Clutching her stomach with one hand and holding on to the railing of her verandah with another, Bidisha Sharma tried to ward off her husband’s second kick. 
The meet also formed a cultural organisation under the name and style of North East Indigenous People’s Forum.
According to a press release here, noted academician and linguist Prof Promode Chandra Bhattacharyya inaugurated the seminar on the past, present and future of the NE indigenous people on the occasion. In the seminar writer Sushil Gogoi, educationist Jnanewar Chetia, researcher Dr Shikhamoni Konwar, and Kamala Rajkonwar of the Ahom Royal Society presented their papers.
President of the Mottock Yuva-Chattra Sanmiloni Nikheswar Saikia and general secretary of the All Assam Moran Students’ Union Jyotimoni Barua also took part in the seminar, which was compered by president of the Mottock Cultural Centre Chinanta Phukan. Earlier, Aparijita – the novel written by actress Pakhila Kalita was released by Sushil Gogoi.
On January 28, another seminar was held on the ethnic communities of the NE region and the issues connected with their unity. About 200 cultural delegates from all over the region took part in the function.
Cultural programmes were also held on the occasion on the evening of January 27 and 28, said the press release.
"I was not arrested here but kidnapped by the Bangladesh police on Sep 29 (2010) and then handed over to India," the 63-year-old Meghen told IANS outside the premises of a local court in Assam's main city of Guwahati.
The court Friday had sent the separatist leader from the northeastern state of Manipur to 13 days reman with the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The NIA said Meghen was arrested Tuesday from near Motihari in Bihar's East Champaran district when the rebel leader was trying to cross over to Nepal.
"This is absolutely false. I was kidnapped in Bangladesh Sep 29," Meghen said.
Meghen rejected any offers for peace talks with New Delhi.
"There is absolutely no question of holding talks with the government until and unless there is a plebiscite held in Manipur on our demands," the UNLF chairman said.
The UNLF is the most influential of the nearly 19 odd rebel armies in Manipur with the outfit since its inception in 1964 fighting for an independent homeland for the majority Metei community in a state of 2.4 million people.
The nearly six feet tall Meghen was sought by Interpol with red corner notices served against him with criminal charges ranging from murder to kidnappings and robberies.
Dhaka had handed over at least 20 top northeast militant leaders and their families to India after capturing them in Bangladesh.
Interestingly, Meghen found a friend in Ranjan Daimary, chairman of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), inside the same court - the jailed NDFB chief was also brought to the same courtroom in connection with a case.
The two separatist leaders exchanged pleasantries and both were heard talking and wishing each other all the best in their respective fight for independence.
"I wish you all the best," Daimary was heard telling Meghen as the two leaders crossed each other while entering the courtroom.
--IANS
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UNLF chief keeps mum on Bihar arrest
Guwahati, Dec 03(HT): Chairman of the Manipur-based UNLF, Raj Kumar Sanyaima, aka Meghen, confirmed that he was arrested in Dhaka but kept mum on his reported escape and second arrest in Bihar on Tuesday.
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UNLF chief produced in NIA court
GUWAHATI, Dec 3 – Self-styled chairman of United National Liberation Front (UNLF) Rajkumar Meghen alias Sana Yaina was today produced before the Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court, Guwahati where he was remanded to 13 days’ custody.
The NIA had sought custody of 20 days on the strength of NIA case number 10/10 under section 120(B)/121/121(A) -122-468 Indian Penal Code and under Sec 10/13 of Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act.
The next hearing is fixed on December 16.
After being produced before the NIA court, the militant leader told media persons that he was arrested in Bangladesh in September this year.
Advocate M Gunedhor Singh appeared on behalf of Meghen.
~ AT
Then NSCN-IM official called Adam Naga served the extortion notice to Dr Prodip Barooah, the hospital superintendent in the pad of ‘Government of People’s Republic f Nagalim’ (GPRN) asking him to collect and deposit 24 % of annual income of each of the hospital employee as ‘employees tax’ to the outfit. The extortion note mentioned a mobile number: 9402056996. The notice is datelined dateline Camp Hebron, the headquarter of the truce time NSCN-IM which has been in peace process with government of Indian since 1997.
The extortion notice has created panic among hospital doctors and other employees who have staged protest in hospital compound demanding adequate security against extortionists. A source in the hill district informed that some rebel outfit had abducted Dr Nityananda Naiding of the civil hospital from his official residence last month to be released later on payment of ransom money. In the March this year another doctor was abducted and later released on payment of Rs 10 lakh to the abductors.
The hospital staff demands adequate security in and around the compound of the hospital which doesn’t have even proper boundary wall though there is police picket within it.
Several groups including both the Naga rebel factions, NCSN –IM, NSCN-K, Dimasa National Democratic Front (DNDF) and some Kuki tribe militant groups have served extortion notices to all sections of people including teachers, doctors in different parts of the hill district exposing the helplessness of the administration there.
The district administration though has received complaints about many such extortion notices served to various employees of the hill district, is yet to take any precautionary measure to check the same.
Two most notorious rebel groups of the hill district – the Dima Halam Daogah (Dilip Nunisa faction ) and Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel Garlosa faction) or the Black Widow have given up arms and are engaged in peace process with the government of India. Still the militancy related troubles continue to dog the populace in the hill district despite heavy presence of security forces.
