63rd Van Mahotsav celebrated in Sivasagar Jail

From our Correspondent

SIVASAGAR, July 3: 63rd Van Mahotsav was celebrated with great enthusiasm at District Jail, Sivasagar on Tuesday. Jatindra Lahkar, Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Sivasagar Superintendent of Police were the chief guests at the event, while DFO Mahendra Duwara, ADC Pradip Kumar Talukdar, DEO Jiban Dutta, Dr PP Chetia and Robin Pathak graced the occasion as distinguished guests.

A special assembly of prisoners conducted on the occasion which was graced by Jatindra Lahkar and Akhilesh Kumar Singh.

Addressing the gathering, Lahkar briefed about the significance of the day and the role of each and every person in rebuilding the mother earth. He spoke of the problems that may arise if the nature is not taken care of. He exhorted everyone to adopt a plant and nurture it well to see the environment cleaner and greener.

Lauding the efforts of launching a teaching class in the jail for the prisoners, Lahkar said, “One pencil, one piece of paper, one open and attentive mind, and at least one person’s belief that anyone can change through the power of education, is the need of the hour. Lahkar also said that many people come in here (jail) with no kind of education at all, and this programme is a blessing ... and they can set goals to achieve.

In his brief speech, SP Akhilesh Kumar Singh, appealed the prisoners who have been in conflict with the law, to contribute their part in nation building.

Earlier, saplings of Neem were planted in the jail premises by the chief guests on the occasion. This programme was organized under the aegis of Sivasagar Samajik Bananikaran Sangmandal, to commemorate the 63rd Van Mahotsav.

Declare flood as national problem

From our Staff Reporter

DIBRUGARH, July 3: The Centre should declare Assam flood problem as a national problem, demanded the national general secretary of BJP, Kiran Maheswari, during a press meet held here yesterday. She came down upon the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, and the Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, for resorting to aerial survey to view the situation instead of reaching out to the affected people and interacting with them personally.

The BJP office-bearer was here for two days who visited flood affected areas in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts. She met the administrative officials of the district also.

Maheswari called on the Central Government to view the problem in a sensitive manner and seek out a permanent solution to it. She also said that the farmers, who have become landless after losing their land to erosion, should be given five bighas each so that they can lead a respectable life. The BJP general secretary demanded that the basic facilities should be provided to the villagers.

Narrating her experiences during her visit, Maheswari said that she met the people of Laika in the relief camp at Borguri High School and they told her about the lack of basic amenities like road and electricity in the Dibru Saikhowa National Park. They revealed their willingness to relocate if provided land, she added. The BJP office-bearer claimed that the people said no people’s representative had visited them. She then talked about her visit to Bogibeel area. Referring to the Bogibeel Ring Bund built at a cost of Rs 72 lakh, she asserted that it looked like not even Rs 4 lakh had been spent on it. The stretch with geo bags should be extended from the present 2.4 kilometres to nine kilometres at Rohmoria, Maheswari demanded. She said that steps should be taken to increase the depth of River Brahmaputra.

The BJP secretary questioned the sincerity of Dr Manmohan Singh towards solving the problems of the State from which he has been elected to the Rajya Sabha. She said that he made a promise during his first term in 2005 and has failed to fulfill it even after three and a half years of his second term has passed.

Demand for IIT in Dibrugarh

From our Staff Reporter

DIBRUGARH, July 3: The announcement of the Union Resource Ministry to establish another IIT in Assam has been welcomed by the Dibrugarh unit of AASU. But, in the same breath, they demanded that it should be built in Dibrugarh.

In a statement to The Sentinel, assistant secretary of AASU, Rituparna Baruah, said that Dibrugarh happens to be an industrial district with the presence of oil and tea industries. It also has the necessary infrastructure, he added. The AASU office-bearer further pointed out that the district has good communication network, whether it be by air, rail or road. He also said that land required for such an institute can be made available here. Baruah demanded that the proposed IIT should come up in Upper Assam, specifically Dibrugarh, since Guwahati already has one.

BTC Gaonbura Bhavan-cum-Guest House inaugurated

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, July 3: The newly constructed BTC Gaonbura Bhavan-cum-Guest House situated at Khargaon-Khasibari near BTC Secretariat complex was formally inaugurated by the EM of BTC Derhasat Basumatary yesterday in presence of Gaonburas of BTC districts. The three storied office building of the BTC Gaonbura Association was constructed at a cost of Rs 1.42 crore.

A meeting was also held in the conference hall of the new Gaonbura Bhavan with its president Gopal Chandra Basumatary in the chair. BTC EM Derhasat Basumatary in his speech said the Gaonburas being at the grassroots-level administrative set up have vital role to play in the society to resolve any social event besides maintaining peace. He called upon all Gaonburas of BTC districts to soldier moral responsibilities in ushering peace and development in BTC region.

The inaugural function was also attended by the advisor of BTC Gaonbura association Karendra Nath Brahma who is also the chairman of the Central Selection Board (CSB), Kokrajhar, president of Salakati Block BPF Sankarlal Boro and other local leaders. The function was attended by a large number of Gaonburas from Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri districts of BTC.

