NCP rallies in Mariani , demands solution to Assam-galand border row

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

MARIANI, April 29: The tiolist Congress Party today took out a protest rally  here demanding a permanent solution to the Assam-galand boundary dispute.

They also demanded immediate steps by the Assam government to rehabilitate families displaced in the skirmishes in Sector B of the inter-state boundary.

Hundreds of protesters led by NCP leader and former MLA Alok Ghosh took out the rally through the town to  Mariani Circle Officer’s  office.

Addressing the gathering, NCP leader Alok Ghosh said alleged that Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi is not serioius for solving the border conflict with galand and accused him of misleading the people of the state on the boundary issue.

“Our chief minister is trying to evade the issue by not taking any step for solution of the border conflict,” he said.

The protesters also shouted slogans against Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and the Congress Government as well.  They also submitted a memorandum addressed to President of India demanding to solve the border issue to Mariani Circle Officer Tarali Das Gogoi.

Even though the protesters wanted to hold a demonstration in front of Circle Officer’s office, security forces did not allow the protesters to organize it.

It may be mentioned that nine people were killed in ethnic clashes between Adivasi groups and ga groups from August 12 to August 15 last year in Golaghat district. Unofficial figures put the death toll at 18.

On Independence Day, the Assamese students’ group refused to allow a galand government official to pass through NH-39, adding to tension.