GUWAHATI, May 9 – “The aim of education in a democracy is to educate, enlighten and take the largest number of human beings under its wings. Education is not meant for a select few who enjoy all privileges of life.”
Inaugurating the Learners’ Conference of the North East Region, organised by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) at Guwahati, State Governor JB Patnaik stressed the need to take education to more and more people in the country.
Inaugurating the Learners’ Conference of the North East Region, organised by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) at Guwahati, State Governor JB Patnaik stressed the need to take education to more and more people in the country.
| PANKAJ SARMA |
| Clutching her stomach with one hand and holding on to the railing of her verandah with another, Bidisha Sharma tried to ward off her husband’s second kick. Two years of romance evaporated when Bidisha’s father failed to pay Satish’s demand for a “gift” of Rs 10 lakh to boost his business. The word “dowry” was never mentioned during their wedding — Satish’s was an “educated” family after all — but the undelivered “little gift” brought a torrent of torture on Bidisha. |
A government spokesman said floodwaters of Singora river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra river, entered at least 50 villages forcing residents to take shelter on raised platforms and railway tracks.
“There has been a breach of about 20 to 30 metres in two embankment and that led to floodwaters entering human settlements,” a district official said.
- Language appeal to Bengali Muslims draws flak Of the peopleGuwahati, April 17: An appeal by an umbrella organisation of religious minorities, asking the linguistic minority to identify themselves as Bengalis instead of Assamese during the ongoing census, has threatened to open old wounds in Assam.
The state has already seen two rounds of language
Pullock Dutta
Guwahati, April 17: A three-member team of the United People’s Federation of Assam (UPFA), a newly-floated umbrella organisation of around 30 bodies representing indigenous and ethnic communities, left for New York today to take part in the ninth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
The session will be held from April 19 to 30. Jebra Ram Mochahary,
Guwahati, April 17: A three-member team of the United People’s Federation of Assam (UPFA), a newly-floated umbrella organisation of around 30 bodies representing indigenous and ethnic communities, left for New York today to take part in the ninth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
The session will be held from April 19 to 30. Jebra Ram Mochahary,
Guwahati: The Indian Hotels Company Ltd Tuesday announced its plans to launch a new hotel in North-east India with the announcement of Vivanta by Taj - Guwahati, Assam.The foundation stone for the property was unveiled by Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam in the presence of Ratan Tata , Chairman Tata Sons , Rockybul Hussain , Minister of Forest and Environment, Tourism, Government of Assam, and H.S.Das , IAS, Principal Secretary Finance & Tourism , Government of Assam.
- Ramesh on three-day tour
Jairam Ramesh
Guwahati, April 2: Union minister for environment and forests will pay his first visit to Assam on Sunday to look into the state’s forest issues.
Sources said the minister would meet the forest department officials on Sunday.
He will proceed to Kaziranga the next day to assess the park infrastructure and talk to the guards about their problems.
Ramesh will visit Majuli on Tuesday.
The issues that are to be discussed are the late release of funds from the state government at the field level, increased protection in wildlife areas, recent spurt in poaching at Orang and Kaziranga and encroachment in Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) areas.
Project Tiger denied the Manas tiger reserve funds for 2009-10, as the state government failed to release funds to the park at the right time.
As a result, the park authorities failed to submit utilisation certificates. The money was for relocation of villagers from the core areas.
“As Ramesh is fully conversant with the ground situation in Assam with facts and figures, the state forest department will have to seize the opportunity to get more from him. We do not want to put up a sorry face and hence meetings are being held to chalk out those issues which could be brought before him,” a forest department source said.
The minister wished to see whether the state forest department is preparing a long-term rhino conservation project, after a two-member committee submitted a report on the proposed action plan for Orang National Park.
“Rapid recent encroachment in forests areas of BTAD in anticipation that the even the recent encroachers will get settlement under the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act is a matter of serious concern. This will basically ruin the future of forests and wildlife, which will affect the local rural economy. If we lose those forests such as Ripu Chirang, Sonai-Rupai and others, we are basically pushing the elephants and tigers to the brink of local extinction,” the source said.
Ramesh would discuss the department’s action plan on the utilisation of the funds meant for the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority.
The department will inform the minister on rhino conservation and on two externally-aided projects.
Ramesh would also look into the steps the state government was taking on climate change.
Jairam Ramesh
Guwahati, April 2: Union minister for environment and forests will pay his first visit to Assam on Sunday to look into the state’s forest issues.
Sources said the minister would meet the forest department officials on Sunday.
He will proceed to Kaziranga the next day to assess the park infrastructure and talk to the guards about their problems.
Ramesh will visit Majuli on Tuesday.
The issues that are to be discussed are the late release of funds from the state government at the field level, increased protection in wildlife areas, recent spurt in poaching at Orang and Kaziranga and encroachment in Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) areas.
Project Tiger denied the Manas tiger reserve funds for 2009-10, as the state government failed to release funds to the park at the right time.
As a result, the park authorities failed to submit utilisation certificates. The money was for relocation of villagers from the core areas.
“As Ramesh is fully conversant with the ground situation in Assam with facts and figures, the state forest department will have to seize the opportunity to get more from him. We do not want to put up a sorry face and hence meetings are being held to chalk out those issues which could be brought before him,” a forest department source said.
