people has started realizing the environmental degradation and started working towards it protection both nationally and internationally. The concept and importance of Sustainable Development was even realized much later in 1980s. “The credit of inventing the term ‘sustainable development goes to Eva Balfour and Wes Jackson. The term first came into prominence in the World Conservation Strategy (WSD) (1990), and had become a catchphrase of the 1990s.”
The concept of Sustainable Development has received most attention since the UN conference on Environment and Development held in Rio De Janerio in 1992. This marked the first international attempt to draw up action plans and strategies for moving towards a more sustainable pattern of development. Before that in 1987 the term Sustainable Development was popularized by UN Commission on Environment and Development through the Brundtland Report. This report used Sustainable Development to mean use of renewable resources to promote economic growth, to mean protection of animal species and biodiversity and for commitment to maintaining clean air, water and land. But it was after Rio Summit; its importance is realized and recognized by the globe. Socialist Abraham believes that 1992 Rio conference and 2002 Johannesburg World Summit encouraged governments towards Sustainable Development. To quote him “The United Nations sponsored two worldwide summits-the Rio Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 and the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002- which encouraged governments to partner with NGOs and private industry to make a bold commitment to applying Sustainable Development principles in every area where humans impact on environment.”
Again Sustainable Development is also one of the Millennium Development Goals which aim to reduce any form of poverty in coming decades. The MDGs includes the integration of the principles of Sustainable Development into country policies and programmes. MDG also aims at control biodiversity loss, water resource management etc.
In India also Sustainable Development has gained its importance simultaneously. India has cooperated in the world summits on Sustainable Development. In February 2001, Tata energy Research institute organized a Sustainable Development summit in New Delhi, which was attended by several environmentalists from all parts of the world. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, where leak of poisonous gas from a chemical plant claimed life of many people, becomes an importance accident towards rise of the concept of Sustainable Development in India.
Concept of Sustainable Development:
Development refers to the yearning for a better life. This development should be environment friendly. It is why Sustainable Development is the need of the time. But what is sustainable development?
Worlds Commission on Human Environment defines Sustainable Development as it is development that “meets the needs of present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Again another definition is “Sustainable development (SD) is the process which effectively balances the needs of development with concern for the health of the environment.” Sustainable Development is socio-economic development that meets the needs of the present without negotiating the ability of future generation to meet their own needs. It is an ideology which maintains an appropriate balance between economic development, social development and environmental protection. Sustainable Development is characterized by economic growth that does not exhaust the resources.
The ideology of Sustainable Development refers to the process of development in sustainable way. Sustainable Development in the words of Baylis and Smith is “economic and social development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; programmes which maintain an appropriate balance between economic development, social development, and environmental protection. In practice, this is a contested concept, in that groups with differing political, economic, social, and environmental perspectives disagree about its exact meaning.”
Sustainable Development is typified by economic and social growth with sustainability. This development does not exhaust the resources of the country. Sustainable development, to Abraham “is characterized by economic and social growth that does not exhaust the resources of a host country; that respects and safeguards the economic, cultural, and natural environment; that involves grass roots participation and builds indigenous institutions; and that is nurtured by eco-friendly policies and programmes.” Investment in human capital like in education, food, health, and total well being of the population can bring Sustainable Development.
So to sum up, Sustainable Development is a development pattern where resources are used in such a way that it meet the human needs by preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come.
Emergence of the concept:
Though there were few discussions about the importance of environment in the era of Aristotle and Montesquieu but as the development activities of those days were not identical to these days, environment had not degraded as it is today and hence importance of Sustainable Development was not realized. It is only after the two world wars, people has started realizing the environmental degradation and started working towards it protection both nationally and internationally. The concept and importance of Sustainable Development was even realized much later in 1980s. “The credit of inventing the term ‘sustainable development goes to Eva Balfour and Wes Jackson. The term first came into prominence in the World Conservation Strategy (WSD) (1990), and had become a catchphrase of the 1990s.”
