Assam Report

Circulation of Bhutanese currency rampant in Assam

2012-02-16T22:13:00.001-08:00

HEMANTA PHUKAN

Guwahati, Feb 17 : Lack of vigilance along the border area of India and Bhutan has been posing serious threat to the local economy in Assam as miscreants have been indulging in the business of illegal currency trading in the state. The problem is rampant in the eight districts of Western and Northern Assam where these traders sell a Rupees 10 Bhutanese note for Rs 5 in Indian currency. While a Rupees 10 Bhutanese note is treated as the same value of Rs 10 of Indian currency in Assam.

Due to such illegal activities, the Bhutanese currencies of denomination from Rupees 5 to Rupees 100 are available in about eight districts of western and northern Assam. As a friendly neighbour, India and Bhutan do not have fencing along the border.

Bhutanese currencies are equally dominating in Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Chring, Baska, Borpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup, Odalguri districts of western and northern Assam.

President of the Dhubri Bikash Manch and newly elected organizing secretary of the All Assam Employees Union, Shuchibrata Singha Choudhury said that such illegal business of currency would harm the Indian economy and he demanded the authorities to ban the foreign currency in Indian markets.

It is worth-mentioning that most of the people in Assam area bordering Bhutan carry Bhutanese currency. Since most of these poor people do not have bank passbooks and also confine their business within their locality only, they prefer to use the Bhutanese currency more than the Indian currency.

Assam wants NHPC assurance on dam safety

2012-02-16T17:27:00.001-08:00

The Assam government on Thursday sought an assurance from the public sector NHPC that the dam that it was constructing for the the 2000-MW Lower Subansiri hydro-electric project was safe. Work on the project has remained in a standstill due to an agitation in Assam.

Assam Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said that the PSU must first allay the fears regarding the dam’s safety in detail before going ahead with the project. “We want a detailed assurance. Moreover, we have also asked NHPC to tell us what measures are being taken for protection of the downstream areas in Assam from floods,” Bordoloi said.

Assam hosts food processing expo in Guwahati

2012-02-15T17:05:00.000-08:00

Guwahati, Feb 16 : A food processing expo was recently organized in Guwahati where industry players and experts discussed the road ahead for the sector in Northeast.

Hiru Deka, a budding entrepreneur from Karbi Anglong in Assam, who runs a food-processing unit, is currently showcasing his products at the Northeast Food Processing Expo with the aim to expand his market.

Deka processes Bhoot Jolokia, the famous chili from the Northeast into pickles,that are marketed all over the country.

Deka's unit provides employment to several people.

"We market our product through NERMAC in different parts of the country. We will now be coming up with the retail marketing also in some time," said Deka.

Nearly thirty food processors from different parts of the Northeast also exhibited their produce at the expo.

The expo provided the entrepreneurs and experts a platform to discuss ways of promoting the sector that is still in its infancy.

They discussed strategies for creating a sustainable market for packed food, developing logistics and improving the infrastructure.

"Food Processing has a very bright future here and as mentioned in the session packaging of the food products is also very important and has a huge scope," said Abhijit Baruah, chairman, CII.

The government is providing subsidies to self-help groups and upcoming entrepreneurs to set up their own food processing units.

It has already initiated construction of a mega food park at a cost of Rs 250 crores on the outskirts of Guwahati that will include 27 food-processing units.

The sector possesses huge potential for export and generation of employment.

"Government is extending full support for the packaging and food processing industry. Entrepreneurs can take their help and start an industry with it. The industry has a bright future, as the people in Northeast are conscious of their purchases and prefer good products," said Nikalhi Bora, an entrepreneur.

The economy of the region largely depends on agriculture, making food-processing industry not just an opportunity but also a necessity.

It will help in reducing wastage of agro products and also contribute in overall food trade.

The expo was organized under the aegis of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation and ministry of Development of Northeastern Region.

Three NE writers picked for translation prize

2012-02-14T17:00:00.003-08:00

GUWAHATI: An Assamese and a Manipuri writer were selected for the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize for translating former President APJ Abdul Kalam's book and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's poem in their respective languages. The duo, along with a Bodo writer, were the three people from the Northeast among the 22 writers selected for award.

Suresh Sharma was selected for Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize for 2011 for 'Adamya Shakti', his English-to-Assamese translation of Kalam's 'Indomitable Spirit' by a three-member jury comprising of educationists and intellectuals. S Nandkishore Singh was conferred with the same award for his translated version of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's book of poetry, 'Kya Khoya Kya Paya', into Manipuri. His translated version was titled 'Kari Mangkhere Kari Phankhere'.

Meanwhile, Bodo writer Hari Narayan Khakhlary was conferred with the same award for translating 'Volga se Ganga', a Hindi novel by Rahul Sankritayan, into the Bodo 'Volga nifrani Ganga'. All the winners will receive Rs 50,000 in cash and a copper plaque.

One writer from Assam was also conferred the Sahaitya Akademi Yuva Puruskar for his book on essays. Arindam Borkakoti was selected for his book on essays titled 'Anusilon'. The awards were recommended by distinguished jury members representing the 24 major Indian languages and approved by the executive board of the Sahitya Akademi which met on Monday under the chairmanship of Sunil Banopadhya, president of Sahitya Akademi.

Environment clearance to 1760 MW Demwe dam

2012-02-14T17:00:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI, Feb 15 – The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) today condemned the clearance of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) to the 1,760- MW Lower Demwe Hydroelectric Power Project on the Lohit river ignoring the protests from the people as well as the Government of Assam. The MoEF accorded wildlife-related clearance to the project.

In a statement, KMSS president Raju Bora and general secretary Akhil Gogoi said that this act of the MoEF has again proved the lack of keenness of the Central Government towards the wellbeing of the people of Assam and also the helplessness of the Assam Government. The Ministry has failed to mention the concerns expressed by the people and Government of the State on the issue, said the KMSS leaders.

Union Environment and Forest Minister Jayanti Natarajan has by this act of approving the Lower Demwe Project, condemned the noted environmentalist Dr Asad Rehmani of the Bombay Natural History Society, who objected to the project observing that it would be disastrous for Assam.

In his report, Dr Rehmani has cited the possibility of massive damage to ecology in the downstream areas of the project. His view that presently the project should be shelved was supported by the other non-official members of the Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife which met on December 13 last. The report of Dr Rehmani suggested formation of an independent consortium of scientists to review the project.

But the Ministry’s order simply ignored these critical issues. The assertion made by the Ministry that the project would have no adverse impacts on its downstream areas is also not true as the downstream impact of the project on the Assam side is still going on as part of the environment clearance condition. Hence, its impact on the downstream areas is yet to be ascertained, said the KMSS leaders, adding, the MoEF clearance to the Demwe Project makes it obvious that the Union Government has refused to learn any lesson from the popular revolt in Assam on the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project.

Minor girl from Assam rescued from abductor

2012-02-12T17:18:00.001-08:00

New Delhi: A minor girl, who was abducted six months ago from Assam, has been rescued from New Delhi railway station and her abductor has been arrested, police said on Friday.

Mintu Saikia, 22, a resident of village Moinajuli in Assam's Sonitpur district, was arrested on Thursday from New Delhi railway station when he was going to board a train along with the girl, they said.

Saikia, who met the girl during All Assam Dance Competition at Jorhat in Assam, had kidnapped her on August 5 last year. Local police suspected it to be a case of elopement in a love affair.

"The girl did not make any contact with her parents or relatives even 3-4 months after the incident. During investigation, it came to light that the parents doubted a boy named Mintu Saikia, who was also missing from the date of incident," a senior police official said.

"After five months, on January 17, the girl's mother received a call from a man who identified himself as Saikia and also made the victim to talk to her mother.

"During conversation, it was revealed that the victim was confined in a room and not allowed to talk to anyone or go anywhere outside. During second conversation, the accused demanded Rs. one lakh from the victim's mother," ACP Devesh Chandra Srivastva said.

Following a request from Assam Police, the Delhi Police launched technical surveillance and raids were conducted to nab the accused. Saikia later confessed to his crime, he said.

Gogoi urges PM to revamp Brahmaputra Board

2012-02-08T00:17:00.003-08:00

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to revamp the Brahmaputra Board so that it could take up measures to control the recurring problems of flood and erosion.

Gogoi, who called on the Prime Minister in New Delhi, said since Arunachal
Pradesh was opposing the constitution of the North East Water Resources Authority, the Brahmaputra Board had to be made effective so that it could take necessary measures to control floods and erosion which has eaten away nearly four lakh hectares of land so far.

The Prime Minister assured the chief minister that he would take up the matter in right earnest with the ministry of water resources, an official release said here.

Gogoi also discussed the ongoing peace talks with the ULFA and attempt by the Maoists to make inroads into the state and the north-east.

Gogoi also urged Singh to offer package to rehabilitate about 6,000 surrendered militants by providing skill development training for their employment.

SC clears decks for teachers' recruitment in Assam

2012-02-08T00:17:00.001-08:00

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday set aside an Assam High Court order thus paving the way for the recruitment of more than 82,000 elementary school teachers in the state.

The Assam High Court, in its March 5, 2010 ruling, had imposed a ban on further recruitment of teachers in lower and upper primary schools. The High Court had said that any appointment of teachers could take place only with its permission.

An apex court bench headed by Justice Deepak Verma vacated the March 5 High Court order on a petition by the Assam government contending that the ban was causing difficulties in the running of schools.

Appearing for the Assam government, senior counsel Ashok Desai told the court that the state government needed teachers in elementary schools to fulfil the mandate of compulsory education under the Right to Education Act. He said the ban had created difficulties in running the schools and the absence of teachers could lead to the closure of a large number of such institutions.

NGO seeks CVC probe in net scam

2012-02-06T22:27:00.001-08:00

After Uttar Pradesh, it is the turn of Assam where massive irregularities — running into several crores of rupees — in purchasing Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Bed Net (LLIN) under National Rural Health Mission of Assam health department.
The NGO, National RTI Forum, a Lucknow-based civil society working in the field of transparency in governance, has presented documentary evidence to the CVC pointing that Assam paid `400 for each net, while Orissa bought the nets the same month in 2009 as the Assam government at `279 each from the Indian subsidiary of the MNC.
The NGO has pleaded for a thorough investigation under the supervision of the CVC, while suspecting a massive scam in purchase of medicated mosquito nets spread over several states, including Assam, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Goa among others.
Assam, however, tops the list in volume of the alleged scam as it has purchased the highest number of LLINs (21 lakh) paying `400 per net, around `84.48 crores in total. In contrast, these LLINs were sold to Goa at `199 a piece.
It is significant that these LLINs were also in the thick of controversy in Assam because it was distributed to the beneficiaries just before the polls in 2010.
The Assam health department made two purchases in September and December 2010 from an intermediary Global Business Services. However, other states purchased the LLIN directly through the Indian subsidiary of the Switzerland-based manufacturers.
The state health department placed its first order (letter no. 69/2008/PT/78) dated August 27, 2010. The letter mentioned that 16.75 lakh units were to be supplied for `67 crores under the CM’s special scheme 2010-2011.
The documents provided by the NGO to this newspaper and also submitted to the CVC show that the Global Business Services entered into an agreement with Vestergaard Frandsen India Private limited to buy the LLINs at the rate of `295 per unit.
The purchase order was issued on August 30, 2010.
The second order was placed on December 18, 2010 (letter no. HSG/Mosquito/69/2010 (1500) for supply of 4,75,500 units at the same rate under the NRHM. Global Business Services bought the mosquito nets from Vestergaard Frandsen India Private Limited, this time at the rate of `285 per unit.