The minister wished to see whether the state forest department is preparing a long-term rhino conservation project, after a two-member committee submitted a report on the proposed action plan for Orang National Park.
“Rapid recent encroachment in forests areas of BTAD in anticipation that the even the recent encroachers will get settlement under the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act is a matter of serious concern. This will basically ruin the future of forests and wildlife, which will affect the local rural economy. If we lose those forests such as Ripu Chirang, Sonai-Rupai and others, we are basically pushing the elephants and tigers to the brink of local extinction,” the source said.
Ramesh would discuss the department’s action plan on the utilisation of the funds meant for the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority.
The department will inform the minister on rhino conservation and on two externally-aided projects.
Ramesh would also look into the steps the state government was taking on climate change.
Guwahati: Charmed by the scenic splendour of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said this border town of India had been fittingly termed by writers as the "hidden paradise on earth".
Chidambaram is in Arunachal Pradesh to review the insurgency situation. For many years, the districts of Tirap and Changlang have been a safe passage to the militants of the Northeast to sneak into and sneak out of Myanmar.
The Union Home Minister attributed the huge inflow of foreign and domestic tourists to the state to its unique unexplored beauty and colourful people. He encouraged the state government to further boost this industry so that it could generate employment avenues and augment the economy of the region.
Chidambaram said, "Meaningful development is pacing up in the state and I hope the infrastructure bottleneck, which has been affecting the state in developmental spheres, will soon be addressed".
During a meeting with elected representatives and public leaders at Khonsa in Tirap district, the Union Home minister called for a concerted effort to pave the way for development. P.Chidambaram revealed that he had already asked the state government to come up with a special plan for development of the two districts in all spheres.
The Union Home Minister said New Delhi had adopted zero tolerance policy to militancy.
Source(NNN)
Chidambaram is in Arunachal Pradesh to review the insurgency situation. For many years, the districts of Tirap and Changlang have been a safe passage to the militants of the Northeast to sneak into and sneak out of Myanmar.
The Union Home Minister attributed the huge inflow of foreign and domestic tourists to the state to its unique unexplored beauty and colourful people. He encouraged the state government to further boost this industry so that it could generate employment avenues and augment the economy of the region.
Chidambaram said, "Meaningful development is pacing up in the state and I hope the infrastructure bottleneck, which has been affecting the state in developmental spheres, will soon be addressed".
During a meeting with elected representatives and public leaders at Khonsa in Tirap district, the Union Home minister called for a concerted effort to pave the way for development. P.Chidambaram revealed that he had already asked the state government to come up with a special plan for development of the two districts in all spheres.
The Union Home Minister said New Delhi had adopted zero tolerance policy to militancy.
Source(NNN)
Guwahati, March 21: Handicrafts of the Northeast is coming in handy in boosting bilateral ties between Thailand and the region.
It was evident from the reactions of the representatives of the Royal Thai government starting with Suthad Setboonsarng, its senior trade adviser, who inaugurated the second edition of Made In North East India (MINEI) 2010 at Bangkok’s Fashion Island Shopping Mall yesterday.
The standalone show on indigenous handicrafts of the Northeast is being organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA), North Eastern Region, in association with the development commissioner (handicrafts), Union ministry of textiles.
An impressed Thai customer paid 100 Baht extra while purchasing a Karbi shawl from the lone lady participant, Nichaswari Rabha. People thronged the colourful stall of Khandu Wangchuk from Sikkim who is displaying exquisite Buddhist paintings.
Amen Deka from Barpeta, the organisers said, could not hold back his emotion as he sells his small bamboo replica of a motorcycle at Rs 27,000 within 20 minutes of the exhibition’s inauguration.
“It is a red-letter day in the history of Thailand and Northeast India’s bilateral relationship. The workmanship of the artisans coming from the Land of Seven Sisters is unbelievable. This show should become an annual event to cement the socio-cultural trade relationship between the two regions,” the organisers said in a press note quoting Setboonsarng.
He had special words of appreciation for Manchihan Sasa of Manipur who was displaying clay pottery at the exhibition.
Another senior official, Phummisak Hongsyok, Senator, Royal Thai Parliament, admitted the show was a meeting point of Thailand’s Look West Policy and India’s Look East Policy.
“Being members of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, both Thailand and India are going to be largely benefited by exchange of talented craftpersons from both the regions in shows like MINEI 2010,” Hongsyok said.
Tharadol Thongruang, who was earlier with the Thailand embassy in Delhi and now promoted to look after foreign trade in Thailand, was equally euphoric over building of strong branding of Northeast India in Thailand.
The senior diplomat, who attended the opening ceremony, said: “The Northeast has finally arrived in Thailand and the Thai people are looking towards the Northeast for strong socio-cultural and trade ties and the credit goes to the ITFAA for their continuous endeavour.”
Apichat Dumdee, a senior member of Local Chamber of Commerce, felt that apart from trade relation the participating artisans are playing the role of ambassadors of India’s rich cultural and social heritage.
The fair ends on March 25.