The concept of Sustainable Development has received most attention since the UN conference on Environment and Development held in Rio De Janerio in 1992. This marked the first international attempt to draw up action plans and strategies for moving towards a more sustainable pattern of development. Before that in 1987 the term Sustainable Development was popularized by UN Commission on Environment and Development through the Brundtland Report. This report used Sustainable Development to mean use of renewable resources to promote economic growth, to mean protection of animal species and biodiversity and for commitment to maintaining clean air, water and land. But it was after Rio Summit; its importance is realized and recognized by the globe. Socialist Abraham believes that 1992 Rio conference and 2002 Johannesburg World Summit encouraged governments towards Sustainable Development. To quote him “The United Nations sponsored two worldwide summits-the Rio Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 and the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002- which encouraged governments to partner with NGOs and private industry to make a bold commitment to applying Sustainable Development principles in every area where humans impact on environment.”
Again Sustainable Development is also one of the Millennium Development Goals which aim to reduce any form of poverty in coming decades. The MDGs includes the integration of the principles of Sustainable Development into country policies and programmes. MDG also aims at control biodiversity loss, water resource management etc.
In India also Sustainable Development has gained its importance simultaneously. India has cooperated in the world summits on Sustainable Development. In February 2001, Tata energy Research institute organized a Sustainable Development summit in New Delhi, which was attended by several environmentalists from all parts of the world. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, where leak of poisonous gas from a chemical plant claimed life of many people, becomes an importance accident towards rise of the concept of Sustainable Development in India.
Friday, October 1, 2010
NRHM and Titabar.
My visit to Titabar Block:
A report on NRHM in Titabar
As part of my field visit in the Project, I went to Titabar Block from 15th to 25th of September, 2010. There, I visited nine institutions including eight Sub Centres and one PHC that Block. These eight SCs were Garajan Sub Centre, Dangdhra Sub Centre, Mahimabari, Basic Tini Ali SC, Karali bari SC, Bandarchalia SC, Samaguri SC and Bengenakhuwa Sub Centre. There I tried to meet the ASHA and ANM. These two are the two agents which has the prime responsibilities to spread the NRHM in village. They play a vital role in community participation of the mission. As we have structured questionnaires for them I interviewed them with those questionnaires. But as only structure questionnaire and interaction is not enough to portrait the role, responsibility and success-failure of NRHM, I also took help of observation. In some SCs I had the opportunity to meet a few villagers who had visited the institutions for the health related problems. Apart from these SCs I also went to Titabar and Nakachari PHC. There I interviewed the BPM and Clients/Health Care Seekers.
Manpower:
The mission NRHM gives a very significant role of ASHA. They are the persons who have the responsibility to bring the mission to the people. ASHAs monitor the healthcare system in their respective villages. The visit to Titabar Block has given me some ideas about the position of ASHA. In Titabar all most all the ASHAs, I met, have minimum required educational qualification. They have gone through several modules of training they required. ASHAs in Titabar have able to motivate the people for institutional delivery but they failed to elaborate the reason of importance of Institutional deliveries. They, since their date of joining, gone through several modules of training but their personalities failed to prove that they have benefited from those trainings. When I interact with them I feel that they are more interested in fund and incentives than the vision of the mission. I saw that they are ready to handle any number of cases in a month to tally up her incentives. Even I heard that there are few ASHAs who stepped in other ASHA's village and handled cases just for the sake of Rs 600.00; she gets for taking care of the pregnant woman. About the ASHA the BPM of Titabar said that behaviour of ASHAs are not satisfactory but he has a positive view that they have contributed a lot to health care system which has bring the villagers out from home to hospital for their health related problems. Even the Clients, beneficiaries also appreciated their role. But I feel that they have not yet reached the milestone yet. Especially they need to improve their social relation with all other quarters of NRHM and with the general people.
About the role of ANM also I found a mix picture where their knowledge on NRHM is not so good. The Permanent ANMs are not totally aware of NRHM. But in practice I can say that whatever they know, both permanent and contractual ANM are doing so. The ANM in NRHM and also the newly join permanent ANM has more knowledge about NRHM. Almost all the ANM are HS pass. Some of them are graduate, and they understand the vision of the mission more nicely than the others. The ANM believes that NRHM has able to make positive change to health sector and it has able to mobilize the villagers toward health care. The ANM believes that BPM of Titabar has a good knowledge about mission, vision and objectives of NRHM. They also feel that BPM is very cooperative in this matter.