Paresh Barua confirms ULFA-Maoists links

2012-02-02T17:33:00.001-08:00

The ULFA has a tactical understanding with the Indian Maoists, because both have a common enemy in the government that runs this country, ULFA 'c-in-c' Paresh Barua has said. In an exclusive interview to a local English daily 'Seven Sisters Post,'Mr Barua said the relationship is not new and dates back to at least 1996. '' The Indian colonial government is also viewed as an enemy by the Maoists. Our enemy is also the same and so there is an understanding with them,'' the daily quoted Mr Barua as stating. '' Our relation with them (Maoists) is not new and several of their top leaders had attended ULFA's Raising Day celebrations in Bhutan in 1996. Subsequently, there have been meetings with them and we have given logistical and moral support to them,'' Mr Barua said in the interview, which is being published in a series in the daily. '' The understanding that has been forged will continue into the future as well. The same approach towards the Maoists has been adopted by other revolutionary groups of the Northeast based in Eastern Nagaland,'' the ULFA 'c-in-c' added. He, however, refused to be drawn into comparing ULFA's struggle with the Maoists struggle and said the two groups were different 'ideologically'. '' The Maoists propagate class struggle. They are not demanding independence. After independence we will assess if the Maoist ideology can be adopted in Assam. With the Maoists we have common enemies but ideologically we are different,'' he said. On the possibility of Maoism attracting people of Assam from the ULFA, Mr Barua said it will not be a 'destabilizing factor' for the ULFA. '' A movement like the ULFA has sacrificed more than 13000 people and it cannot be eliminated easily. We know the people who have been trying to embrace and spread Maoism in Assam and many among them are already on the back foot,'' he said, adding, '' We have a definite strategy and we do not think Maoism will be able to strike deep roots in Assam.'' On the peace talks initiated by a section of ULFA leaders, led by 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa, the military chief claimed that the exit of 'these leaders have benefited the ULFA.' '' Now we know who is actually committed and who is who. The decision to talk to the government has been taken by people who never had a sense of commitment to the organization's principles. The water has now been separated from oil,'' he said. Mincing no words in criticizing the pro-talks leaders, Mr Barua added, '' Our burden of feeding them is now entirely on the government.''

Bamboo objects get experimental twist

2012-02-02T17:30:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI: Giving an experimental touch to traditional bamboo objects, an America-based artist and architect held an experimental exhibition at a public space aboard a decommissioned ferry on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra on Thursday.

The exhibition by Indrani Baruah in collaboration with Periphery, a city-based artists' organization focusing on experimental projects and art works, depicts objects like the traditional 'jakoi' or a diamond-shaped fish catching equipment used extensively in rural Assam, 'pollo' another cylindrical fishing object, bamboo skins with abstract Assamese letters painted on it, a striped bamboo pole, bamboo strips woven over the top bridge on the upper deck of the ferry curling both sides resembling a cocoon and other sketches and photographs of artisans in rural Assam.

The exhibition was an attempt to highlight the personification of traditional artisan-made objects in the context of unconventional artistic dexterity. "I was very impressed and attracted by the irregular forms and figures of the traditional Assamese objects made by the artisans. It is very unique and it doesn't fall under any classical geometrical shapes or figures. To me, it is very hyperbolic and feminine," said Indrani Baruah, who resides in San Francisco.

The artist-cum-architect, who is having her first solo exhibition in the city, added, "As I keep shuttling between San Francisco, Delhi and Guwahati, I decided to hold an exhibition aboard the ferry because it is stationed neither on land or water but somewhere in between like a metaphor. The main purpose of the exhibition is to assimilate architecture, art and tradition for convergence. It is also an attempt to reclaim public space."

The artist said she was inspired and influenced by the traditional artisans of Majuli, Nagaland and the natural bridges in Meghalaya. "The region has a fine natural artistic tapestry, along with a rich tradition and heritage. Working outside the studio in a public space is quite exciting. It adds to the experimental basis of art," said Baruah.

Recruit more youths from Assam, Gogoi tells Army

2012-01-29T18:54:00.001-08:00

With most of the insurgent groups of the state laying down arms and entering the peace process, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday asked the Army to increase the recruitment of local youth to channelise energy of the youth towards nation-building.

“Young people in the state are looking for newer employment avenues that are full of challenges, and the Army and other defence forces could easily provide them the right opportunity to contribute towards nation-building,” Gogoi said. He was inaugurating the first-ever “fauji mela” organised by the Four Corps of the Army at Tezpur.

“The Army can not only recruit more youth from the state but also take up initiatives that will motivate them to join the defence forces. We cannot afford militancy to raise its ugly heads again,” the CM said.

Lt Gen Shakti Gurung, GOC of the Four Corps, said that a series of workshops have been organised to motivate educated youth, particularly from backward districts, to join the armed forces. “The Army has spent Rs 26 crore last year under Operation Sadbhavana that included special training for recruitment drives and motivating young people right from school level,” he said.

Last week, nearly 1,700 militants laid down arms here in the presence of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.

'NHAI violated forest clearance stipulations'

2012-01-29T16:21:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI: The National Highway Authority of India's (NHAI) construction of the four-lane expressway through Assam's Lumding reserved forest was criticized at the 24th standing committee meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) for non-compliance of conditions laid down by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC). Though the meeting was held on December 13 last year, the details were made public only recently.

"The NHAI was given permission to cut down over 100 hectares of forest in the Lumding reserved forest for the expansion of NH-54E. But, the preconditions laid down by the FAC were not properly adhered to," Prerna Bindra, one of the standing committee members said.

Union minister of state for environment and forest, Jayanthi Natarajan, who is also the chairperson of the standing committee, said her ministry will write to the Assam government asking to see if the forest clearance stipulations were complied with letter and spirit and initiate actions against the NHAI in case of non-compliance. She added that she will take up the issues raised by the members at the meeting with the Union ministry of road transport and highways.

The expressway cuts through the crucial migratory corridor for elephants, hoolock gibbons and gaurs, which is also a critical tiger landscape. Bindra alleged that the underpasses built by the NHAI along the expressway were not adequate for large animals like elephants to pass through. She added that the NHAI should take into consideration the ecological concerns as new roads and road expansion projects are increasingly coming up in protected areas, critical tiger habitats and animal corridors.

"The NHAI should execute its projects with diligence and follow all the stipulated conditions to restore faith in its credibility within the NBWL and the conservation community in general," Bindra said.

Shankar Raman, another standing committee member, suggested that experienced wildlife scientists of Assam should be involved in advising NHAI about the specific mitigation measures for wildlife and for monitoring the progress and implementation of the measures.

NHAI officials, however, denied any non-compliance of FAC stipulations, saying that the expressway is being built with utmost care for facilitating safe movement of wildlife. "We have built the underpasses at locations where the movement of elephants and other animals are not disturbed. We are doing our best to build the expressway with minimal impact to wildlife," an NHAI official said.

The Lumding reserved forest is connected to the Marat-Longri wildlife sanctuary in Karbi Anglong district and Langting Mupa reserved forest in the Dima Hasao district. Over 13, 000 trees were felled for the expansion of expressway.

Assam appeals to Ulfa faction to join 'peace process'

2012-01-25T17:05:00.003-08:00

Guwahati, Jan 26 : Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has reiterated his appeal to the anti-talk faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa), led by elusive ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah to join the ‘peace process’. He also warned that those who still believed in violence “would be dealt strictly”.

He said the doors for talks were open for all militant organisations which wanted to join the ‘peace process’ and the government would welcome the anti-talk faction of Ulfa too.

North-East on Tuesday saw one of the biggest surrenders by militants in Guwahati in presence of Union home minister P Chidambaram. Around 700 militants from seven militant outfits laid down their arms on Tuesday. Two other militant organisations, which participated at the event, however, just submitted charter-of-demands. More than 200 weapons and arms were surrendered by the militants on Tuesday.

The nine militant outfits include Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), United Kukigram Defence Army (UKDA), Hmar People's Convention (HPC), Santhal Tiger Force (STF), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA) and Adivasi People's Army (APA), Birsa Commando Force (BCF) and Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA). These militant groups were already under ceasefire agreement with the Centre for past many years.

“Our doors are open for all militant ogranisations which want to join the peace process. But, those who still believe in violence would be dealt strictly,” Gogoi said while terming the mass surrender as “historic”. He added that the ‘peace process’ was moving in the right direction and that he expects more militant outfits to lay down arms in coming days.

Stating that surrenderd militants had right to live life with “honour and dignity”, Chidambaram said the government would try to get these surrendered militants “back to the fold”.

A peace talk by the Centre with the pro-talk faction of Ulfa, under the leadership of its ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, is presently underway.

Padma Vibushan for Bhupen has made people of Assam proud: son

2012-01-25T17:05:00.001-08:00

New Delhi: The Padma Vibushan award for Bhupen Hazarika is a great honour and has made the people of Assam proud, says the late singer-composer`s son Tej.

Gundecha Brothers honoured with Padma Shri Padma Bhushan great, but late for dad: Ahana Deol I’m humbled, says Shabana after Padma Bhushan Padma award has come at the right time: Priyadarsan Dharmendra, Shabana, Mira Nair to get Padma Bhushan

"As his son and a lover of Assam, it is gratifying that the government of India should award him with any award or badge of recognition. It is an honour and people have reason enough to be proud of my father`s achievements in life," Tej told reporters in a message from Toronto, where he is based.

Asked if the award has come a little too late for the Dadasaheb Phalke winner, who died last November, he says, "... There is a lot of work to be done, that is more important than the list of awards. That is my opinion."

Majuli operation to flush out Ulfa

2012-01-24T19:27:00.001-08:00

Jorhat, Jan. 25 : Security forces have intensified their operations in Majuli to flush out Ulfa militants who have reportedly taken shelter in the numerous chaporis (sandbars) in and around the island and are serving extortion notes and planning sabotage.

Sources said dreaded Ulfa militant Rajib Das, along with a group of about 10 rebels, was taking refuge on chaporis located between Majuli (in Jorhat district of Assam) and Lakhimpur and planning to carry out sabotage in the mainland — Jorhat and Lakhimpur — in the run-up to Republic Day.

“The group has also served extortion notices to businessmen and government officials in Majuli. We have no confirmed report whether the persons who have received these notices are paying up,” a police official in Majuli said.

He said Ulfa had put Das, who hails from Pakajor village under Gormurh police station in Majuli, in charge of Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Golaghat and Dhemaji districts after its 28 battalion was dismantled. This lethal battalion, which operated in Upper Assam, was dismantled after two of its three companies, A and C, declared a unilateral ceasefire and came overground.

“We have information that under Rajib, Ulfa has been trying to forge a tie-up with the newly formed Liberation Democratic Council of Mising Land, a militant outfit fighting for the cause of the Misings in the four districts of Assam, including Majuli,” the official said.

He said since Majuli, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji had a sizeable Mising population, Ulfa has been trying to take help from the Mising outfit, to regain strength.

“Ulfa and the Liberation Democratic Council of Mising Land are working together in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli and the new outfit is helping Ulfa to run the extortion racket,” he added.

The official said the Mising outfit, formed about two years ago, was active in the Panigaon and Dhakuakhana areas of Lakhimpur district. A few months ago, security forces had apprehended two of its cadres.

The security forces are keeping a close watch on a few surrendered Ulfa cadres who are allegedly maintaining a close link with Das and are helping to run an extortion racket on the island. “We have no concrete evidence that these surrendered militants are helping Das. So we are keeping a close watch,” the official said.

He said Das was also reportedly making phone calls to senior government officials engaged in various projects in Majuli to provide contracts to a few surrendered militants of the island.

Erosion more serious than flood: Gogoi

2012-01-18T17:28:00.001-08:00

Guwahati: Erosion was a graver problem in Assam compared to floods as it resulted in permanent land loss and crippled a family”, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said today.