It was evident from the reactions of the representatives of the Royal Thai government starting with Suthad Setboonsarng, its senior trade adviser, who inaugurated the second edition of Made In North East India (MINEI) 2010 at Bangkok’s Fashion Island Shopping Mall yesterday.
The standalone show on indigenous handicrafts of the Northeast is being organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA), North Eastern Region, in association with the development commissioner (handicrafts), Union ministry of textiles.
An impressed Thai customer paid 100 Baht extra while purchasing a Karbi shawl from the lone lady participant, Nichaswari Rabha. People thronged the colourful stall of Khandu Wangchuk from Sikkim who is displaying exquisite Buddhist paintings.
Amen Deka from Barpeta, the organisers said, could not hold back his emotion as he sells his small bamboo replica of a motorcycle at Rs 27,000 within 20 minutes of the exhibition’s inauguration.
“It is a red-letter day in the history of Thailand and Northeast India’s bilateral relationship. The workmanship of the artisans coming from the Land of Seven Sisters is unbelievable. This show should become an annual event to cement the socio-cultural trade relationship between the two regions,” the organisers said in a press note quoting Setboonsarng.
He had special words of appreciation for Manchihan Sasa of Manipur who was displaying clay pottery at the exhibition.
Another senior official, Phummisak Hongsyok, Senator, Royal Thai Parliament, admitted the show was a meeting point of Thailand’s Look West Policy and India’s Look East Policy.
“Being members of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, both Thailand and India are going to be largely benefited by exchange of talented craftpersons from both the regions in shows like MINEI 2010,” Hongsyok said.
Tharadol Thongruang, who was earlier with the Thailand embassy in Delhi and now promoted to look after foreign trade in Thailand, was equally euphoric over building of strong branding of Northeast India in Thailand.
The senior diplomat, who attended the opening ceremony, said: “The Northeast has finally arrived in Thailand and the Thai people are looking towards the Northeast for strong socio-cultural and trade ties and the credit goes to the ITFAA for their continuous endeavour.”
Apichat Dumdee, a senior member of Local Chamber of Commerce, felt that apart from trade relation the participating artisans are playing the role of ambassadors of India’s rich cultural and social heritage.
The fair ends on March 25.
The under-construction East-West corridor in Nagaon on Sunday. Picture by Sarat Sarma
Guwahati, March 21: Union road transport and highways minister Kamal Nath has assured the All Assam Students Union that he would depute top officials of his ministry to ensure the completion of the four-lane East-West corridor in Assam.
The highway will connect Porbandar in Gujarat and Silchar in Assam.
AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharyya said a delegation of the students union met Nath in New Delhi on Friday and expressed their resentment over the delay in completing the highway.
He said the AASU smelt foul play in the delay and demanded that the Union ministry should set up a monitoring cell to look after execution of the highway project.
“During the discussion with the AASU representatives, Nath blamed the Assam government for not being able to provide adequate land in time for the highway project. The failure of the Assam State Electricity Board to shift electrical poles or power lines in the state had also put up hurdles in the construction of the four-lane highway. But we had made it clear that the AASU would accept no excuse and that effective measures must be taken by the ministry to expedite the construction. Two senior officials of the ministry have already spoken to us and they will arrive in the state by the first week of April,” Bhattacharyya said.
The super highway will stretch from Srirampur to Rakhaldubi near Bijni, Rakhaldubi to Jalukbari and Jalukbari to Nagaon via Barpeta and Nalbari.
From Nagaon, the highway will pass through NC Hills district to connect with Silchar.
Work along the NC Hills sector was affected because firms engaged in the construction had to stop work after threats from the DHD (J) group, which has since entered into a ceasefire with the government.
The Centre has planned to connect Itanagar and Assam with a four-lane highway by constructing two bridges over the rivers Jia Bhorali and Brahmaputra.
The AASU leaders also met human resource development minister Kapil Sibal on Friday.
Sibal assured the student leaders of a one-time grant of Rs 100 crore for Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University.
“The AASU had told Sibal the grant will be a great help for the universities to upgrade their academic status and infrastructure to rank themselves with the top bracket institutions in the country. The minister appreciated our move and assured us that he will sanction the funds,” Bhattacharyya said.
The AASU has welcomed the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, which cleared the final revamp cost of Rs 635.53 crore for the Namrup Revamp Project of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Ltd on Friday.
“The committee clearance will enable the company to continue the production of urea and will ensure adequate and timely availability of urea in the region,” he said.
Guwahati/Kokrajhar, March 19: Left high and dry by its ally, the Bodoland Peoples Front, the Congress is contemplating contesting on its own 24 of the 40 seats in the Bodoland Territorial Council polls, scheduled for April 9.
After two meetings since last night, a high-powered PCC committee zeroed in on eight seats each in Udalguri and Baksa districts, three in Chirang and five in Kokrajhar for “friendly” contests.
The highlight of the proposal was not to field candidates against top-rung BPF leaders, including its president Hagrama Mohilary, as a “goodwill” gesture in deference to the cordial ties with the party at Dispur.
The Congress had to take the decision as it, too, was under tremendous pressure from its rank and file in the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD). “Had we backed off, we would have faced similar protests from our workers as the BPF is facing now. We should be winning anything between 10 and 15 seats. It’s good for the party, which was dying a slow death in the BTAD. Moreover, fighting alone will save us from sharing seats in the next Assembly elections too,” a PCC source claimed.
