Jesus Prince of Peace UCF Pre-Christmas at Diphu: 
The Pre-Christmas Celebration organized by UCF(United Christian Forum, an ecumenical cal organization of 26 Churches in Karbi Anglong) on 4th and 5th of December had above 8 thousand people. 
The programme started on 4th afternoon with a solemn inaugural ceremony. The celebration was marked with different programmes like Christmas carols in different local languages, exhortation and messages by eminent church and civil leaders.
The 5th programme started by the Christians marching towards the main stadium of the district in thousands. A peace rally was undertaken around Diphu town with different posters describing the need for peace particularly in the district of Karbi Anglong. 
The afternoon session was marked by the presence of several civil and political leaders. Mr.Prodeep Singnar, EM, Mr.Rotoan Engti, Deputy Chairman, KAAC, Mr.Daniel Teron President (ASDC, P), Mr.Borsing Rongpi,MAC, Mr.Mongolsing CEM, Mr.Prodeep Rongpi, EM,Mr.Elwin Teron (Ex Mp), Mr.Dhorosmsing Teron Ex.MLA, Mr.Monsing Rongpi (Ex.MLA), Bishop John Moolachirayl, the Bishop of Diphu, Fr.John Timung, the Cathedral Parish Priest of Diphu, Rev.P.K.Nanda Pastor West Diphu town Baptist Church, Rev.Welchandra Teron (Pastor Romkimi Presbyterian Chruch). Rev.K.S Ronghang, Rev.A.Thang(Secretary,KABC) . Rev.Arti (Karbi Anglong Presbyterian Church)and several other church leaders.  
Fr.John Timung in his speech said that it is our challenge to pray, speak, and boldly work for peace. The Exhortation Speech by Bishop John Moolachirayil, the Bishop of Diphu underlined the need for basing our peace building efforts on Jesus the Prince of Peace. Professor.J.D.Thang the head of the department of political Science, Diphu Government College and an active elder of Evangelical Baptist Convention in his message said that the our country needs real work for peace. Mr.Mongolsing, the CEM of KAAC, appreciated the efforts of UCF in contributing towards peace and development of the district. Dr.Makhanlal Das from Guwahati delivered the main Christmas message on the occasion, his speech mixed in Assamese and English gave the audience a powerful challenge to cultivate peace at the individual level and then to the society at large. 
An important highlight of the programme was the release of the book "Violence and Search for Peace in Karbi Anglong, Assam by Tom Mangattuthazhe. The book was released by Mr.Elwin Teron (Ex.MP) and an eminent social worker and leader of the district. The book will certainly contribute to the understanding of the complex issues of peace building in Karbi Anglong, said Mr.Elwin on the occasion. The first book was presented to Rt.Rev.John Moolachira the Bishop of Diphu.
The work of Christian Youth Volunteers under the leadership of Mr.James and Mr.Lipson was a commendable job. The volunteers numbering 350 of them from different churches all in their traditional attire was a fitting message on the occasion, that in Christ we are one, Jesus brings us together although we hold and profess various Christian traditions and come from different ethnic backgrounds.  
The Mass prayer for peace in the country, was another highlight of the programme and was conducted by Rev.Dr.Solomon Rongpi, the Chairman of UCF. The victims of bomb blasts in several parts of the country, the people of Orissa, the victims of bomb blats in Guwahati, Mumbai and Diphu were some of the intentions and themes of mass prayer.  
The final benediction at the end of the programme was given by Rev.A.Thang the secretary of KABC.


-- 
Tom Mangattuthazhe 
Secretary, Diphu Citizens Peace Forum
Secretary, United Christian Forum
Rector, Mission Home, Manja
Principal, Little Flower School, Manja
Correspondence
Bishop'sHouse 
Diphu - 782460
Ph.03671- 275003
Mobile.09435066461
Emai.tmangatt@gmail.com
http://DDYC.blogspot.com
http://tommangattuthazhediphu.blogspot.com
www.missionhomemanja.com

