Southern states update, March 27, 2007.

LTTE becomes the first rebel outfit in the world that has carried out an aerial attack without external support. India views the attack with serious concern.
India concerned over LTTE air attack in Lanka, Hindustan Times, March 26, 2007.
Concern after LTTE air attack, NDTV, March 26, 2007.

Al Umma, fundamentalist outfit, has been rejuvenated and is trying to enforce edicts on the Muslim community in and around Tamil Nadu.
Jaya Menon, In Tamil Nadu town, fundamentalists play moral cops, even kill to have way, Indian Express, March 26, 2007.

Dharmapuri still remains a backward district and a hotbed of Naxalism.

HRD Ministry reconsiders the Central legislation route to operationalise the Fundamental Right to Education enacted in 2002.
Right to education: move to opt for Central legislation, The Hindu, March 26, 2007.

Computer training programme to counter child trafficking by enabling them access to information and create awareness.

Also See:
Menaka Raman, The elixir of life, New Indian Express, March 23 2007.

Maldives Update: March 26, 2007.

UNDP constitutional expert to Maldives determined to develop the first democratic constitution in an Islamic state.
UNDP Expert Sets Out Vision For Maldives, Minivan News, March 22, 2007.

National Security Act is to be submitted to the parliament soon but the effectiveness and suitability of the Act remains to be seen.
Dhivehi Dhariyeh, Reform and Restructure of the National Security Service, Minivan News, March 1, 2007.

Submarine Cable link between the Maldives and India inaugurated. Maldivian government proclaims that telecommunications at an affordable rate is its prior policy.

In terms of politics in Maldives, Islam has been reduced to a language in which politicians compete to exhibit their faith. Deputy Secretary General criticized for her public comments about the veil.
Politics Behind The Veil, Minivan News, March 23, 2007.

Also See:
Andaman military base gears for energy security role, RPG News, March 23, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: March 25, 2007.

LTTE launches its first air strike in its entire combat history against the Lankan Army. A light aircraft bombed a Sri Lankan air force base next to Colombo international airport before dawn on Monday, killing three airmen and wounding 16.
Simon Gardner and Ranga Sirilal, Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers bomb base in first air raid, Reuters, March 26, 2007.
PK Balachandran, LTTE attack on army camp kills 9 in SL, Hindustan Times, March 27, 2007.

Peace Secretariat of the LTTE has released images of Tamileelam Air Force. The rebel group has threatened further attacks.

Lankan Health Ministry gears up to minimise the social stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS.
Shanika Sriyananda, Laws soon to minimise AIDS stigma, Sunday Observer,March 25, 2007.

Clashes between the Army and Tigers intensifies resulting in heavy causalities. Army advanced into an area held by the rebels, shifting the battle lines to the island's north.
Sri Lanka death toll rises as army battles rebels, Alert Net, March 24, 2007.
Amal Jayasinghe, Sri Lanka battle lines shift, toll hits 37, Lanka Business Online, March 23, 2007.

A situation report of the war in the Wanni region by Iqbal Athas.

There is a growing recognition for the human rights of women Migrants and the need for gender equality from the government and the UN system.
Rene Wadlow, Protecting Women Migrants, PeaceJournalism, March 19, 2007.

Rajapaksa has denied that there is any ethnic or religious discrimination in the country by PK Balachandran.

Other Reports on Sri Lankan Conflict:
Tigers retreat, lost in the jungles, Sunday Observer, March 25, 2007.

Senpathi, Battling the Tigers and displaced, The Nation, March 25, 2007.

H. L. D. Mahindapala, Save the Tamils their children from the Tigers, asiantribune, March 25, 2007.

Southern states update, March 24, 2007.

Naxal-sponsored rally attended by several frontal organisations of extremists hailing from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Orissa.
Jaideep Deogharia, Naxal-sponsored rally in capital keeps cops on toes, The Times of India, March 24, 2007.
Meanwhile the Supreme court has declared the Special promotion policy for cops fighting Naxals valid.
Kuldip Nayar, Gandhians vs Naxalites, Cybernoon, March 22, 2007.

