Two ULFA militants arrested

From our Staff Correspondent
DIBBRUGARH, June 19: The police conducted a raid on specific input at Milannagar area and arrested two ULFA militants Bhaimon Changmai and Diganta Gogoi from their hideout and recovered one grenade and an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) from their possession last night. Bhaimon, who hails from Lengeri under Moran police station was a surrendered militant but later rejoined in ULFA. Diganta, an inhabitant of Tongona under Kakopathar police station joined the militant organization recently. According to highly placed police sources, both arrested militants confessed during interrogation that they brought the explosive to blow the Gemon Company office, engaged in construction of Bogibeel Rail-cum-Road Bridge and to carry out blast at Marwari Patty in Dibrugarh town in order to disrupt law and order situation in the district before the forthcoming Independence Day. Both the militants were produced before the court today who sent them to jail custody.

AYP visits trouble-torn Assam-Nagaland border

From our Correspondent

SIVASAGAR, June 19: A delegation led by Jitu Borgohain, central committee general secretary of Asom Yuva Parishad (AYP), youth wing of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), recently visited Geleki along the Assam-Nagaland border in Sivasagar district and took stock of the encroachment by Nagas in Assam land and security provided by the Assam Government.

This was informed by Bikash Baruah, president of AYP’s Sivasagar district committee. In a press release, Baruah stated that the people who were facing encroachment or its persistent threat along the Assam-Nagaland border, had been living under constant fear of being evicted by the intruders. “Despite knowing this fact, the Assam Government has done very little to stop encroachment in the inter-state bordering areas,” alleged Baruah.

“We are surprised to see that there is only 20 numbers of Assam Police Battalion personnel patrolling in the area and what surprised us most is that there is not a single sophisticated weapon in their hands,” stated Baruah and demanded adequate security arrangements so that people living in the fringe areas of its border with Nagaland, could feel secure.

The AYP threatened to launch extensive agitation if proper steps are not taken immediately to evict the Nagas from Assam land and save the people of Assam.

VDP State Committee dissolved

From our Staff Reporter

DIBRUGARH, June 19: The Coordinating Committee of All Assam Village Defence Party (AAVDP) was dissolved by an order of the party’s state executive committee recently.

In a statement, the president and secretary of AAVDP, Binakanta Hazarika and Indrakanta Harpal mentioned various reasons behind the dissolution of the committee with Bansidhar Gogoi and Mirza Khan as president and secretary.  They alleged that the two were involved in activities that went against the spirit of VDP that has been working towards maintaining law and order and preventing illegal activities in rural areas. Hazarika and Harpal also stated that there are also allegations of the two taking donations from members of VDPs in various districts. While mentioning that Gogoi is the vice president of Bokajan Mandal Congress in Karbi Anglong district and Khan as resident of ward No. 3 (Panchaghat) of Dhubri town, they pointed out that individuals with affiliation to political parties cannot hold any office in VDP as per ‘The All Assam Village Defence Organization Act 1986.’  They also requested the authorities of concerned department to cancel the registration of all VDPs in town areas since the Act also says that VDPs are meant for rural areas and not for those under municipalities and town committees.

AKRSU blockade disrupts rail service

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, June 19: The 8-hour railway blockade of the All Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) to press their demand for creation of Kamatapur state and ST status to Rajbongshis disrupted the train services today.

Numbers of picketers of the AKRSU blocked the trains sitting on the railway track at Salakati and New Bongaigaon. The trains were halted in different railway stations due to the blockade. The down Rajdhani Express arrived at Kokrajhar railway station at 12.45 pm although its arrival time at Kokrajhar was 10 am.

President of the AKRSU Hitesh Barman led the blockade at Salakati. He came down heavily on the State and Central Governments for failing to accord separate Kamatapur state and inclusion of Koch-Rajbongshis to ST list. He also said that the State Government was non committal on their issues.