“It is an area where much importance has to be accorded by the Central government and the Brahmaputra Board”, Gogoi said at the 6th High Powered Review Board Meeting of Brahmaputra Board in Guwahati.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Image courtesy PIB

He said over 800,000 people had been rendered homeless and over 4 lakh hectares washed away by Brahmaputra.

Calling for a holistic approach towards solving the problem, the chief minister lamented that though the Brahmaputra Board had been set up as a multi-purpose body, it has confined its activities to limited works.

“The Board must gear up its activities in a big way and come up with projects and schemes to control the twin problems of floods and erosion in the state and the North-East as a whole,” he added.

Gogoi also urged the Board and the Central Water Commission to come up with a strategy as adopted by the Bangladesh government to channelise the river for mitigating the problem of erosion.

“The strategy to mitigate the problem of erosion of Brahmaputra river, called Jamuna in Bangladesh, has to be replicated by us to contain the erosion problem in Assam and elsewhere in the region,” he said.

The chief minister who had been given a presentation by the Water Resources Department in Bangladesh during his visit there last year, said he would arrange a meeting between the two water resources bodies if required.

Referring to the delay in the constitution of the North East Water Regulatory Authority (NEWRA) following objection by Arunachal Pradesh government, Gogoi said, the Centre must initiate action to set up “some sort of an authority to deal with the problems of floods and erosion in the region”.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Water Resources Pawan Kumar Bansal said though the Central government has no role to play in water related issues concerning the states as water is a state subject, it has been acting as a catalyst for ironing out the differences.

Bansal called for a holistic approach towards integrated development of water resources and management of ground water systems.

He regretted that only Rs 3,000 crore out of Rs 8,000 crore allocated in the 11th Plan for flood management has been utilised by the state governments of the region.

Stressing on the need for restructuring and revamping of the Brahmaputra Board, Bansal said, “A nodal group has already been constituted to look into all aspects concerning restructuring of the Brahmaputra Board with a wider mandate as a basin level authority.”

The Brahmaputra Board has to brace up to face the major challenges before it and has to emerge as a vibrant organisation for the benefit of the entire North-East region, including Sikkim, he added.

Four sent to jail for moneylaundering

2012-01-18T17:27:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI: The court of the special judge in Assam on Tuesday sentenced Ram Nath Doley, Partha Pratim Sarma, Hementa Bora and Dhanjit Sarma to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 for misappropriating Rs 68 lakhs of Assam State Housing Board.

However, the court acquitted two other accused - Mohendra Bora and Bholanath Saikia - from the charges as the Anti Corruption and Vigilance department failed to submit enough evidence against the accused.

The anti-corruption and vigilance department of the state police filed a FIR in December 1999, accusing the six of misappropriating the housing board's money between 1994 and 1997. "The four were charged with financial anomaly of Rs 68 lakh in the state housing department.

They have falsely allotted housing loans to 276 people of Dhemaji and Lakkhimpur districts with fake land papers," said Golap Sarma, public prosecutor.

Guwahati hosts seminar on peace and development

2012-01-17T17:32:00.001-08:00

Guwahati, Jan 18 : A three-day seminar was recently organized by the Nehru Yuva Kendra here, attracting participants from Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam and Manipur.

Peace and development were the central issues of discussion among participants.

They expressed their happiness over the increasing number of surrenders and growing trend of peace talks in the region.

In 2011, more than 250 insurgents surrendered to the security forces.

In the same year the Centre signed the peace accord with United People's Democratic Solidarity, initiated talks with United Liberation front of Asom and inked Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki groups.

During discussions, the participants clearly rejected the idea of violence and voted for peace.

They urged the insurgents to initiate talks with the government so that the region can develop.

"Before 1986, there was insurgency in Mizoram, but after the accord that was inked with the government, there has been considerable improvement in the situation and today there are many development activities that are taking place in the region," said Johny Ngurthansanga, a participant from Mizoram.

The seminar was a great chance for the youth to interact with the senior state and central officials.

Aspirations of the youth, condition of rural areas, infrastructure, employment opportunities, possibilities of industrialization and other aspects were discussed.

The young participants were happy about the increasing economic activity in the region.

The seminar also provided the officials an insight on the ground level problems occurring in the implementation of the state and central schemes in the region.

But the entire hall unanimously accepted that violence and unlawful activities from miscreants pose the biggest hindrance to the development projects.

"There are different insurgent groups that are creating problems in the states. This is true for Nagaland and if insurgency can be finished from Nagaland then it could be one of the most prosperous states of the region," said Akom, a participant from Nagaland.

Peace and development go hand in hand. If there is peace in the region, automatically development will take place.

Assam to form expert panel to study mega dams

2012-01-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

Assam will soon constitute an expert committee to study the feasibility of construction of mega dams in upper reaches of river Brahmaputra. The decision was taken at a meeting between group of ministers constituted by the state government to look into the issues related to the construction of 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project and representatives of groups and organizations opposing LSHEP.

However, the state government clarified to the protesting groups that neither it had the authority to ask for a halt in the construction of LSHEP temporarily, nor was it in favor of such decision.

In the next meeting of GoM and representatives of protesting groups on January 14, experts on mega dams will also be present. The decision to constitute a new expert committee, which would primarily look into the concerns raised by the civil society, was a consensual decision of the state government and the groups.

Mr Pradyut Bordoloi Assam’s power minister and also chairman of the GoM said that “We had good discussion with all the groups and organizations. Both the sides have put forward their views and concerns. They have demanded formation of a new expert committee and we are also in its favor. We hope we can successfully address their concerns in upcoming meetings.”

Students walk for cause of underprivileged

2012-01-01T19:47:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI: The first day of the new year was an all new experience for the city. The Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA) and the Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters (FASS) won the hearts of Guwahatians with their new endeavour - Guwahati Run and Walk, that sought to spread the message of the need for helping underprivileged children and the marginalized section of the society.

Hundreds of students from colleges and schools took part in the run and walk that started and finished at the Latasil playground. It was celebrated with a blend of instrumental music performed by the Eastern Beats Music Society and traditional Dhulias. An instrumental rendition of the song Run Run Run by the Beats Music Society drew the attention of the tourists in the heart of the city. Punk rock performed by the Blue Tooth band was another prime attraction. A circus show by the Dhulias from Narddi village of Nalbari was enjoyed by one and all.

People like Lanu A Aimol who runs an NGO for children with special needs in city, Pradip Sarma, the founder of Rickshaw Bank, Kaushik Das, who works among the disabled, Father Lukose, the founder of Snehalaya shelter homes, Pragyalaya and the National Service Scheme (NSS) took part in the programme.

"Some of the participants have contributed half of their salary for the cause of the downtrodden. Coming from the US, I decided to organize the Guwahati Run and Walk here in Guwahati to spread the message of doing something for others and not only celebrate the new year for oneself," said Ankur Bora, a software professional living in Texas, who is leading the mission from the front.

"The corporate houses of Assam should follow the global trend," Bora noted.

One Uttam Teron, who is imparting free education to poor students at his own academy in Guwhati, said, "The Guwahati Run and Walk was a memorable and encouraging event. We are inspired."

The Guwahati Run and Walk sought to spread the message of the need for helping underprivileged children and the marginalized section of the society.

Abducted trader in Dima Hasao remains untraced

2011-12-26T20:30:00.001-08:00

SILCHAR: The once-troubled Dima Hasao district in southern Assam is again on the edge with a spurt in incidents of kidnapping and killing by suspected militant outfits.

After the recovery of the bodies of two abducted senior officials last week in Umrangshu, there's no news about the whereabouts of a trader, who was abducted on December 18 from Hatikhali, 85 km from Haflong, the headquarters of the hill district.

A senior police officer on Monday said Suman Dey (45), an affluent trader from the area, was whisked away by an armed gang in the evening when he was on his way home from his shop in Hatikhali market. Although police and security forces have launched a search operation, he remains untraced even after nine days.

Sources suspect Dey was abducted by some Dima Hasao-based militant outfits and he was taken to their hideouts in the jungles of the district near Karbi Anglong border for ransom.

After a lull following the surrender of the major militant outfits in the district, the resurgence of anti-social activities like abduction threatens to derail the ongoing peace process in the Barail range, a source said.

Col (Retd) Jatindar Singh Sandhu (62), the general manager of the Umrangshu unit of the private sector Jaypee Cement Ltd and Ramen Sharma, deputy general manager of state-owned Assam Mineral Development Corporation, were kidnapped on November 25 from Umrangshu and their decomposed bodies were recovered on December 23. Police are yet to find out which militant outfit or miscreants were involved in the crime, although they suspect Karbi militants are behind the incident, the sources added.

Dey's abduction nine days ago also came as a threat to the future of the ongoing negotiations between the Dimasa militant outfits and the government, observers said.

While DHD(N) has been under a ceasefire agreement for the past more than ten years, DHD(J) militants surrendered on the day of Gandhi Jayanti in 2009. All the cadres of the Dima National Democratic Front (DNDF), a Dimasa militant outfit, also laid down arms recently.

Police lathicharge Assam dam protesters

2011-12-26T20:29:00.001-08:00

The police on Monday resorted to lathicharge and removed a large number of protestors who had blocked movement of vehicles on NH-52 in Lakhimpur district for the past several days in order to prevent movement of equipment and machinery to the 2000-MW Lower Subansiri hydel project site on the Assam-Arunachal border.

They took into custody several hundred protesters at two sites on NH-52 and cleared the highway, following which the groups called a 48-hour bandh in Lakhimpur district to protest against alleged police atrocity. The groups which have called the bandh include the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva-Chatra Parishad and Takam Mising Porin Kebang.

While the blockade to prevent movement of equipment to the NHPC project site was on since November 29, the government claimed the protestors started taking the law into their hands. The blockade also affected supply of essential items to several districts in Arunachal Pradesh.

“Protestors started stopping tankers carrying essential items such as diesel, petrol etc. meant for Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and several other districts.... The administration cannot tolerate such acts which affect the greater interest of society,” said an official press note released here tonight.

CBI files charge sheet in NCH autonomous Council scam case

2011-12-26T05:02:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, Dec 26 (PTI) The CBI has filed two charge sheets in three separate cases of alleged corruption in the management of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council at a special court in Guwahati.

A CBI spokesperson said here today that the "first case relates to alleged misappropriation of a sum of over Rs 13 crore for execution of works relating to different schemes under Social Welfare Department."
In its charge sheet, CBI has accused Mohet Hojai, the then Chief Executive Member, NCHAC, R H Khan, the then Deputy Director, Social Welfare Department, Haflong besides three other officials and two private contractors Debasish Bhattacherjee and Amjad Ali of misappropriating government funds of Rs 13.53 crore.

"The CBI has booked these officials and contractors of Social Welfare Department of autonomous council under sections of Indian Penal Code for criminal conspiracy and cheating among others. Relevant sections of Prevention of Corruption Act have also been pressed in the charge sheet," she said.

CBI alleged that during the probe, cash amounting to Rs.13.45 crore was recovered from a secret chamber constructed in the garage of the brother-in-law of the accused Deputy Director R H Khan, sources said.

In the second case relating to Soil Conservation Department, CBI has named divisional soil conservation officers Arup Rai and Amitabh Rai, Subrata Hojai, Executive Member, Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, Haflong, L Chetia, Range Officer (since Retired) besides three others officials for alleged misappropriation of an amount of Rs.1.66 crore sanctioned for execution of works relating to water harvesting and land development in the area.

Assam GoM on big dams asks protestors to call off NH blockade

2011-12-22T21:07:00.001-08:00

Guwahati, Dec 23 : Facing pressure from Arunachal Pradesh to ensure supply of fuel and essentials to its three districts that have been hit by a road blockade in Assam against an NHPC hydel power project at the inter-state border, the Assam government’s Group of Ministers (GoM) on the big dam issue has urged the protestors to withdraw their agitation.