When I interact with the BPM of Titabar I found that he has good knowledge about NRHM. He believes that the trainings provided by NRHM had made his job easier and comfortable. He with his positive attitude to the mission believes that in last few years NRHM has able to bring positive change to the mission and he hopes that it will continue till the end. The positive thing I found in him is his willingness to learn. He asked me about the Alma Alta conference and other reports of NRHM to increase his knowledge about NRHM. Apart from this he said that PRI members and officials from department are not so much cooperative. Another positive sign that is with him is communication skill. In my conversation I feel that he is good in making public relation which is a good sight for this chair.
Apart from this I also interviewed few Clients or the health care seeker. It was the most interesting part of my visit. I meet several categories of Patients like Mother of new born baby, Attendant of new born baby, pregnant women, General OPD patients etc. In this part several interesting sides came out. In general the client has some knowledge about the mission. They know the programmes and schemes like Majoni, Mamoni, Morom, Mamata, 108 etc. But only few respondents have idea about programmes like 24X7 OPD, operation smile etc. So in Titabar though not totally but to a large extent NRHM has entered among the people. From the answers of the respondent I can say that people are not fully satisfied to the hospital management system. They are happy with the services of doctors and nurses but to them infrastructures especially the toilets, beds, water, food etc. are not in satisfied level. Again they don't prefer to use bed sheet, mosquito net, blanket provided by the hospital. They also preferred to conduct several tests like X-ray, USG etc at private institution rather than public hospital. One of the negative points I found there is asking and taking money from mother of new born baby by the doctor. One respondent said that they paid Rs 3000/- to the doctor for their caesarean case. So, all these had drawn a mixed picture of NRHM in Titabar.
To sum up my practical observation to these manpower and beneficiaries says that in last five years ANM has learned a lot about NRHM and healthcare system in this block. They become more responsible to the people. They have been trying their best to develop health standard at their SC. Apart from ANMs ASHAs are also doing well but they have not able to deliver their best. In Titabar BPM have been doing well and he is getting support from other parts. To state about the client they have been availing the basis services from the manpower, but does not seems they are satisfied enough.
Institutions:
The standard achieved by manpower is not enough to draw the picture of the field visit. My observation at several SCs and BPHC has brought some important point to focus which is also very important. In my visit to SC I noticed that almost all SC are in easily locatable place. Apart from one SC I visited others are situated near at Pacca road. Only one SC was in rented house and the others are in government owned building. I saw that people used to visit these SC to avail medical facilities. People also listen and react to the advice given by the SCs' persons. But all the SCs have few common problems like problem of drinking water, electricity and quarters etc. The ANM are not satisfied with these facilities. It will be better if I write about each SC and PHC.
Garajan SC: Garajan SC is situated in the way between Garajan Tini Ali and Bekajan. It is in a rented house and has some infrastructural problem. The ANMs of this SC are very good in their behaviour towards their clients.
Dangdhara SC: Dangdhara SC is in link road between Dangdhara char ali and Garh ali. It is recently shifted to the newly constructed government building. It has one newly appointed contractual ANM and one permanent ANM. The negative thing is that the area it covers is huge area and the road is kaccha. Government had started construction of the road and very soon it will become a pucca road.
Basic Tini Ali SC: Basic tini ali SC is good in infrastructure but ANM is not satisfied to her quarters. This SC is in such a place that anybody can locate it easily.
Karalibari SC: Basic Tini ali and Karalibari SC are in the same road. The infrastructure of this SC is not so good but it seems to be neat and clean. Bengenakhuwa SC: It is like the other few also located at road side place and it has problems like water and electricity.
Mahimabari SC: Mahimabari Sc and Mahimabari MPHC are in same compound. Therefor it never faces problems like shortage of medicine and other thing. The ANMs of this SC are very good and they are happy to the infrastructural facilities available at that SC.
Bandarchalia SC: This SC is situated in a tea garden area and is also located in roadside area. The ANM of that SC was cooperative in nature. She said that they are facing the problem of water.
Samaguri SC: Samaguri SC also comes in the same road with Bandarchalia. A new MPHC construction is going on near at this SC. In this Sub Centres I interact with few villagers. It was my unstructured interaction where from I came to know that they are satisfied with the facilities and feels that the mission can make positive change.
To sum up my experience about my SC visit, I can say that apart from few infrastructural problems these has able to serve the people. The renovation and construction of new SC have been going on and all the medical and financial supports are provided to these every year.
