Public losing faith on ULFA

From our Correspondent

SIVASAGAR, March 9: The recent activities of both the pro-talk and the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation front of Asom (ULFA) has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the people of Sivasagar district, particularly to the business community.

  Recent arrests of some pro-talk ULFA cadres, indulging in extortion activities have also changed the mindset and attitude of the intellectual section towards the pro-talk faction. At the same time, most of them commented that such activities are not going to help their leadership much.     

 A reputed businessman of Sivasagar, alleged that some pro-talk ULFA members have been carrying out fund-raising activities such as extortion and robbery by using third-party criminals so that the outfit does not face any direct allegations or public wrath. “It is not possible that the senior leadership of the ULFA pro-talk faction is not aware of such secret ground realities,” he added.

 On the other hand, a recent visit to some of areas of the Charaideo sub-division, exposed the wrath and discontentment visible among the locals of the region.

They said, “The path of progress and development, chosen by the people of Assam, do not appear to find favour with Paresh Baruah faction. The cadres of the ULFA anti-talk faction, led by Paresh Baruah, made an abortive attempt to disrupt the power supply to the people of Upper Assam by trying to blow up the Power Grid tower at Nimonagarh in Sivasagar district on the night of March 3.”

 He further said, “The people of Assam, who are already beleaguered by frequent power shortages, appear to have been targeted for further suffering by the Paresh Baruah faction. The recent attempt to blow up the power supply grid has exposed the pro-Assam facade maintained by Paresh Baruah.”

They also questioned as to how the disruption of power and the resultant suffering of the people as a result of activities undertaken by the Paresh Baruah faction be construed as pro-people.They also wanted to know whether Paresh Baruah aimed to achieve the professed goal of ‘sovereignty’ for Assam by denying power to the people of Assam.

 On reports of Paresh Baruah camping in the neighbouring countries, the people said, “Prolonged stay in Myanmar and China appears to have displaced their professed ‘lofty’ objectives. Paresh Baruah seems to be totally disconnected from the socio-economic dynamics of Assam and his actions appear to be acquiring a more strident anti-people complexion.”

 The people of this sub-division who have already suffered from the aggression of Nagas and Arunachalis, sent a polite request to the outfit not to involve in rampant extortion, destruction of Assam’s inherent wealth and targeting of innocent people. They also urged that outfit should look at the people’s well-being as its prime objective and said that their aspirations needs to be recognized and preserved.

Road Blockade to Nagaland continues

From our Staff Reporter

JORHAT, March 9: The road blockade to Nagaland programme resorted to by ATTSA in protest against the encroachments and outrages committed by Nagas in Assam territory is continuing at Naginijan. From today, an economic blockade has also been imposed on the Mariani - Mokokchung road. The protesters have threatened to block all roads to Nagaland from Assam as no response have been received as yet from the Nagaland administration over their demands. No vehicle has been allowed to pass through Nagaland by Naginijan Charing road and Mariani Mokokchang road.

On the other hand, it is reported that the Naga people are assembled at Charing Basti and they are taking a challenging posture. The encroachment in Assam Forests and the atrocities perpetrated on villagers on Assam side by the Nagas have given rise to an atmosphere of bitterness in the inter-state borders areas of Assam.

The local people are of the opinion that the Assam administration is always taking on stance of temporarily containing the situation through dialogues, without any efforts for a lasting solution that has encouraged the Nagas to go on with their spree of depredations.

No head-way into driver’s murder

From out Staff

Correspondent

Dibrugarh, March 9: Police is yet to arrest the car-lifters who managed to flee with a car after killing it’s driver, Dulu Thakuria alias Phanidhar Thakuria in Dibrugarh recently. The decomposed body of Dulu Thakuria was later recovered from a drain at Sepon-Thowara Tea Estate on March 6.

According to sources, a group of youngsters had hired Dulu’s carbearing registration number AS-O6H-4356 from a petrol pump in Dibrugarh for Dishangmukh in Sivasagar district during the ATTSA sponsored 12-hours district bandh on March 5. Since then, Dulu along with his car were untraceable. Family members of Dulu later, lodged a complaint at the police station when he failed to turn up in the night.

Police registered a case and later found dead body of Dulu from a drain of a tea estate in Moran. The irate family members and local citizens assembled before the S.P’s office here last Wednesday and demanded that the murderers be arrested and the car be recovered at the earliest. Although there has been no head-way in arresting the murderers of Dulu as well as recovery of the stolen car, investigations are still on.

Trader held for selling adulterated colours at Jorhat

From our Staff Correspondent

JORHAT, March 9: A business establishment has been sealed by police in Jorhat on charges of selling adulterated colours to Holi revellers. The trader was arrested from his establishment at Balibat area in the town in the presence of a Magistrate yesterday.