The GoM, constituted by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi recently to look into the big dam controversy, in its first meeting here yesterday took stock of the situation arising out of the NH-52 blockade being carried out by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and other organisations at Lakhimpur, bordering Arunachal Pradesh.

State Power Minister Pradyut Bordloi, who chairs the GoM, apprised the other members of the current situation.

The blockade had been launched on December 16 against movement of materials to the Lower Subansiri Hydel Power Project, being implemented by the NHPC at Gerukamukh on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.

The GoM expressed concern at the reported scarcity of fuel and essential commodities in adjoining Arunachal Pradesh border and urged the anti-big dam protestors to call off the blockade in view of the hardships faced by public in the neighbouring state.

It also urged the protestors to sit for negotiations to sort out the issues raised by the agitators.

The next meeting of the GoM is scheduled to be held next month.

Supply to East, West and Upper Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh has been hit by the blockade and the state government is reported to have raised the issue with their Assam counterparts.

Guwahati Refinery celebrates 50th anniversary

2011-12-21T21:59:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI: India's first public sector refinery, Guwahati Refinery at Noonmati here, which set the pace of industrial development in the northeast, will turn 50 years old on January 1 next year.

"For the last 50 years, Guwahati Refinery has been at the service of the nation. It is a matter of great pride that we are going to celebrate its golden jubilee. Preparations are on for the golden jubilee celebration," Guwahati Refinery general manager B P Das said here on Wednesday.

India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, had inaugurated the refinery on January 1, 1962 and dedicated it to the nation as a New Year's gift.

"We have lined up a series of programmes for the golden jubilee celebration from January 1 next year. A mural on the people who had worked hard to have this refinery set up in Assam will be set up near Noonmati police station. The mural will be dedicated to the people. We are also going to release an audio album on the heritage of Assamese music on the occasion. Besides, we have several other projects that we will carry out in the golden jubilee year," Das added.

Also known as the 'Gangotri' of Indian Oil, the history of Guwahati Refinery is embedded with the people of Assam and its politics. The people of the state carried out an almost two-year-long agitation to get the refinery established in the state.

"Tej dim, tel nedio" (We will give our blood, but not our oil) was the slogan doing the rounds at the time when there was a move to set up the refinery at Barauni in Bihar instead of Assam. The argument of the people of Assam was that as crude oil was sourced from the state, the refinery should also be set up here.

"This (Guwahati Refinery) is the result of the aspiration of the people of Assam. The state got this refinery after two years of intense agitation. The then chief minister of Assam, Bishnu Ram Medhi, also espoused the cause for having the refinery here. So, the refinery is closely attached to the people of the state," said Manik Chandra Das, general secretary of Guwahati Refinery Workers Union.

On January 1, about 250 'pioneers' of Guwahati Refinery and 300 retired officers will be felicitated.

Built with Rumanian technology, the refinery's initial capacity was 0.75 million metric tones per year. Later, the refining capacity was increased to 1 million metric tons per year.

Coke plants asked to install waste-heat recovery units

2011-12-16T21:24:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI: Assam power minister Pradyut Bordoloi on Friday warned players in the coke industry of the state they would be illegible for incentives if their factories do not come up with waste heat recovery unit for generating power.

"Coke producers have been getting incentives all this while but they contribute little to the society in the neigbourhood of the plants. We are thinking of coming out with a policy framework asking the coke production companies to set up waste-heat recovery units so that power can be generated from this," Bordoloi said at the northeast energy conclave, 'Leveraging Opportunities', organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry here on Friday.

The power minister also pointed out if the coke plants failed to come up with waste recovery units, the companies would be put in a negative list. He added a lot of heat generated from the furnaces in coke plants was wasted. "This heat could be recovered for power generation," he explained.

There are about 40 coke plants in the state. In recent years, there has been a substantial rise in the number of coke plants in the state and in Meghalaya because of the increasing demand for low-ash metallurgical coke. The state government is already considering putting coke plants in the negative list of industries under the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy ( NEIIP) 2007 primarily because of their high potential for causing pollution.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India ( Assocham) has, however, requested the state government to do away with the proposal of including these industries in the negative list, arguing that it would sent a discouraging signal to companies that are interested in investing in the sector.

The two-day conclave, which started on Friday, envisages bringing power developers and governments of northeastern states to explore and work for investment in the region's power sector.

The northeast has emerged as a prospective destination for investment in the power sector to meet India's rising energy requirement and economic growth. On Thursday, the Independent Power Producers Association of India also held a conference on 'Powering North Eastern India' here with a view to attract investment for tapping the power potential of the region.

Bangladeshi druglords cultivate cannabis in Assam's char land

2011-12-15T20:27:00.000-08:00

GUWAHATI: A host of Bangladeshi druglords are using the rich soil of char areas (riverine) of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries in lower Assam to cultivate cannabis (ganja).

The final produce is taken back to Bangladesh and marketed there.

A senior customs official, who led a drive to raid and destroy ready-to-be-harvested cannabis in Barepta district on Wednesday, said, "We did not find any of the growers. There were just palatial houses in the middle of a vast cultivation of cannabis. But our intelligence wing has found the trail leads to Bangladesh. Many druglords from Bangladesh are not just investing in cannabis cultivation here, they are also encouraging locals to shift from traditional vegetable farming and to the more lucrative cannabis cultivation."

The official said locals have also given information about the presence of unknown faces, suspected to be from Bangladesh, in the farming areas before the cultivation and at the time of harvesting. "The produce is not sold here but taken back to Bangladesh through the river system and land routes," the official said.

The BSF also confirmed seizing large quantities of ganja while it was being smuggled into Bangladesh.

Commissioner of the Shillong-based Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, NE region, B Thamar, said, "On Thursday we destroyed illicit cannabis cultivation grown in vast areas of Kamarpara, Fakirpara, Naleswar under Alupatichar and Baghbor police stations in Barepta district. The destruction operation was carried out at the right time as the cannabis plants were ready for harvesting. The value of the fully grown cannabis plants grown on 35 bighas, including semi-dry ganja, is estimated at Rs 1 crore."

A customs department source who was part of the raiding team said, "We cut down the plants and uprooted them before spraying diesel and kerosene to burn them."

The customs department has been carrying out this destruction operation since 2009 and every time the druglords' men have managed to escape before the raid.

"Similar destruction drives have been carried out in previous years and this year it was seen that the growers have shifted to newer places, in more remote areas. We had to walk several kilometres and cross rivulets, using motorcylces and tractors to reach the cultivated areas."

Cannabis is used in India for recreational use but its cultivation and dealing in cannabis in any form is prohibited under the provisions of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

The customs department is now carrying out awareness drive among the char dwellers to say no to the Bangladesh druglords inciting them to grow cannabis.

UPDS to contest Karbi Anglong council election

2011-12-15T20:26:00.001-08:00

Diphu (Karbi Anglong): After bidding farewell to arms, the United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) has decided its next course of action will be participation in the democratic process through electoral politics and is planning to gear up for the upcoming Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) election in January next year.

The UPDS was formally disbanded after it signed a peace accord with the Centre and the state government and its cadres laid down their arms in an official ceremony here on Wednesday.

"We have said goodbye to arms. Now we will function as a political entity. All our efforts now will be focused on the upcoming council election in which we are going take active part," UPDS chairman Longsodar Senar said.

Senar said the People's Alliance for Peace Agreement (PAPA), which played a proactive role in the run-up to the signing of the tripartite peace agreement in November this year, will be the platform from which they will contest the election.

PAPA leader Dharam Sing Teron said UPDS leaders and his organization would meet here on Friday to chart out the next course of action in view of the council election.

Teron said he was hopeful UPDS's transition from an armed outfit to a political entity would be a smooth one as the people of Karbi Anglong district are already supportive of the peace accord.

He added they would also discuss whether they would give shape to a new political party with UPDS leaders. "We welcome them (UPDS leaders) in joining the mainstream. Now they will exercise their democratic right by participating in the council election. There is already a surge of support for the signing of the accord. So, UPDS's transition to electoral politics will be smooth one," Teron said.

Even though their original cause of achieving the separate state of Hemprak Kangthim (Karbi homeland) remains unfulfilled, UPDS leaders said their new task would be to help usher in peace and development in the district, which has long suffered due to violence.

"As the Centre has no policy to create any new state, I think the peace accord is the best settlement we could have got. Now, our primary task is to work for peace and development of Karbi Anglong through democratic means. After the accord, the council will have 39 additional powers," UPDS joint secretary for home affairs Surya Rongfar said.

About 568 cadres and leaders of the UPDS laid down arms in the presence of Assam police DGP Shankar Barua, GOC 4 Corps, Lt Gen Shakti Gurung, additional DGP, Khagen Sharma, GOC 21 Mountain Division of the army Maj Gen R N Nair and many other officials from state police and security agencies on Wednesday.

A total of 177 arms, including AK series rifles, M-16 rifles, 40mm UBGLs and SLRs were handed over to the police along with ammunition.

ASDC president Chomang Kro has criticized election notification giving barely one week for campaigning which is against the law of natural justice. He, howerver, welcomed the declaration.

Assam MP meets PC Over Missing Journalist

2011-12-13T23:27:00.001-08:00

"India has taken up the matter of two missing Indian journalists with Myanmar", Home Minister P Chidambaram told an MP from Assam here today.

Ramen Deka met Chidambaram here in connection with the issue and was told that the matter has been taken up with Myanmar government but no communication has been received from them.

Earlier this month, Myanmar had detained journalist Rajib Bhattacharya and photographer Pradip Gogoi who are working with a newspaper in Guwahati and had ventured into that country without valid travel documents sometime in October ostensibly to interview ULFA 'chief' Paresh Baruah.

Myanmar government had earlier conveyed to India through diplomatic channels that the two scribes were under its detention and they would be handed over after a proper deportation order was issued by the authorities.

The journalists were reportedly detained in the northeastern part of Myanmar bordering China.

ULFA reportedly has bases in Myanmar and intelligence agencies claim Baruah frequents these places.

Earthquake Monitoring Centres in Assam

2011-12-12T05:41:00.001-08:00

There, are seven seismic observatories functioning in Assam, located at Dhubri, Jorhat, Silchar, Lekhapani, Tezpur, Guwahati and Dibrugarh under India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Under the national seismological network seismic observatories are located at Lekhapani in Assam, Agartala in Tripura, Shillong and Tura in Meghalaya and Imphal in Manipur and Gangtok in Sikkim. Recently, all the above mentioned six observatories have been upgraded with state-of-the-art broadband systems with VSAT communication systems. In addition to the above observatories, 15 more new stations have also been established at Dhubri, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur, Guwahati and Dibrugarh in Assam ; Ziro, Itanagar, Tawang and Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh; Kohima and Mokochong in Nagaland; Belonia in Tripura; and Aizwal, Sahia in Mizoram.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Shri Ashwani Kumar in a written reply to a question by Shri Bhubaneswar Kalita in Rajya Sabha today.

One dead, eight injured in cartridge blast in Assam

2011-11-13T05:57:00.001-08:00

An unused cartridge of the army exploded accidentally killing a seven year-old boy and injuring eight others in Assam's Baksa district today.
The children had collected unused cartridges from the army's Sukanjuli test firing range on the Indo-Bhutan border to sell them in the local market when one of them exploded, police said.
While the boy died on the spot due to the blast, the injured were rushed to the civil hospital here, the police said.
Locals collect unused cartridges from near the test firing range and sell them in the local market as there is demand for the copper in them.

Uncertainty over UPDS accord ends

2011-11-12T21:40:00.001-08:00

Dispur postpones Karbi elections

Nagaon/Guwahati, Nov. 13 : Dispur today postponed Karbi Anglong autonomous council election, submission of nominations for which was scheduled to start from Monday.

The decision brought an end to the 10-day-long uncertainty that shadowed the signing of an accord between the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and the Centre. The election had been announced on November 3.