Debate on nudity vs civility by local newspaper enrages the Jain community in Karnataka. Clash between the freedom of the press and religious sentiments is currently underway in Karnataka.
Maya Sharma, Jain community enraged at nudity debate, NDTV, March 22, 2007.
The issue further heats up with the physical abuse by the Karnataka police on the editor. The Editors Guild of India has condemned the attack.
Editors Guild of India condemns Karnataka Police's highhandedness, Daily India, March 22, 2007.

Also See:
Sandeep, Compromising India's Naval Security, Desicritics, March 23, 2007.

Southern states update, March 22, 2007.

On World Water Day, a look into water politics which is on the rise and would dominate both domestic and international spheres, in the days to come.
Ankush Khanna, World Water Day: Coping with Water Scarcity, Zee, March 22, 2007.
Meanwhile studies were being conducted by the Kerala Government to submit a detailed statement in the case filed by Tamil Nadu challenging the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act.
Roy Mathew, Nothing wrong in Kerala conducting studies on Mullaperiyar Dam: Minister, The Hindu, March 21, 2007.

Kerala Government claims to have taken note of a media syndicate in the state, where a few journalist were in a payroll of the CIA.
Don Sebastian, Is media in Kerala on CIA payroll? DNA, March 20, 2007.

Kerala ranks seventh among Indian states in gender-based violence and the state's women are most prone to suicides on account of harassment.
Akhel Mathew, Violence against women rampant,Gulf Times, March 20, 2007.

On World Water Day a look into water politics which is on the rise and would dominate the sphere, both domestic and international, in the days to come.
Ankush Khanna, World Water Day: Coping with Water Scarcity, Zee, March 22, 2007.
Meanwhile studies were being conducted by the Kerala Government to submit a detailed statement in the case filed by Tamil Nadu challenging the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act.
Roy Mathew, Nothing wrong in Kerala conducting studies on Mullaperiyar Dam: Minister, The Hindu, March 21, 2007.

Kerala government claims to have taken note of a media syndicate at work in the state, where a few journalists were on the payroll of the CIA.
Don Sebastian, Is media in Kerala on CIA payroll? DNA, March 20, 2007.

Southern states update, March 21, 2007.

In Tamil Nadu, cradles were introduced 15 years ago to prevent female infanticide. But the move just prompted the women to opt for female foeticide in place of female infanticide.
Sreelatha Menon, Cradling a solution? Business Standard, March 18, 2007.

Tamil Nadu a shining example as to how AIDS prevalence could be controlled and stands first among the States for testing the maximum number of people for HIV at voluntary counselling.
Tamil Nadu an example in AIDS control: Minister, The Hindu, March 21, 2007.
Tamil Nadu becomes the first state in the country to launch a free nutritional supplement programme for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Meanwhile the LTTE threat has resurfaced yet again in Tamil Nadu in the past ten days indicating that the LTTE-Indian broker nexus is getting stronger in the country.
LTTE threat resurfaces, Times Now, March 21, 2007.
Tamil Nadu chief minister backtracks from his idea of the joint operation against LTTE.
Karuna spoils Sri Lankan ploy, DNA, March 20, 2007.

Also See:
V. Sundaram, NGOs, subversive activists and foreign funds - I, News Today.

Maldives Update: March 20, 2007.

Maldivian society are conscious of the need for reform”, but will that professed acknowledgment translate into judicial reform actually taking place?
Adam Cooper, Will Judicial Reform Happen? MinivanNews, March 14, 2007.
Maldivian NGO Slams Rice Pudding Trial, Minivan News, March 18, 2007.

Maldivians becoming more conscious of Human Rights Violations.
Celebrating human rights in the Maldives, Aliran Monthly, March 16, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: March 18, 2007.

