Cabinet Ministers visit affected areas in BTAD

From our Correspondent

GOSSAIGAON, Aug 7: On the way to peace process in BTAD area, Cabinet Ministers are frequently visiting the affected area in BTC. In this connection today, four Cabinet Ministers Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Prithivi Majhi, Nilomoni Sen Deka and Akon Bora along with other officials visited the affected areas assuring peace and security to the locals. A meeting was held with the civil administration, forces and other security intelligences regarding the rehabilitation process. Prithivi Majhi, head of the relief team in an interview appealed to the various communities to maintain harmony in the region and simultaneously instructed the administration to achieve peace in the region by any means. Dr Sarma too appealed to the people to cooperate with the administration so that normalcy could be achieved soon. The ministers appreciated the civil administration of the Gossaigaon subdivision for their sincere and hard work. SDO (Civil) Gossaigaon Binod Sasank assured that they would soon bring back normalcy to the life of the people of the subdivision. He further stated that their officers are all working very hard which have resulted in the returning of the people from relief camps to their localities and thereby decreasing the number of  relief camps from 43 to 36.

Concern over violence in BTAD area

From our Staff  Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, Aug 7: The failure of the state government in bringing law and order in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts in BTAD area bodes ill for the state. The United People’s Front (UPF) in its organizational meeting held here at Garden Treat auditorium recently, expressed concern and anguish over the renewed spurt of violence and killings in both the districts in BTAD area within a fortnight. The party leaders were of the opinion that Tarun Gogoi-led Congress-BPF alliance had lost their moral right to rule the state because of their utter failure to ensure security to the life and property of people in BTAD areas. The UPF general secretary, Shyamal Barua, held the Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi responsible for aggravating the situation by his silly comments on serious issues. The meeting chaired by vice-president of the party, Porag Jyoti Baruah, discussed at length various organizational issues in general and forthcoming panchayat election in particular and urged upon all members to work hard to achieve spectacular results in the forthcoming election. It was also decided that the Panchayat Nirman committee, constituted at the meeting, will raise issues of corruption at Panchayat level in the forthcoming election. Referring to the flood and erosion problem of the state, the members squarely blamed the union government for taking the issue casually.

They demanded adequate compensation for the flood victims of the state and to gear up public opinion in favour of the demand. The meeting in a resolution condemned the recent group clash in BTAD area and demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi. Forty two members of AGP, AJYCP and other organizations formally joined the UPF at the meeting. Later, an Iftar party was held where a large number of people from Muslim community participated. Headmaster of Moncotta High School, Naser Sultan spoke on various aspects of the month long fast observed by the Muslim community.

Traffic awareness camp at Sibsagar Commerce College

From our Correspondent

SIVASAGAR, Aug 7: To make students aware about traffic, an awareness camp on road traffic rules and regulations was organized by the Sibsagar Commerce College, in collaboration with the Sivasagar police administration on Monday at the Sibsagar Commerce College auditorium. Sivasagar Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Kumar Singh attended the function as chief guest along with ASP (S) Zakir Hussain and Sivasagar (Sadar) PS Officer-in-charge Devaranjan Sharma.

In his speech, SP Singh talked about the do’s and don’ts that need to be followed while driving or walking on the road; the need of wearing helmet; and the importance of having a license. He talked about the social and economic loss because of not obeying safety rules as every year the number of road accidents and deaths due to road accidents had been increasing. He also asked the students to help the police in maintaining law and order situation for upholding peace in the society.

Principal of the college, Dr Soumarjyoti Mahanta thanked the SP, AK Singh and his official team who came and delivered useful information. “He emphasized the need to make youth aware of the responsible behaviour on road and drive safe and that road safety is a constant concern of the parents and we as teachers consider it our responsibility to make the students aware of the correct ways for road safety.

The camp was attended by a large number of students who were made aware about the rules and regulations of traffic. Along with the students, the teaching staff of the college also witnessed the function and were acquainted with the traffic rules.

Security beefed-up for Independence Day at Jorhat

From a Correspondent
JORHAT, Aug 7: On the eve of Independence Day security has been beefed-up by Jorhat Police. The sudden check-up of vehicles are continuing by Jorhat Police in different locations through which the ultras might enter the city. Besides the venue of the Independence Day programme, Jorhat Court field, has been searched for explosives by the district administration. The Jorhat district administration is keeping the Court field under strict vigil of police. On the other hand, the police made a drive against use of black glass in the vehicles on August 4 and removed black glasses from more than 200 vehicles in the city so that no ultras could carry arms and ammunition by taking the advantage of black glass in the vehicles. Jorhat Police made this drive as per the direction of the Supreme Court.

Rainfall in Jorhat above normal range

From a Correspondent
JORHAT, Aug 7: The total rainfall in Jorhat and its surrounding areas during last July was above the normal range. Although the deficit rainfall in the southern part of Jorhat district and some parts of Golaghat district, timely plantation of rice saplings are being affected, but in Jorhat about 35 mm surplus rainfall have been recorded by the Agrometeriology Department of Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat. As per the data recorded by the department, a total of 401.3 mm rainfall was recorded during July this year, which is sufficient by about 35 mm while the normal rainfall last year in the month of July is 366.5 mm. By analyzing the last four years’ rainfall data, it is found that the amount of rainfall was found deficit during the month of July, 2009. It was recorded 304.4 mm in Jorhat and its surrounding areas. But during last year’s rainfall data, it was found that in July, 2011, sufficient amount of rainfall up to 462.3 mm was recorded and which was about 96 mm surplus than the normal rainfall during the month of July. Similarly in July, 2010, a total of 403.6 mm rainfall was recorded. According to the Agrometeriology Department of Assam Agriculture University the rainfall occurred so far during this year’s cropping period found normal for paddy season.

Body recovered

From our Correspondent
GOSSAIGAON, Aug 7: A woman’s body identified as Abiron Dewa (30) was recovered today at Gangia River in Mokrambil under Gossaigaon PS. It may be mentioned here that she and her daughter Nazina Begum (7), hailing from Hangubil village had been missing for the last 17 days. The daughter is still untraced.

AASAA to celebrate World Indigenous Day

GUWAHATI, Aug 7: The All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) in collaboration with Adivasi Civil Society is going to celebrate the World Indigenous Day on August 9 at Tezpur District Library. The programme will start with the hoisting of AASAA flag by Central AASAA President Raphael Kujur followed by Sahid Tarpan by AASAA General Secretary Joseph Ming. At around 11.30 am a cultural procession will be taken out which will be flagged off by the Deputy Commissioner of Sonitpur Tapan Chandra Sarma. An open session will be organized which will be presided over by the AASAA President and will be inaugurated by Tezpur MP Joseph Toppo. The Minister for Labour, Employment and  Revenue Prithvi Majhi is likely to attend the programme as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries who will take part in the programme are Santins Kujur, Executive Member BTAD, Kanu Murmu, Chairman, Adivasi Development Council, noted Journalist Rajtilok Barman, Director of Tata Institute of Social Science Virginus Khakha and  Former custom officer Bijoy Tiru. This was stated in a press release.