AJYCP burns effigy of PM

From our Staff Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, June 28: The Dibrugarh District Committee of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) burnt the effigy of Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, today in support of their demands to announce flood and erosion problem of the state as national problem and initiation of adequate measures for the protection of Majuli. President, Dulal Chakraborty alleged that the State as well as the Central Government failed to take adequate steps when flood and erosion became grim in the entire State. “The steps taken by the Government for rescuing animals of sanctuaries and national parks of the State which got submerged in flood water due to breach in the dyke of the rivers and tributaries, is not at all adequate and satisfactory,” organizing secretary AJYCP central committee Sanjay Baruah stated. The organization has cautioned the district administration that they will intensify their agitation if the latter fails to supply adequate relief materials to flood affected villages of Rohmoria, Lezai, Kolakhowa and other villages of Larua Mouza in Dibrugarh district, in time. Meanwhile, the flood situation in the district is considerably improving  following decreasing trend of rainfall. The members of  Asom Yuba Parishad (AYP) under its president Sunil Rajkonwar’s stewardship visited the flood affected areas under Larua Mouza and distributed essential commodities to the inmates of relief camps. The senior AGP members, Tara Nath Buragohain, Dipam Barua, Teros Gowala and others also accompanied the AYP team.

SAMYCS stages sit-in demonstration

From our Staff Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, June 28: Hundreds of members of the Dibrugarh district unit of Sadou Asom Mottock Yuba Chatra Sanmilan (SAMYCS) staged sit-in demonstration at DDA Market here seeking immediate solution of their various demands including scheduling of the community. The organization later sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner, demanding the inclusion of the Mottock community in the Sixth Schedule of the constitution, immediate implementation of anti flood and erosion measures, and rehabilitation of flood affected people. The Sanmilan also want more seats to be reserved in engineering, medical colleges and universities of the State and 40 per cent reservation in Industrial Technical Institutes of the State for students of the community. Control of the price of essential commodities, regularization of power supply and repair of roads and bridges in the Mottock dominated areas form their other demands.

Railway organizations stage demonstration

From our Staff Reporter
DIBRUGARH, June 28: The Dibrugarh town branch of NF Railway Mazdoor Union (NFRMU) and NF Railway Dibrugarh Workshop unit held a demonstration at Banipur here today. The organizations are demanding the implementation of the decision taken by the Joint Committee towards improving the work conditions of trackmen, supply of uniforms to trackmen, key men and mat during winter and summer, inclusion of mat in the largess scheme and revision of the salary of gate men, key men, track men and trolley men. Their other demands include ensuring the safety of gate men and ten per cent annual intake of track men and key men in the workshop apart from 50 per cent seniority and cancellation of the new pension scheme.

One crushed between vehicles

From our Staff Reporter
DIBRUGARH, June 28: A twenty-year-old youth died after being crushed between two vehicles at Duliajan today. The incident happened when Deep Gogoi of Salmari was washing the bus (AS 23B 3747) in which he was employed as handyman. The vehicle was on lease with OIL. The driver of the bus, Tanuj Nalbaria, started the bus and reversed it. Gogoi was trapped between the bus and another vehicle parked behind it. He died on the spot. A case has been registered and the driver is arrested. Interestingly, Nalbaria could not furnish his driving license.

SBI donates ceiling fans

From our Staff Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, June 28: Under its corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Dibrugarh Branch of State Bank of India (SBI) donated seven ceiling fans to Nandeswar Chakraborty High School on Wednesday at a function held in the school premises on the occasion of Bank Day. The meeting was graced by the Assistant Chief Manager of SBI, S Hussainee, SBI Manager, HN Phukan, M Saikia and headmistress of the school, Anju Agamacharjee. Hussainee handed over the ceiling fans to the headmistress of the school and in his address, spoke elaborately about the CSR programme of the bank. The managing committee of the school expressed their gratitude to SBI and hoped that the bank would extend their help to the school in the days to come.

Demonstration suspended

From our Staff Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, June 28: The thirty-six-hour sit-in-demonstration which was stated to be held in front of OIL’s administrative building at the start of next month has been temporarily suspended by the Sadou Asom Mottock Yuba Chatra Sanmilan. The announcement was made in view of OIL’s invitation for formal discussion and the present flood situation in the district. However, the publicity and information secretary of SAMYCS, Jatin Dehingia, assured that their proposed agitation would resume if the talk with OIL fails to deliver any positive results.

College to observe golden jubilee year

From our Staff Reporter
DIBRUGARH, June 28: The MDK Girls’ College will observe its golden jubilee year with an year-long programme. The institution will enter its 50th year on July 5 and start its celebration with the observation of its foundation day. A lecture has been organized on the occasion. It will be delivered by litterateur Imran Shah.

