Third force and government agencies engineered violence: WBHS

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, Aug.3: The World Bodo Historical Society (WBHS) today reiterated that the recent violence erupted in Kokrajhar, Dhubri and Chirang was jointly engineered by the third force and government agencies to divert the attention of the people with an attempt to derail the movement of separate state of Bodoland.

In a press release, the president of the WBHS Prabin Kr Basumatary said since the state and central governments failed to provide safety and security to the lives and properties of the people of the region and in maintaining law and order situation. They should tender apology before the people as former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru did the same to the people of the Northeast during the war between India and China in 1962 and this is the moral as well as constitutional duty of the government, he said.

Basumatary warned any force to refrain from such bloody design to suppress Bodoland movement saying that the victims of this communal conflict from both sides will understand the veracity of the violence sooner or later. He argued that while demanding separate state for the Bodos as per constitutional rights for the safety, security, peace, socio-cultural harmony and economic prosperity of every section of the society in the region, the Bodos are not doing harm to the rights of other communities. He said that the political heavy weights, government bureaucrats, central and state leaders and leaders of different organizations were seen crowded in riot hit districts but none of them either knowingly or unknowingly could not feel what may prove to be an effective remedy for restoring lasting peace and harmony in the region. The creation of separate state of Bodoland is the only panacea of all problems which may restore equality, peace, harmony and prosperity in the region, he added.

The president of the WBHS asked all sections of the people to mark and identify those people who speak against Bodoland and said the outsiders who speak against Bodoland are behind this communal violence. He also called the displaced people both Bodos and Indian religious minority people to raise voice of Bodoland demand even from the relief camps which will restore peace and brotherhood. He further said that those people who are always raising voice against Bodoland has no right to exploit the soil, water, air, forest products and natural resources of Bodoland region.

Shelter home for destitute children inaugurated

From our Correspondent

SIVASAGAR, Aug 3: The number of rescued children has been increasing day by day in Sivasagar district but rarely any step is initiated for their rehabilitation. For a change, though, a shelter home, under the aegis of the NGO ‘SHAPE’ was inaugurated for rescued kids at Rangchalia gaon near Meteka in Sivasagar district on Friday. ‘Children’s Home’, a shelter home for rescued and destitute children, which was established under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000, has proved to be a haven for several rescued and destitute children.

Jatindra Lahkar, Deputy Commissioner, Sivasagar, who inaugurated it formally as chief guest said that setting up such a home was a great leap as it was all about giving and dedicating oneself to uplift humanity and a job full of risk and responsibility and that the society has great expectations. Assuring necessary support to the new home, Lahkar appealed all the SHGs of the area to make their contributions in this noble thought. Lahkar said, “We need more such shelter homes where children feel safe and secure.”

Talking about malnourishment among children, Lahkar said: “The level of malnourishment in case of rescued children from streets or any other place is worse than other children. Therefore, extra-care should be taken to make these children healthier and happier.”

Speaking on the occasion, Parag Goswami, secretary of SHAPE, said that the shelter home provides basic facilities such as free food and lodging, the aim being to take destitute children and rescued children back to the mainstream to live a happy life. “The home will also deal with issues such as counseling and education. The children will also be admitted to government schools based on their age,” Goswami added.

Dr Ashok Dutta, president of SHAPE, Pratap Hazarika, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Sivasagar; Dibyalata Deori, District Child Protection Officer and Dipali Swargiyari Baruah, Health Officer, attended the occasion as distinguished guests. The shelter home is at present taking care of seven children.

Assamese language teaching workshop to non-Assamese ONGCians held

From our Correspondent

SIVASAGAR, Aug 3: Regional Training Institute, ONGC, Sivasagar, a premier institute in the country providing various training to officers and employees of PSUs, Engineering Graduates, Workers and Members of NGOs on Industrial Skill and HR development organized a three-day workshop on ‘Introduction to Assamese Language’ recently for the ONGC officers from outside the state.

