What's news from the South?

A quick review of news headlines today was interesting for reasons other than the news content itself. Top Google news search headlines in each of the places within the scope of this blog call for comment in themselves.

Let's start with Chennai. The oil spill off Ennore is one of the leading items, rightfully. The oil spill followed the collision of two ships near Kamarajar port in Ennore last weekend. The spill has had an impact on aquatic life and on the livelihoods of fisher communities in the area. The jallikattu protests and violence continue to be the subject of news and analysis. There is also a report about a Madras High Court effort to gather information about norms and practices relating to gender discrimination in the provision of public toilet facilities.

The Tamil Nadu search yields stories about water-sharing arrangements and dams and also a new thermal plant.

Pondicherry is now officially Puducherry.

From Andhra Pradesh, there is news of a Maoist ambush on the Andhra-Odisha border in Koraput. On January 30, police officers from both states had met there to discuss operations against the Maoists. It has also been reported that the Coast Guard HQ near Vishakhapatnam will acquire an air enclave by 2018. Swine flu has been reported in Telengana.

Following the success of the jallikattu protests in Tamil Nadu, the demand for reviving kambala is in the news in Karnataka. The death of six tigers in Bandipur and Nagarhole reserves has also drawn attention. The most recent headline on the news search relates to the death of 12000 newborns every year in Karnataka. The water dispute with Goa over the Mhadei river makes its presence felt over election news in that state.

The strategic importance to India of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is discussed in this article. Lakshadweep's leading news is about its presence in the Republic Day parade in 2017.

Sri Lankans take cricket seriously but the Google news feed as I write this would suggest they think about nothing else! News from the Maldives is like a holiday and tourism blog, but tucked away are reports about arrested dissenters and journalists.

The point is: What one can catch on any feed is quite arbitrary, be it Google News or a social network. How does one then come to understand what it is that people think about or worry about in the course of a day? And without that understanding, how does one join in their search for mutually acceptable solutions? 

Revival

In October 2005, as part of my consultancy's portfolio (although I wasn't thinking so strategically), I set up a weekly digest that I would curate, compile and post every Sunday, called Subcontinent South. It was a one-person exercise for about two years, sustained with religious dedication. The weekly web-page became too onerous and I switched to this blog, and around that time, 2007-ish, an intern joined me in doing this work, Gokul Chandrashekhar. Gokul and I kept the blog going till 2009 when I finally threw in the towel, writing this brief post.  

This is how I described it: 

Attention to South Asia remains largely attention to its large states; India and Pakistan's troubled relationship garners the maximum attention. Subcontinent South is an initiative of Chaitanya-The Policy Consultancy intended to draw attention to news, developments and trends in the southern part of the South Asian subcontinent, which we define as including Sri Lanka, Maldives and India's southern states and island territories.

Started in October 2005, Subcontinent South is not intended to be a comprehensive news resource; instead, we will identify a short list of stories in the course of the week that we consider to be of significance from the point of governance, security and gender. Past issues were prepared in a weekly web-page format and are archived here (link now defunct).

Subcontinent South, a cottage industry operation, quietly turned into a resource that many valued greatly. People wrote in with information; I know there were times when it was the only resource on a crisis and I would later meet people who regretted that I had shut it down. 

I never shut down the blog and I could not have explained why. The hope that I could revive this resource and the anxiety that I will not have the energy to sustain it have battled within. But today, the desire to do this wins by arriving at a very expedient framework: "Same subject area, but I will curate or comment as it suits me." 

In the almost-nine years between my last post and this one, while news media focus on the south has changed with the emergence of south-focused portals and programming, this niche area--security, governance and gender--still merits thoughtful attention. 

I posted a link to this wonderful Himal Southasian map of the region on the first edition of Subcontinent South, and I would like to re-post it here as a way of reminding ourselves of how perspective matters. Himal has had to shut down in recent times, but I will hope, like hundreds of its other fans, that it will be back sooner rather than later. 

With regret

October 31, 2007 marks two years since Subcontinent South was launched as a weekly news digest.

We regret to announce that we are suspending publication of updates as of this date, for an indefinite period. We hope that someday, soon, we will have the resources and ability to resume this service in this or some other format. In that hope, we are not deleting this blog.

Thank you for visiting our site.

Subcontinent South Team

October 31, 2007.

Maldives Update; October 9, 2007.