At 11am today, the office of deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar received an order from Raj Bhavan regarding the development.

The Raj Bhavan notification stated that governor J.B. Patnaik believed it would be difficult to hold elections to the council on December 12, because there would hardly be any time to make arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the polls. Hence, the governor, by exercising the powers bestowed on him by Sixth Schedule, had called for fresh election dates.

Kumar told The Telegraph over phone that as the returning officer he had issued a fresh notice, cancelling the election procedures scheduled from November 14 to December 15. He said he could not say whether the scheduled election dates were cancelled because of the proposed accord, but it had been postponed for some reason.

Fresh dates have not been announced yet.

The development comes following an appeal by the UPDS to the Centre to stall the polls by a month and also to get it conducted by the State Election Commission instead of the hill areas department.

The announcement of the election dates had created uncertainty about the UPDS’s proposed “greater” council, an accord for which was slated to be signed with the Centre in the first half of this month. The outfit had demanded that the government dissolve the existing 10th autonomous council and deploy a neutral interim administrator to pave the way for upgrading it to a territorial one.

Sources here said since the UPDS had become certain that the state government would not give in to their demands to dissolve the existing council and hold polls on the basis of their proposed accord, senior leaders of the outfit met the Centre’s representatives and placed the twin demands before them. “We demand the accord first. After signing the accord, we will go for a political convention where the outfit will be dissolved and a political party formed. As the election is postponed, we will get time to finish all this, as the accord would be signed soon,” UPDS joint secretary Tung-e Nongloda said.

The Congress leadership in Karbi Anglong refused to comment on the development.

Assam-Nagaland discuss border issues

2011-11-12T21:26:00.003-08:00

DIMAPUR, Nov 13 – A joint coordination meeting of the DCs of five districts – Sivasagar, Jorhat, Mokokchung, Mon and Longleng – on Assam-Nagaland border issues was held today at the Conference Hall of DC Sivasagar.

According to a report received from Temsu Wathi Ao, District Informatics Officer (NIC) Mokokchung & Coordinator, Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland), the DCs exchanged their views with the objective of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas. The idea of cultural exchange between the districts was also emphasised by DC Mon.

Some stray incidents of criminal nature and law and order problem which occurred in the past and continue to occur were discussed by the SPs of Jorhat and Sivasagar and Additional SP of Mokokchung. All DCs were of the view that such problems of criminal nature or law and order problems should not be made border issues.

The frequent economic blockades initiated by Assam-based Hill Area Truck Owners Association against Nagaland at the alleged slightest cause were also discussed. It was resolved to address such issues at the administrative level as and when need arises.

DC Mon highlighted the recent Singphan issue where a watchtower constructed by Nagaland was allegedly destroyed by the Sivasagar district administration whereby DC Sivasagar proposed a joint inspection at the earliest.

DC Longleng queried about the present status of an LP School initiated by Nagaland and which was forcefully occupied by the Assam Armed Police during late 2007. This school had hosted two General Elections and one Parliamentary Election in Nagaland. Another point raised by DC Longleng was that in this same locality, the IPPI programme was also covered by Assam without the knowledge of the Longleng district administration.

DC Sivasagar replied that since the matter is in the court, status quo should be maintained till a decision is taken by the court. Regarding IPPI, he suggested an official communication since the matter was never brought to notice earlier.

DC Sivasagar and DC Mokokchung expressed happiness at the regular Border Magistrates level meetings between Sivasagar and Mokokchung districts. Border Magistrate Sector ‘F’ Sivasagar Richand Ahmed informed the house that border meetings are regularly held with the district of Mokokchung and the results of the meetings have been very fruitful.

He requested DC Mon and DC Longleng to also initiate such Border Magistrate level meeting at regular intervals as such meetings would bring more cordial relationship and a sense of brotherhood between the neighbouring districts of Assam and Nagaland.

Jatindra Kumar Lahkar, Deputy Commissioner of Sivasagar thanked the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung Lithrongla G Chishi for initiating DC level meet at Mokokchung in June this year.

Bard Of Brahmaputra

2011-11-12T21:26:00.001-08:00

Bhupen Hazarika (1926-2011)
tribute
Hazarika’s genius manifested itself in its empathy and a vision for a better future
Utpal Borpujari on Bhupen Hazarika

It is said that in Assam, there is every likelihood that among the first sounds a newborn hears would be a Bhupen Hazarika song. I first met the legend when I was around ten, but much before that I knew him as a near god-like figure. His unique, deep baritone voice and his easy-on-the-ear compositions, which quite often culled out finer nuances of classical ragas and the huge variety of folk music of the Northeast, were already deeply ingrained in my subconscious. It was much later that his songs—the meaning of his words and the mood they evoked—acquired deeper meaning and significance for me.
In the late ’70s, we knew him from his photographs in newspapers and magazines, each with the trademark Nepali cap on his head—reportedly a present from the king of Nepal. And of course, from his voice that almost every single day wafted in from the local All India Radio station. So, there was no scope for confusion when I saw him the first time, sitting in the living room of our neighbour Nirode Chaudhury, one of the greatest Assamese writers whose short story had a couple of years before been turned into the classic Assamese film Chameli Memsab (which, incidentally, also got Hazarika the best music director’s honour at the National Film Awards in 1975).
When Chaudhury, whom I used to fondly call ‘mama’, introduced me to Hazarika, he turned and started talking to me and it went on for quite some time. Later, I realised that he was not just being gracious to a kid. That was just the way he was. He would have time for every person who would approach him. And this trait never changed even when his health began deteriorating after a stroke he suffered during the Rongali Bihu (Assamese new year) celebrations in Guwahati in 2006. His natural instinct for making everyone feel at home, combined with his innate capacity to document society through his creative work, made him connect instantly, both with intellectuals as well as the illiterate.
Hazarika’s genius was not only in being a composer-lyricist-singer-filmmaker but also a journalist-author-painter-politician (having served one term in the Assam assembly as an independent legislator in the late 1960s and making a failed bid as a BJP candidate in the Lok Sabha elections much later).
With his left-leaning idealism (something that started changing after the Chinese aggression in 1962), which saw him become a close associate of the likes of Salil Chowdhury, Balraj Sahni and many others in the Indian People’s Theatre Association, Hazarika used his art as a medium to reflect society’s ills and the concerns of the downtrodden. It was almost with a missionary zeal that he wrote songs capturing almost every important social and political development of Northeast India, from the Second World War to the years of ULFA insurgency. Hazarika was encouraged to write as a child by cultural icon Jyotiprasad Agarwalla. He wrote his first song as a seven-year old, its deeply earnest lyrics yearning for the rebirth of the 15th century social reformer Saint Srimanta Sankardev to cure society of its ills.
A born humanist, Hazarika’s iconic songs have been about the loss of innocence in mankind. Through songs like Bistirna Parore (later translated into Bengali and Hindi as Ganga Boicho Keno/Ganga Behti Ho Kyon), in which he remonstrated against his beloved Brahmaputra for flowing silently despite all the inhumanity along its banks, or Manuhe Manuhor Baabe, which spoke about the need for compassion. Hazarika espoused universal brotherhood all his life, much like his friend and inspiration, American civil rights activist and singer Paul Robeson.
Even in his films, one sees the same message. In Era Bator Sur (Song of the Deserted Path), he told the story of vanishing folk cultures, while in Chikmik Bijuli (The Lightning), he looked at the transformation of Guwahati from a small town to a big city.
In later years he was deeply concerned about the atmosphere of social unrest in Assam. He told me more than once that he wished people would understand and use the “power of the gaan” (songs) than the “power of the gun” to resolve problems. In fact, one of his unfulfilled dreams was to make a feature film on the urgency to forsake violence.
(The writer is a film critic from Assam, based in New Delhi)

3.7 magnitude quakes shake Assam, Manipur in quick succession

2011-11-08T22:04:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, Nov 9 : Two earthquakes each measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale hit Assam and Manipur in quick succession this evening, India Meteorological Department said.

It said a slight intensity quake hit Ukhrul district in Manipur at 1907 hours.

The epicentre of the tremor was at 24. 7 degree North and 94.2 degree East with a focal depth of 60 km.

Earlier, another slight intensity earthquake occurred in district Barpeta in Assam at 1812 hrs, according to IMD.

The quake was epicentered at 26.3 degree North latitude and 90.6 degree East longitude with a focal depth of 15 km, it said.

Hazarika’s body flown to Assam

2011-11-06T21:41:00.001-08:00

People paying tribute to a statue of Bhupen Hazarika in Guwahati on Saturday. The 86-year-old music doyen died of multi-organ failure in Mumbai on Saturday. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

The mortal remains of legendary singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika were on Monday flown to Assam where his last rites will be conducted on Tuesday.

“The body was taken by close family members from the hospital at 6.50 a.m. We have been informed that it will reach at 11.30 a.m. in Guwahati by a flight. The funeral will take place tomorrow at one pm on the banks of Brahmaputra for which arrangements have been made by the Assam government,” Dr. Ram Naren, COO, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital, said on Monday.

The 86-year-old music doyen died of multi-organ failure on Saturday at the hospital here, where he was undergoing treatment since June 29, after he complained of breathlessness. Since then he was confined to bed.

His health deteriorated on October 23, after he developed pneumonia. The veteran had to undergo a minor surgery whereby doctors placed a food pipe into his system.

Hazarika was regarded as one of the greatest living cultural communicators of South Asia. He was also known as a poet, journalist, singer, lyricist, musician, filmmaker and writer.

The balladeer who composed his own lyrics and music, last lent his voice to the film “Gandhi To Hitler”, where he sang Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajan ‘Vaishnav jan’.

Inspired by Tripura, Assam looks at rubber

2011-11-03T23:47:00.001-07:00

Samudra Gupta Kashyap

Assam, where tea continues to be the key commercial crop for more than a century and half, is now also looking at tapping the rubber economy. The inspiration comes from Tripura, which is second only to Kerala in rubber production in the country.

“We are going for an intensive programme for rubber plantation, and have fixed a target of covering 10,000 hectares of land under rubber every year for the next five years,” said Assam soil conservation minister Ardhendu Kumar Dey.

One lakh rubber saplings were planted in 200 hectares in the seven districts of Goalpara, Dhubri, Morigaon, Nagaon, Golaghat, Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro) on September 22 — designated as Rubber Day by the Assam government.

The state soil conservation department — which will serve as the nodal department to handle rubber plantation — has also conducted a series of capacity-building and training programmes for potential farmers as well as departmental officers. Rubber plantations, minister Dey said, helps in soil conservation.

“It is a fact that we have been immensely inspired by what Tripura has achieved,” said Dey, who himself undertook a three-day study tour of Tripura for gathering a first-hand knowledge of its success story. “Since the climatic conditions are similar and since we have considerable fallow land, our farmers can also work wonders if we give them technical knowhow and marketing support,” Dey said. Tripura, despite being a small state, has about 75,000 hectares under rubber cultivation.

It is not that rubber is not known to farmers in Assam. “Rubber has so far been cultivated in Assam in an ad-hoc manner,” said Prem Saran, soil conservation commissioner, Assam. “At the moment, we have only about 28,000 hectares under rubber plantation. But farmers growing rubber have reported about 1,080 kg of rubber per hectare, which is not bad given the constraint of a proper market linkage.”

The Rubber Board had in fact implemented a project called Accelerated Development of Rubber Plantation in the Northeastern region during the six-year period, from 1984-90. While the target under the project was to bring 24,000 hectares under rubber plantation, around 23,155 hectares was achieved.