SL Purohit, Chief Engineer (Drilling) inaugurated the workshop and called upon the participants to make the best use of the target language skills in building bridges between people and enhancing workmanship. Vivekanand, In-charge, HR, RTI, introduced the faculty and delivered a brief speech on the Training Institute. Manoj Borthakur, Subject Teacher, Fuleswari Girls’ HS School, delivered speech on history of Assamese Language and Culture besides conducting drilling sessions on conversational Assamese. Dipa Das, Primary Teacher, KV, Sivasagar, conducted sessions on Assamese syllables and word structures. Altogether 60  officers took part in the training.

'Clashes in BTAD due to influx of Bangladeshi immigrants'

From our Staff Reporter

DIBRUGARH, Aug 3: The clashes in BTAD happened due to influx of Bangladeshi immigrants, stated the Dibrugarh district unit of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). They blamed the state government for the flare-up. The organization said that the Indo-Bangladesh border is porous as the fencing along the stretch is not yet complete. Not only does the unhindered flow of illegal migrants lead to increase of unemployed and encroachment, it also causes disparities among the communities, they added. The consequent change in demographic patterns in BTAD was the reason behind the clashes, the Parishad asserted. The youth body demanded that the Centre and State Government should rehabilitate the people who became homeless. The demands also included relief to the affected in the camps, construction of temporary schools for the students, deployment of special vigilance police teams in the reconstructed villages, spot checking of suspected Bangladeshis and deportation of immigrants. Moreover, they continued, the authorities should complete fencing the border, upgradation of Citizens’ Register and deploy additional armed forces on the border.

Extortions stepped up

From our Staff Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, Aug 3: On the eve of Independence Day, the Paresh Baruah led ULFA faction has stepped up their extortions in the three Upper Assam districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar, besides carrying out disruptive activities to create a sense of panic among the people of the area. In Dibrugarh district, self-styled captain Babul Gogoi, sergeant Jayanta Handique, Raktajit Hazarika and Chandan Majhi have sent extortion notices to a number of people in the district through SMS. Several tea planters and managers of tea estates located in the inter-district border of Dibrugarh-Sivasagar received extortion notices from Michkel Deka Phukan and Rupantar Kakoti. It is also reported that some of the managers were planning to leave the tea estates after receipt of the notices. On receiving the information, the Dibrugarh Police nabbed at least 10 linkmen of the Paresh Baruah faction in the last couple of months and sent them to jail custody. However, businessmen and others continue to receive demands for money. It is also reported that the militants are trying to engage a section of youths to carry out subversive activities like bomb blast, kidnapping and extortion for huge sum of money. The Superintendent of Police, Arabinda Kalita, at the PPC meeting held recently, appealed to all members to take extra caution in order to thwart militants’ reported attempts to carry out bomb blasts in public places. ‘Security forces are keeping strict vigil on the militants’ movement and their activities,’ he said and reassured the people that all steps would be initiated to frustrate the militants’ bid to create law and order situation prior to the Independence Day. Kalita further stated that the police on duty have been asked to remain alert and vigilant against the movement of the extremists apart from checking the credentials of motorcyclists with full mask helmets.

KSYC rubbishes PD's allegation

From a Correspondent

DIPHU, Aug 3: A day after the Project Director’s Office of DRDA was ransacked by the activists belonging to Karbi Students and Youth Council (KSYC) on Wednesday, allegation has been levelled against the organization that they tried to extort money forcefully from the lady officer, currently the Project Director of DRDA. A police complaint has been registered against the organization for their alleged misbehaviour and misconduct on the woman officer. The PD’s office properties were displaced and destroyed by the angry activists of KSYC in the incident.

Countering the allegation, the KSYC today came out strongly against the lady officer charging her of lack of mannerism and respect for her juniors. The organization however appreciated the good work done by the lady officer in the district of Karbi Anglong, who has single handedly taken on the corruption rampant in the DRDA department. The organization in their press statement mentioned that they have gone there to thank her for what she did to streamline the menace of corruption unbridled in the DRDA department. However, as soon as the KSYC workers tried to enter the chamber of the PD, she abruptly shouted at them and said: “I don’t want to talk to anyone of you.” The tone and manner in which the lady officer shouted did not go down well at the other end following which the irate youths had gone on rampage and berserk.