Troops surrounded and then cleared an illegal mosque that had been accused of fomenting extremism.
Militants' arrested in Maldives, BBC News, October 8, 2007.

The move came a week after a British honeymoon couple were badly burned in the Maldives's first ever terrorist bomb attack

The Maldivian Government had four hundred radicals in detention in 2006.
Ajay Makan, Fundamentalism Biggest Threat To Maldives Security: Government Advisor, Minivan News, October 7, 2007.

Foreign Ministry has refused to comment officially on travel restrictions for Maldivians in Pakistan.
Ajay Makan, No Maldivians In Our Madrassas: Pakistan, Minivan News, October 7, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: October 7, 2007.

It has become a favourite pastime for government politicians to label as “Tigers” all those who oppose their views.
Iqbal Athas, If you tell the truth, you will be damned, Sunday Times, October 7, 2007.

“The LTTE is maintaining patience and still restricting itself to a defensive war.”
Senpathi, Military ups the ante in the Wanni, The Nation on Sunday, October 7, 2007.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) commenced covert investigations two years ago into LTTE fund raising activities, as part of its anti-terrorism initiative.
Ayesha R. Rafiq,Tiger lawyers in move to prove LTTE a liberation force, Sunday Times, October 7, 2007.

During the 2001-2004 regime of the UNP, it was able to take the peace process started by President Chandrika Kumaratunga to new heights.
Ravana, Federalism and the UNP’s political expediences, The Nation on Sunday, October 7, 2007.

The Tigers still control a mini-state in parts of the north, where they are engaged in near-constant fighting with government forces.

The war had its ups and downs, and even an Indian intervention, with peacekeepers, in the late 1980s. Nothing worked.
Slow Victory in Sri Lanka, Strategy Page, October 5, 2007.

Southern states Update; October 7, 2007.

A Sri Lankan fisheries trade union leader was shot dead at Madurai Central Prison.
Sri Lankan fisherman killed at Madurai prison , Colombo Page, October 6, 2007.

A magisterial enquiry has been ordered into the incident.
S. Vijay Kumar, Magisterial probe ordered into firing, The Hindu, October 07, 2007.

It is worth remembering that the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu subscribes to an anti-brahminical and even atheistic philosophy.
Amulya Ganguli, Ram Sethu issue unlikely to boost BJP prospects, India Interacts, October 07, 2007.

Most Indian prime ministers have either died in office, or faded away once they stepped down.
Debashish Mukerji, The southern satrap: H D Deve Gowda, Hindustan Times, October 5, 2007.

Also See:
Sitaram Yechury, Keep them separated, Hindustan Times, October 3, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: October 5, 2007.

Even a northern victory, momentous as it would be, would not bring an end to Sri Lanka's conflict.
The northern front, The Economist, October 4, 2007.

There is no doubt that troops manning the Defences in the Wanni, contrary to the position they had taken earlier, have now turned their role into a more active one.
Ranil Wijayapala, LTTE in dire straits as Forces mull Northern advance, Daily News, October 5, 2007.

"In fact, Rajapakse is responsible for effectively tearing up the 2002 ceasefire."
Wije Dias, Sri Lankan president’s speech at the UN: lies in defence of war and human rights abuses, WSW, October 5, 2007.

Southern states Update; October 2, 2007.

Despite frantic effort by the state administration in the wake of Supreme Court observations could not restore normal public transport service till night.
K N Arun, DMK, allies bring state to virtual standstill, New Indian Express, October 2, 2007.

Legal experts and the Congress’s spokesperson shrugged off the remarks made as mere “oral observations”
Bandh brings dismissal blast, Telegraph, October 02, 2007.

The biggest casualty. Roads in Chennai and other cities and major towns were for most part of the day virtually deserted.
M.R. Venkatesh, For CM, normal life was not hit, Telegraph, October 02, 2007.

Southern states Update; October 2, 2007.

Karnataka State Police became the first state police department in India to formally unveil a comprehensive and detailed Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS.
Deepanjali Bhas, Police workforce policy on HIV/AIDS, One World South Asia, October 1, 2007.

JD(S) refuses to relinquish the CM’s office in keeping with a deal it signed 20 months ago with BJP in Karnataka.

As per the coalition agreement reached between Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa in February 2006, the JD(S) was to keep the Chief Minister's post for the first 20 months in power and the BJP for the remaining 20 months.
Maya Sharma, Flashpoint for Karnataka coalition, NDTV, October 2, 2007.

