Back issues - February '06 - vedanti News/2006/02... · Web viewNews on 28th February '06 SEBA...

Back issues - February '06

News on 28th February '06

SEBA Chairman, Controller quit; CM orders CID probe:

Guwahati: Buckling under pressure from various quarters, SEBA Chairman Dina Nath Barman and Controller of Examinations BC Medhi on Feb 26 resigned from their respective posts even as Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi ordered the CID to inquire into "all aspects" of the leakage of the HSLC General Mathematics question paper and bring the culprits to the book at the earliest. The Chief Minister, after his return from New Delhi on Feb 26, held a high-level meeting with Higher Education Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman and Secondary Education Minister Hemprakash Narayan and other senior officials of the department, and directed the authorities to ensure that the remaining examination be conducted without any problem. In the wake of the statewide uproar following the cancellation of the leaked General Mathematics paper, the State Government had suspended SEBA secretary Dilwar Hussain on Feb 25. The Government had also ordered an inquiry by Principal Secretary HM Carie into the circumstance leading to the leak. Meanwhile, the AASU, which continued with its protests against the alleged malfeasance of the SEBA till late this evening, said that Secondary Education Minister Hemprakash Narayan should put down his papers owning the moral responsibility.

Bengali body wants 22 seats, submits memo to CM:

Guwahati: Stating that more than 65 lakh Hindu Bengalis living in the State have been victims of political negligence, the All Assam Bengali Youth Students' Federation (AABYSF) on Feb 26 submitted an 11 point memorandum to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi demanding seats for Bengali candidates from 22 Assembly constituencies of Barahmaputra valley, reservation for Bengalis of Brahmaputra valley in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, registration of Linguistic Minority Development Board and release of finance for the development of the community. The memorandum was submitted at a regional convention in the city where a number of political leaders were invited.

Devotees beeline in Shiva temples:

Guwahati: The Lord of the universe, who combines contrasting qualities of the creator and destroyer, was invoked by lakhs of devotees throughout the State. On the occasion of Shivaratri on Feb 26, devotees began thronging the Shiva mandirs since dawn to worship the Lord, benefactor of all beings. The ancient temple of Umanada, guarded by the mighty Brahmaputra, witnessed a heavy rush of devotees cutting across all sections of society. The sacrosanct premises of this age-old temple converted into a sea of humanity, and reverberated with the cries of the devotees hailing the Lord. However, the weather on Feb 26 added to the discomfort of the devotees queuing for several hours at a stretch. The parched lips and throats of the devotees were jointly taken care of by the Shiv Bhakt Mandal and the Maheswari Mahila Samity, who offered tea, water and a drink called thandai to the thirsty since 6 a.m.

AASU ransacks SEBA office, asks Chairman, Secretary and Exam Controller to quit; SEBA drops leaked paper:

Guwahati: The leakage of the General Mathematics question papers for the ongoing HSLC examination has put the Secondary Education Board Assam (SEBA) as well as the State Education Department in a tight spot. Not only has the inexcusable incident bared the ornamental façade that the Board wears, but it has also placed the last straw on SEBA's back almost clearly indicating the beginning of an end to a 43-year-long history. It is for the first time that the HSLC examination, often termed as a student's initiation into the world of competition, has been stalled in Assam, and for a wrong reason. Confirming the leakage, SEBA Chairman DN Barman told that the paper (mathematics) was leaked on Feb 24 at Bijni in Chirang district and Kayakuchi in Barpeta from where photo copies of the question paper (handwritten) were sold out for hefty sums. On being informed of the matter by the Barpeta SP, the SEBA authorities cancelled the examination late last night, Barman said.

HPC(D) says it has no hand in bid on Nunisa life:

Guwahati: HPC(D) 'defence secretary', in a letter to DHD chairman Dilip Nunisa, said that his group was in no way connected with the Feb 23 attempt on Nunisa's life near Haflong. Expressing its solidarity with DHD, the HPC(D) said that some trouble mongers were out to strain the relationship between the DHD and the HPC(D). However, mystery shrouds the entire pisode since the DHD(J), the cadres of which, barring Jewel Garlosa, have almost merged with the DHD, claimed the responsibility on the life of Nunisa.

300 stalls and varied products:

Guwahati: The annual shopping carnival organized by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam, north-eastern region, which kicked off on Feb 20 at the Chandmari Engineering ground, has a varied range of consumer products right from technical gizmos to glittering jewelleries and traditional handicrafts on display. Altogether 300 stalls have been attractively done up at the 13th International Guwahati Trade Fair which will conclude on March 4.


Foundation of Rs 45 crore automotive project laid in Cachar:

Silchar: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Sontosh Mohan Dev on Feb 26 laid the foundation of the Rs 45 crore National Automotive Testing Research and Development Infrastructure Project (NARTRIP) at Dhalacherra in Cachar district on Feb 26. According to a press release, after laying the foundation Dev said that it was the only project of its kind in the North-east. According to him, six other such projects will be set up in other parts of the nation. The Project, according to Dev, will employ 200 people directly and 1,000 others will get training annually.

Govt advertisement gets the stick:

Jorhat: The Association of Ex-NCC Cadets of Assam has blamed the State Government of putting the future of educated youths in darkness in regard to the advertisement for filling up 205 posts of sub inspectors in the State. The AENCA president Walyu Husnat Choudhury and secretary Anupam Bora and have said that the hopes of hundreds of youths were dashed to the ground as the upper age limit has been fixed at 24 in the advertisement. This is not fair in view of the fact that the last interview for "such posts were held in 1997, there has been no recruitment to the post of sub inspectors and many educated youths have lost the opportunity to apply as the upper age limit is so less" Choudhury said.

Sonowal blasts IFA amendment:

Sivasagar: AGP MP Sarbananda Sonowal lambasted the Centre for puching Assam away from the national mainstream by adopting discriminatory practices towards Assam. The Dibrugarh MP and senior AGP leader Sonowal was interacting with leading citizens and media persons at Sivasagar Natya Mandir. He said that the latest example of discriminatory practice towards Assam was the amendment of Indian Foreigners Act, 1946 exclusively for Assam in respect of onus of proving illegality in respect of illegal foreigners in Assam.

High Court seeks report on illegal construction:

Guwahati: In a significant development, the Gauhati High Court on Feb 24 directed the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to submit the status report on the illegal constructions, if any, in the city by March 7. The court has also sought the list of building permission given by the two authorities in last one year. A division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice B Sudarshan Reddy and justice D Biswas, by talking up a suo motto public interest litigation on the basis of a report on Feb 23 under the headline 'Apartment building by-laws: Citizens' body's concern over construction in open spaces', has also served notice to the

Guwahati Development Department (GDD) under the State Government. The matter is fixed for further hearing on March 7.

Amendment to Foreigners Act (for Assam); Govt blames it on former AASU leaders, but not Rajiv:

Guwahati: Assam Government spokesman Himanta Biswas Sarma on Feb 24 blamed it on former All Assam Students' Union (AASU) leaders for the circumstances leaders for the circumstances leading to the amendment to the Foreigners Act (only in Assam) so as to give a security shield to the minority community in the State. "By signing the Assam Accord, some of the clauses of which are detrimental to the interest of the State and its people, the then AASU leaders betrayed the people of the State," Sarma told reporters on Feb 24. If the State Government spokesman's accusation against the former AASU leaders (now leaders of AGP and its offshoot AGP-P) holds any water in it, the blame should also go to the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi whose Congress Government at the Centre was one of the signatories of the historic Accord.

BJP Kishan Morcha for nationwide strike:

Guwahati: The Kishan Morcha of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to spearhead a country-wide agitation to protest against the amendment of the Foreigners Act. This was stated by Kalicharan Singh, national general secretary of the Morcha and in-charge of Assam affairs, while talking to newsmen on Feb 24. Singh, who is in Guwahati to attend the State executive meeting of the farmers' wing of the party, said the State Government has miserably failed to protect the farmers residing along the Indo-Bangla border areas of the State, where encroachment of farming land and looting of agricultural products of the poor farmers by the Bangladishi miscreants are regular phenomena.

Lobourers' wages hiked:

Guwahati: The indefinite strike called jointly by three labour union - the All Assam Railway goods Handling Mazdoor Union, the Fancy Bazar Mazdoor Union and the Beltola Mazdoor Union - demanding wage hike ended on Feb 24 following intervention by the district administration. In a meeting attended by the Kamrup (Metro) DC, representatives of the KCC and secretaries of the three labour on Feb 24, the wages of labourers have been revised as - Rs.1.15 for per 50 kg bag against the existing 96 paise, Rs.1.90 for per 100 kg bag against the existing Rs.1.36 and 70 paise tin of oil against the existing 64 paise.


16 killed, 20 hurt in Chhaygaon mishap:

Chhaygaon: At leased 16 people were killed and 20 others injured when two vehicles collided at Kawoimari under Chhaygaon Police Station at around 3.50 p.m. on Feb 24. According to reports, the mishap occurred when a bus (AS 01J 7616) heading towards Guwahati from Goalpara collided head-on with a Mahindra Cruiser (AS 01W 4466) which was speeding for Goroimari from Guwahati. While16 passengers died on the spot, 20 others were injured - some of them serious. The dead have not been identified till the filing of this report. The injured, on the other hand, have either been admitted to the local hospital or sent to the GMCH.

The Voice of India; Debojit does Assam proud:

Guwahati: Assam sensation Debojit Saha has at last done it and get declared the Voice of India by defeating of Lucknow lad Vinit by 4,59,470 votes in the grand finale of the Zee TV's Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa challenge, 2005 contest at Mumbai on Feb 24. Of the total 5,50,56,006 votes cast, Debojit bagged 2,77,57,738 votes while Vinit got 2,72,98,268 votes. With his massive win, Debojit did Assam and the entire North-east - which is always in the receiving end be it in games and sport, Central funds and facilities, the Railway Budgets etc. - proud. It is a 'mother's dream' coming true for Debojit who got

tremendous support from the All Assam Students' Union, other student bodies of the region and the people.


'Foreigners Act amendment orders a conspiracy against Assam'; AASU on warpath:

Guwahati: Enraged by the Centre's action of issuing two amendment orders under the Foreigners' Act, namely the Foreigners (Tribunal) Amendment Order, 2006 and Foreigner (Tribunal for Assam) Order, 2006, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has on Feb 23 declared a series of agitation programmes from Feb 24. Demanding immediate withdrawal of the orders, the premier students' body has threatened a vigorous democratic movement against, what it called, the serious conspiracy and injustice toward Assam by the government. The AASU has decided to burn the copy of gazette notification of the amended orders in all the subdivisions and district headquarters on Feb 24 and send a protest note demanding withdrawal of the amended orders to the President of India, the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister on February 27.