“Some farmers in Assam have already started earning good money by planting rubber,” said K V Mathew, joint commissioner (production), Rubber Board, which is providing the technical support to the Assam government. In Goalpara district, farmers are producing 2,500 kg of rubber per hectare whereas the average expected output was only 1,500 kg, Mathew said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said that his government would soon come up with a land-use policy identifying land that could be utilsed for growing paddy, bamboo and rubber. Gogoi stressed the need for quality rubber production with the help of quality planting materials.

Farmers taking support of Rubber Board schemes are currently getting a subsidy at the rate of Rs 30,000 per hectare per annum up to a maximum of 20 hectares. “We have already approached the Planning Commission to raise the amount as well as the land ceiling so that more youth can be attracted to rubber cultivation,” Dey said.

The Rubber Board also gives financial assistance up to Rs 5,000 to individual small growers in the Northeast who constructs bio-gas plants for treating effluents generated in their processing sheds. Such farmers in the region are also being given assistance upto Rs 50,000 per hectare for setting up irrigation systems for young rubber plants.

Assam wants interlocutor for peace talks with NDFB

2011-11-03T08:13:00.001-07:00

Guwahati: Assam government on Thursday asked the Centre to appoint an interlocutor for peace talks with the anti-talk faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) led by its jailed chairman Ranjan Daimary.

"The Home Minister paid due attention to our request as it was made in the light of the interest showed by Daimary to come to the negotiating table," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said after meeting Union Home Minister P Chidambaram here.

During a brief stopover at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on his way from Imphal to New Delhi, Chidambaram reviewed the law and order situation at a high-level meeting with the Chief Minister and top officials.

Gogoi said he had urged the Home Minister to send more security forces to the state and also discussed the talks process initiated with the United People Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and Black Widow and Nunisa both factions of Dima Halam Daoga.

The current process of upgrading the National Registrar of Citizen and border problems with neighbouring Meghalaya were also raised during the meeting.

Aasu to organize rally on dams

2011-11-03T02:17:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: All Assam Students' Union (AASU) on Wednesday said it would organize a public rally on November 8 to create awareness amongst the people about various core issues afflicting the state and the region, including construction mega dam.

"We will organize a mass rally and a public gathering in association with 26 other indigenous people's union to bring to highlight the issues of dam construction in upper Subansiri, updating of the National Registrar of Citizenship ( NRC), land-swap deal with Bangladesh and preservation of Majuli, which is facing massive erosion and protection of satras from illegal encroachment," said Samujjal Bhattacharya, adviser of the students' body.

He added, "The main objective behind this is to create awareness about issues afflicting the state and the region."

MLA to fast for speedy repair of Barak Valley roads

2011-11-03T00:19:00.001-07:00

SILCHAR: AIUDF MLA Katigorah Maulana Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuiyan, supported by his party members in the Cachar district, threatened to go on a seven-day hunger strike if the national highways across the Barak Valley are not repaired. AIUDF general secretary and MLA, Mazarbhuiyan told media persons that his week-long fast will start at Katigora in Cachar district near Silchar-Shillong national highway on November24.

"If the government fails to respond to the fast, we will start a blockade on the national highways at different points of Barak Valley from December 2," the senior MLA said.

"The internal communication of the Barak Valley districts as well as its connectivity with rest of the country is in shambles. The national highways of Silchar-Guwahati, Silchar-Aizawl and Silchar-Imphal are in dilapidated condition. It is a nightmare to travel through the 111-km stretch of NH-44 inside Assam. A substitute road from Silchar to Guwahati via Harangajao, Turuk and Jagiroad should be opened," Mazarbhuiyan said.

The AIUDF MLA criticized Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi and excise minister Gautom Roy for taking up the responsibility of NH-44 from BRTF and not improving the condition. "In fact, the condition of NH-44 has only deteriorated. There are large potholes throughout the road connecting Tripura and Barak Valley with Guwahati. Even after repeated agitation over the years, government has failed to take any action. The road was better under BRTF," Mazarbhuiyan said.

"The valley's railway connectivity is also in bad shape. Lumding-Silchar broad gauge conversion work is not progressing and there's no hope for its completion within the timeframe of 2013. The work for the east-west corridor in southern Assam has not started yet, as authorities have not been able to obtain clearance from the department of environment and forest," the MLA added. tnn

The AIUDF MLA had gone on a fast unto death for similar issues last August. He withdrew his fast after a week when the Assam PWD minister assured him that the roads would be repaired soon. But the government did little.

Meanwhile, Pratibadi Gana Manch, an umbrella organization of a number of NGOs, has also given authorities a seven-day deadline to improve the condition of the roads and bridges in this part of Assam.

The authorities had to restrict traffic on Sadarghat bridge when a six-foot-long crack appeared on the second pillar of the bridge. The bridge connects Silchar with Imphal, Haflong in Dima Hasao, Silchar airport at Kumbhirgram and Lakhipur sub-division of Cachar district through NH-53. But the bridge has not yet been repaired. If it is not repaired within a week, the members of Pratibadi Gana Manch will start an indefinite blockade of VIP Road, connecting the town with Silchar airport at Kumbhirgram, only to stop movement of local public representatives by air.

Govt announces Rs 1000 crore anti-poverty scheme

2011-11-01T00:31:00.001-07:00

Guwahati: The Assam government on Monday announced plans of launching a Rs 1000 crore anti-poverty scheme.

Announcing this at a function held here on the occasion of the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi which is observed as Sankalpa Divas, chief minister Tarun Gogoi said Rs 1000 crore will be set aside in the next four years for the scheme which will benefit the rural poor.

In order to tackle the problem of militancy, the chief minister mooted the idea of introducing a police commissionerate system in Guwahati city.

He asked the state chief secretary to finalise a detailed report in this regard.

Expressing displeasure in the delay in launching CCTV system in the city, Gogoi asked the chief secretary to make a report citing causes of the delay.

He also announced that a grievance cell will be introducted in the state home department to effectively tackle the militancy problem.

120-year-old from Assam ties knot with 60-year-old

2011-10-25T21:41:00.001-07:00

SILCHAR, India: He wanted to marry a second time after his wife died about six years back. He did so at the grand old age of 120 years. Hazi Abdul Noor of Satghori, a remote village in Patharkandi block in Karimganj, who made history last Sunday when he married 60-year-old Samoi Bibi from North Foolbari village in North Tripura. For this sleepy village, the wedding was a show-stopper, attended by over 500 guests. Advocate Tasir Ali solemnised the marriage by asking, “Kubool (agreed)?” and Noor replying in the affirmative. Saiful Mian, a guest, said, “Abdul Noor is the oldest person to get married in this part of the country as far as my memory goes.”
“My age in the voter list is 116 years. But actually I am 120 years old,” Noor said.
He presides over a family of 122 members, including two sons, four daughters and lots of grand-children, most of whom are married. Salima Khatun, Noor’s first wife, died in 2005.
“Soon after my mother’s death, my father requested us to find him another wife who would look after him.
It was not an easy job to find a bride for a 100-year-old. However, by the grace of god, we have found a new mother, though she’s half his age. She was married once early in life. Her husband died and she has no children,” said the bridegroom’s son, Hazi Azir Uddin.

Cycle rallies in Assam give fillip to Bodo statehood movement

2011-10-25T21:40:00.001-07:00

The influential All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) took out cycle rallies from the North bank of Brahmaputra River between Kokrajhar district to the west and Dhemaji district to the East to press for their demand for a separate state for the Bodo tribe in Assam.

ABSU president Promode Bodo informed that about 7000 ABSU activists and Bodo community members took part in the main cycle rally organised in Kokrajhar district, while participation was satisfactory in other parts of the Bodo tribe-dominated areas in the state.

The ABSU has revived its long-standing but dormant statehood movement after being enthused by the national focus on the on-going Telangana [ Images ] statehood movement. The student's body has warned that this time no economic package for Bodo tribe, however generous it may be, will be able to put the statehood movement on the back burner. They said the community had a bitter taste of failure with the territorial council granted under the Bodo Peace Accord [ Images ] of 2003.

Meanwhile, United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), an organisation of Bodo people has called for a 48-hour Assam bandh from October 31 to press for the community's demand for a separate state. The UPDF central publicity secretary Sujit Basumatary stated that the organisation had extended support to the statehood movement launched by the ABSU.

The UPDF stated that it too no longer believed that an economic package of chained autonomy would be able to usher in overall development and satiate political aspiration of the Bodo tribe. It said that the two earlier territorial councils Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) - granted to Bodos by the Central government by virtue of two agreements signed with different agitating Bodo groups had failed to fulfill the aspirations of Bodo people.

The Bodo tribe has over 20 lakh people in Assam, which has a population of over three crore. The leaders of the community demand a separate state for Bodos on the ground of it being the most populous ethnic group in Assam.

K Anurag in Guwahati

Dhiraj Deka, Assam's budding fashion designer

2011-10-22T21:31:00.001-07:00

Guwahati, Oct 23 : Budding young talent, Dhiraj Deka is a well-known fashion designer from Assam.

The 33 year old designer is known for making use of both traditional Assamese and contemporary designs in his work.

He started his professional career at a garment export house in New Delhi and honed his skills in Mumbai.

But it was his desire to do something in his own state that brought him back to Assam where he started his own business under the brand name Niru Garments in 2009.

"Assam gives us a huge opportunity to do many things in the silk industry. We can easily procure raw material here as compared to other places, so I thought that it was better to begin here instead of anywhere else in the country," said Deka.

Today Dhiraj runs his own apparel shop, Bibhussaa, in Guwahati and is also a member of Silk Mark association and Vanya mark which work to promote the use of pure silk.

The designer aims to make big and wants to promote his brand among the top fashion chains.

Funds from Centre to help Assam economy- Gogoi

2011-10-22T21:12:00.001-07:00

New Delhi: Noting that economic prosperity was crucial to root out insurgency, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday sought "massive infusion of financial resources" by the Centre into the state during the 12th Five Year Plan.

Demanding an "attitudinal change" in ensuring development of the state, Gogoi told National Development Council that a "holistic approach" coupled with an effective implementation and monitoring mechanism was key to help the economy of the state grow on par with rest of the country.

Identifying lack of adequate connectivity in the entire North Eastern region as a major hurdle, he sought special emphasise on strengthening of road, rail and aerial network in Assam during the 12th Plan period.

"Twelth Plan has to lay due emphasis in improving the infrastructure in terms of road, railway and air connectivity both within the NE region and with other parts of the country," he said, also demanding better resource allocation for maintenance of 2,848 kms of National Highways in Assam.

Gogoi said Guwahati airport should be developed as hub for aerial connectivity in the region.

Noting that although law and order situation has improved in the state remarkably, he said still the "perception" about the scenario has been influencing economic decisions such as flow of investment into the state.

He said ensuring connectivity to all parts of the state and building infrastructure were crucial for eliminating insurgency in the state.

Seeking a special agricultural policy for the North East as part of the 12th Plan, he said extending institutionalised support to the farmers was necessary to transform the rural economy of the state.

NSCN(I-M) fomenting trouble: Gogoi

2011-10-21T21:44:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI, Oct 22 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the NSCN (I-M) was fomenting trouble in NC Hills and along different border areas of the State, and that he had taken up the matter with the Centre.

Addressing a press conference, Gogoi said that the NSCN (I-M) had a long history of creating trouble and indulging in violence in border areas, including the trouble-torn NC Hills (Dima Hasao) district.

“It is a fact that the NSCN (I-M) has been found to be involved in violence in the border areas of the State. We have been taking up the matter with the Centre so that the militant group desists from such activities,” he said.

On the involvement of ULFA cadres in the recent spurt in attacks on businessmen in the city – apparently with a motive to loot cash – the Chief Minister said that the matter would be taken up with the pro-talk ULFA group if the arrested ULFA cadres were found to belong to that faction.

On the sudden transfer of City SSP Deepak Choudhury in the middle of a successful investigation into the attacks on businessmen, Gogoi merely said that the police officer’s transfer order had been issued before the investigation.