The PCC committee, comprising Assam Accord minister Bhumidhar Barman, health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, associate Congress MLA Chandi Basumatary, PCC vice-president Y.L. Karna and secretary Rana Khan, sat for nearly three hours at Barman’s residence in Guwahati this morning before submitting its proposal to PCC president Bhubaneswar Kalita for approval.
Last night, four BTAD district presidents of the Congress, sitting MLA Moloya Barman, and two former MLAs Paniram Rabha and Madab Kalita met members of the committee and suggested that the party contest 25 seats. While Udalguri district president Deben Swargiary, Baksa district president Bikramsingh Brahma and Kokrajhar district president Lohan Brahma met the committee, Chirang working president Supriya Rani Brahma attended the meeting in place of the district president, Sambhu Charan Barman.
On Wednesday, the BPF had decided to leave eight seats to the Congress besides half of the six nominated seats in the BTC elections. However, it did a volte face yesterday, saying it would contest all the 40 seats following protests by party workers against seat-sharing with the Congress in the BTAD.
Resentment over selection of candidates continued in the BPF today with its Bairabkunda block committee resigning en masse and locking the party office.
In Udalguri, workers burnt the effigies of ministers Chandan Brahma, Rihon Daimary and Pramila Rani Brahma in protest against the developments surrounding the polls.
The day also saw 10 BPF candidates, including Mohilary, file their nominations. Parbatjora candidate Maruti Rani Narzary has decided not to contest as she did not get the seat of her choice.
The Congress candidates will file their nominations between March 21 and 23.
The 24 seats identified by the PCC committee are Parbatjora, Goma, Sreerampur, Kakiragram and Baokhumri in Kokrajhar district, Thuribari, Kajalgaon and Subaijhar in Chirang district, Tamulpur, Nagrijuli, Sukhlaiserphang, Mathanguri, Kuklabari, Salbari, Goreswar and Bagenpara in Baksa district and Narnoiserphang, Pasnoiserphang, Mudoibari, Rowta, Bhairabkunda, Dhansiri, Khelingdwar and Harsingha in Udalguri district.
After two meetings since last night, a high-powered PCC committee zeroed in on eight seats each in Udalguri and Baksa districts, three in Chirang and five in Kokrajhar for “friendly” contests.
The highlight of the proposal was not to field candidates against top-rung BPF leaders, including its president Hagrama Mohilary, as a “goodwill” gesture in deference to the cordial ties with the party at Dispur.
The Congress had to take the decision as it, too, was under tremendous pressure from its rank and file in the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD). “Had we backed off, we would have faced similar protests from our workers as the BPF is facing now. We should be winning anything between 10 and 15 seats. It’s good for the party, which was dying a slow death in the BTAD. Moreover, fighting alone will save us from sharing seats in the next Assembly elections too,” a PCC source claimed.
The PCC committee, comprising Assam Accord minister Bhumidhar Barman, health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, associate Congress MLA Chandi Basumatary, PCC vice-president Y.L. Karna and secretary Rana Khan, sat for nearly three hours at Barman’s residence in Guwahati this morning before submitting its proposal to PCC president Bhubaneswar Kalita for approval.
Last night, four BTAD district presidents of the Congress, sitting MLA Moloya Barman, and two former MLAs Paniram Rabha and Madab Kalita met members of the committee and suggested that the party contest 25 seats. While Udalguri district president Deben Swargiary, Baksa district president Bikramsingh Brahma and Kokrajhar district president Lohan Brahma met the committee, Chirang working president Supriya Rani Brahma attended the meeting in place of the district president, Sambhu Charan Barman.
On Wednesday, the BPF had decided to leave eight seats to the Congress besides half of the six nominated seats in the BTC elections. However, it did a volte face yesterday, saying it would contest all the 40 seats following protests by party workers against seat-sharing with the Congress in the BTAD.
Resentment over selection of candidates continued in the BPF today with its Bairabkunda block committee resigning en masse and locking the party office.
In Udalguri, workers burnt the effigies of ministers Chandan Brahma, Rihon Daimary and Pramila Rani Brahma in protest against the developments surrounding the polls.
The day also saw 10 BPF candidates, including Mohilary, file their nominations. Parbatjora candidate Maruti Rani Narzary has decided not to contest as she did not get the seat of her choice.
The Congress candidates will file their nominations between March 21 and 23.
The 24 seats identified by the PCC committee are Parbatjora, Goma, Sreerampur, Kakiragram and Baokhumri in Kokrajhar district, Thuribari, Kajalgaon and Subaijhar in Chirang district, Tamulpur, Nagrijuli, Sukhlaiserphang, Mathanguri, Kuklabari, Salbari, Goreswar and Bagenpara in Baksa district and Narnoiserphang, Pasnoiserphang, Mudoibari, Rowta, Bhairabkunda, Dhansiri, Khelingdwar and Harsingha in Udalguri district.
Silvius Condpan
Guwahati, March 16: The Congress today sprung a last-minute surprise by propping up sitting MP Silvius Condpan as its second candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections on March 26.
The ruling party had till last night said that it would contest only one seat as it did not have the numbers and also cleared the candidature of Nazneen Faruque, a secretary of the All India Mahila Congress.