21 more Foreigners Tribunals in State:

Guwahati: The State Government has established 21 Foreigners Tribunals in addition to the existing 11 in the State for detection of foreigners 'in terms of the judgement of the Supreme Court of India on July 12, 2005', the government sources said on Feb 23. According to the sources, the question as to whether a person is or is not a foreigner within the meaning of the Foreigners Act, 1964 may be referred to such tribunals specifically for opinion. The headquarters of the newly-established tribunals will be at Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Barpeta (2nd and 3rd tribunals), Nalbari, Guwahati (Metro), Guwahati (Rural), Mangaldoi, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Nagaon, Hojai, Silchar, Bongaigaon, Golaghat, Morigaon (1st and 2nd tribunals), Karimganj and Dhemaji. The notification in this regard was issued on January 24.

BJP stages protest:

Guwahati: The State BJP has termed the amendment orders of Foreigners' Act as a 'Congress conspiracy to hand over Assam to Bangladesh.' The BJP staged a protest demonstration against the move in front of the party headquarters on Feb 23. This was attended by several party leaders, including BJP's North-east organizing secretary V Satish, former Union Minister Bijoya Chakraborty and the party State vice-president Dhruba Prasad Baishya.

Gogoi votes for Debojit: AASU appeals again:

Guwahati: The fans of Debojit Saha are waiting with their fingers crossed as only a few hours remain before the final mandate to select the 'voice of India' in the Zee TV Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa contest. While the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has issued afresh appeal to the people of North-east to support the famed Silchar lad, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi wished Debojit casting a vote in favour of him through SMS on Feb 23. "A conspiracy is on against Debojit in northern India in particular and a section of the celebrities is out on the street campaigning against him in a professional way," said AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya. However, the people of the North-east have whole-heartedly supported Debojit, he said.


Jobs to kin of Kakopathar victims; 'We've visual evidence against AGP':

Guwahati: In an apparent damage control move the State Government on Feb 22 handed over the appointment letters of Assam Police Border Organisation (APBO), as promised by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi recently, to the relatives of those killed and seriously injured in the Kakopathar incident of February 10. Besides, as a mark of solidarity and empathy, all the ministers of the State offered their

one month's salary for the education of the children of Ajit Mahanta and Madhurjya Gohain. This is in addition to the government aide already announced for their children. Minister of State for Finance and Planning Himanta Biswa Sarma handed over the appointment letters to the family members of Kunjalata Moran, Anindita Munda, beauty Gohain, Monica Moran and Mridula Moran in presence of journalists in a press meeting on Feb 22. While distributing the letters, Sarma said that since the age of the relatives of Golap Bailung and Pakhila Bora is on the higher side, the decision to appoint them will be taken after the Cabinet approval.

Brindabon hits back at Gogoi over Kakopathar:

Guwahati: Hitting back at the Congress after Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi castigated he AGPon Feb 21 regarding its 'non-commital' stand on the Kakopathar incident, party president Brindabon Goswami on Feb 22 said that Gogoi has no moral right to be in power since it is crystal clear that his Government s responsible for the whole imbroglio which led to the tragic results on Feb 10. On the question of AGP not seeking an inquiry into the Kakopathar incident as was mentioned by the Chief Minister on Feb 21, Goswami retorted by saying that Gogoi himself had stated about the involvement of the Army in a meeting after the incident. "The Army was responsible for it, Gogoi had said," Goswami said. Therefore, the question of an inquiry did not arise.

AHRC registers cases against State admin:

Guwahati: The Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has registered a number of cases against the State administration and sought reports from the authorities concerned within the stipulated time periods set by it. The Commission has registered the cases after receiving a complaint from All Assam Students' Union (AASU) president Sankar Prasad Rai and general secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi. Advisor De Samujjal Bhattacharyya and two other office-bearers of the student body were also present at the time of filing of the complaint, AHRC sources said.

BJP shuts its door for AGP?

Guwahati: The remote possibility of a pre-poll alliance between the BJP and the AGP seems to have come to an end as highly-placed sources in the former's State unit have given enough hints on Feb 22 that the national party has shut its door for the regional party. According to sources, the AGP has forged a 'clandestine understanding' with the Bardruddin Azmal-led UDF, and as such it cannot go for any alliance with the regional party. "The AGP, keeping an eye on the minority vote-bank, is clandestinely trying for seat sharing with the UDF," said a BJP leader. It may be mentioned that though the Left parties are trying to rope in the AGP into the proposed anti-Congress and anti-BJP front, Brindaban Goswami is non-committal in this regard so far. Sources in the Left parties think that Goswami wants to keep his door open for the BJP.

News on 23rd February '06

2006 Assembly polls; BPPF(R) to contest in 15 seats in BTC:

Kokrajhar: Bodoland People's Progressive Front (BPPF), Rabiram Narzary faction, has decided to field candidates in 15 Assembly constituencies in the BTC in the forthcoming polls in the State. President of the BPPF(R), Rabiram Narzary, in a press meet held the party head office on Feb 22, said it will fight against the Congress and Congress-backed group or party in the ensuing election. He said the party will accept the support from non-Congress party to bring down the Congress rule in Assam.

Cong, AGP enemies of minorities; Ali Akbar Miah:

Bilasipara: The Congress and the AGP are the enemies of the minority people. They are using the minority people as their traditional vote banks. This was alleged by State Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) general secretary and MLA Ali Akbar Miah in a public meeting held at Salbari Bazar recently. The meeting strongly condemned the police brutality at Kakopathar. The meeting was also addressed

by Abdul Rouf, ex-MLA, Fakaruddin Ahmed, biraja Devi Das and youth leader Azad Ali.

ATTSA to meet on new forum:

Jorhat: the influential Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association will hold a crucial meeting on Feb 26 to prepare the stage for the formation of a 'jagaran manch' (awareness forum) which, in effect, means a separate political platform for the tea community. ATTSA assistant general secretary Ananta Nayak and member of its central executive committee Ramanth Suri told that the meeting would be attended by 10 conveners, five each from the ATTSA and the AASA-constituted Jatiya Mahasabha.

CM on the offensive against AGP on Kakopathar; Gogoi says AGP instigating people:

Guwahati: The saying 'offence is the best way of defence' has many a taker, and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi seems to be one among them. Faced with severe criticism from all quarters, including the Opposition parties in the State, the Chief Minister on Feb 21 hit back with a vengeance charging the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) of instigating the masses at Kakopathar and other disturbed areas in Tinsukia district so as to derive political mileage out of the situation. He said that the regional party was demanding withdrawal of the Army from Assam to appease the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).

Govt peps up directors for health sector dev:

Guwahati: Taking note of the fact that inefficient functioning of the rural medical sub-centres was responsible for non-implementation of the rural health programmes, the State Government on Feb 21 asked the Joint Directors of all districts to closely monitor the activities of these centres, including those of doctors and nurses. At the first meeting of the State Health Mission under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) on Feb 21, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi directed the health department to present the health report of all schoolchildren by March 15. "Absenteeism of nurses and doctors is still retarding the process to reduce the Infant Morality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in the State which is still a cause of worry for us," Gogoi said. He also directed to convene a meeting of all Joint Directors of health to step up the functioning of all rural health centers.

Assam needs attention; Roy:

Guwahati: Former West Bengal Chief Minister Siddhartha Shankar Roy has lamented for the 'slow space of development' in Assam over the last few decades and he suggested the Centre for give more attention to the State. "The Centre should give more attention to Assam and provide more funds for its all-round development," he said before leaving for Kolkata on Feb 21 afternoon.

Labourers' stir cripples city trade:

Guwahati: Business in the city has been thrown out of gear following the indefinite strike called jointly by the All Assam Railway Goods Handling Majdoor Union, Fancy Bazar Majdoor Union and the Beltola Majdoor Union demanding wage hike. Truckloads of goods coming from other States have been stranded. Besides, the strike has rung the bell of price rise of essential commodities. President of Guwahati Chambers of Commerce Mahabir Jain said in a press conference that the wage-hike was not 'possible' on the part of the traders. "Labourers of the city are paid best wages in Assam" Jain added. Calling upon the labourers to come forward for a discussion on the matter, he stated that agitation was not a solution to the issue at hand. "Strike affects public life and hampers business as the traders have to bear the excess rent for unloading of trucks and railway bogies," Jain mentioned.

Fish, mutton prices soaring; Birds flu scare hits poultry market hard:

Guwahati: Although the demand and sale of chicken has come down by at least 40 PERCENT IN THE state in the last 24 hours following reports of H5N1 avian influenza virus pouring in from various parts of the country, yet the North Eastern Poultry and Egg Federation (NEPEF) has appealed to the people

not to panic. Meanwhile, with traces of the H5N1 hazard being detected in Hoogly district of West Bengal on Feb 20, the state Government has initiated a series of measures, including strict vigil by setting up control rooms in Guwahati and all the district headquarters to check possible spread of the deadly virus.

News on 22nd February '06

Grace marks; governor revokes order:

Guwahati: Mired in controversy, Assam Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh on Feb 20 decided to revoke his order granting grace marks to 12 students of the MBBS III professional Part II examination in the capacity of Chancellor of the Gauhati University (GU). The decision to this effect was taken during a special meeting of the Executive Council of the GU, chaired by Singh at Raj Bhavan. A Raj Bhavan communiqué said that the appeal preferred by the Executive Council on the Governor's February 14 order granting grace marks to 12 students of the MBBS "has been considered by his excellency and a decision (was) taken to rescind the order to ensure that no concern is raised, in the instant matter of the academic standards of the Gauhati University being undermined from any quarter whatever, and a precedence thereof is not institutionalized."

Saikia panel dismisses Hussain's petition:

Guwahati: The KN Saikia Commission probing into the controversial "secret killings" on Feb 20 quizzed the then Hazo OC Azmal Ali in the Ananta kalita case and dismissed two petitions of the then Hazo MLA Nurul Hussain seeking "acquittal" from the case. Hussain, in his petitions, had sought "acquittal" on grounds that he was "discharged" by the S Haque Commission which had probed into the killings. The former minister had also questioned the "acceptability" of the KN Saikia Commission.

Arohan remembers Bhabendra Nath Saikia:

Guwahati: Late Bhabendra Nath Sakia's dream of providing children with education, inspiration and guidance in a nurturing environment seems to have been realized as a group of children, dressed up in traditional attires, displayed their talent in Xatriya dance and music with perfection at Aarohan - the dream project of late Saikia - to commemorate his 75th birth anniversary. "the multi-faced late Saikia was a pride of Assam and his excellent creativity sowed the seeds of child development where school dropout rate is still a cause of worry," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said on the occasion.