PHC:
Titabar BPHC: I have also visited to Titabar Block PHC which is also a civil hospital. The overall infrastructure of the BPHC is good but it is not neat and clean. The BPHC has a toilet at its entrance which too dirty to use and it has not water facility. The BPHC situated at the side of popular Dhudar Ali. So it is not tough to find it out and is easily communicable. Apart from it huge hard wing and banner are hanged in its gate along with NRHM and its various programmes advertisement so that people can easily locate it and can also understand and know NRHM. In the BPHC I also notice number of health seeker and attendants waiting either standing or sitting at baranda or at lawn. I also saw mother of new born baby and pregnant IPD women in the BPHC.
From all these I can sum up that in Titabar I saw a mix picture of NRHM, where some sectors are going good and some are way behind. Both the government and public need so take few steps to change the present stratus of NRHM in Titabar.
The Nakachari PHC.
I have also visited to Nakachari block to meet the BPM. The BPM of that block is a local person who enjoys his job as public servant to serve the people of his locality. He seems to be responsible to his job and his personality is appreciable. He has a good communicable skill which is necessary for this kind of job. He has a good understanding about NRHM. I saw that ASHA and he has a good professional relation and hope it will help the mission. When I interact with him I came to know that the PRI officials, Doctors and officials from other departments are not that much cooperative and it affects the mission adversely. Again the BPM also pointed out one important thing that he had to work without an accountant which had overloaded him. In infrastructure the buildings are not so good and not neat and clean. Apart from that my one day visit can say that Nakachari PHC is contributing positively to NRHM.
A report on NRHM in Titabar
As part of my field visit in the Project, I went to Titabar Block from 15th to 25th of September, 2010. There, I visited nine institutions including eight Sub Centres and one PHC that Block. These eight SCs were Garajan Sub Centre, Dangdhra Sub Centre, Mahimabari, Basic Tini Ali SC, Karali bari SC, Bandarchalia SC, Samaguri SC and Bengenakhuwa Sub Centre. There I tried to meet the ASHA and ANM. These two are the two agents which has the prime responsibilities to spread the NRHM in village. They play a vital role in community participation of the mission. As we have structured questionnaires for them I interviewed them with those questionnaires. But as only structure questionnaire and interaction is not enough to portrait the role, responsibility and success-failure of NRHM, I also took help of observation. In some SCs I had the opportunity to meet a few villagers who had visited the institutions for the health related problems. Apart from these SCs I also went to Titabar and Nakachari PHC. There I interviewed the BPM and Clients/Health Care Seekers.
Manpower:
The mission NRHM gives a very significant role of ASHA. They are the persons who have the responsibility to bring the mission to the people. ASHAs monitor the healthcare system in their respective villages. The visit to Titabar Block has given me some ideas about the position of ASHA. In Titabar all most all the ASHAs, I met, have minimum required educational qualification. They have gone through several modules of training they required. ASHAs in Titabar have able to motivate the people for institutional delivery but they failed to elaborate the reason of importance of Institutional deliveries. They, since their date of joining, gone through several modules of training but their personalities failed to prove that they have benefited from those trainings. When I interact with them I feel that they are more interested in fund and incentives than the vision of the mission. I saw that they are ready to handle any number of cases in a month to tally up her incentives. Even I heard that there are few ASHAs who stepped in other ASHA's village and handled cases just for the sake of Rs 600.00; she gets for taking care of the pregnant woman. About the ASHA the BPM of Titabar said that behaviour of ASHAs are not satisfactory but he has a positive view that they have contributed a lot to health care system which has bring the villagers out from home to hospital for their health related problems. Even the Clients, beneficiaries also appreciated their role. But I feel that they have not yet reached the milestone yet. Especially they need to improve their social relation with all other quarters of NRHM and with the general people.
About the role of ANM also I found a mix picture where their knowledge on NRHM is not so good. The Permanent ANMs are not totally aware of NRHM. But in practice I can say that whatever they know, both permanent and contractual ANM are doing so. The ANM in NRHM and also the newly join permanent ANM has more knowledge about NRHM. Almost all the ANM are HS pass. Some of them are graduate, and they understand the vision of the mission more nicely than the others. The ANM believes that NRHM has able to make positive change to health sector and it has able to mobilize the villagers toward health care. The ANM believes that BPM of Titabar has a good knowledge about mission, vision and objectives of NRHM. They also feel that BPM is very cooperative in this matter.