Violence and Search for Peace in Karbi Anglong, Assam
The release of the book "Violence and Search for Peace in Karbi Anglong, Assam" by Tom Mangattuthazhe was held on 5th December, 2008 at Diphu. The book was released by Mr.Elwin Teron (Ex.MP) and an eminent social worker and leader of the district. The book will certainly contribute to the understanding of the complex issues of peace building in Karbi Anglong, said Mr.Elwin on the occasion. The first book was presented to Rt.Rev.John Moolachira the Bishop of Diphu.
The book is a humble attempt to understand the complex issues of Karbi Anglong and is the work of Peace Team, a group of young people known for their interventions in peace building activities. The book is Published by North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati under the guidance of Dr.Walter Fernandez SJ, 
"The title is provocative, and the contents are a call on everyone to stand up for peace," comments Dr.Solomon Rongpi, the Chairman of Diphu Citizens Peace Forum. Fighting for Peace has been my passion, the work of the book is an analysis of violence in Karbi Anglong and ways to prevent such incidents in future, said, Tom Mangattuthazhge, the author. He also thanked the members of the Peace Team Mr.Anil Ekka, Mr.John Phangcho, Mr.Borsali Teron, Miss.Sarah Phangchopi who were involved in the process. It may be mentioned that the book contains a contextual analysis of Manja area where conflicts started several times in the past and spread to other regions of Karbi Anglong. The Peace team has been involved in an in-depth analysis of the situation and the book is the result of such study. The team also thanked NESRC for undertaking the publication of the work and Henry Martin Institite for the technical help offered during the study. The team is grateful to Dr.Walter Fernandes SJ, Mr.Robinson and Ramesh of HMI for their valuable help in materializing this project. 

The price of the book is Rs.60 and is available at , North Eastern Social Research Centre, 110 Kharghuli Road (First Floor), Guwahati – 781004, Assam, India, Email.nesrcghy@gmail.com

Acknowledgements

This humble work is the result of the efforts of many people. I would like first to recognize and thank all the members of our Peace team: Mr.John Phangcho, Mr.Borsali Teron, Mr.Anil Ekka, Miss.Sarah Phangchopi as well as the youth of Manja area who have committed themselves to working for a just peace in the contexts explored herein. Their efforts and daily struggles are invaluable in their own right, and are the principal source of our learning and inspiration. Without them this publication would be meaningless.
I acknowledge next the fine work of Henry Martin Institute Hyderabad for their valuable technical help in realizing this project. In addition to sharing their considerable personal expertise, Mr.Ramesh and Mr.Robinson of HMI was most gracious in working with all who offered inputs on PRA.
I do salute Dr.Walter Fernandez SJ and all his collaborators at NESRC as partners of our people who are engaged in this process of peace building and justice: for editing and publishing this humble work for the benefit of our people.

I also wish to thank all the families and individuals of Manja area who were available for interviews. They not only helped to tell a story but also offered insights into the learning process.

The Participatory Rural Appraisal of Manja

In the context of various conflicts in Karbi Anglong, the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) of the Manja sub-division in the Lumbajong block of Karbi Anglong District was undertaken by the Peace team, a group of young persons trained and specialised in conflict resolution skills and peace building programmes. The Peace team visited all the families of the area and did the data collection with the help of a printed questionnaire. The overall goal of the programme was to build the capacities of the communities and strengthen the local people in terms of human resource development, improvement of conflict resolution skills and promote organisational capabilities of local institutions by providing consultancy and advisory services.

Background of PRA at Manja.

The Peace team has gone through several stages of development from 2000 to 2008. During the time of sporadic violence in Karbi Anglong and N. C. Hills it has undertaken several relief, rehabilitation and peace building activities in the region. During the 2007 evaluation exercise of their programme, the evaluation team observed that the team should strengthen the grassroots communities with the skills in participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques, to augment development initiatives with a clear focus on peace. It is against this background that the PRA was done in the Manja area where most conflicts started.
The term PRA is used in relation to development programmes aimed at strengthening local institutions in terms of human resource development and organisational capabilities. During data collection at the grassroots level the peace team organised training and demonstration sessions for farmers, youth leaders, local community and local artisans to acquire skills that would enable them to provide goods and services to the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries were to be empowered to take control of their own development by involving them in the entire process in order to ensure good performance and sustainability. This was to be done using the findings, tools and methodologies of the PRA.
To ensure adequate transfer of skills to the grassroots, the Peace Team will continue to organise short courses and workshops for avarious sections of people within and outside the villages studied. This training will be in specific skills and will enable the participants to initiate grassroots level projects such as skills for agriculture extension, livestock management, land use planning and natural resource management. Emphasis will be on development of skills using participatory approaches in the assessment and appraisal of adult education and community mobilisation.