Hours before filing of nominations ended at 3pm, the party decided to renominate Silvius Condpan for a second term.
Flanked by chief minister Tarun Gogoi and PCC president Bhubaneswar Kalita, the duo filed their nominations by 1.30pm.
Gogoi later said the party was hopeful of getting its second candidate through though Nazneen remained the first preference of the party.
The chief minister also dismissed talks of horse-trading but said he would appeal to MLAs to support the party’s candidates when asked whether he would seek the support of the AIUDF.
The Congress claimed the support of 80 MLAs while the combined Opposition got the backing of 48 leaving out the three Independents in the House of 126.
If the Congress sent a message to the Muslim and tea tribes communities by nominating both their candidates, the Opposition managed to convey to the masses a united face by fielding a consensus candidate in Jayanta Baruah.
Baruah, a 48-year-old media baron, owns a vernacular daily known for its hard-hitting reports against the government.
Baruah filed his nomination papers just before closing time, accompanied by senior Opposition leaders Chandra Mohan Patowary, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Phani Bhushan Choudhury, Ranjit Dutta, Mission Ranjan Das, Badruddin Ajmal, H.R.A. Choudhury and Rameshwar Teli, among others.
Guwahati, March 16: The Congress today sprung a last-minute surprise by propping up sitting MP Silvius Condpan as its second candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections on March 26.
The ruling party had till last night said that it would contest only one seat as it did not have the numbers and also cleared the candidature of Nazneen Faruque, a secretary of the All India Mahila Congress.
Hours before filing of nominations ended at 3pm, the party decided to renominate Silvius Condpan for a second term.
Flanked by chief minister Tarun Gogoi and PCC president Bhubaneswar Kalita, the duo filed their nominations by 1.30pm.
Gogoi later said the party was hopeful of getting its second candidate through though Nazneen remained the first preference of the party.
The chief minister also dismissed talks of horse-trading but said he would appeal to MLAs to support the party’s candidates when asked whether he would seek the support of the AIUDF.
The Congress claimed the support of 80 MLAs while the combined Opposition got the backing of 48 leaving out the three Independents in the House of 126.
If the Congress sent a message to the Muslim and tea tribes communities by nominating both their candidates, the Opposition managed to convey to the masses a united face by fielding a consensus candidate in Jayanta Baruah.
Baruah, a 48-year-old media baron, owns a vernacular daily known for its hard-hitting reports against the government.
Baruah filed his nomination papers just before closing time, accompanied by senior Opposition leaders Chandra Mohan Patowary, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Phani Bhushan Choudhury, Ranjit Dutta, Mission Ranjan Das, Badruddin Ajmal, H.R.A. Choudhury and Rameshwar Teli, among others.
Guwahati, Mar 16 : Concerned over frequent "encroachment" by people of Arunachal Pradesh, the Assam government is planning to set up a new border outpost at Moinajuli.
In a written reply in the state assembly, the Minister of Border Areas, Gautam Roy said the government had received a proposal to construct the BOP at Moinajuli along the Assam-Arunachal border and the matter was under consideration.
Admitting that the Moinajuli area was "sensitive" following encroachment, the minister said a proposal for construction of Moinajuli BOP was forwarded to the government by the Lakhimpur district deputy commissioner.
"The matter is being taken up with the Lakhimpur district administration for allotment of land for the BOP while at present a police camp consisting of one assistant sub inspector and 13 Assam police battalion constables was functioning at the forest quarter at Moinajuli", Roy said.
In a written reply in the state assembly, the Minister of Border Areas, Gautam Roy said the government had received a proposal to construct the BOP at Moinajuli along the Assam-Arunachal border and the matter was under consideration.
Admitting that the Moinajuli area was "sensitive" following encroachment, the minister said a proposal for construction of Moinajuli BOP was forwarded to the government by the Lakhimpur district deputy commissioner.
"The matter is being taken up with the Lakhimpur district administration for allotment of land for the BOP while at present a police camp consisting of one assistant sub inspector and 13 Assam police battalion constables was functioning at the forest quarter at Moinajuli", Roy said.
Guwahati, Mar 14 : Recent developments relating to the surrender and arrest of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)'s, central committee members have the promise of peaceful days to Assam.
The only senior leader outside the net is ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah.
Most people in Assam want him to join the peace process as well. After 12 years of his detention, ULFA vice-Chairman Pradip Gogoi was released on bail from Guwahati Central Jail.
His approach was positive and he told journalists outside prison that in principle the outfit was in favor of resolving the 30-year-old conflict through peaceful political dialogue.
And, in that regard he sought the cooperation of both the Central and State governments. He also sought the cooperation of all sections of the society in Assam for carrying forward the process of political dialogue with the government.
"The Federal Government has created a favorable atmosphere and we will count on the public opinion," said Pradeep Gogoi, ULFA Vice Chairman.
Six top ULFA leaders are currently in the Guwahati Central Jail - the outfit's chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, Dy Commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, self-styled foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury, finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, and the ULFA political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain.
The special TADA Court in Guwahati granted bail to Daimary and Gogoi - a move seen as an attempt by the government to go soft on the jailed rebel leaders to bring them for peace talks.