Gogoi also appealed to all militant groups in the State to come to the negotiating table by giving up arms. Answering a question, he, however, said that the State Government had never given general amnesty to surrendered militants.

“We have not withdrawn cases against ultras, and even if we want to, we cannot do so because the court invariably rejects such moves,” he said.

The Chief Minister, while admitting the recent spurt in criminal activities including murder, dacoity, etc., said that efforts were being directed to strengthen the police. “We also want to toughen the criminal branches by separating law and order from it,” he added.

Assam Govt urged to lift ‘chakka bandh’

2011-10-21T21:40:00.001-07:00

DIMAPUR, Oct 22 – Nagaland Chief Secretary Lalthara has asked his Assam counterpart NK Das to instruct the concerned district administration to take up necessary steps for lifting the ‘chakka bandh’ imposed on the movement of trucks carrying essential commodities to Nagaland.

The ongoing bandh is being imposed by the Hills Area Trucks Owner Association (HATOA) from Mariani and Jorhat since October 17 last under the pretext that the road to Nagaland from Mariani is in a deplorable condition.

Four districts of Nagaland namely Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto and Longleng are suffering the brunt of the bandh.

In his letter, Lalthara informed that the particular road in question is a GS road under Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and stated that the concerned organisation has taken up emergency repairs in several locations where the condition was bad and now improved for the better.

Lalthara further informed his Assam counterpart that the association calling the bandh is not allowing movements of trucks from Assam to Nagaland via NH-61 connecting Amguri with Mokokchung. He also expressed regret that non-movement of trucks carrying essential commodities has led to scarcity of essential commodities in four districts of Nagaland.

The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industries (MCCI) had earlier informed the State Government of the ongoing situation and the impact on the economic activities of all the four districts experienced in a day or two of the bandh and resulting in a complete chaotic situation.

The MCCI also expressed apprehension that if the bandh continues, many economic activities in all these districts will come to a grinding halt.

Rail drivers abducted by stopping train in Assam

2011-10-21T02:38:00.001-07:00

Hailakandi: Suspected Reang militants abducted two drivers of a train after stopping it at Ramnathpur in Hailakandi district bordering Mizoram early Friday, police said.

The militants kidnapped the driver and assistant driver of a passenger train on its way from Badarpur in Karimganj district to Bhairavi in Mizoram, they said.

The driver was identified as Tarun Kumar Bhattacharjee and the assistant driver as SK Sarmah.

Police along with Army and CRPF personnel launched an operation to trace the two men.

Efforts were on to run the train by sending new drivers at the spot, railway sources said.

Draft law on witch hunt submitted to Assam CM

2011-10-18T01:36:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: The Assam State Commission for Women has submitted a draft on formation of a bill conferring protection against witch hunting to chief minister Tarun Gogoi on September 1.

An official of the ASCW said, "The need for introducing a law against witch hunting was doing rounds for quite sometime now, and finally the draft has been made. The draft has been sent to the chief minister, and now the final decision on the issue is awaited."

The official further added, "The whole process would take sometime. As of now, we cannot give a time frame as to when the final law would be enacted as that is that decision lies on the ministers."

The official also said the present scenario was challenging as more and more incidents were coming to light.

"Investigations and arrests were taking place every second day. However, after the law is implemented, people would become more aware and such incidents can be controlled. Now the culprits are arrested on the basis of criminal offences. But, a law would ensure that proper steps are taken against those who are committing the crime," she said.

The incidents of witch hunting are reported mostly from areas in and around Kokrajhar. According to the ASCW data, the number of cases of witch hunting from 2001 to 2011 August is 61.

The official further pointed out that it would be difficult to single out a particular reason for witch hunting, but it is wrong to say that lack of medical facility is a major reason because it has been seen that in many cases a lot of educated people were also involved in such incidents.

"A recent case, which took place in Silasundorighopa near Changsari, where three people were lynched in the name of witch hunting, saw participation of educated people as well," she said.

Most of the time, the cases occur due to personal feud, jealousy, property dispute and of course, superstition.

Assam may seek Bangladesh's expertise to tackle flood, erosion

2011-10-16T20:09:00.001-07:00

Kolkata/ Guwahati October 17, 2011, 0:37 IST

Assam might seek neighbouring country Bangladesh’s help in tackling flood and erosion problem, said state’s Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Gogoi said that since the problems faced by Assam with regard to erosion and recovery of eroded land were same as those faced by the neighbouring country, the state government might approach Bangladesh seeking its expertise in this field.

Assam loses large swathes of land every year to river bank erosion and arresting the problem, besides recovering those lost lands, have becoming a challenging task for the state.

The chief minister said the experiment of using ‘geo-tubes’ in Dhakuakhana, situated in the north bank of river Brahmaputra, to arrest erosion has been successful and hence looks forward to using new technologies prevalent in other countries in tackling the flood and erosion problem of Assam. The two north bank districts of Dhemaji and North Lakhimpur face the maximum wrath of flood and erosion every year.

As per government statistics, the state has lost nearly 7 per cent of its agricultural land due to erosion since 1950.

Gogoi on Thursday had a detailed discussion with Jayati Chandra, Secretary of ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), regarding the flood and erosion problem of the state and ways and means of tackling it.

He also said that the state government was interested in developing river Brahmaputra as a viable waterway for commercial movement of goods. Gogoi said the state government would develop the necessary infrastructure to “channelize” the river. He said he would also take up the matter with the Brahmaputra Board and state’s water resource department.

Rally in support of mega dams

2011-10-15T22:21:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: Extending support to the Indo-Bangla land swap deal and the Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project (LSHEP), two most debatable issues in the state politics in recent times, the Sanmilito Samajik Mancha (SSM), Assam on Saturday took out a mass rally in the city.

Youths, women and peasants from various district units of the organization hit the streets chanting slogans against the groups seeking scrapping of the LSHEP and submitted a memorandum to Assam governor JB Patnaik and chief minister Tarun Gogoi to go ahead and construct the mega dams.

They were seeking completion of the LSHEP, but at the same time want to protect people in the nearby areas by taking up necessary measures to safeguard their interests. tnn

"People from various parts of the state has gathered here on Saturday to put forward their voice for sake of Assam, which is in desperate need of electricity. We support the decision to construct dams in the north-east, but they should be made multi-purpose. The great potential of the water bodies need to be harnessed to usher in development", said convener of the organization Pranjit Choudhury.

Magisterial inquiry into Assam firing

2011-10-13T21:00:00.001-07:00

Guwahati, Oct 14 (PTI) The Assam government today ordered a magisterial inquiry today into the police firing in Darrang district in which four jute farmers were killed and 16 others injured.

Official sources said district magistrate of Darrang Kumud Chandra Kalita has ordered a probe into the factors leading to the firing on October 10 at Bechimari.

The probe will be conducted by additional district magistrate Hem Kanta Bora who has been directed to submit the report within a week.

Police fired at a group of protesting farmers demanding minimum price of jute killing four of them and injuring 16.

Following the incident local people and various farmers body had protested against the police firing and demanded judicial probe.

Assam Chief Minister talks waterways development with DoNER secy

2011-10-13T04:54:00.001-07:00

Guwahati, Oct 14 : The benefits of using the waterways of the Brahmaputra and the need to develop infrastructure for greater use of the vast network of waterways in the state was today stressed by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Mr Gogoi highlighted the economic benefits of developing further the waterways of the Brahmaputra, with assistance and cooperation of Bangladesh, at a meeting with DoNER secretary Jayati Chandra here.

They discussed on channelising the Brahmaputra, controlling erosion and reclaiming land eroded in the state, among other issues.

The chief minister pointed that the problem of erosion in the state was similar to that faced by Bangladesh and Assam could use expertise and help from the bordering nation in tackling the problem.

He added that geo-tube technology, which has been used at the Matmora embankment, would be useful in controlling erosion.

The meeting also discussed on the need for better coordination between the Brahmaputra Board, state water resource development department and inland waterways authority.

Rebels hurl stone at train, minor boy hurt

2011-10-12T22:09:00.001-07:00

DIMAPUR: A 7-year-old Naga boy was injured on Tuesday evening near Hojai when a stone was hurled by unidentified miscreants at the Jan Satabadi Express in which he was travelling.

The blouder hit the trainas window grill before hitting the boyas head, thereby saving him from grievous injuries. One more stone had zoomed inside the cabin after the incident but no one was hurt.

Passengers traveling between Dimapur and Guwahati have always complained about such incidents, especially in the evenings, when miscreants moving along the railway tracks target passing trains.

A passenger on the Jan Satabadi train, who frequently travels between Dimapur and Guwahati said such incidents occur when the train passes through tracks near Thahekhu village in Dimapur, Hojai and Lanka in Assam.

Such incidents are often reported on bandh days in Assam or Karbi Anglong. However, on Tuesday there was no bandh in any part of Assam.

Tuesdayas incident was reported to the TTE on the train. Last month, a passenger was hit by a sharp stone while he was sleeping on his berth.

Mercury-containing healthcare equipment pose health risks

2011-10-12T21:35:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: With the health sector booming in the state, the quantum of mercury-containing healthcare equipment have also increased, raising the risk of health hazards due to high toxicity of the metal.

A study by Toxics Link, a Delhi-based NGO working on toxic-related issues, found that Assam topped in the mercury usage in healthcare instruments among the seven northeastern states.

The study said Assamas share in mercury use was about 1.8 per cent in the country and the highest among the northeastern sates.

Assam uses 468 kg of mercury mostly in thermometer and sphygmomanometer, while Manipur uses only 43 kg in both the instruments. Nagaland uses a total of 81 kg of mercury-containing healthcare equipment followed by Arunachal Pradesh, which uses 75 kg. Tripura uses 73 kg, Mizoram uses 49 kg and Meghalaya uses 57 kg of mercury in healthcare equipments. The study was carried out in 2008.

The total mercury usage in healthcare instruments in India is estimated to be 26 tons.

Mercury is a highly toxic substance that can cause serious health hazards because of the metalas ability for asbio-accumulationa? and asbio-magnification.a?

Bio-accumulation is the retention of the toxic substance in tissues and muscles, while bio-magnification is the increase in concentration of the toxic substance as it moves up the food chain. Mercury can pass through the skin, blood, enter the brain and placental barrier causing serious health hazard.

Toxics Link said that the chances of mercury contamination because of mishandling the metal during disposal has become a major environmental and health concern with the increase in mercury-containing healthcare equipments in the state.

Toxics Link associate director, Satish Sinha said the figures on the usage of mercury in the Northeast do not tell good stories. For Northeastas fragile ecosystem, Sinha said, mercury contamination is posing a great threat to the environment.

It is high-time health departments in the region start work on phasing out mercury containing healthcare equipment. There is huge potential for taping the potential of digital market for healthcare equipments,a? Sinha told TOI.

On Wednesday, Toxics Links, WHO-India, Pollution Control Board Assam and Guwahati-based NGO, Environ meet here to deal effectively with bio-medical waste management and phasing out mercury from health sectors.

Dr H K Gogoi, an owner of a private hospital in the city, has also echoed the necessity of phasing out the usage of mercury in healthcare equipments.

We need to phase out mercury usage in healthcare equipments because of its high toxicity. There has to be more awareness on the threat posed by mercury contamination,a? Dr Gogoi added.

Guwahati alone produces about one ton of bio-medical waste every day. While many of the hospitals have their own waste-treatment facilities, a common bio-medical waste treatment facility at Rani here caters to 66 hospitals with a range of 150 km.

No improvement in security of Hill section: NFR Mazdoor Union

2011-10-12T21:30:00.003-07:00

SILCHAR: The Northeast Frontier Railway Mazdoor Union (NFRMU) on Tuesday alleged that railway employees working in the Lumding-Silchar section, known as the Hill section, have been suffering from a sense of insecurity due to the activities of a number of militant groups and miscreants. Thereas been no improvement of situation in the Barail Hill range following surrender of Dima Halam Daoga (Jewel) or DHD(J) militants nearly two years ago, the union said.

