Workshop on election issue

Guwahati, May 12: Speaker and participants in a workshop analyzing the post-polls (by-election) scenario in Burma (Myanmar) argues that India should maintain the same sympathetic approach to hundred thousand Burmese refugees taking shelter in Mizoram and some other of the country. They were also unanimous in their opinions that New Delhi should redesign its policies in regard to the changing scenario of Burma in recent times.

The two day workshop tiled ‘Reflections on 2012 by-elections in Burma was held at North East Diocesan Social Forum, Joypur in Guwahati of northeast India and was jointly organised by Burma Centre Delhi (BCD) and North Eastern Social Research Centre (NESRC) started Friday morning.

The first session started with speeches by Dr Tint Swe, former Parliamentarian belonging to Aung San Suu Kyi led National League for Democracy, Dr Alana Golmei of BCD. The following sessions was addressed by U Saw Sa of Naga National League for Democracy,
Tangsoi Thongo, ex- MLA of Nagaland, Walter Fernandez of NESRC, Rajib
Bhattacharya, executive editor of Seven Sisters’ Post and Nava Thakuria, secretary of Journalists Forum Assam.
Other speakers included Lalremruata of Zo Indigenous Forum, Suan Moi of Zomi Human Rights Organization, Dr Chengmak Kejong, Filip Sumi of Morung Express etc.

The purpose of this workshop is to have a discourse with diverse perspectives on what led to this election in Burma and how does one see it, said Mr Kim of Burma Centre Delhi. It will also try to highlight the social and legal status of the Burmese refugees living in northeast India bordering Burma and explore the possibility of peace for the ethnic people in Burma, he added.