Devi Bhagawat Maha Yagya concludes

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, June 19: The 8-day-long programme of the Srimad Devi Bhagawat Gyan Mahayagya organized here in the premises of the Agreement Line Durga Puga temple from 11th last concluded last evening in a befitting manner. The programme which was organized by the oldest historical religious and cultural organization of the Nepali community of the Oil City Digboi known as the Agreement Line Durga Puga Samity drew a wide range of devotees and well wishers from quarters of life including Australia and Nepal. The rich religious episode of the Hindus had commenced earlier with a Kalash Yatra taken out throughout the town.

Following the final day agenda of the Mahayagya, Akhanda Kirtan (religious hymns) was followed throughout the night, conducted by various groups belonging to different places like Balijan-Borjan, Lakhipathar, Dhekiajan, and various others. In the meantime, Sri Sri Shiv Prasad Shastri of Brindawan has been leading the group throughout consisting of Sri Prahlad Upadhaya of Balijan, Sri Saligram Arjel of Digboi and Hari Upadhayay of Tingrai who assisted during the deliberations.

According to Gangadhar Sharma, the secretary of the organizing committee, the Purohits of high rank (Shastris) are being invited from various places to conduct the Gyan Mahayagya for the greater cause of the devotees of assembled from different places thus creating religious awareness among all the Hindus irrespective of caste, creed and sex. The self-contained sacred text describes an incarnation of the Devi, the Goddess who discourses on her nature, and how she wants to be worshipped, particularly with Yogic practices, meditation and rituals.

Gopal Upadhaya, an active social worker-cum-member of the organizing committee told that the programme remained attractive and a common centre for devotees throughout due to the generous and wide cooperation extended by followers of the Hindu religion from various places including the foreign countries.

Workers? meet of BJMM

From our Staff Reporter
DIBRUGARH, June 19: A workers’ meet of the Bharatiya Janata Majdoor Mahasangha (BJMM) was organized at the office of the Dibrugarh district unit of BJP recently.  The meeting was chaired by the state president of the Mahasangha and former Duliajan MLA, Rameshwar Teli and attended by the local MLA, Prasanta Phukan, former Dibrugarh MP and state spokesperson of BJP, Sarbananda Sonowal, and vice president of the state unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuba Morcha, Dipu Ranjan Makrary, and others. Members from Sivasagar, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Margherita and Lakhimpur were also present on the occasion. Several members of Dibrugarh Winger Owners’ Association and other organizations joined BJP on the occasion.

Date extended for FIC

From our Staff Reporter
DIBRUGARH, June 19: The district administration has extended the date for submission of necessary documents at their respective fair price shops to the end of this month. In an order, the ADC in charge of the Food and Civil Supplies Department asked all family identity card (FIC) holders to provide necessary information in the new proforma by June 30. The family identity cards will be issued only against surrender certificates. Applications for new family identity cards will not be accepted, the order added.

School deprived of financial assistance

From our Correspondent
MORIGAON, June 19: Borchakabaha ME School was established in 1992 and was recognized in January 1, 2005, under Kapili Block, Morigaon. Since then, the students of the school have been facing a critical condition. Villagers of Borchakabaha allege that due to apathy of the government as well as the school authority, the students have been deprived of proper education in the school. “We are economically poor and have no alternative source of income for being busy in teaching since 1992,” said a teacher. Besides, it is to be mentioned that the school has been deprived from financial assistance along with other 18 schools in Morigaon district. The school committee has appealed to Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to reconstruct the school building and to pay financial assistance as soon as possible.

Student missing

From our Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, June 19: Pabitra Kurmi, a class VIII student of Kathalguri ME School at Demow in Sivasagar district is reportedly missing for the past six days. When Pabitra Kurmi, who left his home in Dihajan Habigaon on June 14 to take part in a kirtan at a temple didn’t return, his father Sajan Kurmi searched in all possible places before lodging a complaint with the Demow Police. Although police have started investigation, the student has not been traced so far.