When I interact with the BPM of Titabar I found that he has good knowledge about NRHM. He believes that the trainings provided by NRHM had made his job easier and comfortable. He with his positive attitude to the mission believes that in last few years NRHM has able to bring positive change to the mission and he hopes that it will continue till the end. The positive thing I found in him is his willingness to learn. He asked me about the Alma Alta conference and other reports of NRHM to increase his knowledge about NRHM. Apart from this he said that PRI members and officials from department are not so much cooperative. Another positive sign that is with him is communication skill. In my conversation I feel that he is good in making public relation which is a good sight for this chair.
Apart from this I also interviewed few Clients or the health care seeker. It was the most interesting part of my visit. I meet several categories of Patients like Mother of new born baby, Attendant of new born baby, pregnant women, General OPD patients etc. In this part several interesting sides came out. In general the client has some knowledge about the mission. They know the programmes and schemes like Majoni, Mamoni, Morom, Mamata, 108 etc. But only few respondents have idea about programmes like 24X7 OPD, operation smile etc. So in Titabar though not totally but to a large extent NRHM has entered among the people. From the answers of the respondent I can say that people are not fully satisfied to the hospital management system. They are happy with the services of doctors and nurses but to them infrastructures especially the toilets, beds, water, food etc. are not in satisfied level. Again they don't prefer to use bed sheet, mosquito net, blanket provided by the hospital. They also preferred to conduct several tests like X-ray, USG etc at private institution rather than public hospital. One of the negative points I found there is asking and taking money from mother of new born baby by the doctor. One respondent said that they paid Rs 3000/- to the doctor for their caesarean case. So, all these had drawn a mixed picture of NRHM in Titabar.
To sum up my practical observation to these manpower and beneficiaries says that in last five years ANM has learned a lot about NRHM and healthcare system in this block. They become more responsible to the people. They have been trying their best to develop health standard at their SC. Apart from ANMs ASHAs are also doing well but they have not able to deliver their best. In Titabar BPM have been doing well and he is getting support from other parts. To state about the client they have been availing the basis services from the manpower, but does not seems they are satisfied enough.
Institutions:
The standard achieved by manpower is not enough to draw the picture of the field visit. My observation at several SCs and BPHC has brought some important point to focus which is also very important. In my visit to SC I noticed that almost all SC are in easily locatable place. Apart from one SC I visited others are situated near at Pacca road. Only one SC was in rented house and the others are in government owned building. I saw that people used to visit these SC to avail medical facilities. People also listen and react to the advice given by the SCs' persons. But all the SCs have few common problems like problem of drinking water, electricity and quarters etc. The ANM are not satisfied with these facilities. It will be better if I write about each SC and PHC.
Garajan SC: Garajan SC is situated in the way between Garajan Tini Ali and Bekajan. It is in a rented house and has some infrastructural problem. The ANMs of this SC are very good in their behaviour towards their clients.
Dangdhara SC: Dangdhara SC is in link road between Dangdhara char ali and Garh ali. It is recently shifted to the newly constructed government building. It has one newly appointed contractual ANM and one permanent ANM. The negative thing is that the area it covers is huge area and the road is kaccha. Government had started construction of the road and very soon it will become a pucca road.
Basic Tini Ali SC: Basic tini ali SC is good in infrastructure but ANM is not satisfied to her quarters. This SC is in such a place that anybody can locate it easily.
Karalibari SC: Basic Tini ali and Karalibari SC are in the same road. The infrastructure of this SC is not so good but it seems to be neat and clean. Bengenakhuwa SC: It is like the other few also located at road side place and it has problems like water and electricity.
Mahimabari SC: Mahimabari Sc and Mahimabari MPHC are in same compound. Therefor it never faces problems like shortage of medicine and other thing. The ANMs of this SC are very good and they are happy to the infrastructural facilities available at that SC.
Bandarchalia SC: This SC is situated in a tea garden area and is also located in roadside area. The ANM of that SC was cooperative in nature. She said that they are facing the problem of water.