15th death anniversary of Bir Chilagang observed

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJAHAR, June 28: The 15th death anniversary of Bir Chilagang Basumatary, the founder chairman of the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) was observed under the initiative of Bir Chilagang Martyrs’ Tomb Development Committee and Bongshigaon Village Council Development Committee (VCDC) at Bongshigaon in Kokrajhar district today.

The Executive Member of BTC Mono Kumar Brahma, MLA Pradip Kr Brahma, former Rajya Sabha MP Urkhao Gwra Brahma, MCLAs Daneswar Goyary and Indra Mahan Brahma, other Bodo leaders of different organizations and ABSU workers offered floral tribute at the burial place of Bir Chilagang at his birth place at Bongshigaon in the district. The first floral tribute was offered by the wife of late Bir Chilagang, Ramoni Bala Basumatary. Chilagang Basumatary was survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

In an interview with mediapersons, former MP, Urkhao Gwra Brahma said that Basumatary had struggled for the cause of the identity of the Bodos. He said that Basumatary led the arms struggle for liberation of the greater Bodo race demanding separate state of Bodoland within India. “Bir Chilagang is the individual who sacrificed for the betterment of the Bodo community and worked for the distinct identity of the Bodos”, Brahma said adding that there may be ideological differences among the people, however, every individual should work for the upliftment of the society and to preserve the identity of the Bodos.

The convener of the Bir Chilagang Martyrs’ Observance Committee, Niranjoy Machahary said a proposal has been made for the establishment of Bir Chilagang Trust Committee to preserve the works and ideology of Basumatary. He also requested the BTC administration to officially honour the then BLT chairman.

It may be mentioned that Bir Chilagang Basumatary contributed to the Bodo community through arms struggle which ultimately created the BTC for the Bodos under 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution signed in 2003. Basumatary died on June 28 in 1997 due to prolonged illness. Chilagang Basumatary who along with other Bodo leaders including the then Chief Executive Member of BAC late Premsing Brahma and present BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary formed the BLT, an arms revolutionary organization in 1996. The BLT came into ceasefire with the Government of India in 1999 and BTC accord came into being in 2003.

SBI renders infrastructure support to Karbi Anglong schools

From our Correspondent

HOWRAGHAT, June 28: The State Bank of India (SBI) has implemented the “Community Services Banking” scheme in Karbi Anglong. Infrastructure supports to the educational institutions to the Karbi Anglong hill district have been rendered by the State Bank of India.

As a part of this scheme, ten numbers of ceiling fans have been presented today officially by Howraghat SBI branch manager Debashish Dutta and his senior official Briten Daimary to the authority of the Howraghat Town Girls’ High School.

Debashish Dutta, branch manager, Howraghat branch said that keeping in connection with the ‘Bank Day’ the provision of the ceiling fan to the Howraghat Town Girls’ High School was made under the newly introduced schemes Community Services Banking of the SBI.

Dutta also said that one educational institution is chosen for the infrastructure support under every SBI branch. He reiterated that the introduced scheme of SBI will further be extended as per the needs of the general public from time to time.

Tarun Handique, headmaster of the aforesaid institution appreciated the choosing of educational institution as priority by the SBI, and the school will further welcome any initiative of the SBI.

He further said that many educational institutions are still running with multiple difficulties due to the lack of infrastructure. According to official report, as many as 11 SBI branches in Karbi Anglong and infrastructure support will be ensured under the aforesaid scheme.

Sivasagar gets a goat farm

From our Correspondent

SIVASAGAR, June 28: At a time when agriculturists are moving away from farming activities, here is a Sivasagar based leading NGO, Aaharan, which has ventured into goat rearing in Sivasagar. Though the NGO is dedicated to promotion of health, education, sports and culture, it has now come up with a farmer’s heart.

Dr Gunin Basumatary, president of Aaharan, inaugurated the goat farm at Raghuguri village in Sivasagar recently. It is one of the leading goat farms in Sivasagar built with standard amenities for production of quality goats.

Different breeds of goats including Sirhoi and Beelat which fit the dry land, are brought here. The farm is a brainchild of Dr Basumatary and Rupraj Baruah, both having agricultural knowledge. Although Dr Basumatary was an ex-ONGCian and Baruah is the president of Ex-ITI Students’ Union, it was their dream to bring the farm to this rural area. The farm is built using the best amenities for the goats and employs many local residents to support the rural development.

“Initially, the farm started with 20 goats which will be increased to 200 gradually. There is a great demand for meat, which can be exported as well. Compared to other domestic animals, goats do not get contagious disease. At the same, time, we are also planning to sell goat milk,” said Dr Basumatary to The Sentinel.