Stenghten regionalism, AGP appeals to people:

Jorhat: The Asom Gana Parishad has made a fervent appeal to the people of the State to strengthen regionalism all over again. Using the platform of the mass congregation at the Jorhat district Sports Association playground on Feb 20, the top leaders of the regional party called for the overthrow of the 'corruption-ridden' Congress government in the next Assembly polls. The AGP top brass accused the Congress of supporting State-sponsored terrorism in Assam and made a case for regional awakening to dispel the air of uncertainty prevailing in all spheres. In his speech, AGP president Brindabon Goswami, recalling the 'eventful journey' of his party since the last two decades, said that the AGP had infused a new sense of self-belief in the greater Assamese society for its prosperity. The regional party has committed itself to a fresh resolution to protect the self-respect of the Assamese people, he added. Training his gun on the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government, the AGP chief spoke of the 'financial mismanagement' and the 'deterioration in law and order' during the tenure of the present regime.

Secret killings: 'Cong giving colour for political gain':

Jagiroad: A public rally was organized by the Morigaon district unit of the Asom Gana Parishad (progressive) at Jagi Bhakatgaon HS School Playground on Feb 19. Attending the rally as the chief guest, Prafulla kumar Mahanta, president of the AGP(P), called upon each and all non-Congress

political parties to stand unitedly to thwart the Congress in the coming election.

News on 21st February '06

AASAA demands apology from State Govt:

Dibrugarh: As a mark of solidarity, a delegation of the All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA), led by its vice president, Raphael Kujur, on Feb 18 paid a visit to the families of the deceased and those injured by the security forces in Makum and Kakopathar. The team who were also joined by the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia district unit of the AASAA leaders met the family members of the deceased Dipon Moran in Dirak, Ajit Mahanta in Gohain Gaon and Anandina Munda in Togna and some of those who sustained injuries. The AASAA delegation expressed their sympathy to the family members and also prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed in each of the homes they visited. The delegation later visited the injured who are undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh and spoke words of consolation to them. They also met injured Robin Dhekial Phukon, journalist of vernacular daily at the hospital and wished him a speedy recovery.

Power cuts hit HS examinees:

Jorhat: The Chief Minister of Assam may not have the interests of students in his mind at this point of time when the State is on a boil over the unsavory incidents in Tinsukia district. At a time when Tarun Gogoi is busy belting out statements put into his mouth by his coterie of junior ministers to counter the volley of attacks by the combined Opposition and other organizations in the aftermath of the events at Kakopathar, the Ha examinees here as elsewhere in upper Assam have had to prepare for the ongoing examinations amid frequent power cuts lasting more than one-and-a-half hours in the evening and at night. This daily ordeal is likely to become more critical when the HSLC examinations get under way in a couple of days.

State-specific laws in Foreigners Act practicable; CM:

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Feb18 said that the amendment to the 'Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964' was only in its Para 3 (1) which reads: "3. Procedure for disposal of questions: (1) The Tribunal shall serve on the person to whom the questions relates, a copy of the main grounds on which he is alleged to be a foreigner and give him a reasonable opportunity of making a representation and producing evidence in support of making a representation and producing evidence in support of his case and after considering such evidence as may be produced after hearing such persons as may deserve to be heard, the Tribunal shall submit its opinion to the officer or authority specified in this behalf in the order of reference."

Kakopathar; Gogoi puts onus on Army:

Guwahati: faced with mounting pressure from different quarters, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Feb 18 held the Army guilty for the Kakopathar incident in which eleven people were killed. "black sheeps within the Army were responsible for the ghastly incident," Gogoi said in the first press conference here after the custodial killing of Dirak Gohain Gaon resident Ajit Mahata which apparently triggered the furore. "Court martial had begun and the guilty is being punished. Besides, there is also a judicial probe which will start functioning very soon," he said. Accusing the Opposition of trying to politicize the issue, the Chief Minister said, "I will quit politics if the Opposition parties can prove that I had colluded with the Army for the violence in a bid to stop the peace process with the ULFA." Terming as baseless the allegations against the State Government, he, however, admitted of lapses within his government.

Review decision on grace marks; Gogoi to Governor:

Guwahati: Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has requested Governor Lt General (retd) Ajai Singh to review his decision, as sought by the Executive Council of Guwahati University, to award grace marks to 12 MBBS candidates in his capacity as the Chancellor of the university. Gogoi said he informed the Governor in a letter on Feb 18 that he had sought the opinion of Advocate General AK Phookon on the

matter after being apprised of it by Vice Chancellor of the university, GN Talukdar. The Advocate General had informed him that the chancellor is not empowered to give such a direction to award grace marks, Gogoi said, adding that such an order would create a bad precedent.

'Mahanta is ever ready for CBI probe':

Guwahati: A day after the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and State Government on a PIL seeking CBI inquiry into the controversial "secret killings", the AGP(P) on Feb 18 said that former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta was 'always' ready for a CBI probe into the killing as "he was innocent". "Mahanta has been clamouring for a CBI inquiry into the killing episode since 2003, but the State Government has been dragging its feet on the matter," AGP(P) vice president Bhadreshwar Tanti told a press conference.


BJP blasts Cong on Foreigners Act amendment:

Guwahati: Stepping up its campaign for the ensuing Assembly elections in Assam, the BJP on Feb 19 raked up the burning infiltration issue at a mammoth rally of the party here saying that Assam was on fast-track to become a Bangladeshi-dominated State. Addressing the rally - Parivartan Samabesh - which marked the conclusion of the party's Parivartan Yatra, at the Veterinary College playground in the city, BJP national president Rajnath Singh said that the fact that Congress had been using the minorities s its vote bank had been clear now. Sceptical over the proposed amendment to the Foreigners Act, only in Assam, Singh said that the move was an apparent bid to safeguard the illegal migrants whose stay in the State had been endangered after the abrogation of the IM(DT) Act by the Supreme Court.

Fight poll and win Mahajan dares ULFA:

Guwahati: Bharatiya Janata Party's national general secretary and Assam incharge Promod Mahajan on Feb 19 appealed to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to bid goodbye to jungle warfare by giving up arms, fight the battle of ballots and come winner if it ( the rebel group) thought that it had popularity in the greater Assamese society. Opting for straight talking at the party's Parivartan Mahasamabesh at the Assam Veterinary College playground at Khanapara in the city, Mahajan told the ULFA: "The gun will lead you nowhere near your goal. If you think that you are popular in the society, fight elections and come winner and get the things done the way you want." He said that the BJP would not compromise with the integrity of India. "The entire North-east was a part of India, it is on Feb 19 and will remain so forever," he said. He welcomed the ongoing peace process between the Centre and the ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group (PCG).

We won't allow KA areas in 'Dimaraji'; JCC:

Guwahati: The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), a conglomeration of 25 non-political social organizations of Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, morigaon, Kamrup and Meghalaya with its headquarters at Diphu, on Feb 19 said that it was not against the creation of 'Dimaraji' under the Constitution of India but it opposed the alleged move to include Dimasa-inhabited areas of Karbi Anglong in the 'Dimaraji'. JCC chief convenor Long Sing Teron on Feb 19 said: "We appreciate the Centre's efforts to find permanent solutions to the UPDS and DHD's demands for creation of separate states for the Karbis and the Dimasas. We, however, strongly condemn the decision arrived at February 13 tripartite talks involving the State Government, the Centre and the DHD to constitute a committee to visit the contiguous Dimas areas and study the feasibility of creation of Dimaraji by including some Dimas-inhabited areas of Karbi Anglong. Any move to divide Karbi Anglong will be opposed tooth and nail.

Mahanta dares detractors on 'secret killing':

Guwahati: Former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has challenged his detractors that he would quit public life if allegations of his involvement in secret killing were proved correct or else they should

quit. "I am ready to quit public life if the allegations were proved correct but if not then those making the allegation s should quit public life," Mahanta said here on Feb 19. The former Chief Minister and leader of the Asom Gana Parishad (Progressive) who had appeared before Justice KN Saikia Commission of Inquiry on Feb 18 said that some people were accusing him of involvement in the killing of ULFA militants and their family members to gain political mileage.


ABSU to stage statewide demo on Feb 27:

Kokrajhar: As per the resolution taken in the delegates' meeting of the 38th Golaghat session of the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), the students' body has decided to stage a mass demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioners' Offices throughout the State to place the 25-point charter of demands before the Chief Minister on Feb 27.

Widespread protest all over Sivasagar district:

Sivasagar: Demonstration by various groups and organizations in various forms marked the day on Feb 15 in Sivasagar district. The groups were protesting against police and Army atrocities at Kakopathar in Tinsukia district. The Sivasagar District Council of the Communist Party of India (CPI) on Feb 15 organized a peace rally in Sivasagar town. The party members were seen shouting slogans against the State Government and the Army. They assembled outside the Deputy Commissioner's office and handed over a memorandum to the Sivasagar deputy Commissioner addressed to the Prime Minister for fulfillment of their various demands. The memorandum, signed by Phoni Chetia, secretary of the Sivasagar District Council demanded withdrawal of the Army from the State, continuance of the peace process with ULFA and to provide adequate compensatory package to those who died and the injured at the Kakopathar incident.

GU to appeal for reconsideration:

Guwahati: in a twist to grace mark episode that created ripples in the ranks and files of Gauhati University, the Executive Council of GU has decided to appeal to Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Singh to reconsider his decision directing the University to award grace marks to a number of MBBS candidates. GU Vice Chancellor Gajendra Nath Talukdar, while talking on Feb16, said that the Executive Council, after discussing the matter of the Governor's order 'minutely and with all seriousness', has decided to appeal to the Governor- who is also the Chancellor of the University - to reconsider his decision in the greater interest of the University and the people in general.

Operators to blackout 3 national news channels:

Guwahati: Launching a scathing attack on some national news channels for 'miserable failing' to highlight the problems and the actual scenario of Assam and the North-east, the cable TV operators and service providers under Assam Cable TV Operators Confederation (ACOC) and Greater Guwahati Cable TV Operators Association (GGCOA) have resolved to keep Aaj Tak, Zee News and Star News off the screen for a period of 48 hours from February 17.

NCP irked over decision to amend Foreigners Act:

Guwahati: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has come down heavily on the decision taken by the Consultative Committee of the Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) to bring amendment to the Foreigners Act. The party said that by bringing amendment to the Foreigners Act the Centre was 'implementing' the IM (DT) Act in 'disguise' in Assam. The party has blamed Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmhon Singh for the move.