The humiliation brought to the KSYC shall not be tolerated at any cost, the statement said. The organization issued a strong statement against the PD and asked her to withdraw her police complaint. If any worker of KSYC are put to harm then the PD must face the consequence and tender an apology to the organization for her alleged misbehaviour with them, the organization said.

Solid Waste Management Project to start

From our Staff Reporter
DIBRUGARH, Aug 3: The Solid Waste Management Project that was on hold for quiet some time seems all set to start with the state government handing over the land for it to the Dibrugarh Municipal Board (DMB). The announcement that the Asian Development Bank would fund the Rs 30 crore-project was made long back. Little progress was made due to the failure of providing land for it. However, the Urban Development Department of the state issued a notice instructing the Circle Officer of West Revenue Circle to hand over more than 210 bighas of land at Ghuramora Gaon under Mancotta Khanikar Mouza to DMB. The development has given hope that the town will soon be able to dispose its waste scientifically. The land has been acquired for Rs 6.27 crores.

Rhino killed by poacher in Jorhat

From a Correspondent
JORHAT, Aug 3: One rhino was killed by poacher in Jorhat district and the horn, nails were taken away by the poacher. As per report received, the Jorhat forest department officials patrolling around the sides of Brahmaputra and in Majuli found the body of a male rhino at Kartik Chapori amidst Brahmaputra at about 3.30 pm today. According to the forest officials, two bullets were found in the body of the rhino. It was suspected that the rhino was killed last night by poachers. In this regard a case has been registered and nobody was apprehended so far. It may be mentioned that during the recent flood, a few rhinos were found roaming around Jorhat and Majuli which were suspected to have come from Kaziranga National Park. Since the forest department failed to return these rhinos to Kaziranga back, taking this advantage the poachers killed the rhino, as alleged by the local people.

Four poachers arrested

From our Correspondent
JAGIROAD, Aug 3: The Mayong Police in association with forest department arrested four poachers Abdul Hussain, Faizul Hoque, Abdullah and Ismail Hussain from Jhargaon under Jagiroad PS in the wee hours today. The police also seized one 0.22 pistol and 30 live cartridges along with a Maruti Alto car. The arrested persons confessed their involvement in the killing of a rhino in Pobitora Sanctuary on July 4 last.

Dinjoy Anchalik (regional) committee formed

From our Staff Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, Aug 3: A twenty-five-member new executive committee of Dinjoy Anchalik (regional) committee of All Assam Mottock Yuba Chatra Sanmilan was formed with Raju Gohain and Jitul Chetia as president and secretary respectively. The public meeting held on the occasion at Dinjoy recently was presided over by the Dharmacharjya of Dinjoy Xatra, Arupananda Goswami. Member of District General Council, Makhan Chetia and former members of Dinjoy committee, Arun Gohain and Binanda Baruah, were elevated as members of Central General Council of the organization. The meeting, amongst others, was attended by assistant secretary of central committee, Uday Shankar Mohan, district committee president, Ranjit Gohain, publicity secretary Minto Borchetia, and finance secretary, Prasanta Chetia.

Mass protest by KMSS at Morigaon

From our Correspondent
MORIGAON, Aug 3: Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity, Morigaon unit under the leadership of general secretary of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) Akhil Gogoi yesterday sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Assam through the Deputy Commissioner of Morigaon demanding rehabilitation of flood affected people of Morigaon, to stop corruption in public distribution system of NREGA and for reconstruction of the damaged embankment from Bhugragaon to Mayong. Under the leadership of Akhil Gogoi, a mass protest rally was taken out through the Morigaon town which was started from Gandhi field and the protest rally reached the DC’s office. In absence of the Deputy Commissioner, Suresh Sarma, ADC, Morigaon interacted with Akhil Gogoi along with KMSS members. After submission of the memorandum to the ADC, Akhil Gogoi highlighted the problems of the flood affected people of Morigaon.