PRA at Manja grapples with some of these questions. This case experience and conceptual insights in an area where conflicts began, will hopefully create a climate of dialogue based on the lessons learned. To arrive at this step one also needs to fill the gaps in the understanding of the conditions that need to be met to move from conflict to collaboration. It is because conflict management is a critical but constructive way of looking at problems, involving two basic steps: conflict analysis and planned multiparty intervention. Conflict analysis involves the study, conducted by those directly involved and those seeking to assist in this endeavour, of the various dimensions and consequences of the conflict, with a view to understanding its causes. Multi-track interventions, when based on a study of the conflict, involve the use of a variety of techniques, such as mediation and negotiations, leading to changes in resource management. Our hope is that the critical assessment of conflicts through PRA will inform the practice of all the persons concerned with the equitable and sustainable development and peace of the communities involved in the conflicts and the steps towards peace.
Conflicts are only fully resolved when the underlying sources of tension are removed, a state of affairs that may be antithetical to social life. PRA and communication of its results can help establish a link between the communities and can be a step in dealing with the proximate causes of the conflict, as well as catalysts for social learning about how to manage the resources. Specific conflicts usually have multiple causes, some proximate, others underlying or contributing over a long period. A pluralistic approach that recognises the multiple perspectives of the stakeholders and the simultaneous effects of diverse causes in conflicts is needed to understand the initial situation and identify strategies for promoting change.
Peace is a factor and function of development. Where there is peace and harmony, development ventures will be positively realised. Where there is no peace and harmony, little or no development will be realised. There will not only be no development but the little there is will be destroyed hence leading to negative development. The hope in conducting the PRA is that many development miles will be covered and that the ripple effect of the effort will be felt and appreciated through the visible developmental ventures.

Expected Outcome of PRA

Pursuit of peace through PRA can come in different ways. Creating awareness through seminars hence equipping the people with means and strategy is one possible step. One can also help the communities to discover their spiritual, social, economic and environmental shortcomings and their potential to alleviate the same, thus improving and sustaining their standard of living.
Through PRA and through the participatory impact of the monitoring approaches, individuals, and groups are empowered to identify and voice their own problems, plan, design, monitor and evaluate projects while making their own decisions. This helps them to improve their schemes of self-sufficiency, use of clean and safe water, promote shared responsibilities between men and women and communities. Developmental activities and outcomes of the dialogue include provision of communal labour on farms, construction of houses, social groupings at which they help during funerals, weddings and when a woman gives birth to a baby.
PRA also targets households through women's societies with the hope of creating awareness in them of the need to promote equity and share responsibilities. This step is based on the hypothesis that; approaches that target only women while isolating men create imbalances through which the men ultimately shed transfer their responsibilities to the women without sharing power with them. Through participatory rural appraisals, group members are helped to analyse the goals, create awareness and promote the machinery through which they can appreciate the need to change and to be more productive.
The peace Team collaborates with other civil society groups, governmental agencies and other networks in soliciting and facilitating fund flow to the ethnic communities involved in this process. They assist people, through their self-help groups to mobilise their own resources by sensitising them to the potential of these resources to deal with and alleviate their problems and meet their basic needs. This step includes training for self-reliance in improved agriculture, better health care and provision of water. PRA then emerges with an action plan following the identification of problems, the way forward and the resources required for it. Training needs are also identified and planned for individuals and groups and common denominators are fixed for their implementation.

Aims and Objectives

In preparation for the PRA the peace Team had two workshops for various sections in the village, aimed at introducing to the people the need and scope of the survey. During these workshops the team introduced PRA to the people and gave them the general principles, practices and the typical issues involved in a public consultation of this type. The presented the main PRA tools, such as participatory mapping.
The fieldwork continued for four months during which the residents were interviewed as individuals and groups, door-to-door surveys were conducted, the respondents' comments were shared with the community and all were provided an opportunity to respond to their own situation. Through this step many issues and concerns were identified. A cross-section of people were then provided an opportunity to submit their views and to get involved in the search for alternatives to conflicts through relationships to support the community renewal process. Above all this step provided a valuable training opportunity and learning experience for the team. Some of the key lessons they learnt from the field are given below.

The violence that has entered the psyche of the local populace is so deep-rooted and so widespread that they find it difficult to distinguish between friends and foes.
Once they succeeded in getting the villagers to talk to they, we learned of extortion and the misery it caused and the manner in which the people were trying to meet their primary needs.
The people who were affected by the conflicts were so poor that they more or less became economic outcastes. They were living a hand to mouth existence at the outer edge of society. For them, food was whatever they could gather from others. So theirs was a day-to-day or moment-to-moment existence. A majority of them had no schooling, thus condemned to a bleak future.
The people began to feel that militancy is not necessarily an ideological struggle. Poverty and neglect are the fertile soil on which seeds of discontent can be sown.
The villagers were caught in a vicious spiral of distrust. Distrust begot distrust, violence begot violence. The magnitude of the problem was such that one cannot hope to solve it all at once. But a beginning has to be made somewhere. PRA was an effort towards that goal.
(A summary of the questions asked to facilitate discussion is found in Appendix 2).