On the state of the conflict and the ceasefire:
Ahilan Kadirgamar, Island in crisis, Hindustan Times, March 8, 2007.
Human Rights Watch Press Release, Act to End Serious Abuses in Sri Lanka, March 13, 2007.
Sri Lanka seeks U.S. pressure on Tamil Tiger funds, Reuters, March 16, 2007.
Norwegian truce dead- All sides agree, OneWorld South Asia, March 17, 2007.
Iqbal Athas, Situation Report, Sunday Times, March 18, 2007.

On another note: Yet again placing the onus of social harmony on women, the Sri Lankan government has imposed a ban on young mothers in taking up jobs as housemaids in foreign countries ostensibly to minimise social disruption.Women pay the penalty through loss of livelihood.
Sri Lanka Ban on Young Mothers Working Abroad Hasty, OneWorld South Asia, March 17, 2007.

Southern states update, March 16, 2007.

Maoist rebels have attacked a remote police station in Chattisgarh, killing 49 police officers. This incident has spread waves of fear in Andhra Pradesh, a naxal hit state.
Centre gropes for solution to Naxal terror, Hindustan Times, March 16, 2007.
Meanwhile in Andhra Pradesh the police have unearthed a major Naxalite arms dump.
Major Naxalite arms dump found in Andhra Pradesh, Zee TV, March 16, 2007.

Amidst the scenario of unresolved Cauvery Dispute, the Andhra Pradesh Government has set into motion plans to bring Godavari water to the State capital.
Godavari water for city by 2009, Andra Cafe, March 15, 2007.

The two allies of the UPA were at each other’s throats over the issue of the introduction of a Bill in Parliament that proposes to establish a maritime institution in Chennai instead of Kolkata.
One ugly tango, Hindustan Times, March 15, 2007.

The rise in number of missing children have created alarm in Kerala. The government has decided to set up a Missing Children Bureau (MCB) under the Social Welfare Department.
Kerala to set up bureau for missing children, New Indian Express, March 16, 2007.

Over 27,000 child labours rescued countrywide and put in schools.

Southern States Update: March 14, 2007.

The politics of language continues to be a theme in Indian politics.
Jaya Menon, Tamil & only Tamil? Only for masses, Indian Express, March 14, 2007.

Lack of coordination among the state and central level security agencies have provided the much needed platform for the LTTE to have a free run in spreading its network in Tamil Nadu. The ruling party of Tamil Nadu making a clear distinction between support to Tamils struggle for their rights and the LTTE's war.
Intelligence agencies blamed for LTTE's free run in TN, New Indian Express, March 14, 2007.
Col R Hariharan, LTTE Ripples in Tamil Nadu, Asiantribune, March 14, 2007.

Meanwhile in Kerala Capital punishment was awarded to a serial rapist for raping and killing a two-year-old girl in August 2005.
Don Sebastian, Serial rapist gets death in Kerala, DNA News, March 13, 2007.

Maldives Update: March 12, 2007.

The habit of debate follows the democratization movement in the Maldives and commentators analyze media reportage in Maldivian newspapers and websites.
Adam Cooper, Lowering The Tone, MinivanNews, March 3, 2007.
The Pitiful State Of Maldivian Web Media, MinivanNews, March 11, 2007.
The critiques voiced in these have been borne out by the responses to these critiques.

With the recent introduction of the multi-party democracy President Gayoom is forced to introduce sweeping democratic reforms.
Ali Rasheed, Viewing Democracy In The Maldives, Minivan News, March 12, 2007.
A. S. I. Moosa asks in the Dhivehi Observer: Can India help democratise Maldives by protecting a 28 year old brutal dictatorship?

Mean while Mariya Ahmed Didi, from the Maldivian opposition, was honoured as an ‘international woman of courage’ by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Arms Trail Update: March 11, 2007.

TN warned yet again of the possible infiltration of terrorist through sea route.
‘Terrorists infiltrating through sea route’, Gulf Times, March 10, 2007.