As learnt, the trader was selling liquid colours in bottles of insecticides after pasting labels on them which said that the contents were Holi colours. Some bottles of scents, of which expiry dates were already elapsed were also found in his possession.

The trader was a whole-seller from whose shop, adulterated colours and contaminated spray bottles were sold out to retailers. The police is investigating the matter as to wherefrom he had procured these colours contaminated with poisonous substances. The people of Jorhat have expressed satisfaction at the action taken by the police.

Handloom textile fair on March 11

From our Staff Correspondent

Dibrugarh, March 9: A special Handloom textile fair, organized by the Handloom Development Commissioner, Government of India and Handloom Textile Directorates, Government of Assam, will be held here at Chowkidinghi playground from March 11 to March 24, this year.

   The weavers of Assam as well other States of  Northeast and the entire country will exhibit their textile and colourful traditional dresses, which will be sold at subsidies rate in this 14-day long special Handloom Textile fair. The  Handloom fair will be open for public from 11 am  to 8 pm.

   On this occasion, the Handloom and Textile department of Government of Assam has called upon the people of the district to avail this opportunity of buying traditional dresses at subsidies rate.

Balikur women observe International Women’s Day

From our Correspondent

SIVASAGAR, March 9: The International Women’s Day was celebrated March 8 ,with all enthusiasm by the women of Balikur Gaon, a remote village in Sivasagar district, mostly inhabited by the people of Mishing, Deuri and Nepali community.

 The programme was organized by NEST Foundation in collaboration with Panidihing Mahila Sanmanay Raksha Samity and TMPK Panidihing unit. A number of events were organized on the occasion and prizes were distributed to raise the morale of the winners.

The meeting was presiding over held by the Chairman of NEST Foundation Punaram Mili. Speaking on the occasion,Mili expressed his deep concern over the recent murder of a woman at the Charaideo sub-division in Sivasagar district in the name of witch-hunting.

“We have observed that the practice of witch-hunting is still rampant in our district and there has been no sign of its eradication,” said Mili.

Asking the State Government to ensure adequate healthcare facilities in the rural areas, Mili said that illiteracy and superstitions along with weak healthcare services have contributed to this malpractice in the interior areas of Assam.

Educationist and senior citizen Nitya Priya Hazarika, while speaking on the occasion, talked about women empowerment and inspired all to work harder and excel in their respective fields. She also told that in the present scenario, women should work harder to become self-dependent.

While speaking about the significance of the International Women’s Day, former vice-principal of the Sibsagar College and noted social activist Dr Monika Saikia said, “Even after six decades of our Independence and despite constitutional provisions and laws for the rights of women, many women in India are still victims of discrimination and oppression.”

She said that the day marks an important chapter in the lives of women as it gives expression to women’s yearning for justice and equality in all spheres of life.

Dr Sabir Parvez Islam, who was also present in the function, said that every day is a women’s day, for the important role they play in our society. He emphasized on the need to promote the rights of the girl child in the field of health and education.

One stabbed during Holi celebrations

From our Correspondent

SIVASAGAR, March 9 : At a time when the entire Sivasagar district was seen wrapped in the festive mood of Holi, there are a few who played with blood. Sunil Kumar, a 18-year-old youth stabbed his friend Sanjay Singh ( 20) in a fit of rage, near Eezy Bazar at A.T Road in Sivasagar on Thursday.

According to details, Sunil and Sanjay had started out with an small argument, which later reached a point, when Sunil attacked Sanjay with a sharp knife.

Sunil Kumar, who tried to flee from the scene after injuring Sanjay on his stomach and feet, was however taken into custody.The knife, which he used for attacking his friend was also seized. Injured Sanjay was immediately rushed to Dibrugarh in serious condition. Both Sanjay Singh and the accused Sunil Kumar hailed from Sapra district in Bihar. Sunil is a student of Class X in Rangpur Vidyapeeth in Sivasagar while Sanjay was an electrician.

Holi celebrated with religious fervour

From our Staff Correspondent

Dibrugarh, March 9: The traditional festival of Holi or Dol Yatra,also known as the festival of colour, was observed in Dibrugarh , along with the other parts of the country, with traditional gaiety and religious fervor.

   Holi, the festival of colors, is a major Indian festival which is celebrated at the end of the winter season to mark the beginning of spring. The colourful festival of Holi, literally means ‘burning’ and is celebrated on the full moon day in the Assamese month of Phagun.

 People of all caste, creed and religion gathered on the streets to celebrate this festival with equal vigour, rubbing colourful powders on each other  and exchanging pleasantries amongst the friends, family and neighbours.

The district administration had beefed up security at most places in the town to avoid untoward incidents during the holi celebrations.