Office building inaugurated

From our Correspondent  

MORIGAON, June 19: An office building of Sukdal Sarubari’s Adarsagaon Pathar Parichalona Samittee, under Morigaon district was inaugurated recently by Dr AK Pradhani, district agriculture officer, Morigaon.

A meeting was held on the inauguration programme, where a seminar on role of field development committee on development of agri-sector in rural areas was organized under the presidentship of Arup Barthakur, agri-officer, Morigaon. Under the initiative of Gopal Bordoloi, president of the field development committee, Babani Bordoloi, secretary and Tanuram Das, cashier, the meeting was attended by the villagers of Sukdal Sarubari besides Habibul Haque, Gagannath Nath, agri-officers participated in the programme.

Minor raped by landlord

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, June 19: Manju Saikia (5), daughter of Mukti and Moni Saikia of Golai No. 1 under Digboi police station was raped last afternoon by Tarun Das (50), son of late Dinesh Das of the same location. According to the aggrieved parents of the victim of the inhuman act of the culprit, the filthy act was committed at their residence during the absence of the parents. The culprit who was the landlord of the victim and her family was arrested this morning by Digboi Police following an FIR lodged by Moni Saikia, the mother of the child.

The inhuman act of the culprit has caused sensation in Golai and its neighbouring areas where the security of the people including the children are reported to be at stake. On the other hand, the locals have condemned the filthy act.

However, after medical test of the minor at Digboi Civil Hospital, the culprit was prosecuted u/s 379 IPC and later forwarded to SDJM, Margherita.

Bodo Sahitya Sabha to organize special national convention

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, June 19: The Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), the apex Bodo literary body has decided to organize a special national convention to discuss on Bodo medium education problem and finding ways for bringing solutions where all parties, students unions, organizations and social organizations of the community have been invited on July 15 next.

Speaking to the reporters recently at a press conference held at RNB Bhavan in Kokrajhar, Kamala Kanta Mwshahary, general secretary of the Sabha said, “The Sabha has been deciding to hold a special national convention of Bodos to find out ways and means of the problems of the Bodo medium education on July 15 next at Barama in Baksa district. He said the convention would discuss about the problems of the Bodo medium and it’s sustaining policy. The Bodo medium education have been facing lots of crisis and hardship in providing education on mother tongue.” He said that all political parties, students unions, social organizations, scholars, retired IPS, IFS, IAS bureaucrats, retired director of education and intellectuals have been invited to participate the convention and would discuss thoroughly about the problems and solutions of the Bodo medium education in a wide manner, he added. He also said the decision was taken in a executive meeting of the Sabha held on June 9.

He said that the Sabha had been protesting the Acts and burnt the copies of Non-Government Educational Institution Management and Regulation Act, 2006 and The Assam Venture Educational Institution (Provincialization of Services) Act, 2011 in New Delhi on April 12 this year to draw the attention of the President and the Prime Minister of India.

The Sabha also demanded proper implementation of Right to Education (RTE), 2009 Act and Scheduled Tribe Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, 2006 as per the norms of national spirit to provide quality education to all the citizens of the nation, but the Government till today have not taken any steps to fulfill the demands, he said.

He demanded separate director for Bodo and other tribal community, conducting of separate TET examination for Bodo medium, relaxation of Scheduled Tribe community in teachers’ appointment and earmark as per the medium. In the meantime the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Ministry of Human Resource Department (MHRD), separately issued letters directing the Assam Chief Secretary and Commissioner & Secretary of Education, Government of Assam to take appropriate action on the memorandum submitted by Bodo Sahitya Sabha and its allied organization which was submitted on April 12 demanding proper actions of the solutions the problems faced by Bodo medium,  he said. The MHRD has also urged the Government of Assam to send a copy of action taken to the ministry, Mwshahary said.

He warned the Assam Government that the Sabha will move Government of India again if the directions from the centre were not taken steps within the month of July.

Mwshahary appreciating both PMO and MHRD officials for initiating good response regarding problems faced by the Sabha functionaries for Bodo medium said that it is a good way to improve Bodo language and other tribal language across the State as well as of the nation, he said.