No change in number of 'D' voters in final rolls:

Guwahati: The final electoral rolls, 2006 published on February 10 has 1,74,34,951 voters, of which 89,95,871 are males and 84,39,080 are females. The final rolls has 73,236 voters more than the draft rolls published on December 20, 2005. Dispur LAC has the highest number of voters (2,94,038) and Thawra LAC has the lowest (93,892). The number of 'D' voters remained the same as that in the draft rolls. Of the 1,59,501 'D' voters, 60,226 are males and 99,287 are females.


Gogoi 'greeted' with black badges, slogans:

Tinsukia: It was an awful welcome for Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at Kakopathar. Seven days after the police firing on protesters at Kakopathar. Seven days after the police firing on protesters at Kakopathar that had left nine people dead, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's visit to the place was greeted with renewed protests on Feb 17 as villagers demonstrated against the State Government wearing black badges and shouting anti-government slogans. Fourteen people were injured when security forces resorted to lathi charge to disperse the agitated mob. One Atul Gogoi, who sustained serious injuries in the scuffle, has been admitted to the civil hospital. In another incident that has stirred up a hornets' nest and aggravated the situation further, security personnel assaulted a local scribe of a vernacular daily, Robin Dhekial Phukon, while he was witnessing a demonstration at Kakopathar. Phukon received injuries on his left scapula and has been referred to the AMCH Dibrugarh.

Deka quits as AXX chief over Mahanta in Belsor:

Guwahati: Kanaksen Deka on Feb 17 tendered his resignation as Axom Xahitya Xabha (AXX) president with immediate effect. This unprecedented development in the history of the premier literary body of the State came a day after the fourth special session of the Xabha had concluded at Belsor in Nalbari district. Protests by AASU activities against he presence of former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta in the open session marked the Xabha session.

AASU, AJYCP spit fire:

Guwahati: The fresh notification by the Centre following the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs' (CCPA) clearance of the amendment to the Foreigners' Act 1946, which lays the 'onus of proof' to establish the identity of a suspected foreigner on the police, has evoked sharp reaction. Several organizations, including the All Assam Students Union (AASU), BJP etc. have vowed to oppose any move to bring back, what they said, the now-defunct IM (DT) Act in disguise.

Singh's directive shocks academia:

Guwahati: Academicians of the State have expressed shock and regret at the conduct of the constitutional head of the State who directed Gauhati University authorities to award grace marks to 14 MBBS candidates. "What the Chancellor of Gauhati University has done is wholly illegal and ultra vires of the GU Act, 1947 as amended up to date," said Dr Devaprasad Barua, former VC, Gauhati University. Terming the orders of the Governor as unjustified and unwarranted, Dr Barua pointed that no provision in the University Act or any statute provided for any occasion of interference in university examination matters by the Governor. "Such a deplorable incident has never been recorded in the history of the university since its inception," voiced Dr Barua.


Governor asks GU to award grace marks; MBBS candidates' plea draws Singh's favour:

Guwahati: In an unprecedented episode in the annals of Gauhati University, the Assam Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the University, while invoking the powers bestowed upon him under Section 3(9) of the Gauhati University Act, 1947 has directed the GU authorities to award grace marks to 12 MBBS candidates, including Pallavi Anand and Nawneeta Rajkhowa of MBBS (Final) Part II, held in

October 2005. The decision of the governor, which has sent ripples across the University, came after three candidates, including the two mentioned above and one Pallavi Baruah had sought the Governor's intervention in awarding of grace marks in the light of the GU regulation and syllabus of the MBBS new course (based on curriculum of the MCI 1997 and effective from session 1998-99) and MCI gazette notification dated July 2, 2002 and October 16, 2003. In a terse remark, Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Singh, in his press note, said that he had taken the decision after the University executive Council had failed to arrive at a decision in consonance with the existing rules of the University and MCI despite being given reasonable time to act on a missive by the Governor to the GU Vice Chancellor to this effect on January 7, 2006.

Mahanta seeks Kalam intervention:

Guwahati: Holding the State Government responsible for the recent killings at Kakopathar and Makum in Tinsukia district, AGP(P) president and former Assam Chief Miniser Prafulla Kumar Mahanta on Feb 15 sought the intervention of President Abdul Kalam in the matter. Talking to newsmen in the city on Feb 15, Mahanta said that the situation in Tinsukia district could have been averted had the State Government given enough time to tackle the situation arising out of the 'custodial death' of Ajit Mahanta instead of working overtime for preparations for AICC president Sonia Gandhi's recent visit to the State. The former Chief Minister urged the State government to provide rehabilitation package to all the victims.

Hussain, Prasad to address BJP Parivartan rally:

Guwahati: BJP national secretary Shahnawaj Hussain and spokeperson Ravi Shankar Prasad are arriving on Feb 16 in their 3-day Assam visit. According to party sources, while Hussain is scheduled to address the Guwahati-bound Parivartan Yatra at Chhaygaon, Boko, Dudhnoi and Goalpara, Prasad will attend the Yatra at Hojai, Batadraba, Morigaon and Jagiroad. Meanwhile, BJP State president Indramoni Bora on Feb 15 flagged off the last leg of the Parivartan Yatra from Diphu. In a well-attended rally held at the Diphu stadium this afternoon two prominent Congress leaders of the hill districts, namely, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council member Ramsing Ingti and former Autonomous Council member Indrakanta Harpal formally joined the BJP along with their followers.


Kakopathar firing deliberate; ULFA; Fresh protests break lull:

Tinsukia: Recuperating from the shock of Feb 10 police firing that had left nine people dead and scores injured, renewed protests erupted at various places in Tinsukia district like Hijugorrie, Tengakhat, Makum, Bhadoipachali as well as in the Tinsukia township against the "atrocities" committed on innocent people by security forces and the "custodial" death of Dirak Gaon resident Ajit Mahanta on Feb 5. Protesters under the banner of six different organizations took to the streets at Tinsukia, while another mob demonstrated a sit-in protest in front of the Tinsukia District Library. Effigies of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was reportedly burnt at Bhadoipchali under Duliajan police station while rallies were taken out in Tengakhat and Hijugoorie. A massive protest meet was held at Hijugootie. Speaking at the meet, leaders of various organizations, including the Motock Jatiya Parishad, All Assam Moran Students' Union and the All Assam Mottock Yuba Chatra Sanmilan, lambasted the State Government, for , what they called, the merciless killing of innocent people and ceaseless atrocities meted out to the public in the guise of anti-ultra operation.

Kakopathar now cries for must items, medical aid:

Tinsukia: curfew, which was clamped in areas under Kakopathar, Makum, Dirak and Doomdooma police stations after the police firing on Friday and the uprising that followed, was relaxed for two hours from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. on Feb 14 even as a simmering tension prevailed in the region. An unspecified number of people are reported to be missing. Essential commodities, especially kerosene and medical aid are getting scarce by the day. Already a number of people are reported to be in poor

health.

BTC leaders to meet Manmohan on Feb 15:

Kokrajhar: A four-member team led by BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary will call on the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Feb 16 in New Delhi to discuss matters of the BTC Accord implementation. According to sources, the team would discuss the issue of inclusion of the Bodos living in Karbi Anglong in the ST(H) list, setting up of a Central Institute of Technology and a medical college at Kokrajhar and other important clauses of the BTC Accord.

Army violated UC norms, says Kabilan:

Tinsukia: Stating that the Army is answerable to the State Government regarding any operation carried out by it in the State, Chief Secretary S Kabilan on Feb 13 said that the police firing in Kakopathar was a fallout of the Army's failure to follow instructions laid down in the Unified Command Structure (UC) in the case of suspected ULFA linkman Ajit Mahanta, who was picked up on Feb 6 and whose body was found a day later. Had the Army followed the instructions of the UC, Mahanta would not have been picked up from Dirak village in Tinsukia district on Feb 6 and his body disposed off the way they did, Kabilan told newsmen at the Circuit House. Mahanta's body was found in a gunny bag the next day near the Assam Medical College at Dibrugarh. Kabilan, who was to "assess the ground situation", further indicated that a "bad element" had instigated the villagers which resulted the situation. He, however, admitted that there was "violation of human rights" and said that junior officers of the Army was involved in the case. Action will be taken against the erring officers.

Bandhs hit wage earners:

Jorhat: The bandhs called by the ULFa and AASu on two consecutive days have caused immense hardship to daily-wage earners and put students appearing for the degree Part - I examination under Dibrugarh University on Feb 14 into a fix although the examination has been exempted from the purview of the bandh.


CEO seeks Rs 56 cr as poll expenditure:

Guwahati: Assam Chief Election Officer (CEO) has sought Rs 56 crore from the State Government for conducting the ensuing Assembly election. The amount also includes poll-related dues since 1996. according to official sources, the CEO has taken a number of measures so as to ensure free-and-fair election in the State. Some of the steps, according to sources, are - all polling centers are to be connected to the CEO through telephone or wireless, setting up of a hot-line at the office of the CEO and collection of poll-related information by the CEO from media persons covering the electioneering. According to sources, 60 percent of the polling centers are with land line telephone facilities, and in the remaining 40 percent poll centers the Department of Telecom has been requested to provide telecom connections to applicants in areas lying near poll centers so that the telephones could be utilized at the time of polls.

Cong minority leaders resent party 'apathy':

Guwahati: Resentment in the Congress minority camp continues to brew even after the part has announced the move to amend the Foreigners Act. A section of the minority leaders are sour over the 'apathy' of the party leadership regarding handling of minority affairs. A veteran minority leader, on condition of anonymity, said that while all the departments and the cells of the party have already been reconstituted, the minority department which was dissolved months back following the 'open rebellion' of AF Golam Osmani against the Pradesh Congress leadership, is still not reconstituted. He thinks, non-existence of the party's minority department might send wrong signals to the people when the

Assembly election is around the corner.

Arson marks AASU bandh:

Guwahati: Ramkanta Kalita had to face a lot of hardships to maintain the expense of his family during the last two days as his small tea shop near the Panbazar flyover remained shut during the two consecutive bandhs called by the ULFA and the AASU in protest against the Kakopathar incident. "I suffered Rs 200 loss because of the two bandhs," Kalita, who earns Rs 90-100 a day by selling tea, biscuits and tamul said. Manoj Singha, a vegetable vendor of Bhangagarh, suffered loss to the tune of Rs 800 during the bandhs since vegetables are highly perishable items.