Literates and Earning Members
The total population of the village is 5,538 of whom 835 are farmers, 603 daily wage unskilled labourers, 81 service job holders 2 are teachers and 3 doing small jobs which earns them Rs 1,000 to 2,000 per month. The remaining 3,340 do not earn any income. The fact that out of 5,538 only 2,198 are earners shows the poor economic condition of the village and it is likely to deteriorate with militancy and the security forces action. The ethnic conflicts do not all the villagers to restore their normal living conditions. Natural calamities add to their discomfiture. That adds to the poverty of the people. Besides, most persons affected by the ethnic conflicts are not in relief camps though they have been displaced several times by different conflicts. Only a few of them have received compensation from the State.
Studies as well as experience show that unemployment is a major cause of the youth joining the militants. That is not the only cause but it can be a major motivating factor. So it was important to find the number of the literates and illiterates and of persons earning an income. The PRA showed that a majority of the persons in the area did not have a regular source of income. The youth did not see a future for themselves. That could easily push them towards the militant outfits. The low literacy adds to the problem since the illiterates can hope to get only unskilled jobs and they are scarce. Because of land alienation to the immigrants and other non-tribal and non-tribal encroachers, work on land is limited and enough jobs outside agriculture are not created (Table 5.1).

Table .1: Family Size, Educational Level and Occupation

Sl No	Total number of Family members in the villages	Educational level in the villages			Occupation
01	Male – 2934	Nursery – 37		Class 9 – 246	Farmers – 835
02	Female – 2604	KG – 59		Class 10 – 291	House wives – 616
03		Class 1 – 237		Class 11 – 96	Labors – 603
04	Dimasa – 1372	Class 2 – 209		Class 12 – 27	Service – 81
05	Karbi – 3561	Class 3 – 208		BA – 29	Business – 58
06	Nepali – 136	Class 4 – 229		PG – 1	Teacher – 2
07	Adivasi – 256	Class 5 – 299			Driver – 1
08	Garo – 213	Class 6 – 201			Handyman – 1
09		Class 7 – 267			Carpenter – 1
10		Class 8 - 252
11	Number literates in the area	2688	Number of earners in the area		2198
12	Number of Illiterates in the area	2850	Number Not earning		3340

 

The Economic Situation
Thus, Table 1 gives indication of poverty and of high unemployment and low land ownership. Fewer than 50 percent of the inhabitants earn an income but most of their options outside land are limited to wage labour. Only 835 or around 15 percent of the 5,538 adults in the Manja area earn an income from agriculture and 603 as unskilled daily wage labourers. 81 persons or around 1.5 percent have service jobs and 58 (1%) have petty businesses. Thus, land ownership is low and other sources of income are limited.

Table .2: Sources of Income of the Families

Sl No	Total number of male and female in the villages	Occupation
	Male – 2934	Farmers – 835	Teacher – 2
	Female – 2604	House wives – 616	Driver – 1
		Labors – 603	Handyman – 1
		Service – 81	Carpenter - 1
		Business – 58
		Total No. people earning in the area	2198
		Total No. of unemployed people in the area	3340

 

Studies and experience show that apart from unemployment, poverty and a feeling of neglect are among the major factors motivating the youth the join the militants. One sees signs of poverty in their low income which becomes crucial when one sees the income with the main expenses. The major expenses of the family are on food and medicine. Expenses on medicines are high because of the prevalence of tuberculosis, malaria and other communicable diseases in Karbi Anglong. Because of the need to spend much on medical care, education and other needs take a back seat. That frustrating experience can take the youth towards violence. However, the amount spent on charity shows that community feeling is continues to be strong people. That can be a starting point for peace building.

Table .3: Expenses of the family

Sl. No.	Items	Total Amount spent in the villages per year (in Rs.)
1	Food	6,826,150.00
2	Medicine	4,131,911.00
3	Education	699,500.00
4	Clothes	593,550.00
5	Entertainments	472,310.00
6	Travel	668,965.00
7	Festivals	449,110.00
8	Charity	217,918.00

High indebtedness in the community shows that the modern financial services have not reached the people of the area. Only 12 families avail of loans from the banks. The vast majority of them do not have access to the official sources and have to depend on the moneylenders at a high interest. That accounts for the debt trap laid by the money lenders. The more they borrow the higher the amount they have to repay. Since they are other unable to repay the loans, they lose their land and other belongings to the moneylenders. Most loans are taken during the monsoons i.e. the lean season when they cultivate their land but do not have enough food to live on. They borrow money also for other contingencies like sickness and social needs. The moneylenders collect a minimum interest of 50 percent but it may go up to 10 percent per month or 120 percent per year. In case crop failure the borrowers both lose their land and starve and may end up by becoming bonded labourers. However, people do not speak readily about the extent of their indebtedness to the moneylenders. Only a very small number of them are ready to acknowledge that they are indebted. In the PRA area only 26 were ready to acknowledge it but their number is much higher.
                     