However, Assam chief minister, who recently met the Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in New Delhi, clarified that 'Sovereignty' and 'integration' would never be the part of peace talks.
"He (Home Minister P Chidambaram) asked somebody, some officials, what are the topics of the talks, I said first let them submit their demands, except of course we made it very clear that there is no question of sovereignty. This is the basic and accordingly we will proceed," said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
The common sentiment in Assam is that ULFA Commander-in-Chief Paresh Barua should come for talks with the Centre. Political dialogue can only help restore peace in the region. As the state has already suffered huge lose so there should not be anymore time wasted and it is high time commander-in-chief should come for talks or people already in jail or the two leaders released must initiate peace process and it is important for the people of Assam," Ranjan Baruah a local.
"Paresh Barua should come for talks because he is a senior leader. He should come for talks for a permanent solution and it can only happen and there will be peace talks," said Susanka Kashyap, another local.
The current developments have given hope to people of Assam who are well aware of the fact that 'Peace' will ultimately bring prosperity to the state.
GUWAHATI, March 14 – Under pressure from the security forces in its strongholds, the Maoist rebel groups have started to make attempts to extend helping hand to different militant groups including those in the North East region to divert the attention of the security forces.
Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that with the security forces launching a massive crackdown on the Maoist rebel groups in the traditional strongholds of the organizations and the leaders are on the run and several of them have been nabbed. Under the circumstances, the Maoist groups are keen on extending support to other militant groups and sent feelers to other groups with the motto “let us grow together”.
Sources pointed out that the interrogation reports of the Maoist rebel leaders arrested in recent past also indicated the game plan of the groups to extend cooperation to other militant groups of the country. The main aim of the Maoists is to divert the attention of the Government and security forces. The Maoists are of the view that if other militant groups become strong, the pressure mounted by the security forces against them would be eased to a great extent and the Government of India would not be in a position to concentrate only against the Maoists. Sources also admitted that if the Maoist groups succeed in their strategy, the Government would have a tough time as the forces available would have to be redeployed wherever necessary.
Though the Maoist groups are yet to establish strong foot hold in the North East region, security sources said that the police forces of the region as well as the security forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations must keep a close watch on the situation to prevent growth of Maoists in the region, which is already hit by insurgency. The Maoist groups may also try to use the region as a hideout for their leaders as the police and security forces are not in the look out for them in the NE, sources pointed out.
The Maoists have already tried to establish links with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) as such a move would be beneficial for both sides. The ULFA is facing problems after the crackdown in Bangladesh and help from the Maoists can be beneficial for the outfit, while, on the other hand, the ULFA has abundance of sophisticated weapons, which the Maoist groups can use. “According to intelligence inputs, the ULFA still has more weapons than the number of cadres trained to use the same, while, on the other hand, the Maoist rebel groups have no shortage of manpower to use weapons. That is why, strong links between ULFA and Maoists can be beneficial for both sides,” sources said.
Intelligence inputs also indicated links between Maoists and members of the NSCN (I-M) and sources said that the Maoist rebels received training from trained members of the Naga militant groups despite the fact that the NSCN is under cease-fire agreement with the Government of India. The Maoists have also signed an agreement with the Revolutionary People’s Front of Manipur to extend cooperation to each other.
Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that with the security forces launching a massive crackdown on the Maoist rebel groups in the traditional strongholds of the organizations and the leaders are on the run and several of them have been nabbed. Under the circumstances, the Maoist groups are keen on extending support to other militant groups and sent feelers to other groups with the motto “let us grow together”.
Sources pointed out that the interrogation reports of the Maoist rebel leaders arrested in recent past also indicated the game plan of the groups to extend cooperation to other militant groups of the country. The main aim of the Maoists is to divert the attention of the Government and security forces. The Maoists are of the view that if other militant groups become strong, the pressure mounted by the security forces against them would be eased to a great extent and the Government of India would not be in a position to concentrate only against the Maoists. Sources also admitted that if the Maoist groups succeed in their strategy, the Government would have a tough time as the forces available would have to be redeployed wherever necessary.
Though the Maoist groups are yet to establish strong foot hold in the North East region, security sources said that the police forces of the region as well as the security forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations must keep a close watch on the situation to prevent growth of Maoists in the region, which is already hit by insurgency. The Maoist groups may also try to use the region as a hideout for their leaders as the police and security forces are not in the look out for them in the NE, sources pointed out.
The Maoists have already tried to establish links with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) as such a move would be beneficial for both sides. The ULFA is facing problems after the crackdown in Bangladesh and help from the Maoists can be beneficial for the outfit, while, on the other hand, the ULFA has abundance of sophisticated weapons, which the Maoist groups can use. “According to intelligence inputs, the ULFA still has more weapons than the number of cadres trained to use the same, while, on the other hand, the Maoist rebel groups have no shortage of manpower to use weapons. That is why, strong links between ULFA and Maoists can be beneficial for both sides,” sources said.
Intelligence inputs also indicated links between Maoists and members of the NSCN (I-M) and sources said that the Maoist rebels received training from trained members of the Naga militant groups despite the fact that the NSCN is under cease-fire agreement with the Government of India. The Maoists have also signed an agreement with the Revolutionary People’s Front of Manipur to extend cooperation to each other.