Largest air show in city from Feb 19:

Guwahati: A few days from now, the skies overlooking the river front in Guwahati behind Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok will become the ground for dare devil activities like skydiving, formation aerobatics and fly past. The men in Blue, who have been playing a commendable role both during war and peace, will present the largest airshow in the city beginning from Feb 19.


AGP for Kalam's intervention:

Guwahati: Asom Gana Parishad Birendra Baishya, Dilip Kumar Saikia, Hitendra Nath Goswami, Arun Sharma and Sarbananda Sonowal - both MPs - would apprise President APJ Abdul Kalam of the whole situation in Kakopathar and urge him to look into the matter seriously. Meanwhile, AGP president Brindabon Goswami has left for Kokopathar this evening to take stock of the existing situation there. He is accompanied by party general secretary Atul Bora and spokesman Prabin Boro.

BJP threatens to take warpath:

Guwahati: The BJP has vowed to oppose the UPA Government's reported move to amend the Foreigners Act in both the houses of Parliament as well as on the issue, the Assam Pradesh BJP in a statement said: "This anti-Assam step is the part of the evil plot to hand over the State to Bangladesh and this move is itself a threat to the national integrity." "The Congress is favouring the amendment of the Foreigners' Act to secure its so-called vote bank," said Dilip Sakia on behalf of the BJP media cell.

Cong sees ray of hope in proposed tea package:

Guwahati: The Congress has heaved a sigh of relief with the assurance of party president Sonia Gandhi that a Central package for the welfare of the 'sick' tea industry in Assam would soon be announced. "We are very much hopeful about the proposed package announced by Gandhi during a public rally at Tezpur and naturally, it is expected that formal the announcement will come by this month as the State Assembly election is round the corner," said Congress tea cell chairman Bhagirath Karan on Feb 13.


Five ULFA men arrested:

Guwahati: City Police arrested five hard-core ULFA militants last night from various locations of the city and recovered some arms from their possession. The militants are - PR Hussain alias Mainul alias Raja (23), Chandan Baisya alias Prabin Thakuria (22), Md. Abdus Salam (32) of Bilasipara, Babul Deka alias Monti (27) and Ratan Sarkar (21). According to police, they were involved in the serial blasts in the city before the Republic Day.

Firing at Kakopathar, Makum; Nine feared killed; Army deployed:

Tinsukia: At least nine people, including CRPF personnel and women, were killed and several others injured in two separate incidents of firing by security forces at Kakopathar and Makum in Tinsukia district on Feb 10 leading to deployment of Army in the entire district. The furore in Kakopathar following the controversial death of Dinak Gohain Gaon resident Ajit Mahanta on Feb 5 took a turn for the worse on Feb 10 when over 30,000 people from different villages of greater Kakopathar region took to the streets storming Army outposts and vandalizing vehicles compelling security personnel to open fire. The villagers, protesting against and alleged Army atrocities and custodial killings and demanding exemplary punishment to the erring Army personnel, continued to block the National Highway 52 for the fifth consecutive day on Feb 10, and stormed two Army pickets defying the prohibitory order imposed on free movement.

Thousands throng Sangha celebration:

Bebejia: The Sikshaguru Mahendra Kandali Ksheytra has turned into a sea of humanity with thousands if bhakats (devotees) chanting Srikrishma naam kirtanas on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Sankardev Sangha on Feb 9. The day began with naam praxanga` and Bhagawat path at 7 a.m. It was led by the Padadhikar of the Sangha Karuna Kanti Kalita. It was followed by an interaction between Sangha's general secretary Hariprasad Hazarika and senior devotees from various ethnic communities.

Poll preparation afoot in Kokrajhar (East) ST LAC:

Kokrajhar: Many intending candidates have intensified their ground work in interior areas for their victory in the strategic No 30 Kokrajhar (East) ST Lac in the forthcoming State Assembly election. According to a party leader of the BPPF (H), the party president Hagrama Mohilary is still undecided to whom he will give party ticket for the No 30 Kokrajhar ST LAC.

Yatra; Golakganj edition flagged off:

Tamarhat: The BJP is going to serve 'quit India notice' to the Bangladeshi intruders in the party's February 19 rally at Judges Field in Guwahati marking the conclusion of the Parivartan Yatra of the party. This was announced by BJP national general secretary in-charge of Assam Promod Mahajan while flagging off the third edition of Parivartan Yatra from Chilarai Kshetra at Paglaghat in Golakganj this afternoon. Alluding to the poor road communication, inadequate water supply and power supply in the bordering areas, Mahajan castigated the Tarun Gogoi-led government for its "failure on all fronts". The former Union minister called upon the people to give the BJP "a chance".

Soz talks development at Silchar:

Silchar: "UPA government led by Manmohan Singh has laid stress on the implementation of power, irrigation and flood control schemes and projects in the North-east," Union Minister of Water Resources Saifuddin Soz said on Feb 5. Elaborating on the initiatives taken by the Centre, Soz said his Ministry has fixed a deadline of two years for the completion of Amjur irrigation project in Cachar which, he added, will benefit 50 villages spread across 72 sq km in the area. Amjur would become a potential rice producing area of the district, he pointed out.

Mahajan flags off Parivartan Yatra:

Tinsukia: Pledging "to defeat the evil design of certain elements to merge Assam with Bangladesh", BJP national secretary Pramod Mahajan on Feb 5 flagged off the party's 'Parivartan Yara' at Dhola in Sadiya in presence of thousands of party supporters and leaders, including State BJP president Indramoni Bora, MP Rajen Gohain, V Satish and BJP Tea Cell chairman Kamakhya Prasad Tasa. Speaking on the occasion, Mahajan raked up the controversial killing of journalist Prahlad Gowala of golaghat and tea worker Mitharam Hemrom of Bokajan and castigated the Congress Government for its 'failure to provide security to the lift and property of the people of Assam'. "The State has witnessed

an unprecedented rise in crime and corruption during the Congress rule," he said and blamed it on the State Government for the abiding grievances of the tea community, which, according to him, was being used as a vote bank by the Congress.


Himanta embezzled MAC funds; Rani:

Guwahati: Former Congress MP Rani Narah on Feb 10 brought a fresh charge against Minister of State for Planning and Development Himanta Biswa Sarma that the young minister had swindled Rs 50 lakh from the Rs 8 crore released for the Mising Autonomous Council, and the process was on to embezzle another Rs 50 lakh from the remaining Rs 8 crore to be released for the Council.

Rani's allegations sans basis; Bharat:

Guwahati: Assam WPT and BC Minister Bharat Narah on Feb 10 gave a 'clean chit' to Himanta Biswa Sarma on the allegations brought against Sarma by former Congress MP Rani Narah. Terming Himanta an asset for the Congress, he said that the minister's skillful way of functioning made many jealous of him. Talking to newsmen on Feb 10, Narah said: "Rani is emotional and aggressive. Her allegations against Himanta Biswas Sarma were without basis. Her outburst is detrimental to the party. Rani has a wrong notion that Himanta had a role in her defeat in the last Lok Sabha election. I made it clear to her that her doubt is without basis, but she is not ready to buy my view on the issue." He added that nobody was above the party, and disciplinary action would be initiated against Rani.

AASU warns CM:

Guwahati: The All Assam Students' Union and the Axom Unnati Xabha vehemently condemned the Kakopathar firing saying that the incident stands testimony to the "oppressive rule" of the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government. In a press statement, AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya and Axom Unnati Xabha president Rohini Kumar Gogoi warned the State Government to stop the "atrocities" on innocent people or else it would have to face a vigorous agitation. In protest against the recent "atrocities" committed on innocent people by security forces, both the organization would stage a sit-in demonstration in the city, besides moving the Human Rights Commissions.

Bid to derail peace process, says BJP:

Guwahati: "We have been repeatedly saying that the Congress Government, both in the State and at the Centre lacked sincerity regarding the peace process, and on Feb 10 incident proves it," State BJP spokesperson Ashok Singhal said on Feb 10. Reacting to the situation in Kokopathar, Singhal told this evening: "the congress has stuck to its divide-and-rule policy. On one hand it is holding talks with the ULFA-nominated PCG and on the other, it is killing innocent people." He added: "The peace process is nothing but a political gimmick of the Congress". AGP general secretary Dilip Kumar Saikia has condemned the incident and has held the State Government responsible for it. Meanwhile, MP Arun Sarma and AGP spokesperson Jagadish Bhuyan have left for Kakopathar this evening.

Agitating villagers refuse to accept Mahanta's body:

Tinsukia: For the third time within span of nine days agitated villagers on Feb 7 blocked the national highway in Tinsukia district for several hours to register their protest against the alleged atrocities of the Army. A day after one Ajit Mahanta of Dirak village died under controversial circumstances allegedly in the custody of Army, villagers of the greater Kokopathar region took to the streets near Sujan Tiniali alleging that "the innocent father of two children was brutally killed by the Army." The protesters refused to accept Mahanta's body. Army sources on Feb 6 said that Mahanta died of injuries sustained while trying to escape. Dibrugarh police, however, claimed that Mahanta's body was found in a gunny bag at AMC, Dibrugarh.

Protest over arrest in Chabua:

Tinsukia: Demanding release of the four arrested youths and protesting the alleged atrocities committed on them by the Army, thousands of people from different villages of the greater Chabua region on Feb 6 staged a road and rail blockade for seven hours. Life at Chabua township came to a grinding halt as the protesters, shouting slogans against the government, burnt the effigies of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and local MLA Raju Sahu.


Himanta embezzled MAC funds; Rani:

Guwahati: Former Congress MP Rani Narah on Feb 10 brought a fresh charge against Minister of State for Planning and Development Himanta Biswa Sarma that the young minister had swindled Rs 50 lakh from the Rs 8 crore released for the Mising Autonomous Council, and the process was on to embezzle another Rs 50 lakh from the remaining Rs 8 crore to be released for the Council.

Rani's allegations sans basis; Bharat:

Guwahati: Assam WPT and BC Minister Bharat Narah on Feb 10 gave a 'clean chit' to Himanta Biswa Sarma on the allegations brought against Sarma by former Congress MP Rani Narah. Terming Himanta an asset for the Congress, he said that the minister's skillful way of functioning made many jealous of him. Talking to newsmen on Feb 10, Narah said: "Rani is emotional and aggressive. Her allegations against Himanta Biswas Sarma were without basis. Her outburst is detrimental to the party. Rani has a wrong notion that Himanta had a role in her defeat in the last Lok Sabha election. I made it clear to her that her doubt is without basis, but she is not ready to buy my view on the issue." He added that nobody was above the party, and disciplinary action would be initiated against Rani.