Meanwhile the investigations reveal that a wide network of LTTE sympathizers is alive and thriving in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu police has expressed concern over LTTE brokers, who aid the LTTE in procuring and transporting arms.
Dhanya Rajendran, LTTE's hawala networks in TN, TIMES NOW, March 11, 2007.

The Tamil Nadu police have intensified their drive against the Tamil Tigers.
Police have arrested 41 people in connection with Sri Lanka rebels' terrorist activities. Ten suspects have been detained under the National Security Act.
Crackdown against Sri Lanka Tamil Tigers supporters: 41 arrested so far, Lanka Everything, March 9, 2007.

Politicisation of the LTTE crackdown reaches its peak in TN, with parties accusing each others stands on the issue.
M Rama Rao, Jaya- Karuna in spat on Tiger Company, Asiantribune, March 8, 2007.

Ruling party in Tamil Nadu to hold a massive demonstration in front of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission on Monday to condemn the repeated attacks by the Sri Lankan navy upon Indian fishermen.

Sri Lanka update: March 11, 2007.

Displacement of more than 40,000 Tamil civilians due heavily shelling in the Eastern district of Batticaloa, topped the news from Sri Lanka .
PK Balachandran, Shelling displaces 40,000 Tamils in SL, Hindustan Times, March 10, 2007.

Former French minister and a top foreign envoy to Sri Lanka, Bernard Kouchner speaks to Reuters on the need to set up a network of protection before (asking) the people to talk to avoid assassinations.
Simon Gardner, Witness protection vital to Sri Lanka abuses probe, Alert Net, March 10, 2007.

Western nations going for cosmetic fixes on the peripheral problems and not addressing the perennial grievance between the Sinhalas and the Tamils.
Chandi Sinnathurai, Praxis And Pragmatism In Sri Lanka, Counter currents, March 11, 2007.

See Also:
A report on the present situation of Sri Lankan conflict by Iqbal Athas.

Dr. A.R.M. Imtiyaz, Un-making old choices: the battle for peace in Sri Lanka, Asiantribune, March 11, 2007.

Southern states update, March 9, 2007.

Masculinisation of the sex ratio at birth is no longer restricted to the northern states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, but has spread even to the south where literacy levels are higher.
Lakshmi's Smile, The Times of India, March 8, 2007.

Kerala has witnessed an alarming rise of crime rate. As per reports everyday at least one murder takes place in the state.
Akhel Mathew, 340 murders in 9 months in Kerala, Gulf News, March 7, 2007.
Simultaneously the southern states have also witnessed an increasing surge in Road Accidents.
Oineetom Ojah, Number of road accidents increases 8%, Financial Express, March 8, 2007.

The security authorities have been instructed to review the security of all strategic spots along the coast of Kerala to seal the infiltration of extremists.

Water Dispute: March 9, 2007.

Goa asks inter-state river water disputes tribunal, to find a solution for the Mhadei issue. The states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa are in a dispute over the Mhadei water sharing.
Govt wants water tribunal to decide Mhadei issue, Navhind Times, March 8, 2007.

The increased water requirement for sustaining irrigated agriculture in the river basins has made water sharing a politically sensitive issue.
Water remedies, Business Standard, March 09, 2007.

Meanwhile Karnataka has decided to move the Supreme Court to challenge the Cauvery award as being unfair to its interests.
Karnataka to move SC on Cauvery, The Statesman, March 8, 2007.

The projected requirements of Cauvery water by the four riparian states add up to much more than the availability of flows in the river.
Ramaswamy R. Iyer, A dispute runs through it, Indian Express, March 10, 2007.

PM has called upon all political parties to treat water as a national resource and not an issue of dispute.
Water sharing problems should not divide people: Manmohan, Financial Express, March 8, 2007.

Southern States Update: March 7, 2007.