     Table .4: Loans Taken by the People

Sl. No.	Source of loan	Rate of interest	Purpose of loan
1	State Bank, Manja (5)	15 %	Cultivation, personal, business
2	Langpi Dehangi Rural Bank, Manja (7)	10 %	Agriculture
3	Money lenders (26)	50 %	Personal, Business

Little wonder then that only about 10 percent of the respondent families have some savings. That shows the subsistence nature of their existence. They spend all their earnings on basic needs and medicines so they cannot save much for an emergency. Only six families have been able to join an insurance scheme. All the remaining savings are in a bank as short-term deposits and are meant for emergencies.

     Table .5: Savings by the Families

Sl. No.	Where you save	Total Amount of savings (in Rs.)	Purpose of saving
1	Rural Bank (44)	29,400.00	Education & future
2	State Bank (46)	32,000.00	"
3	Insurance (6)	48,00.00	"

The type of house shows the level of poverty. That is the reason for the next question. A majority of the people live in kacha houses with a mud floor, a thatched roof and use firewood as the main fuel. Fewer than a quarter of the houses have electricity. No family has a public water supply tap.

Table .6: Type of Houses in the Village

Walls	Floor	Roof	No. of rooms	Assistance from	Fuel	Facilities
Mat -291 Mud Plaster -579  Wood -27 Cement -54 Other - 6	Mud -855 Cement -75 Other -27	Thatch - 441  Tin -303 Tin & Thatch -160 Tiles - 51 RCC - 2	1 - 77  2 - 390  3- 4  4- 453  5- 37	Own (797) Govt (160) Bank NGO Other	Wood (830) Smoke-less Chula Bio-gas LPG (127) Other	Electricity (205)  Water supply Tables (569) Chairs (513) Newspapers Radio/TV (337+228)

Options in Agriculture
Since land is the major source of sustenance, the crops that the people grow were identified in order  to see whether they could meet their needs. The data show that paddy and mustard are the main crops. Very few grow commercial crops and most of those growing them are non-tribal cultivators. The tribes sustain themselves on a single crop based subsistence agriculture. That can become a source of conflict because the tribals who lose their land to the non-tribals see the latter prospering by growing commercial crops on the land alienated from them. That is the background of many killings and conflicts with the Biharis, Kukis and others.

 

Table .7: Crops Cultivated in the Villages and the Season of Cultivation

Sl.No	Name of Crops/ Number Cultivating	Season of cultivation
1	Paddy – 343	Summer
2	Mustard – 108	Autumn
3	Maize – 69	Autumn
4	Vegetables – 63	All season
5	Sesamum – 82	Winter
6	Ginger – 11	Autumn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Young Human Rights Vienna award 2008 is to honour courageous and invocative young individuals striving for human rights and social justice throughout the world.

The 2008 Yong Human Rights Vienna Award was awarded to Peace Team of Karbi Anglong based in Diphu for their outstanding and sustained efforts in the promotion of peace building activities in the hill district of karbi Anglong . The award ceremony was held at I-CARD, (Institution for Culture and Rural Development) Jorhat, Assam on 1st January,2009.

While giving away the award Fr.Thomas, the director of I-CARD said that "The leadership, courage and unswerving commitment to Peace building programmes of the team and their integrity are strongly symbolic of their cause. They stand today as the representatives of civil society and institutional commonsense in Northeast India to swim against the current of violence".

Mr.Anil Ekka one of the recipient of the Award said that he is happy to have received such International recognition and said that he will continue to work for peace in the region. Mr.John Phangcho, another recipient speaking on the occasion said that "peace will be a reality if we work with determination, we can avoid conflicts, live in peace if we want".

Mr.Borsali Teron another recipient speaking on the occasion thanked the International Community for recognizing the small work of the peace team in Karbi Anglong.

Miss.Sarah Phangchopi a team member also the recipient of the award said that the award is not only a recognition but also gives more responsibility to the team to work for peace in Future.