AASU warns CM:

Guwahati: The All Assam Students' Union and the Axom Unnati Xabha vehemently condemned the Kakopathar firing saying that the incident stands testimony to the "oppressive rule" of the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government. In a press statement, AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya and Axom Unnati Xabha president Rohini Kumar Gogoi warned the State Government to stop the "atrocities" on innocent people or else it would have to face a vigorous agitation. In protest against the recent "atrocities" committed on innocent people by security forces, both the organization would stage a sit-in demonstration in the city, besides moving the Human Rights Commissions.

Bid to derail peace process, says BJP:

Guwahati: "We have been repeatedly saying that the Congress Government, both in the State and at the Centre lacked sincerity regarding the peace process, and on Feb 10 incident proves it," State BJP spokesperson Ashok Singhal said on Feb 10. Reacting to the situation in Kokopathar, Singhal told this evening: "the congress has stuck to its divide-and-rule policy. On one hand it is holding talks with the ULFA-nominated PCG and on the other, it is killing innocent people." He added: "The peace process is nothing but a political gimmick of the Congress". AGP general secretary Dilip Kumar Saikia has condemned the incident and has held the State Government responsible for it. Meanwhile, MP Arun Sarma and AGP spokesperson Jagadish Bhuyan have left for Kakopathar this evening.


Voters' list publication on Feb 9:

Guwahati: The final electoral roll of Assam, 2006 will be published on Feb 10 and the forthcoming Assembly polls will be conducted based on this list. According to Election Commission sources, the final electoral roll will register an increased number of voters as against the 17,36,1715 voters shown in

the draft list published on December 20, 2005. It may be mentioned that the final electoral roll of 2005 published on January 1 that year registered 17,37,1593 voters. Out of these, 89,97,676 were females. According to this roll the number of 'D' voters were 1,62,719. But the number of 'D' voters in the draft published on December 12, 2005 were 1,59,513. Out of these 60,226 were males and 99,287 were females. Meanwhile, Additional CEO of the State Election Department RC Jain on Feb 9 said that 22,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have reached the State and they are being tested in six zones. They are: Guwahati, Tezpur, Sivasagar, Silchar, Nagaon and Bongaigaon zones it is still on in Sivsagar, Silchar and Nagaon. Tezpur is yet to begin the work, Jain added. The existing 27,000 EVMs in the State have been stored by the Election Department and they will not be used this time, Jain informed.

'AGP failed to unite regional parties':

Guwahati: The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba-Chtra Parishad on Feb 9 blamed the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) for its failure to create a powerful regional force by bringing all the regional parties of the State together. Functionaries of the Parishad said that the party had, till date, failed to formulate an election strategy to keep the parties representing the national forces at bay. Meanwhile, AGP president Brindabon Goswami on Feb 9 categorically denied any possible alliance with the Bharatiya Janta Party. Talking to the press here, the AGP president said that his party would be keeping an equal distance from the Congress and the BJP. Goswami further said that the AGP is in talks with secular regional and Left parties for a possible alliance for the forthcoming election.

AGP to move EC against Himanta:

Guwahati: With former Congress MP Rani Narah stirring up a hornets' nest by bringing a serious allegation against Minister of State for Planning and Development Himanta Biswa Sarma on Feb 8 that electronic voting machines (EVMs) had been manipulated in favour of the Congress at AMTRON in the last panchayat, civil body and Lok Sabha elections in the State under his directive, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on Feb 9 decided to move the Election Commission to lodge a complaint against the minister. The BJP, on the other hand, said that such allegations against the minister were innumerable during the last five years.

Grand welcome for Debojit in city:

Guwahati: Zee TV's Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa- famed 'lad of the soil'. Debojit Saha was accorded a grant welcome in the city as hundreds of his fans and well-wishers received him at the LGB International Airport here on Feb 9. An almost interminable motorcycle rally accompanied by other vehicles ferried the civil engineer-turned vocalist from the airport to Rabindra Bhavan via the AASU headquarters. People were seen in a fanatic mood throughout his journey. Debojit's fans had made the colourful and crowded convoy that halted at several points in the city.


Gogoi announces 'pre-poll' tax cut:

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Feb 8 proposed tax cut on a slew of items, including essential commodities, with immediate effect so as to give the people a respite. This otherwise laudable gesture, however, is viewed by many as a 'desperate' move on the part of the Chief Minister to woo votes mainly because of the timing of the announcement. Had there been such tax cuts over the last four and half years, the Chief Minister would have got more takers of his move. Gogoi informed the House that his Government proposed to cut tax on Public Distribution System (PDS) kerosene from four per cent to two per cent and bring it under the fourth schedule of VAT i.e. bring it under the first point taxation system. This move, according to Gogoi, would serve two purposes - firstly, it would give a respite to the below poverty line (PBL) people and secondly, it would keep the PDS shops outside the VAT brackets, which, in its turn, would obviate the need of the PDS shops from getting registered with the Taxation Department.

CM smashes Opp bouncers on killing of ULFA cadres:

Guwahati: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Feb 8 opted to play on the front foot to smash the bouncers from the Opposition on the killing of ULFA cadres and Linkmen in upper Assam. "My Government did not avenge the ULFA cadres by killing their relatives as had been done by the last AGP Government, and this doesn't mean that no ULFA cadre was killed under this Government. We too killed UFLA cadres in retaliation and to bring the law and order under control," is how Gogoi reacted to Opposition's attack on the recent killing of ULFA cadres or linkmen in upper Assam, in his reply to the debate on the Budget.

CM, Himanta face Rani ire on MAC:

Guwahati: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was not even aware of the fact that his announcement reconstitution of the Mising Autonomous Council could invite the ire of his partymen who vented their anger in the open on Feb 8. Barely three hours after Gogoi, flanked by WPT and BC Minister Bharat Narah, announced the names of office-bearers of the new Mising Autonomous Council (MAC) headed by CEM Paramananda Sahingia, disgruntled former Congress MP Rani Narah dragged Gogoi and Himanta Biswa Sarma through the mud saying that the duo were creating divisions among the communities.


Minister caught unawares on Accord; Assam-Bangla fencing to be completed by December; Barman:

Guwahati: Assam Accord Implementation Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman on Feb 7 caught unawares when, while replying to a question in the floor of the House, he gave two different statistic - one oral and another written - regarding the ongoing Indo-Bangladesh border fencing work. "Of the total of 267 km of the Assam-Bangladesh border, 148 km have been completed, while work was in progress in another 28-km stretch," Barman said in his reply to a question put by Congress MLA Paniram Rabha. However, in his written reply, Barman informed that 83.63 per cent of the fencing work has been completed. The minister told the House that the Centre has given the work of the remaining 91-km stretch to National Building Construction Company (NBCC). The entire fencing is expected to be completed by December 2006, he added.

CM, ministers give a slip:

Guwahati: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who also holds the Finance portfolio, his deputy in the Finance Department Himanta Biswas Sarma and their ministerial colleagues on Feb 7 scripted an unprecedented record of sort by remaining absent en mass when the all important debate on the Vote on Account was going on in the Assembly, which had to be adjourned on the question of quorum. This 'unbecoming behaviour' on the part of the Chief Minister and his colleagues compelled the Speaker Prithvi Majhi to tender an apology to the august House on behalf of the ministers. He also issued a stricture to the ministers. Asking them to be serious on House proceedings and not to repeat such things in future. Leader of the Opposition and AGP president Brindabon Goswami, on the other hand, sought a clarification from the Government on the ministers' absence, which, according to him, is a direct insult to the House.

Govt dev claim an eyewash; Brindabon:

Guwahati: Coming down heavily on the ruling Congress in the State Assembly on Feb 7, Opposition leader Brindabon Goswami said that increase in the number of dhabas and malls in the city does not mean that there has been development in the rural areas of the State. Criticizing Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for his repeated claim that the State is progressing in all fields, Goswami said, "The State Government has been taking excessive loans as it says they are a must for development. But before the 2001 election, the Congress had criticized the AGP for taking loans."

Effective linkage between SHGs and banks stressed:

Guwahati: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Assam Regional Office, has stressed the need to modernize the agricultural sector, and established effective linkage between the SHGs and banks so as to ensure rural prosperity in the State. At a State Credit Seminar held on Feb 7 on the occasion of the release of its 'State Focus Paper 2006-07', NABARD officials asserted that the government and the other developmental agencies had a greater contributory role in agricultural extension services, and in creating a conducive climate for loan recovery. It may be mentioned here that NABARD has envisaged a total credit requirement of Rs 1358.28 crore for the State during 2006-07. The agricultural credit for the year has been projected at Rs 615.44 crore, which is a significant increase as against Rs 317.89 crore projected for 2005-06. On the other hand, the projection for Non Farm Sector (NFS) and Other Priority Sector (OPS) has been estimated at Rs 253.47 crore and Rs 489.32 crore respectively as against Rs 210.84 crore and Rs 348.09 crore in 2005-06.


Gogoi tables Rs 6,844 cr Vote on Account:

Guwahati: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Feb 6 placed the Vote on Account on the demand for grants for an aggregate amount of Rs 6,844.40 crore before the House to, as he said, meet all essential and obligatory expenditure during the first four months of the coming financial year - April, 2006 to July, 2006. Addressing the House, Gogoi lauded the initiatives of the State Government "to rescue Assam from the brink of disaster". "Whether in State finances, economic development, social security or maintenance of public peace, law and order, normalcy has been restored on all fronts," he said and added, "The State economy is now poised for a takeoff as never before". Gogoi said that there has been no RBI ban on State Government payments even for a single day during the current financial year and since April 2005 the State Government has not resorted to any RBI overdraft.

Goswami; It is a poll manifesto:

Guwahati: The Opposition has termed the Vote on Account tabled by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in the State Assembly on Feb 6 as the 'election manifesto' of the Congress party. While AGP president Brindaban Goswami said the Account is nothing but a simple poll-oriented exercise which comprises so many promises made in view of the forthcoming election, the AGP-P supreme Prafulla Kumar Mahanta described it as 'old wine in new bottle'. "This was the election speech of the Chief Minister which does not reflect the real issues faced by the State," said Mahanta.

Opp; Govt role double standard; 'Paying and maintaining Army is wastage':

Guwahati: The Opposition on Feb 6 said that the Government is maintaining a double standard by saying that there is peace in Assam and at the same time spending lakhs of rupees on keeping the Army in the State. Bringing a cut-motion when Minister of State for Home Rockybul Hussain placed the supplementary demands for grants of Rs 1,482.63 lakh for 2005-06 for voting, Dilip Kumar Saikia of AGP said, "If the Chief Minister claims that there is peace in Assam then why should the Government spend so much money in keeping the Army in the State? Is it not double standard? On one hand there is peace talks and on the other the Army is continuing its atrocities. Is it not injustice?" Saikia further said that nobody should try to divide the People's Consultative Group (PCG) as this kind of a step would affect the peace talks adversely.