Violence by the Maoists was in the news. The killing of Sunil Mahto, MP, by Maoist rebels has spread fears in Andhra Pradesh and other Naxal-hit states.

• Maoist violence may be spinning out of control, Earth times, March 7, 2007.

Union Home Minister has asked Naxal-affected states to reach an agreement for ensuring better coordination on intelligence to tackle the situation.

• Srinand Jha, Naxal issue discussed in Rajya Sabha, Hindustan Times, March 6, 2007.

Meanwhile Jharkhand government has considered to adopt `Andhra model` in controlling Naxals.

Cauvery update:
The settlement of the Cauvery dispute now depends on the politics and not on the technical merits of the water sharing and management.
Govindasamy Agoramoorthy, The Check Dam Route To Salvage The Cauvery Row, Tehelka, March 10 , 2007. (access may be restricted)

Maldives Update: March 5, 2007.

Following a four-day visit to Male by the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges, the United Nations has urged the Maldives to grant judicial independence in order to hasten the transition towards democracy.
Maldives: UN law expert stresses need for ‘guaranteed’ judicial independence, UN News Center, 15 February 2007.

Also See: Eminent jurists begins probe into South Asian counter-terrorism laws. Important in all the states of the region, it has a particular significance in the Maldives where dissidents are occasionally branded terrorists in order to exert the maximum coercion possible.

Will international attention hasten the democratization process? The results have been mixed so far.
Phillip Wellman, International Eyes On Maldives Reforms, Minivan News, March 1, 2007
Finding An Excuse For Reform, Minivan News, March 4, 2007.
Paul Roberts, International Observer To Mediate DRP-MDP Talks, Minivan News, March 4, 2007.
Mariyam Mohamed, No democracy till 2010; What do we do now, just wait? Dhivehi Observer, March 4, 2007.

Meanwhile people express their concerns over a recent surge in police brutality that has occurred in both Male and Addu Atoll.
Phillip Wellman, MDP Holds Demonstration, Minivan News, February 22, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: March 4, 2007.

A helicopter in which the ambassadors of Italy and the United States and a UN coordinator were traveling was attacked. The Sri Lankan Foreign ministry has announced the stepping up security for diplomats following the attack which injured more then 12 people.
Sri Lanka says diplomats deliberately targeted by rebels, People's Daily, March 01, 2007.
The American ambassador to Sri Lanka, Robert O. Blake, has contradicted Colombo’s assertion that the Tigers had tried to assassinate the diplomats.
The UN Secretary-General has condemned the attack stating it as a total disregard for the lives of civilians and humanitarian workers.

New Delhi expresses its concern over the arms smuggling. The magnitude of the problem considered to be bigger than what it was originally thought to be.

Meanwhile eight bilateral agreements to forge an "ever-lasting friendship" were inked by China and Sri Lanka, coveringeconomy, investment, films, agriculture and eye corneas donation.

Schoolboy violence is in a steep rise in Sri Lanka. Lack of discipline in the Lankan society has been attributed as the major cause.

Arms Trail: March 2, 2007

LTTE has denied its smuggling of arms from India and appealed to India not to provide any weapon to Sri Lanka.
Attack on diplomats mirrors Tigers’ loathing for international community, Daily News, March 2 , 2007.

Southern states update, March 2, 2007.

State-wise details of human trafficking cases in India reports that southern states accounted for over 85% of the total cases reported so far.

National Family Health Survey-3 findings for Karnataka, reveals that the State has not shown any improvement in the health sector in 2005-2006.
As per the same report India has among the highest number of cases of anaemia in the world, with about 79% of children in Andhra Pradesh suffering from the disease.
Anaemia a huge problem in India: NFHS-3, One World South Asia.

Women who are the major stakeholders in organic agriculture, have turned to be the worst victims of chemical farming. The socio-economic and health status of women communities has been adversely affected by green revolution.
Bhavdeep Kang, Leading the organic revolution, Business Line, March 2, 2007.