Samaguri SC: Samaguri SC also comes in the same road with Bandarchalia. A new MPHC construction is going on near at this SC. In this Sub Centres I interact with few villagers. It was my unstructured interaction where from I came to know that they are satisfied with the facilities and feels that the mission can make positive change.
To sum up my experience about my SC visit, I can say that apart from few infrastructural problems these has able to serve the people. The renovation and construction of new SC have been going on and all the medical and financial supports are provided to these every year.
PHC:
Titabar BPHC: I have also visited to Titabar Block PHC which is also a civil hospital. The overall infrastructure of the BPHC is good but it is not neat and clean. The BPHC has a toilet at its entrance which too dirty to use and it has not water facility. The BPHC situated at the side of popular Dhudar Ali. So it is not tough to find it out and is easily communicable. Apart from it huge hard wing and banner are hanged in its gate along with NRHM and its various programmes advertisement so that people can easily locate it and can also understand and know NRHM. In the BPHC I also notice number of health seeker and attendants waiting either standing or sitting at baranda or at lawn. I also saw mother of new born baby and pregnant IPD women in the BPHC.
From all these I can sum up that in Titabar I saw a mix picture of NRHM, where some sectors are going good and some are way behind. Both the government and public need so take few steps to change the present stratus of NRHM in Titabar.
The Nakachari PHC.
I have also visited to Nakachari block to meet the BPM. The BPM of that block is a local person who enjoys his job as public servant to serve the people of his locality. He seems to be responsible to his job and his personality is appreciable. He has a good communicable skill which is necessary for this kind of job. He has a good understanding about NRHM. I saw that ASHA and he has a good professional relation and hope it will help the mission. When I interact with him I came to know that the PRI officials, Doctors and officials from other departments are not that much cooperative and it affects the mission adversely. Again the BPM also pointed out one important thing that he had to work without an accountant which had overloaded him. In infrastructure the buildings are not so good and not neat and clean. Apart from that my one day visit can say that Nakachari PHC is contributing positively to NRHM.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Operation Rhino of 1991 and Violation of Human Rights in Assam
Operation Rhino of 1991 and Violation of Human Rights in Assam
The concept of human rights is a very challenging issue now a day. Human rights are simply defined as the rights which every human being is entitle to enjoy and protected. These rights are civil, political, economic, social and cultural. Generally Human Rights are defined as essential claim of individual’s recognized by the society and enforced by the state. These rights are essential conditions for full development of a person as a human being. To protect all these human rights there have been a number of domestic and international documents adopted since the beginning of 20th century especially after the end of Second World War. In India also lots of provision made for this noble purpose. Many institution both government and Non-Governmental were formed to protect these rights. Many constitutional provisions are there to look after the human rights concern in India.
Though numbers of documents and provisions are there to stop violation of Human Rights in India but it really failed in limiting violation of human rights throughout the nation. Human Rights in India are violating in several grounds. Police, arm force and state agents violates human rights by using force against innocent human being, capitalist violates the human rights by exploiting poor class, minorities are being exploited by majority section of people. Woman rights and children rights are violated, people are displaced which violates the human rights.
Even several security Laws and Military activities which are enforced to protect the Human Rights had affected adversely.
In case of India several factors has been violating human rights. In this case we can specially mention about the military activities in India which has severely violated the Human Rights of the nation. This article also tries to highlights one such kind of issue. It is the violation of Human rights in Assam in Operation Rhino of 1991.
Operation rhino was an Army operation Against ULFA. It started on the night of 14th September 1991. On that night, thousands of jawans of the Indian Army belonging to crack Mountain Divisions, Kumaon Regiment, Rajputna Rifles and other units under the command of 4 Crore HQ, Eastern command went into into action. This force was aided by about a lakh paramilitary forces personnel belonging to CRPF, BSF, Assam Rifles and the states police which resulted a negative impact on human rights situation of the region.
In this operation the civil administration is virtually sidetracked and marginalized. The armed forces start their operation on the basis of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. In the operation at the district level, the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of police was totally kept in the dark. Army co-ordination committees that were set up and they had co-ordinate the actions. The armed forces, in that operation, had taken over the power and functions of civil administration and were running the whole show and conducting mass raids; arrests without informing civil authorities and their operations were usually not accompanied by Magistrates as necessary under the prescribed law. At the village level also, they were not even taking the Gaonbudha (village Head) with them. In this situation, the onuses of all acts of commissions and commission had to rest squarely on the armed forces.