Demand for setting up of additional relief camps

From our Correspondent
GOSSAIGAON, Aug 3: The Gossaigaon Sub-divisional Minority Welfare Relief and Rehabilitation Committee formed recently here to assist the administration in relief, rehabilitation and in bringing back the arson affected displaced people to their respective places, has urged the government for setting up of additional minority relief camps along with the deployment of adequate security forces. The committee in its prayer to the Sub-divisional Magistrate, Gossaigaon stated that during the ongoing ethnic violence about one lakh religious minority people have been driven out by the miscreants from their respective villages. It is reported that the people have left their villages following the fear psychosis created by indiscriminate firing and torching of houses. Amidst tension, anxiety and confusion the fear stricken people have compelled to take shelter in safer places. It is stated that the inmates of the camps are spending a harrowing time having inadequate supply of essential commodities like ration, sanitation, drinking water, baby food and proper medical facilities. The children, women and the aged persons living in the relief camps are worst sufferers. Following the occupation of schools, colleges by these riot-hit people it is likely to hamper the student community as they are likely to lose their classes if the inmates are not brought back immediately to their respective villages.

Number of camp inmates increasing in Gossaigaon

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, Aug 3: In a surprising development, the number of relief camp inmates has increased to a great extent despite closure of four relief camps in Gossaigaon subdivision in Kokrajhar district. The distribution of relief items are also increasing for the reason best known to district administration.

As per status data of the Kokrajhar district administration, the total number of inmates of 43 relief camps in Gossaigaon subdivision was 1,46,348 till 3 pm of August 1. As many as four relief camps have been closed till 3 pm of August 2 and the number of remaining camp inmates should have come down but instead, it has increased to 1,53,464 and thus question arises from where 7,116 inmates have come. There has been suspicion of increase in of Muslim camp inmates.

Interestingly, the distribution of GR is also increasing even when the number of relief camps is decreasing. The supply of rice, dal, salt, mustard oil and baby food are increasing as per data. The supply of mustard oil is increasing beyond imagination. The supply of mustard oil in Gossaigaon subdivision after closure of four relief camps is increasing from 4,288 litres as on to August 1 to 10,752 litres to August 2. Observing the data, an increase of 6,464 litres of mustard oil has occurred within 24-hours. The general question is if daily need can go up for over 6,000 litres then how much mustard oil would be required in the coming days?

'Inquiry into Marketing Board not satisfactory'

From a Correspondent

JORHAT, Aug 3: The inquiry against Assam Marketing Board, Jorhat was meaningless and was a eye-wash for the common people, this was alleged by the district committee of AJYCP, Jorhat in a press meet held at the Jorhat Press Club today.

The AJYCP Jorhat Committee unearthed a scandal involving crores of rupees in  Jorhat District regulated Marketing Committee in charging of taxes on railway goods coming to Jorhat. Earlier in this regard the AJYCP collected the data of total quantity of agricultural products coming to Jorhat by Railway under RTI Act and the organization found that about 20 to 30 lakhs of rupees of taxes were to be collected by Marketing Board. But in fact the Board showed a very less amount of taxes in the account.

The student organization therefore alleged that the officials of Jorhat District regulated Marketing Committee made a crores of rupees scandal by hobnobbing with businessmen. On this allegation made by the student organization, the Chief Executive Officer of Assam Marketing Board made an inquiry and later submitted a report to the Chief Minister. Later, the Chief Minister ordered his Vigilance Cell to make inquiry into the scandal. Accordingly, from the CM’s Vigilance cell, a two-member team headed by LN Baruah arrived at Jorhat on July 31 to inquire into the scandal. The AJYCP Jorhat Committee went to meet the Committee on that day so that a free and neutral inquiry is done. But according to the student organization the vigilance team didn’t meet the representatives of the organization.

The vigilance team invited the student organization yesterday night at about 7-30 pm and accordingly a few representatives of the AJYCP went to give their views. But the vigilance team allowed meeting only to two members for the purpose. According to the allegation raised by the student organization, the vigilance team tried to take the views of the student organization where both the accused persons were present at that time along with many other unknown persons. When the representatives of the student organization entered into the room where the team stayed at Circuit House, the vigilance team was busy with the two accused persons enjoying refreshment. The student organization alleged that the vigilance team misbehaved the representatives of AJYCP when they raised objection in this regard and  tried to call the electronic media to take stock of the situation. The student organization stated that the organization was not satisfied at all in such inquiry made by the vigilance team with an allegation that the vigilance team also used the vehicles of the accused persons during the inquiry period.