Citizen group demands release of arrested teachers

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR, July 15: A rally was taken out on Thursday in Bengtol by the people of the Bengtol and Tukrajhar area under the banner of Bengtol Greater Citizen’s Forum demanding unconditiol release of Principal of Tukrajhar HS School Jiten rzary and Assistant Teacher of Bengtol MV School Pradip rzary who were arrested for their alleged nexus with the anti-talk faction of the NDFB.

The forum also urged to stop atrocities on innocent people and initiate peace talks with all militant groups immediately including NDFB (S) to bring permanent peace in Bodoland area.  

The president of the forum Rajendra Prasad Basumatary and secretary Hojen rzary said in a press release that on July 3, Chirang police had arrested two teachers Jiten rzary, Principal of Tukrajhar HS School and Prodip rzary, Assistant Teacher of Bengtol MV School on charges for their link with NDFB (S).

The organization leaders said that the duo were neither supporter nor have any link with the NDFB(S). They on behalf of the civil society of the area appealed to government to release unconditiolly both the arrested teachers on humanity ground.

They also appealed to the government of Assam not to harass common people in the me of operations against militants.

The release said since 1999 a total six innocent teachers along with many civilians have been killed by militant groups. Whenever militant groups started to kill one after another that time in Bengtol area not even a single security personnel was engaged to give protection to common people. Till today culprits involved behind the heinous act are at large, not a single culprit has been arrested so far while victimized families have also not received justice.

The release said the district administration has failed to give security to the life of common people of this area. In some cases the local people has witnessed the involvement of security personnel instead of giving security to common people.

The forum said if the people are reluctant to pay money to the militant group but when they refuge to do so militants target them and the police and district administration has also failed to give security to the people. The forum appealed all the militant groups not to harass the common people by collecting money and at the same time, they appealed the government to initiate peace dialogue with militants for permanent settlement.