The operation had resulted in mass scale human rights Violation. As a result of such a situation following incidents happened:
1.Wanton army search operates raids; mass atrocities had become common place.
2.Even the houses of sitting Member of Parliament were not spared from wanton raids. The residence of Sri Nagen Saikia, Rajya Sabha member was ransacked by an army contingent in Dibrugarh. The incident was condemned in the parliament and it came up before the privilege committee.
3.In the month of November, the army raided the house of the judicial Magistrate without proper warrants. At first the administration tried to hush up the matter, but when the press brought out the details, including the government memos, the government tried to downplay the incident by declaring that an amicable settlement had been reached after the concerned army officers expressed their regret.
4.Police officers, constable, their families including their members of armed forces on leave were not spared from raids, humiliations, tortures and even murders.
5.The Army was conducting independent interrogations and tortures. These are not empowered by the laws of the land. Even after handing over a prisoner to police custody, they were forcing the police to hand over the person again to the army who was then brought to army camps, interrogated and tortured.
In short, all kinds of human rights violation like beating, hanging, wet submarine treatment, continuously powering water, staking, frame treatment, giving electric shock were done by the army. Even deaths during Rhino operation were reported.
Several books, journals, reports and news papers had mentioned that during that army operation several people had committed suicides. There were few such known cases like
(1)Ajit Medhi Barbil, Digboi, on25 October 1991.
(2)Manoranjan Haloi, Belsor, Nalbari, on 05 November 1991.
(3)Ranjit Bargohain, Golaghat, On 03 November 1991.
So it is seen that the Operation Rhino of 1991 in Assam had led to violation of human rights on several grounds. In India the security activities like this are very short sighted. These activities are not aiming for durable solution. These types of operations under terrorist laws like POTA, TADA had challenged the norms of Human rights that are assured in Indian constitution.
The concept of human rights is a very challenging issue now a day. Human rights are simply defined as the rights which every human being is entitle to enjoy and protected. These rights are civil, political, economic, social and cultural. Generally Human Rights are defined as essential claim of individual’s recognized by the society and enforced by the state. These rights are essential conditions for full development of a person as a human being. To protect all these human rights there have been a number of domestic and international documents adopted since the beginning of 20th century especially after the end of Second World War. In India also lots of provision made for this noble purpose. Many institution both government and Non-Governmental were formed to protect these rights. Many constitutional provisions are there to look after the human rights concern in India.
Though numbers of documents and provisions are there to stop violation of Human Rights in India but it really failed in limiting violation of human rights throughout the nation. Human Rights in India are violating in several grounds. Police, arm force and state agents violates human rights by using force against innocent human being, capitalist violates the human rights by exploiting poor class, minorities are being exploited by majority section of people. Woman rights and children rights are violated, people are displaced which violates the human rights.
Even several security Laws and Military activities which are enforced to protect the Human Rights had affected adversely.
In case of India several factors has been violating human rights. In this case we can specially mention about the military activities in India which has severely violated the Human Rights of the nation. This article also tries to highlights one such kind of issue. It is the violation of Human rights in Assam in Operation Rhino of 1991.
Operation rhino was an Army operation Against ULFA. It started on the night of 14th September 1991. On that night, thousands of jawans of the Indian Army belonging to crack Mountain Divisions, Kumaon Regiment, Rajputna Rifles and other units under the command of 4 Crore HQ, Eastern command went into into action. This force was aided by about a lakh paramilitary forces personnel belonging to CRPF, BSF, Assam Rifles and the states police which resulted a negative impact on human rights situation of the region.
In this operation the civil administration is virtually sidetracked and marginalized. The armed forces start their operation on the basis of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. In the operation at the district level, the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of police was totally kept in the dark. Army co-ordination committees that were set up and they had co-ordinate the actions. The armed forces, in that operation, had taken over the power and functions of civil administration and were running the whole show and conducting mass raids; arrests without informing civil authorities and their operations were usually not accompanied by Magistrates as necessary under the prescribed law. At the village level also, they were not even taking the Gaonbudha (village Head) with them. In this situation, the onuses of all acts of commissions and commission had to rest squarely on the armed forces.