Maldives Update; October 1, 2007.

The Maldives, was shaken by a bomb that exploded in the capital city of Male, injuring 12 people on 30th of September.

Relations between the FBI and the Maldives police have been close since the government allowed the FBI into the country
Ajay Makan, Updated: Five More Arrests In Explosion Investigation, Minivan News, September 31, 2007.

More Reaction To Male' Explosion, Minivan News, September 30, 2007.

The country's political class is proud of its "moderate" Islamic tradition.
Ajay Makan, Extremist Maldives? Minivan News, September 30, 2007.

The Government of the Maldives had received explicit warnings of the dangers of rising Islamic fundamentalism.

Sri Lanka Update: October 1, 2007.

Relatives of the murdered and disappeared blame it on state security forces or paramilitaries seen allied to the government, while others on the Tigers.
Simon Gardner, Sri Lanka lacks credibility on rights abuse - critics, Reuters, September 21, 2007.

The United Nations Security Council that focused its attention on the LTTE, for using child soldiers in combat, has now pointed fingers at the ‘Karuna’ group as well.
Childhood Lost, Nation on Sunday, September 31, 2007.

Yohan Perera, Several political parties have expressed outrage over terming of civilians as 'Tigers', Daily Mirror, October 1, 2007.

As many as 600,000 Tamils have fled Sri Lanka to escape the violence, more than half of them going to the U.K. and Canada.
Jay Shankar, Sri Lanka Asks Nations to Prevent Fundraising by Tamil Rebels, Bloomberg, October 1, 2007.

Soosai’s dramatic appearance on September 26 will at least help disprove some of the rumours surrounding his accident.
D.B.S. Jeyaraj, Sea Tiger Chief Soosai ‘surfaces’ after accident at sea, Nation on Sunday, September 31, 2007.

Also See:
Oscar E V Fernando, JVP: An open letter, Asian Tribune, October 1, 2007.

Maldives Update; September 26, 2007.

“We are still short of about seventy to eighty million dollars to complete tsunami reconstruction projects,” says Finance Minister.
Ajay Makan, Government Short Of Money For Tsunami Projects: Gasim, Minivan News, September 25, 2007.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has predicted a massive slowdown in growth for the Maldives economy.
Maldives Expenditure Unsustainable: Asian Development Bank, Minivan News, September 20, 2007

IDP's Election Pledge is to Punish Drug Offenders with Death Sentence.

Deep distrust between the government and opposition means election results in the Maldives may always be disputed.
Ajay Makan, Referendum Lessons Must Be Learnt, Minivan News, September 22, 2007.

Kaushik Basu, Time to give Saarc a facelift, BBC News, September 24, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: September 25, 2007.

If the government is able to come up with a political solution that is acceptable to the moderate majorities in the ethnic communities, there will be immense pressure on the LTTE from both the Tamil people and the international community to decommission their weapons and end the ethnic war for all time.
Will a military solution yield a political solution? Daily Mirror, September 25, 2007.

"Prabhakaran's destruction through military action would only result in his becoming a more dangerous legend among the Tamil people than he was already", says Dr Rajan Hoole, a Tamil rights activist.
PK Balachandran, Military solution will only make Prabhakaran a legend, Hindustan Times, September 24, 2007.

"The expulsion of the LTTE from the east and the recent sinking of several LTTE ships carrying arms and other provisions mark important military successes," says Robert Blake.
Sri Lanka conflict end in sight but dangers ahead, says US, LBO, September 25, 2007.

It is a sad part of the Sri Lankan history that the Tamils found themselves fighting the State in an unequal war.
N Sathiya Moorthy, Begin at the Beginning, Daily Mirror, September 24, 2007.

Despite the attacks on the ground, at sea and by air, Tiger guerrillas retain a military capability.
Iqbal Athas, Great military victories but Tigers still a threat, Sunday Times, September 23, 2007.

New Chaitanya Guide on Sethusamudram

Chaitanya's new resource guide on the Sethusamudram project and its politics is online.

Sethu Row, September 19, 2007.

The BJP is now engaged in a strident campaign against the canal project, arguing that it would end up in damaging the Ram Sethu.
BJP ministers selected Sethusamudram route: Baalu, M&C, September 19, 2007.

The BJP is now trying to put the ruling alliance on the mat over DMK leader M Karunanidhi’s reported remarks on Ram.
Karunanidhi’s remarks more offensive than affidavit: BJP, Indian Express, September 19, 2007.