The award ceremony was made impressive by dances and inspiring speeches from the faculty members of LIFE-PLUS, an MSW institute at Jorhat and invited guests. The concluding words was given by Jerry Thomas, the Principal of LIFE-Plus.

Tom Mangattuthazhe
(Secretary, DCPF)

I am happy to share with you the good news that our Peace Team will receive the prestigious Young Human Rights Vienna Award 2008.

As Prof. Dr. Siroos Mirzaei from the Institue of Nuclear Medicine,Vienna

says regarding the award, "Each project reflects a high quality of human rights activity and awe-inspiring commitment and enthusiasm about equality and justice for all. Not surprisingly, it was a challenging task for the jury members to choose this year's award recipient. It is my big pleasure and honour to announce that the Young Human Rights Vienna Award 2008 goes to the Peace Team of Karbi Anglong Assam, India! The jury members join me in congratulating the recipients wholeheartedly. I wish you all the best in your pursuit of human rights and hope that the recognition of your work inspires and nourishes your zest for peace and justice for all".

 

The above award will be presented to Mr.John Phangcho, Anil Ekka, Borsali Teron and   Miss.Sarah Phangchopi on 2nd January, 2009 at Mission Home, Manja. Miss.Barbara Preitler from Vienna, Austria will be handing over the award and it includes a citation and a cash award of Eur.1500.

                                  

For Those of you who would like to know more about Peace Team please read on…

 

 WHAT IS PEACE TEAM

The District has been witnessing ethnic conflicts since the new millennium started i.e. from the year 2000. Before we were in the group, we were volunteering for relief work undertaken by Jirsong Asong (NGO). After witnessing the living condition of the relief campers in different places we thought of doing something for them especially the youths and children who were not able to go to schools and colleges because of the conflicts. We started sharing our experiences and ideas and found that our thoughts do not differ much and is very common. And this is how we thought of doing something of our own and started this venture called Peace Team. 

 

We joined together as a group through the instrumentality of our youth friends, currently each one has a role and we have a common vision for peace in our region. We consider

our role as a contributor towards the achievement of this goal for our region and people. The growing threat to our survival posed by the continuing and even accelerating proliferation of violence and hatred is of concern to people everywhere. Similarly, most would abhor the growing reliance on violence as the primary means of conflict resolution. Though these concerns are widespread, the feeling among individual citizens that they themselves can do nothing is almost equally widespread. Some of us, however, feel that effective citizen action is not only possible but morally required. Therefore, we have organized a group called Peace Team, to provide a vehicle for effective citizen action.

We are an independent local group not aligned with any particular national, regional organization or religious body. The name of the organization reflects the need for individual and collective allegiance to the principles of peace and nonviolence. The group welcome participation by all. As the name implies, we believe effective solutions to conflicts at all levels of society require a perspective that we are all in this together. The health and survival of any individual, community, or region are intimately tied to the health and survival of all.

We will be active on two fronts: encouraging public understanding and discussion of issues and alternatives, and mobilizing public support for common well-being or public policies that we constructively deal with these issues. We feel, however, that the threat to survival posed by violence is personally relevant to all and we encourage, indeed we challenge, each of us to confront this threat personally and to determine what meaning it has in the conduct of our individual lives. In encouraging greater public understanding of and participation in issues and in all of our activities, we will be a public force for constructive change. In the face of death we choose life

 

THE PROBLEM WE ADDRESS

Since its formation the district has been witness to a peaceful coexistence between the different ethnic communities that inhabit it. Even when the different parts of the state and the region faced ethnic conflicts and violence, the district remained largely unaffected.

 

Since the start of the new millennium, the district has seen the development of ethnic tensions like the Karbi-Kuki, Karbi-Khasi, Karbi-Dimasa, Karbi-Bodo, Karbi-Adivasi, Karbi-Bihari and Hmar-Dimasa conflicts. Of these ethnic tensions, the Hmar-Dimasa, Karbi-Kuki and the Karbi-Khasi tensions led to violence at the community level and resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives of people from the conflicting communities. The loss of lives and large scale destruction of property brought about an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion between the tribes.

 

The ethnic conflicts that resulted in violence exposed the failure of youth and social institutions which should have been capable of doing major work in peaceful resolution of conflicts. At times there were no social structures that brought people from the conflicting communities together for discussion about the issues that contributed to the conflict and other aspects.

 

These ethnic tensions and violence have had far reaching results, the first being that developmental activities and projects being undertaken in various parts of the district by the Government and Non-Government agencies have been hampered. The Karbi-Kuki, Hmar-Dimasa and Karbi-Khasi conflicts almost brought all developmental activities to a stop. Though development works have resumed the loss of time, labour and other resources has delayed their completion.

