JALUKBARI, Sept 4 - The Centre for South Asian Studies, Gauhati University, organised an open house discussion on rhino poaching in Assam and launch of a book Mandalay written by Mrinal Talukdar, senior journalist with Protidin Times, at the New Academic Building, GU today. This was followed by an interactive discussion and lecture on India-China relations by Dr Nivedita Das Kundu from York University, Toronto, at the same venue.
Mandalay is the first ever detailed research on the trail of rhino horns of Assam in South-East Asia, with the support of the Centre for South East Asian Studies, GU.
The book gives details of how the entire network of multi-million-dollar rhino horn trade takes place. The trade is operated through two separate networks. The first is the Manipur network and the second is the Nagaland network. The Manipur network runs through a terrorist line, using AK-47, while the Nagaland network is carried out by several heads of the poaching ring.
These two networks are finally controlled from across the border between Kalay-Mandalay by a shadowy figure called Lampu, whose actual name, location, photographs are not available with any investigating agency. The book also throws some light on a police personnel of Jakhalabandha Police Station and a forest official of Northern Range who, despite tremendous pressure, are doing a great job by successfully infiltrating into the poachers� network.
The book mentions some major findings which can be used by investigating agencies to curb poaching. But the menace of poaching cannot be finished as rising demands in China continue to motivate the poachers. The findings mentioned in the book are an outcome of a 35-month travel around the South East Asian region namely China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and India.
The book release programme was attended by outgoing GU Vice Chancellor Dr Mridul Hazarika; Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta, head, Centre for South Asian Studies Gauhati University; journalist Talukdar and Dr Das Kundu.
In the interactive discussion and lecture on India-China relations, Dr Das Kundu spoke on the One Belt One Road (OBOR), India-China relations and what kind of economic plans India and China have. She focused on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its likely impact on India-China relationship.
She also spoke about what conclusion is India going to draw if China is going to have good relations with Pakistan. She talked about her recent published books on OBOR. She also gave a power point presentation on Indo-China relations.