CMP worries UDF; 'Third Front' equation:

Guwahati: The question of addressing the infiltration problem in the post - IMDT Assam may put a spanner in the process for preparing a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) proposed 'third front' for the forthcoming poll in the State. This is the apprehension of a section of the United Democratic Front (UDF) functionaries who feel that this touchy issue may stand as a hindrance in the working of the

'third front'.


Gogoi to table Rs 500-cr surplus Vote on Account on Feb 5; Govt hellbent on tax cut:

Guwahati: Assam Government is hellbent to cut taxes on essential commodities so as to give a respite to the people (voters). It was a good gesture had it not been an election year. Talking to newsmen in the city on Feb 5, Assam Government spokesman Himanta Biswas Sarma said that though the Vote on Account which Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was going to table in the Assembly on Feb 6 would not include taxation in it, ye the Government would notify tax cut on essential commodities separately during the Budget Session so as to give the consumers a respite. The tax cut, according to Sarma, will continue till further order. Though it is undoubtedly a welcome gesture for the people, yet conscious circles in the State have smelt a rat in the move since the Assembly election in the State is hardly three months away.

UDF spits fire at Govt on report:

Guwahati: The UDF has threatened the Congress that it would drag the Government led by the party to the court if it does not come clear on the media report against UDF president Badruddin Azmal published in a section of press a few days back. The UDF has decided to file a defamation suit against the newspapers concerned and the official whose name appeared in the 'fabricated' news item which said: "IGP (SB) Khagen Sarma has sent a secret report to the Centre alleging that Badruddin Azmal is an ISI agent"

PCG set talks with Centre on Feb 7:

Guwahati: The ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group (PCG) is all set to hold talks with the Centre in New Delhi from Feb 7. Earlier, the PMO had invited Lachit Bordoloi, Haidar Hussain, Ajit Bhuyan and Brajen Gogoi for the talks, leaving out the other five. The PCG, however, decided to attend the meeting in its full strength. The PMO was yet to state whether it would talk to all the nine members.

ULFA hits back at AASU:

Guwahati: United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Aravinda Rajkhowa, in a release e-mailed to the media on Feb 5, asked the AASU leaders not to engage itself in activities that go against the 'national liberation revolution.' Rajkhowa said that the ULFA had once asked the present AASU leaders to make their stand clear on the issue of 'nationality' for information of the people of the State, but they did not. He said that the present AASU leaders' stand against 'independent Assam' could never be the unanimous stand of the student community and people of Assam, and hence they should refrain from misleading the students.


Rat race in Congress for tickets:

Guwahati: A rat race has been started among Congress leaders who are out to make it to the list of probable candidates for at least 20 tea tribe-dominated Legislative assembly constituencies (LACs) as the congress Tea cell, which wants to field Tea tribe candidates in as many as 35 LACs in the coming Assembly election, is going to submit the list to the party high command soon, party sources said.

Step soon if Azmal doesn't quit: Ragibi

Guwahati: disgruntled Jamiat leader and former Congress MLA Abdul Jalil Ragibi on Feb 2 made it clear that the 'non-political Jamiat members' will declare their next course of action against State Jamiat president and the United Democratic front (UDF) leader Badruddin Azmal next week as the 15-

day ultimatum served by them to Azmal expires on February 4.

AGP demands Governor's ouster; We give importance only to official statements: Gogoi

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Feb 2 said that his Government did not give much importance to Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh's personal views on talks with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and other militancy-related problems afflicting the State. "We, however, do give much importance to the official statement of the Constitutional Head of the State on such issues in his Republic Day and Budget Session speeches", Gogoi told members of the House on Feb 2. He said this when Dilip Kumar Saikia of the AGP and Pabindra Deka, an independent legislator, called the attention of the State Government on the Governor's recent comment on talks with the ULFA.

Funds; Assam in problem of plenty?

Guwahati: Assam Government is faced with the problem of plenty insofar as funds are concerned if the State's financial situation which Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi presented before the House on Feb 3 is to be believed. Replying to the debate on Governor's Budget speech, Gogoi said in no uncertain terms that funds were being poured in into the State in large amounts from various sources but the State machinery was not adequate to utilize them. "It is because of good performance of the Government, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other financial institutions come forward with loans," Unlike the then AGP governments, we utilize the loan money for the development of infrastructure, and not for paying salaries to the employees." He said with confidence that the Congress would make it to Dispur again since the Government's thrust throughout its tenure was on performance. "Our buzz word bikaxit Axom (developing Assam) is not merely a slogan. We mean it with action," he said.

PCG to attend in full strength:

Guwahati: The Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) has decided to attend the second round of talks on February 7 with the Centre in its full strength despite the fact that it was requested to send a small group by New Delhi. Besides, it has termed the reported appeal of the Centre for maintaining secrecy of the talks as 'unnecessary and doubtful.' "All the 9 members of the PCG along with two coordinators - Mamoni Raisom Goswami and Rebati Phukan - are going to attend the talks," said Lachit Bordoloi, a member of the PCG, on Feb 3. Later, the PCG in a statement alleged that a section of media and intellectuals are conspiring to jeopardize the current peace process and appealed to them to refrain from such attempts for the greater interest of Assam'. The PCG members decided not to open their mouths before the media and express their views only through written statements.

Dearth doctors worries House:

Guwahati: Will the three new proposed medical colleges in the State fulfill the norms when more than 400 posts of doctors, nurses and non-teaching staff are lying vacant in the existing ones? This doubt was raised on Feb 3 in the Assembly during the Question Hour by BJP MLA Bimalangshu Roy. Roy wanted to know from the Government how it was going to fill up vacancies. It may be mentioned here that the Government has initiated the preliminary process for setting up of the new medical colleges, and according to Health Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman, the application for establishment the three new medical colleges with all relevant documents have already been submitted to the Centre.

Plastic-free poll campaign stressed:

Guwahati: It is a straight case of preaching and not practicing. Although the various political parties in the State go gaga over their concern about the environment which is deteriorating by the day for the nonchalance of the elite and the hoi-plloi alike, they are making a beeline to print and prepare banners, party flags et al made of plastic for their campaign for the forthcoming elections. The green activities, however, have alerted the parties against the use of non-biodegradable polythene during the campaign.

It is historically Assam's land; Panel; Report on encroached border land; State to put it up in Supreme

Court:

Guwahati: "The hundreds of acres of land encroached by Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in the border areas is historically, traditionally and constitutionally Assam's land." This was stated in the report of the Expert Committee on Inter-State Border Matters which was submitted to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi last night. The Committee was constituted by the State Government to examine the Claims, if any, of the neighbouring States on the constitutional boundary of Assam. Concentrating its survey mainly on the claims of Nagland and Arunachal Pradesh on Assam territory on historical and traditional basis, the Committee verified the reports on land since 1900 by a British officer till on Feb 4, an official source informed. All documents and maps available throughout this long period of time were brought under scrutiny before the said conclusion was arrived at, the source added.

APCC team to meet PM soon; Gogoi-Condpan duel on 'ST status' to 6 communities:

Guwahati: After a hot verbal duel between Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Rajya Sabha MP Silvius Condpan on the issue of Scheduled Tribe status to the issue of Scheduled Tribe status to the Kock-Rajbongshi, Tea Tribe, Tai Ahom, Moran, Matak and Chutia communities, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), in its executive meeting held at Rajib Bhavan on Feb 4, has decided to send a delegation to Prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh to push for the six communities' demand. The delegation will also meet UPA chairperson and AICC president Sonia Gandhi on the issue. ST status to six communities is among many of the promises made in the ruling party's last Assembly election manifesto which the party, after coming o power, failed to fulfill.

Cong Tea Cell wants bigger share:

Guwahati: The Congress Tea Cell has decided to ask for 35 seats to the party for the representation of the tea community. This was informed by the Congress Tea Cell chairman Bhagirath Karan at the Congress Tea Cell youth convention held at Rabindra Bhavan on Feb 4. Briefing the press after the convention, Karan said that the tea community has only 13 seats in the Congress at the present moment of time. But to accommodate the upcoming youth leaders the community must have at least 35 seats, he added. He also made it clear that the present MLAs may not necessarily get the opportunity to represent the community again.


Army gheraos ULFA chief's village:

Tinsukia: Riding roughshod over the State-wide hue and cry on its operations, the Army has launched another offensive against the banned ULFA - this time in the Jerai Gaon area, the ancestral home to the outfit's 'C-in-C' Paresh Baruah, under Chabua police station of Dibrugarh district. Tension ran high in and around the areas as the 4th Jat Regiment has launched a massive man hunt in the Mohkorah and Karuapathar villages since on Jan 29. The Jerai Gaon has been kept gheraod by the Army. Reports said that the self styled ULFA chief Paresh Barua had come to his native village recently. However, the Army has refused to divulge anything. A suspected ULFA cadre, disco Senapati was arrested on Jan 29.

Elephant Festival inaugurated:

Bokakhat: Principal Conservator of Forest Sonadhar Doley inaugurated the 4th Kaziranga Elephant Festival at Mihimukh Ground in Kaziranga here on Jan 30. Earlier, a colourful procession was taken out at 9 a.m. where 38 elephants, led by Jayadhwaj (45), and people from different tribes participated. The festival flag was hoisted by KNP director Dr NK Vasu and the ceremonial light was lit by Assam Exercise Minister Rameswar Dhanwar.

ULFA wives seek peace with dignity:

Guwahati: The band of women 'warriors', who had once left their homes owing to their faith in the ideology of Ho Chi Minh and Che Guevera, now want peace to return to the State, and hope for concrete result from the ongoing peace negotiations with the Government and not some piecemeal outcome. Hema Hansipi alias Malini Ingtipi, Anima Devi, Shyamoli Gogoi, and Kabita Chakravorty, who were captured during the operation by the Bhutan Army against the ULFA and NDFB, unanimously voiced that the talks between the Centre and Peoples Consultative Group should not be jeopardized by any individual or group at this juncture.

Army takes over security charge of ONGC, Sivasagar:

Sivasagar: Five companies of the Army that had been sent in Sivasagar district at the request of Sivasagar District Administration (SDA) have taken security control of all ONGC installation, assets and pipelines. The Army deployed boosted the sagging morale of the ONGC in the wake of ULFA's extortion notice for Rs 500 crore from the ONGC. The Commission decided not to yield to the demand of the ULFA. As a result of this the ONGC installations' assets have become targets of the ULFA. The Sivasagar police has totally failed to cope with the situation. In such a situation SDA had no other alternative but to seek Army help. The way the Sivasagar police had been at a loss could be understood when they tried to minimize the explosive situation in the district by dubbing some bomb-explosion as accidental fire.