Karunanidhi was only articulating the current mood among the secularists for whom the Hindu opinion just does not count.
P R Ramesh, Troubled bridge, Economic Times, September 19, 2007.

Although two ASI officials were suspended for the affidavit, the internal wrangles in the Congress over the issue are surfacing.
Ram Sethu widens schisms in Congress, India Interacts, September 18, 2007.

The Sangh Parivaar says as Chief Minister Karunanidhi had written a foreword to the Gazetteer of the Ramanathapuram district in 1972 citing the Adam's Bridge as an authentic proof of the culture and tradition of Tamil Nadu.
Ram Setu debate: Karuna flip-flops for the past 35 yrs, IBN, September 17, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: September 17, 2007.

The call by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to give up the hunger strike was rejected by Nedumaran on Saturday insisting that he should be allowed to sail to Jaffna.
Ananth Palakidnar, Nedumaran making S. Indian fishermen 'a scapegoat', Sunday Observer, September 16, 2007.

Top local defence officials feel the LTTE had cultivated the Thai authorities over a long period of time, while the Sri Lankan Embassy there in the past had not been effective enough.
Senpathi, ‘Peter Ibrahim’ arrest triggers KP controversy, The Nation on Sunday, September 16, 2007.

It will be worthwhile for the government to consider a “quasi-federal system” for devolution of powers and meeting the aspirations of all sections: N. Ram

If a President were to declare that he was elected to office only by only one section of the voters, and not the rest, and as such would be their President, and not for all of Sri Lanka, it is potent prescription for adding to the troubles of a troubled nation.
N Sathiya Moorthy, Defender of the faith, Daily Mirror, September 17, 2007.

Government forces have achieved an intelligence advantage over the LTTE, and used it to foil LTTE attempts to go on the offensive.
The Great War At Sea, Strategy Page, September 17, 2007.

Indian spymaster speculates whether KP whisked away by FBI

Also See:
Alastair Reynard, Global terrorism funded by bogus organizations setup by terrorists, Global Politician.

Sri Lanka Update: September 12, 2007.

The Sri Lankan government is awaiting official confirmation of the arrest of top LTTE arms procurer and smuggler, Kumaran Pathmanathan.

PK Balachandran, Colombo awaits confirmation of top LTTE arms procurer's arrest, Hindustan Times, September 11, 2007.

India asked Thailand to extradite a leader of Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, saying he may provide information on the 1991 assassination of former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Paul Tighe and Anusha Ondaatjie, Sri Lankan Rebel Arrested May Be Linked to Gandhi Assassination, Bloomberg, September 12, 2007.

Sri Lankan navy claims it has destroyed much of the Tamil Tiger's arms smuggling network after sinking three large ships.
Tamil Tiger 'smuggling lines hit', BBC, September 11, 2007.

Human rights defenders, community leaders, and humanitarian workers are under attack in Sri Lanka. In September, figures published by a respected human rights organization showed that 43 humanitarian workers had been killed in Sri Lanka since January 2006.

The Internet has become a very effective venue through which terrorist organizations can spead their messages.
Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, The Internet as a Terrorist Propaganda Tool, Cyber terrorism, September 12, 2007.

Maldives Update; September 12, 2007.

A report released by a Peoples' Majlis committee alleges that the have authorities mismanaged the notorious Hussein Salah case.
Authorities Damned in Hussein Salah Case, Minivan News, September 10, 2007.

Constitution Drafting Committee to meet twice a day amidst concerns of missing November 30th deadline, MDP, September 11, 2007.

Today, the international community needs no further proof if they are genuinely interested in helping the people of Maldives by replacing the current dictatorial regime with a democratic government.
Ahmed Moosa, Rigging the referendum is a blessing in disguise, Dhivehi Observer, August 29, 2007.

The International Press Freedom Mission to the Maldives has sent a letter to the Minister of Information urging immediate amendments to the draft Press Law currently before parliament.

To increase the efficiency of the Police service, an independent survey has been constituted, to find out public opinion about the local police force.
Independent survey planned to find out public’s opinion of Police, Haveeru Online, September 12, 2007.

People’s Special Majlis have submitted a petition to the Government to confront the spiraling drugs crisis among young people.
Government Urged To Confront Drugs Crisis, Minivan News, September 6, 2007.