A young 'comic artist' in northeast India works on a cartoon about disaster risk reduction as part of an innovative effort to raise awareness of climate change-related disaster risks.
By Teresa Rehman
Guwahati, Mar 12 : Looking for ways to effectively spread awareness about disaster prevention and risk reduction, youthful activists in northeast India have hit on a hot idea - comics.
"Nowadays people do not have the patience to read long narratives. On the other hand, a cartoon with an element of humor can easily attract the attention of the public," said 13-year-old Nilotpal Lakhar, one of group of students in India's Assam province being trained to draw disaster awareness comics.
The young "comic activists" are the brainchild of 'Nayi Dishayein' or 'New Ways' a project of mass communications students at Guahati University that aims to tackle problems in the region, particularly a lack of awareness about disaster management and preparedness, through the medium of comics.
'New Ways' was created as part of World Comics India (WCI) - a collective of artists, media personalities, social activists and grassroots journalists who see comics as a powerful tool to bring about social change.
DRAWING FROM FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE
The young comic artists have plenty of first-hand material for their work. As climate change takes hold in the region, Lahkar, from Barbhag in lower Assam, has seen the once annual floods in his village turn into unpredictable disasters, with waters sometimes rising six or seven times a year.
His school books were washed away in one severe flood, he remembers. In another, he and his family had to take shelter at a makeshift camp on an embankment. The district is vulnerable to cyclones, hailstorms and floodwaters rushing in from the neighboring mountain nation of Bhutan.
Now, he and other students are drawing comics based on their experiences, their understanding of the changing weather and climatic conditions and their ideas of how communities could gear up to meet these crises.
Hemanga Kaushik Sharma, 13, for instance, recalls his uncle telling of an incident at Bangalmur village where it was decided that anybody who saw a breach in the community river embankment would alert villagers by beating the drums at the community prayer hall or 'naamghar'.
When a breach happened, a villager rushed to the drums, alerting villagers in time to evacuate to higher ground. That night, the embankment gave way and the entire village went underwater.
The new comic artists, trained at a recent workshop, have turned out comics on a wide range of disaster-related issues, from the problems of sanitation and hygiene during floods to the inconveniences women face during disasters.
Studies show women are particularly vulnerable in disaster situations because they often care for young children and the elderly, and tend to be more housebound.
Pradip Mahanta, the programme manager of Gramya Vikash Mancha (GVM), a local NGO working on disaster management and climate change, said his organization had conducted a survey in 40 local schools and asked students what means of communication they found most compelling.
STUDENTS FIND CARTOONS MOST COMPELLING
"Most of the students admitted that they enjoyed cartoon shows on television and comic books the most. We thought it would be ideal to work on the issue of preparedness of climate change adaptability through the refreshing medium of cartoons," he said.
Learning to draw cartoons took a little time. At a workshop, the students introduced themselves by drawing caricatures of each other.
"The participants, very apprehensive in the beginning, enjoyed the exercise once they started doing it. They wonderfully captured each other's prominent features in the drawings they had made," said Usha Dewani, who conducted the workshop.
Gradually, the students were initiated into the different types of disasters - their causes and impacts, how precautions and early warning systems work, and how to reduce risks.
"The participants came up with their personal feelings on how a situation like flooding affects their lives when they have to forego their studies for indefinite time periods. They spoke out on how they get disconnected with their friends or relatives in situations like this," Dewani said.
Then they were asked to weave a story, convert the story script into visuals and create a final artwork. The comics later were taken for field testing in two schools, and were well received, she said.
Locally produced comics, she believes, may prove a particularly apt grassroots means of getting out the message on reducing disaster risks.
"Here, people from the community make comics themselves on their own issues, using local context and flavour. Therefore, the issue is not seen as 'black' or 'white' but rather in its own different shades. So it is a democratic medium which brings out grassroots issues," she said.
GUWAHATI, Feb 13 – ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, arrested over two months ago, today said his outfit was not for peace talks but was keen to resolve long-drawn contentious political issues through negotiations, reports PTI.
“Santir alochana nohoi, samadhaner alochana bicharisu aami (I do not want peace talks, but want talks to resolve the problems facing the state),” Rajkhowa told reporters at the Regional Dental College Hospital where he was brought for treatment this afternoon.
People will not be kept in the dark on the issue of talks and they will be the first to be taken into confidence when the time comes, the ULFA chief said, adding “we will call you and talk about it”.
“I don’t want to say anything more as things may get complicated. We don’t want to complicate the situation,” Rajkhowa said when asked about ULFA’s demand for sovereignty.
He also refused to comment when asked whether talks could be held without ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua.
“Santir alochana nohoi, samadhaner alochana bicharisu aami (I do not want peace talks, but want talks to resolve the problems facing the state),” Rajkhowa told reporters at the Regional Dental College Hospital where he was brought for treatment this afternoon.
People will not be kept in the dark on the issue of talks and they will be the first to be taken into confidence when the time comes, the ULFA chief said, adding “we will call you and talk about it”.
“I don’t want to say anything more as things may get complicated. We don’t want to complicate the situation,” Rajkhowa said when asked about ULFA’s demand for sovereignty.
He also refused to comment when asked whether talks could be held without ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua.