The foundation stone of BTC Gaonbura Bhavan-cum-Guest House was laid by BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary on November 8, 2007. The land for constructing the Bhavan was donated by local social activist Sankarlal Boro. The new Bhavan has all facilities for office rooms, lodging, conference hall and refresh room, etc.

ARSU demands justice, compensation for Kanistha Rabha

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, July 3: The Kokrajhar District Committee of the All Rabha Students’ Union (ARSU) yesterday staged a two-hour protest demonstration in front of DC’s office, Kokrajhar demanding justice and compensation for Kanistha Rabha, president of the West Porbhotjhora Anchalik Committee, ARSU who was killed by unknown miscreants on May 28 last at Chesapani under Kazigaon police station of Kokrajhar district. The protest demonstration was led by the president of Kokrajhar district ARSU Rwtin Lokobok. The president of the Kokrajhar district ABSU Lawrence Islary also joined the demonstration.

Speaking to The Sentinel, the president of the Kokrajhar district ARSU Rwtin Lokobok said the students’ body staged two-hour demonstration in front of DC’s office demanding justice for its president of West Porbhotjhora Anchalik Committee, ARSU Kanistha Rabha who was killed by unknown miscreants on May 28 last and bring the culprits to book immediately. He said the ARSU has been working for the protection of its identity, culture, education and socio-economic development of the Rabha people. He also said killing of the student leader was unfortunate and district administration should find out the culprits at any cost.

The ARSU also submitted memorandum to the chief of BTC Hagrama Mohilary through DC, Kokrajhar demanding compensation and government job to the bereaved family member of Kanistha Rabha and arrest of culprits involved in killing of Rabha and punish them according to law. The students’ union also demanded effective law and order in the district so that killings and other anti-people activities could be stopped. The copy of memorandum was also given to the DC, Kokrajhar Donald Gilfellan for taking necessary measures to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book.

SAMYCM suspends agitational programme

From our Staff Reporter
DIBRUGARH, July 3: The Sadou Asom Mottock Yuba Chatra Sanmilan (SAMYCM) announced the suspension of its agitational programme against OIL keeping in view the current flood situation. In a statement, the organization informed that they held a meeting with OIL authorities on Monday, at Duliajan. Responding to the demand for a hospital in a Mottock-dominated area, OIL has announced the sanctioning of Rs 1.35 crore for one at Romai Kordoibaam area under Lahoal development block, the Sanmilan added. They also revealed that the officials promised to meet their other demands like conservation of historical monuments of the Mottock community, construction of rural playgrounds in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts and others. The Sanmilan has decided not to carry out its agitational programme responding to the call made by OIL. However, the statement mentioned, the organization would take up demonstration if the promises made were not fulfilled.

Relief materials distributed

From our Staff Reporter
DIBRUGARH, July 3: Relief materials was distributed among six hundred families of Larua mouza in Dibrugarh district by the Regional Business Office of SBI yesterday. Packets containing detergent, antiseptic lotion, medicine, mosquito coils, ORS, candle, matches and disinfectant were handed over to these flood-affected families of 2 No. Soraihabi, Paroliguri Sonowal Gaon, 2 No. Nahoroni, Madhupur Tinsukia, Madhupur Deori Gaon, Madhupur Nepali Gaon, Thekera Phukhuri Mishing Gaon, Garudhoria Patra Gaon and Gauripur Digholdoloni Phukanbaam. The AGMs of SBI, SI Hussaini and Abani Mohan Saharia, were present during the distribution ceremony. The bank spent around Rs 3 lakh on the relief materials.

Theft accused escapes from police custody

From our Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, July 3: A theft accused fled from police custody on Monday afternoon while he was taken to jail in a prisoners’ vehicle. Rahul Bailung, who was produced before the CJM court in connection with a vehicle theft case, jumped out from the vehicle and ran away while the police was taking him to prison. Though police chased him a long distance, he has managed to stay out of police reach. Bailung had been arrested by Kakatibari Police on the charge of vehicle theft and it was his date to be produced before the court for which he was taken before the CJM court.

Body recovered

From a Correspondent
DIPHU, July 3: Diphu Police recovered a bullet riddled body from  Rengbohom Higher Secondary School playground in Karbi Anglong today morning. The deceased have been identified as Biky Tisso (25), an ex-UPDS cadre. The police recovered six empty catridges and one 9 mm pistol.

Meritorious Manipuri students felicitated

GUWAHATI, July 3: The Gauhati Manipuri Social Organization (GMSO) organized the 11th felicitation ceremony of the meritorious Manipuri students of Guwahati recently at the office premises-cum-Manipuri boys’ hostel at Janaki Path, Ganeshguri, under the presidentship of Jiten Singha, president GMSO and the chairman of Manipuri Development Council (MDC). Altogether 42 students who got 1st division in class X and class XII under SEBA, AHSEC and CBSE courses were felicitated in the ceremony with a memento and a certificate of merit. A counseling programme was also conducted along with felicitation ceremony by the GMSO with the help of R Deka, a reputed counselor of the region. The GMSO thanked the students and their parents for making the programme a grand success and prayed for a better future for the students. The GMSO hopes that the students will continue in their efforts and would bring glory for the community in the future. This was stated in a press release.