Also See:
Praful Bidwai, Sanctifying mass destruction, Frontline, September 8, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: September 9, 2007.

The President has gone on to say in a manner indicative of his profound pragmatism and compassion towards all Lankans, almost contemptuous of his opponents that he recognises the legitimate historic grievances of the Tamil people on the basis that they too are Sri Lankans.

Our CFA was only between two warring parties and totally excluded other interests such as the Muslim community and other Tamil groups independent of the LTTE.So the CFA was flawed from the beginning. Moreover, there were other loopholes which allowed the LTTE to commit so many violations, far exceeding those by the armed forces, and there was no punitive action by a powerless SLMM which only made noises now and then.
Neville de Silva, The cogent case should drown the raucous din, Sunday Times, September 9, 2007.

The total war strategy is capital intensive; therefore it requires an astronomical hike in defence expenditure. At the same time it undermines the country’s capacity to obtain international assistance. A permissive attitude towards civilian casualties and human rights violations is an integral component of the total war strategy.
Tisaranee Gunasekara, The Emerging Sri Lanka, Asian Tribune, September 9, 2007.

How did Sri Lanka get their MiG-27s so cheap?
James Dunnigan, MiGs That Earn Their Keep, Strategy Page, September 8, 2007.

As far as the international community, including the Indian establishment, is concerned, it is clear that the Government is pursuing a military solution.
Senpathi, Govt. suing for peace while pursuing war, Nation on Sunday, September 9, 2007.

What the government would want to do is to share power with the Tamils to satisfy the international community with the concurrence of India, so that it could solicit the support of international and regional powers to exert pressure on the LTTE to accept the solution arrived at.
Ravana, Military push halted in favour of devolution package?, Nation on Sunday, September 9, 2007.

The LTTE is also trying to use food shortages up north, where LTTE gunmen block many roads, to elicit international sympathy. This hasn't worked very well, but the tactic of using human shields has had some success.

Also See:
Deportations to Sri Lanka are continuing, Indymedia, September 9, 2007.

Terrorism in India and the Statistics of the America, NDTV Blogs, September 7, 2007.

Southern states Update; September 9, 2007.

With the countdown to the leadership change having clearly begun, the voices of discord are becoming increasingly apparent. The BJP is increasingly nervous and watching every action/statement of the JDS with caution.
Sandeep Shastri, Coalition Contradictions: Emerging Political Scenario in Karnataka, Mainstream, September 9, 2007.

The BJP’s allies are likely to help the NDA hang on to its current position in Orissa, Punjab and Bihar, but the alliance in Karnataka does not seem to be yielding much dividends for the Lok Sabha elections.
Yogendra Yadav, Rajeeva Karandikar, Sanjay Kumar, No one wants an election now but if there’s one, Left and BJP will lose the most, Indian Express, September 9, 2007.

Police have been blamed for the rising criminal activities of hoodlums in Belgaum. Police department too has been jolted out of its inertia when a wealth of evidences the alert media produced in the aftermath of the rape-and-murder of Sheetal Chougule last month.
Unholy nexus between cops and criminals, New Indian Express, September 9, 2007.

The BJP leadership is apprehensive about the JD (S) ditching its coalition partner in Karnataka. Unwillingly or deliberately, Venkaiah Naidu has expressed his fears that JD(S) might deny the BJP its rightful claim to Chief Ministership under an agreement.
Hari Shankar Vyas, No one ready to contest, The Pioneer, September 9, 2007.

Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Janardhana Reddy and his wife N Rajyalakshmi, the education minister of the state, escaped unhurt while three Congress workers were killed in a Maoist attack in Nellore district.
Maoists down, but certainly not out in Andhra, Sify News, September 7, 2007.

The intelligence wing had alerted the SPs of the districts in August itself to be extra cautious in ensuring security for VIPs. However, the intelligence wing could not identify the Maoists’ target.
Cops foxed again? Times of India, September 8, 2007.

In the global hunt launched to kill and destroy terrorist leaders, sympathisers and recruits, the US and its allies have not only deepened the religious divide but also created a rallying point for Muslims hurt and incensed by real and imaginary humiliations and fears.
Wilson John, Club Extreme, The Pioneer, September 9, 2007.

Also See:
Charul Shah, Petition for Naxal accused, Cybernoon, September 07, 2007.

Madhu Chandra, Salwa Judum - India's Unreported Hidden War, Desicritics, September 09, 2007.