Various Organizations Have Demanded the Removal of Director Engineer of Kokrajhar Station of All India Radio, Assam

Our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, July 30: Various organizations have demanded that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should remove the Director Engineer of Kokrajhar Station, All India Radio, Akhilesh Prasad Singh, and have also threatened to take out a protest against the utter neglect towards the Kokrajhar AIR station. A general meeting of nine social organizations along with local intellectuals was held recently to discuss various disputes and grievances related to Kokrajhar All India Radio Station, under the presidentship of Janak Kr. Uzir, president of KDC/ABSU, where several organizations such as ABSU, Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), Dularai Boro Harimu Afad, Tribal Sangha, Boro Somaj, ABBWF, UPPL and All Bodo Radio Artists’ Association took part.

In the meeting, the representatives discussed that the Kokrajhar AIR Station was officially launched on August 15, 1999 and had been functioning smoothly. But now programmes are not aired on a regular basis due to reasons best known to the engineering section of the station which is allegedly running the station by completely ignoring the programme section.

Kokrajhar AIR Station is the only regional station in lower Assam or BTC which has been helping in the development of the language, literature and culture of different communities. But, as discussed in the meeting, AIR, Kokrajhar station was in the doldrums soon after Akhilesh Prasad Singh took charge as Director Engineer of the station. Based on several complaints, a delegation of several organizations met Akhilesh Singh in his office chamber at Kashipara Radio Centre in October, 2017. Singh assured the delegation that within the few days, high quality FM programmes would be launched for the greater interest of people. As per his assurance, Snigh started to broadcast FM programme on October 20, 2017 but this programme was totally closed down after seven days due to unknown reasons.

A joint memorandum was sent to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for taking proper action against Singh for neglecting the radio station. The memorandum was submitted by as many as eight democratic organizations, including ABSU, NDFB (P) and ABBWF, on May 9, 2018 through the Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar but till date no problem has been resolved. The organizations alleged that the higher authority had also failed to act accordingly.

In the meantime, Director Engineer Akhilesh Prasad Singh, without any valid reason stopped the broadcasting of medium wave programme from July 25 to July 26, 2018. Singh allegedly abuses the employees and staff regarding the allotment of duty and working environment. Moreover, as per allegations, he has also intentionally delayed disbursement of salary or remuneration to the working staff. The leaders of various organizations and intellectuals have vehemently condemned Akhilesh Prasad Singh’s apathy towards Kokrajhar AIR and his indifferent attitude. The general secretary of the central committee of ABSU, Lawrence Islary also strongly condemned the present condition of All India Radio Station, Kokrajhar and demanded the higher authority to resolve the grievances within a short time without fail for the greater interest of the general public.