The operation had resulted in mass scale human rights Violation. As a result of such a situation following incidents happened:
1.Wanton army search operates raids; mass atrocities had become common place.
2.Even the houses of sitting Member of Parliament were not spared from wanton raids. The residence of Sri Nagen Saikia, Rajya Sabha member was ransacked by an army contingent in Dibrugarh. The incident was condemned in the parliament and it came up before the privilege committee.
3.In the month of November, the army raided the house of the judicial Magistrate without proper warrants. At first the administration tried to hush up the matter, but when the press brought out the details, including the government memos, the government tried to downplay the incident by declaring that an amicable settlement had been reached after the concerned army officers expressed their regret.
4.Police officers, constable, their families including their members of armed forces on leave were not spared from raids, humiliations, tortures and even murders.
5.The Army was conducting independent interrogations and tortures. These are not empowered by the laws of the land. Even after handing over a prisoner to police custody, they were forcing the police to hand over the person again to the army who was then brought to army camps, interrogated and tortured.
In short, all kinds of human rights violation like beating, hanging, wet submarine treatment, continuously powering water, staking, frame treatment, giving electric shock were done by the army. Even deaths during Rhino operation were reported.
Several books, journals, reports and news papers had mentioned that during that army operation several people had committed suicides. There were few such known cases like
(1)Ajit Medhi Barbil, Digboi, on25 October 1991.
(2)Manoranjan Haloi, Belsor, Nalbari, on 05 November 1991.
(3)Ranjit Bargohain, Golaghat, On 03 November 1991.
So it is seen that the Operation Rhino of 1991 in Assam had led to violation of human rights on several grounds. In India the security activities like this are very short sighted. These activities are not aiming for durable solution. These types of operations under terrorist laws like POTA, TADA had challenged the norms of Human rights that are assured in Indian constitution.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Jatioya Abhibartan- the joint national convention.
Jatioya Abhibartan- the joint national convention.
By Pankaj Bora
Introduction:
“Jatioya Abhibartan” which was also known as joint national convention was a convention for bringing peace in Assam. The convention was organized in Pragjyoti ITA complex of Machkhowa on 24th of April by prominent citizen of Assam. The convention was chaired by Dr. Hiren Gohain. It was a convention by several prominent citizen of Assam. It was step towards peace in Assam. The aim of the convention was to generate public opinion. Total 93 organizations including student body, political party took part in that convention. Intellectuals like Hiren Gohain, Dr.Mamoni Raisom Goswami were the participant of it. The main objective o f the convention was to open up roads towards peace building for the region. The convention was not against government or against ULFA. It was also not against PCG. It just wanted to suggest both the parties ULFA and government some positive steps towards peace by collecting public opinion.
Decision:
A peaceful Assam is the goal of the joint national convention. Therefore it called the government and ULFA to come forward for a positive negotiation without any precondition and delay. It demanded the government to release the jailed ULFA leaders so that they can talk to central body of ULFA for peace talk with government. It also said that no legal procedure impose on these leaders until a settlement comes out.
The convention formed a Steering committee for peace process. The committee composed of members like Dr. Hiren Gohain, Dr. Nirmal Kumar Chaudhary, Dr. Mamoni Raisom Goswami, Hiranya Kumar Bhattacharya etc. and Dilip Ptgiri and Lachit Bordoloi will work as the secretary of the steering committee. This committee will collect public opinion and will finalize a resolution of the convention. It will also see the issues like economic development, flood problem, rights of the indigenous people etc.
An observation:
No doubt the convention was a positive step towards peace building to the semi conflict zone. It will definitely try to highlight the aspiration of the people of Assam and as a civil society will also open new roads to peace to the state. So we could hope for a successful outcome of the convention.
But though it has some positive characteristics, we can’t ignore its limitations like:
1. Neither the government nor the ULFA had participated at the convention. So we can’t hope that it will fruitful.
2. The convention is not supported by Paresh Barua. The convention suggests a talk without any precondition. But to Paresh Barua without sovereignty there will not be any discussion.
3. The position of government is also not clear. Until the take some initiative it has no meaning.
4. The split in PCG regarding the convention is also a limitation or failure of the convention. The convention should not leave PCG towards peace building.
So these are the major limitation to the joint national convention. The convention has these limitations but if it starts working efficiently than we can see a peaceful future of Assam in near future.
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