 

Another result was the loss of trust and confidence of the ethnic groups on one another. Some of these tribes have been coexisting peacefully for centuries but the use of violence in resolving conflict has broken down these bonds. An atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion for each other has developed with every political and socio-economic move of each tribe being monitored by the other. The political parties taking advantage of this situation does not help much in any moves to bring people from the conflicting communities together.

 

OUR STRATEGY TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM

Awareness camps: - Schools and College students could be given awareness on social issues like communal harmony and models of peace. If we do not teach them to think, to speak and work for peace then someone else will teach them violence. Peace and conflict resolution have become an important subjects for our children to learn. Awareness could be given through leaflets, literature, audio – visual media and Street plays.

 

These awareness programmes can be held at schools and colleges and other selected locations in the district.

 

ACTIVITIES WE HAVE DONE SO FAR

1. Peace education in the schools and colleges.

2. Peace workshops for the youths (Both rural and urban youths).

3. Coaching for the relief camp students.

4. Financial help for the relief camp college students.

5. Street plays in the town as well as in the villages.

6. Peace programme for the villagers through audio visual media etc.

7. Awareness camps at villages etc.

 

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES WE ARE PLANNING TO DO TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS

1. Leadership programmes for potential youth leaders.

2. Sports and cultural programmes.

3. Peace education in the schools and colleges.

4. Seminars

 

We have also identified 2 strategic areas (Diphu, Manja,) of our district where the formation of village peace committees can bring together several communities for ethnic harmony and well being, as a group we would like to form peace committees in these areas. The number of peace committees in these areas would be around 10 – 15.

 

OUR MISSION

Peace team work to empower young people to participate actively in the shaping of societies in which they and in improving the living conditions of young as good citizens in today's world.

 

OUR AIMS

• Increase the participation of young people and youth organizations in society, as well as in decision making processes.
• Positively influence policy issues affecting young people and youth organizations, by media and better networking.
• Foster the exchange of ideas and experience, mutual understanding, and equal rights and opportunities among young people in the region.
• Uphold intercultural understanding, democracy, respect, active citizenship and solidarity.

 

OUR OBJECTIVES

Peace team acknowledges that youth are resources in strengthening communities and should be valued and recognized and we strive to achieve the following objectives:

• Support healthy integration and involvement of communities in the region.
• Provide an opportunity for the youth to come together and "voice" their opinion on issues that matter to them.
• Enhance communication between the youth by creating an opportunity for participation in a positive environment which promote mutual respect of individuals, ideas and diversity leading to youth empowerment.
• To see youth as problem solvers rather than as problems to be solved. 

 

OUR WORK

Peace Team provide a space for the youth to develop sustainable and offer strategic support for capacity building, networking and the dissemination of good practice to build a strong and united youth movement in the region. It empowers youth in their ability to come together a build independent, democratic, representative and inclusive associations.

 

OUR SOURCES OF INCOME

The cost of running our programmes are managed from our own sources of income like, voluntary contributions from well wishers, media programmes like video shooting undertaken by the group etc.

 

OUR KEY MESSAGES

1.      Violence and hate campaigns are never solution to any problem.

2.      Group of people should not be judged by the actions of a few.

3.      We can be strong because of our diversity.

4.      All people deserve to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity.

5.      Vengeance and justice are not necessarily the same.

6.      History shows us that intolerance only causes harm.

7.      We need to work for peace in our communities and villages.

Methodology of our Intervention

The methodology of our intervention has been evolved from our experience and contact with several people. It is also the outcome of our collaboration with regional bodies like NERYC, NESRC, NEDSF and other conflict resolution experts. The methodology draws upon the creativity and imagination of young people, and teaches them the ethics of responsibility in this interdependent region. The methodology incorporates best practices from the fields of psychology, humanities, faith traditions, traditional conflict resolving mechanisms, conflict resolution method of multitrack diplomacy of  peace building, while employing the power of the arts for self-expression, healing and communication.

Broadly speaking peace education in Karbi Anglong is undertaken from two major perspectives - Education about peace and Education for peace.

Education about peace deals with creating awareness about peace and the complexities of peace making. It is to empower people with information necessary for effecting change and building peace in the society. This was achieved through formal and informal education, including the media. The media play a significant role in sensitizing people on peace building.

Education for peace deals with teaching skills and creating new structures and attitudes that would facilitate peace making. Since the purpose of peace education is to mobilize the society to bring about conditions necessary for sustainable peace, our educational focus was reviewed by modifying existing structures such as the curriculum towards peace building.