R-Day celebrations amid panic:

Tinsukia/Demow/Jorhat/Guwahati/Sivasagar: Panic gripped the entire State on the eve of the Republic Day celebrations as the banned ULFA exploded three more bombs since last night despite the heavy security arrangement in the State. Two suspension towers of the 132KV Margherita feeders double circuit tower line at West Mamoroni under Digboi police station were damaged following two successive explosions in the wee hours on Jan 25. One kg explosive, wires and a time watch were recovered by the police from the site. Demow township of Sivasagar district wore a deserted look with people keeping indoors most of the time, especially after an explosion - the third in three days - last night. The blast was detonated near a transformer at Rajmai, 4 km from Demow. Another IED was also recovered from the area. A late night report said that three platoons of Army have arrived in Sivasagar and two more are expected to reach by Jan 26. In major development in Jorhat last night, the police shot at and critically injured one Hiten Neog, resident of Rongdoi near Bahona Tiniali, during an operation against the ULFA. SP Surendra Kumar said that Neog had planted the bomb which exploded at Jorhat ASTC terminus on Jan 22. Meanwhile, 100-odd protesters gathered at the Sadar police station on Jan 25 shouting slogans against the alleged police atrocity on innocent citizens. The protesters contended that Neog, a paramedical practitioner, had been framed in the case. Already hit by the terror unleashed by the ULFA, a slew of agitational programmes launched by several organizations in support of their demands have made things worse for the Jorhat district administration. In another incident last night, a Hindi-speaking trader of Anandabag TE in Digboi, Thakur Gupta, was shot dead by suspected ULFA militants. Local residents of the TE took to streets on Jan 25 demanding a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the victims and immediate arrest of the culprits. Informed sources said that the Army is keeping strong vigil over oil installations of Duliajan. Militants had blew up six oil and gas pipelines in the Digboi-Duliajan region since Jan 23. At least seven people have been killed and over 20 injured in a spree of violent activities unleashed by the ULFA since Jan 21.

News on 3rd February '06

Adivasis take to streets in KA:

Diphu: Normal life came to a grinding halt at Bokajan on Feb 1 when about 10,000 Adivasis, led by the All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA), armed with bows and arrows took to the streets in protest against the abduction of Mithiram Hembrom and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi through Bokajan SDO (civil) demanding immediate release of Hembrom. Hembrom had been kidnapped by suspected KLNLF militants on January 27 last.

Mob fury at Jerai Gaon; NH, rail blocked over 'Army atrocities':

Tinsukia: Two days after the Army resorted to its 'hits and crush' policy in and around the Jeria Gaon area, the ancestral home to ULFA 'C-in-C' Paresh Barua, under Chabu police station in Dibrugarh district, thousands of villagers on Jan 31 took to the streets blocking the NH 37 and the Tinsukia-Dibrugarh rail route near Kanjikhowa for over six hours protesting against, what they called, atrocities committed on them by the Army. The agitating villagers burnt the effigies of Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and local MLA Raju Sahu shouting slogans like "Tarun Gogoi murdabad", "Ajai Singh murdabad" and "Go back Army". The protesters also demanded immediate release of the two youths who were picked up by the Army on Jan 30.

Me-Dam-Me-Phi observed:

Dibrugarh: Me-Dam-Me-Phi, the religious festival of the Ahom community, was celebrated throughout the State with traditional gaiety. In Dibrugarh, the Greater Borboruah and Borpathar Me-Dam-Me-Phi Celebration Committee organized a function at Borpathar Chatra Sangha Complex. The celebration was kicked off with the hoisting of the flag by the president of the celebration committee. Smriti tarpan was led by local leaders, Loknath Gogoi. Eminent writer, Dr Hara Handique presided over the general meeting. Dr. Dayananda Borgohain, lecturer, Moran College, spoke on the occasion in his capacity as the chief guest.

ABSU-AASU stir affects train services:

Kokrajhar/ Tinsukia/Tamarhat/Guwahati: Train services were disrupted in the state on Jan 28 following the two-hour rail blockade sponsored jointly by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU). Reports pouring in from various places in the state said that AASU and ABSU activists staged sit-in demonstrations at various level crossings for two-hours this morning. They were demonstrating against the alleged anti-Assam attitude of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav despite the fact that three ABSU boys had been killed because they had protested against the molestation of eight Bodo girls by security personnel from Haryana. NF Railway headquarters sources here said that the Delhi bound Rajdhani Express was detained at Chowtara, the BG Dn train to New Jalpaiguri and Kolkata-Guwahati Kamrup Express were held up at Gossaigaon and the Bihar-bound Jhajhar Express at Dangtal. Other trains were also detained at various stations.

Allotment of land possession right; AGP, AASU, DMSS decry 'conspiracy'; 'Move a poll gimmick to hoodwink people':

Guwahati: Sharp reactions have manifested among various organizations and the conscious sections of the society over the Government's act of issuance of possession right to the people of Doyang on January 26 who have been struggling for getting land pattas in the recent years. Reacting sharply to this, AGP general secretary Atul Bora told this correspondent over telephone that the Congress Government. Led by Tarun Gogoi has taken the people of Doyang for aride by issuing possession right certificates to number of people in the Doyang area in view of the forthcoming election.

News on 2nd February '06

Move on ULFA front welcome dev; Governor:

Guwahati: Claiming that there has been much improvement in the law-and-order situation in the State, Assam Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh on Feb 1 told members of the State Assembly that the formation of the 11-member People's Consultative Group (PCG) by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in September 2005 to pave the way for direct talks between the rebel group and the Centre, and the first round of talks which had already been held between the PCG and the Centre, were welcome developments in the interest of the people of Assam and the nation. The State Government, he said, had appealed to the ULFA to come forward for direct talks so as to expedite the peace process. The text of the 40-page speech, which Lt Gen (retd) Singh could not read out into because of strong

protests from the Opposition parties, reads that a number of important initiatives have been taken by his government in the education sector. Some of the initiatives, according to him, are- steps taken to secure deemed university status for Cotton College at the earliest, move to make Kokrajhar College a government college, the State Government's request to the Centre for providing a special financial assistance of Rs 250 crore for implementation of 14-point action plan for college and university education in the State etc.

Opp stalls speech:

Guwahati: Assam Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh's Budget Session, 2006 speech hit the roadblock put up by the Opposition which created a ruckus in the House by strongly opposing the speech. Members from the Opposition parties, comprising the AGP, BJP, ASDC and a section of the BDLP, compelled the Governor to finish his speech abruptly. Literally, Lt Gen (retd) Singh read out only the introduction and the conclusion of the voluminous speech. When the Governor, after addressing the Speaker and the members, said that there had been significant improvement in the law-and-order situation in the State, all the Opposition members stoop up with placards and staged a strong protest against the text of the speech. The placards read "stop Army operation, stop atrocities on innocent people and the Government failed on Karbi Anglong etc."

'Third front' to take on Cong?

Guwahati: A third front, as had been mulled by a number of smaller parties in the State, might just see the light of the day within a few days, thanks to some behind-the-stage manoeuvring by the leaders of the NCP, AGP(P), UDF and Left parties. AGP(P) president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta on Feb 1 met NCP president and Union Minister Sharad Pawar at Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok here and discussed with him ways to forge a "viable" anti-Congress force in the State. AGP(P) leaders Ganesh Kutum, Utpal Dutta, Gunin Hazarika and Sohidul Alam Choudhury and State NCP president Probin Sarma were also present in the half-an-hour meeting.

NCP, UDF tie up:

Guwahati: The NCP and the UDF on Feb 1, formally announced the poll tie-up between them. Besides, they hinted at close ties with the CPI and the CPI-M in the near future. "The two parties, following the series of meeting at New Delhi and Guwahati since the last two weeks, have finally agreed in principle to work together to form a secular and viable alliance for the forthcoming election," said Shared Pawar, national president of the NCP.

News on 1st February '06

'30% of State PDS food grain diverted':

Guwahati: At least 30 percent of Public Distribution System (PDS) food grain meant for Assam is siphoned off through 'ghost ration cards'. This was stated by Union Minister for Food and Agriculture Shared Pawar while inaugurating the regional conference of the north-eastern States for reviewing, strengthening and monitoring of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) at the Assam Administrative Staff College on Jan 31. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also attended the conference among others. A recent study conducted by the Programme Evaluation Organization (PEO) of the Planning Commission found that the total food grain leakage is as high as 36.38 percent, comprising 16.67 percent through ghost cards and 19.71 percent at the fair price shops level in the country, he said. The rate of such leakage in Assam is reportedly over 30 percent and less than 10 percent at both the levels respectively, he added.

'State to revamp monitor system':

Guwahati: Assam Minister for Food and Civil Supply Dr Nazrul Islam on Jan 31 admitted that there has

been diversion of the PDS items in the region and said the State Government has already initiated action to revamp its PDS monitoring mechanism. While addressing the regional conference on TPDS on Jan 31, Islam said that it was indeed a matter of concern as the survey report 'indicated an alarming situation'. He said, the main problem of the TPDS in the State is inadequate stock of the food grain. Against the monthly requirement of about 1,64,000 metric tonne per month in the State at present, there is only around 70,000 metric tonne rice in the FCI godowns, which has is also badly affected the employment guaranteed schemes and the mid-day meal scheme, he added.

NCP, UDF to go together in polls:

Guwahati: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) on Jan 31 agreed 'on principle' to go together in the ensuing Assembly election in the State election in the State to keep both the Congress and BJP away from power. Sources said that the 'agreement' was made when NCP leaders, including party president Sharad Pawar, PA Sangma , Tariq Anwar and UDF president Badaruddin Azmal and working president Hafiz Rashid Ahmed met this evening in a city hotel. According to sources, Pawar is likely to meet AGP (P) president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta before leaving for New Delhi on Feb 1 . Earlier, addressing party workers at the party office here, Pawar said that the NCP will never compromise on its secular principle. "Our prime thrust will be to strengthen the grassroots of the party," Pawar said adding that development oriented politics was the need of the hour in the North-east.

Back issues - February '06 - vedanti News/2006/02... · Web viewNews on 28th February '06 SEBA...

Documents

Transcript of Back issues - February '06 - vedanti News/2006/02... · Web viewNews on 28th February '06 SEBA...