Some of the important milestones of our intervention are given below.

Transforming Youth into Peace Leaders

The districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills of Assam has been dominated by diverse problems related to violence for the last few years. However, it is a place of acceptance, coexistence and diversity.

The main objective of our program has been to prepare youth for mutual understanding and cooperation, so that they can help lead the communities to live side by side in an open society. It is a challenge because violence in the district continues to be the order of the day.

Building Relationship with Local Schools, Colleges, and Universities

We have been working to build and strengthen relationships with students at local colleges, schools and universities. These efforts have included volunteers, hosting meetings, and providing speakers and materials. We have made the cause of peace more visible and have more and more students coming through our doors and using our peace resources.

Support for internally displaced people

As the result of conflicts we have thousands of internally displaced people and most of them are children and youth. Some of the basic services included help towards education, health, and income generation prorammes. The program will also assist internally displaced persons in integrating them into communities or facilitate their eventual return to their homes.

Youth and Extremism 

Through our various youth associations and civil society organizations we are working with local activists, students, and the faith community to support the work of counter recruitment in the region. This is done to dispel myths about the realities of extremism and refute false information provided by recruiters. More is to be done in this regard, we hope to educate parents, schools, and young people about what options and alternatives exist. More broadly, we aim to change the overall culture of violence.

Cultural Exchange Programme

Teenagers and youth today are no strangers to conflict in many parts of the world, but there is a program that brings groups of teenagers from strife-torn corners of the world to get a different perspective on their problems. We had already three cultural exchange programmes in the year 2007.

Many of these students have never met or "heard from the other side" before the programme. The objective of the programme is simple, it allows children and youth to come together and meet to discuss their differences and to discover their similarities before "their fear, mistrust and prejudices have permanently shaped their vision.

Thanks to our peace team members, we have been closely following our efforts with limited resources.  I have been deeply impressed by the remarkable energy and commitment that is being put forth every day by our youth groups, civil society to resolve local and ethnic disputes.

Network of Peace-Minded Individuals.

During the past we have broadened  more local, regional and national network comprising Organization's and like-minded persons. The network will support youth programs, share information regarding peace, health and youth issues and coordinate periodic events for the membership and targeted population. The goal is to promote peace and influence conflict resolution and prevention through ethnic solidarity. Many of our volunteers are already part of several youth groups and associations in the country. They are also participating in Youth Events Sponsored by Schools, Government Agencies & Non-Profit Organizations.

Training and Workshops

Peace team (a core team of peace educators) has tried to reach out to various organizations and institutions providing vocational training and relevant workshops. Areas covered include life skills, conflict resolution skills and so on.

Producing & Distributing Information.

We have tried our best to share information with the general public regarding healthy and effective means to resolve conflicts peacefully and maintain healthy habits. Information include radio broadcast messages on peace, ethnic solidarity. Articles, press releases and press conferences have been accepted regular practices of our peace work. Members of the peace team also distribute the information at local events and conferences relating to peace efforts and youth.

Recognition of peace Team from Karbi Anglong

International Recognition

The story of Bullu Terang has been published by an International team in the book. You can Inspire.

 

Mr.Bullu Terang, Joseph Damzen, Borsali Teron, John Phangcho, Anil Ekka, and Sarah Phangchopi were awarded as outstanding International Peace activists at Bangalore,2007.

 

 

National Recognition

Mr.John Phangcho has been awarded National youth award by ICYM for the year 2006

 

Mr.Borsali Teron and Sarah Phangchopi were invited by Asoka Foundation, New Delhi  to share their experience and expertise on peace building activities(2007).

 

Regional Recognition

10 youth were awarded with Youth award for their outstanding contribution on peace building activities for the year (2006).

 

8 youth were awarded with Youth award for their outstanding contribution on peace building activities for the year (2007).

A total of 1200 youths and children have taken life long commitment for Nonviolence and Peace.

 

John Phangcho (Core Team Executive)

Borsali Teron (Core Team Executive)

Anil Ekka (Core Team Executive)

Sarah Phangchopi (Core Team Executive)

Tom Mangattuthazhe, Peace Team coordinator, tmangatt@gmail.com Mobile.9435066461

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Tom Mangattuthazhe
Secretary, Diphu Citizens Peace Forum
Secretary, United Christian Forum
Rector, Mission Home, Manja
Principal, Little Flower School, Manja
Correspondence
Bishop'sHouse
Diphu - 782460
Ph.03671- 275003
Mobile.09435066461