Talking to TOI, the organizing secretary of the NFR Mazdoor Union, Bhajan Dey, said the attack on the freight train between Lower Haflong and Mirgrendisa stations in Dima Hasao district last week clearly reflects how bad the security arrangement in this section is. asWe talked to the higher authorities following the attack on the train, in which the driver sustained bullet injuries and the engine was torched, and sought tightening of security measures. The authorities assured us they would initiate necessary steps towards increasing the security cover. But the situation still remains the same. The railwaymen have been working under the shadow of guns,a? he said.

asFollowing the surrender of DHD(J) militants there was sense of peace in the Hill section in the initial months. But soon, the scenario changed for the worse and there was a spurt in extortion activities. Reports from the railwaymen working in the Dima Hasao areas said a number of so-called militant outfits and anti-social elements have raised their heads in the region and they are perpetrating terror among the railway employees and workers by demanding extortion money and giving them life threats,a? said Dey.

He said during the last assembly election, security forces were withdrawn from the area and posted elsewhere. However, they were not redeployed in Dima Hasao with the view that the security condition had improved and problems were over following the surrender of DHD (J). asBut this is far from the truth. The miscreants and militants have only changed the name of their groups and they have been running extortion activities under the cover of a new face,a? the trade union leader said.

Dey said railway employees posted in Dima Hasao district are soft targets of the militants. They are the assource of income of the unemployed youthsa? who took up arms in their hands. asBut we are unhappy with the attitude of the government towards the situation,a? said the Mazdoor Union leader.

It may be mentioned that the Hills Tiger Force (HTF), a non-Dimasa tribal militant outfit raised early this year, claimed responsibility for the attack on the goods train last Wednesday.

Before the surrender of DHD(J), the Lumding-Silchar section had witnessed frequent suspension of train services for months because of militants targeting the trains and railwaymen. The activities of the militants also derailed the work on broad gauge conversion project and the East-West Corridor that runs through Barail Hill range.

6-ft crack in Sadarghat bridge

2011-10-12T21:30:00.001-07:00

SILCHAR: On Tuesday, a six-foot-long crack appeared in the slabs of the second pillar of the 472-metre-long Sadarghat bridge over Barak River, compelling the concerned authorities to divert the traffic partially until it is repaired. This created panic among the commuters and residents of the area. The crack has appeared on the 45-year-old bridge from the Silchar ascension point. DC and PWD officials rushed to the place and made the bridge one-way for traffic to pass. Preliminary repair work was also taken up.

Sadarghat bridge, constructed by Gammon India Ltd, was commissioned in 1966 to connect Silchar with Imphal in Manipur, Haflong in Dima Hasao, Silchar airport at Kumbhirgram and Lakhipur sub-division of Cachar district through NH 53.

Sources said that the major bridge has been in a shambles since 1999 due to technical defects and cracks have appeared in concrete slabs, cantilever trips and bearings of the bridge. This year on January 12, another crack appeared in the slab from the Rongpur ascension point of the bridge. However, the authorities made temporary repairs to keep the traffic going.

On Wednesday, Cachar deputy commissioner Harendra Kumar Dev Mahanta held an emergency meeting with PWD engineers at his office and it was decided that in order to divert traffic, the loaded trucks and all heavy vehicles would move through the Altaf Hussain bridge, popularly known as Rani bridge, over Barak River in Borkhola.

A PWD (national highway) executive engineer said that they have sent an estimate of Rs 6.6 crore the Union surface transport ministry for repair of the Sadarghat bridge, but the ministry is yet to give its nod. Another bridge over Barak River at Lakhipur in Cachar district is to be commissioned soon. The construction of approach roads to the bridge is underway, added the PWD engineer.

Adult vaccination for Japanese Encephalitis starts in Assam

2011-10-12T03:58:00.001-07:00

Guwahati, Oct 12 : Assam today started adult vaccination programme for Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Sivsagar district, becoming the first state to undertake adult vaccination in the country.

State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma inaugurated the programme at Geleki in the district.

He urged all people aged above 15 years in the district to take the vaccine.

''The JE vaccine has a success rate of about 90 per cent and even at this rate, we will be able to contain it drastically,'' he added.

The vaccination programme will continue till October 30.

The adult vaccination programme will be extended to other high JE prone districts depending on its success in Sivsagar district.

The state health department will incur all expenses and over Rs 72 crore will be spent towards operational costs alone.

About five lakh people are expected to be covered under the programme and a routine health check-up of blood pressure and blood sugar will be done on all people before the JE vaccine dose is administered.

The state has recorded over 150 JE deaths in the state and several upper Assam districts, including Sivsagar, have been identified as high-prone districts.

Christian Leader death leaves void

2011-10-12T00:07:00.000-07:00

Christians begin search for condpan successor

DAULAT RAHMAN

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi pays his respects to Silvius Condpan on Rajiv Bhawan premises in Guwahati on Tuesday. Picture by UB Photos
Guwahati, Oct. 11: The Christian community in Assam has started consultation to fill the void left behind by senior Congress leader and sitting Rajya Sabha MP Silvius Condpan who died in Delhi yesterday.
Sources said prominent Christian citizens and religious leaders, while deeply mourning the death, have already started an informal exercise of finding an “alternative” to Condpan to represent the community. One such informal meeting was held at Peace Centre at Ambari in Guwahati today.
The Christian community constitutes 2.3 per cent of the total population in the state.
Allen Brooks, a spokesperson for the community and member of the Assam State Minorities Commission said even though it would be very tough to fill up the vacuum caused by the demise of Condpan, it would be appropriate for the community to choose future leaders from communities like tea tribes, Adivasi, Bodo, Santhal and Karbi.
“Christians have great contribution in the field of education and various development sector, but the community has not been represented well in the political arena. The Congress and other political parties must give a thought on the issue to fill the vacuum after Condpan’s death,” Brooks said.
Brooks said the community leaders would think about meeting the Congress top brass both in Delhi and Assam to groom leaders like Condpan. Father Mark Lakra, who is from Condpan’s native Majbat, said at Rajiv Bhawan that Condpan was a good and generous politician. “We don’t have a person from the community who can take over his mantle. The other known leader is Joseph Toppo, who is an AGP MP,” he said.
Senior Congress leaders, led by chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Assam PCC president Bhubaneswar Kalita and DoNER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar, paid glowing tributes to the departed leader, describing him as an important leader of the state, particularly of the disadvantaged tea and labour communities.
Several ministers such as Akon Bora, Rockybul Hussain, Nilamoni Sen Deka, Ajanta Neog, Nazrul Islam and Rajiv Lochan Pegu were either at the airport to receive the body or at Rajiv Bhawan.
Ghatowar, for whom Condpan was a mentor, accompanied the body along with his family from Delhi.
The body was first taken to the Intuc office, Congress headquarters Rajiv Bhawan, the Assembly and then to his Chachal residence where a prayer service was held in the evening. His last rites will be performed tomorrow.
Governor J.B. Patnaik condoled the death of Condpan, describing him as a self-made leader.

70 ill in Upper Assam due to food poisoning

2011-10-11T04:11:00.000-07:00

Dibrugarh, Oct 11 (PTI) Around 70 people, including women and children, were taken ill due to food poisoning in Chabua town of upper Assam''s Dibrugarh district, official sources said today.

25 of them were taken to St lukes Hospital at Chabua, while the rest, including 15 critically ill children were admitted to the Assam Medical College Hospital here, the sources said.

Doctors at the hospital did not rule out the victims of having eaten stale and rotten food items even as they suspected that poisoning of food items could also be due to the fermentation of rice items in view of the prevailing hot weather condition.

Sources informed that the victims had consumed food items prepared with rice in the house of one person at Rajabari village along Chabua town yesterday.

By early morning today the victims began vomiting and complained of severe stomach upsets forcing them to be admitted to hospital.

Assam’s century old banana market buzzing

2011-10-11T02:18:00.001-07:00

In Assam, the century old Darang Giri banana market at Goalpara district hasreachedthe peak of selling. Bananas are being supplied to Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, from Darang Giri.

The largest banana market of Asia has an annual turnover of around Rs.20crore. Every week around 5 thousand bicycles loaded with bananas reach the market from neighbouring areas. Officials of the Darang Giri Development Committee said that, 35 to 40 trucks each of which contains 1200 bunches are being supplied daily. Malbhog and Cheni are the two types of bananas for which buyers make a beeline at Darang Giri.

The market also provides employment opportunities to around 10,000 people in packaging and other work. To fulfill the growing demand of buyers and sellers, the state government has already established banana ripening facilities. Once operationalised, it is likely to be a boon for the local farmers.

Four Assam jute farmers killed in police firing

2011-10-10T08:30:00.001-07:00

Guwahati: At least four farmers were killed and over a dozen injured in Assam on Monday after police opened fire to disperse a mob of jute cultivators who were enforcing a road blockade to demand better prices for their produce.

A police spokesperson said that about 500 jute farmers resorted to a highway blockade near Besimari in Darrang district, about 80 km north of Assam's main city of Guwahati.

"The protestors pelted stones and attacked a security team that went to clear the road blockade. The situation turned violent and that prompted police to open fire," a senior police official said.

Four farmers were killed and about 15 people injured, including six policemen. "The injured were shifted to local hospitals with multiple injuries," the official said.

Witnesses said the protestors attacked security personnel using crude implements and that led the police to open fire.

"The situation is under control, but tense. Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the area," the official said.

A bumper jute harvest this year has added to the woes of farmers and in the absence of a market to sell their produce, the cultivators were demanding government support to sell their produce.

"We were demanding that the government should create some mechanism to help the farmers to sell our produce. But persistent demands failed, so we resorted to the road blockade," Abdul Hamid, a jute farmer, said.

"The police firing was uncalled for as they first tried to chase us by caning and that infuriated the protestors."

Guard guns down MLA wife

2011-10-10T08:29:00.001-07:00

Personal security officer pumps five bullets into woman, shoots himself

(Top) Jeuti Roy and AGP MLA Bhupen Roy breaks down in Bongaigaon on Sunday. Pictures by
UB Photos
Dhubri, Oct. 9: The personal security officer of an Assam legislator pumped five bullets into the MLA’s wife before turning the gun on himself today as they sat in a car after driving for 25km into the Bongaigaon countryside.
Villagers near Dhalagaon heard gunshots from a car parked by a field around 3.30pm.
A crowd rushed to the vehicle to find the two slumped in the front seats — blood oozing from multiple bullet wounds.
Jeuti Roy, the 35-year-old wife of sitting AGP MLA of Abhayapuri (North), Bhupen Roy, was dead by the time the people arrived, while the 32-year-old PSO, Sanatan Das, writhed from critical neck wounds.
Das’s service self-loading rifle lay on the field, having slipped from his hand.
A suicide note was found in the car, the details of which police are reluctant to reveal at the moment.
The personal security officer had fired 11 rounds, five on the woman, before turning the gun on himself.
Though Jeuti succumbed to the injuries immediately, Das was taken to a private nursing home in Bongaigaon where he died from his wounds.
Jeuti had driven out their Abhayapuri home with the personal security officer around 3pm in the MLA’s private car, leaving her two sons — one in Class IV and the other in Class VIII — in the care of attendants and other family members.
Bhupen had just returned from Bijni in Chirang after attending a programme on Srimanta Sankardev and was addressing a public meeting in Rangapani when the news reached him.
Das had been with Bhupen as his personal security officer since 2008.
The Bongaigaon resident had joined the police in 2006.
Interestingly, Bhupen had sought resumption of Das’s services when he was taken off the MLA’s duty for a while.
Bongaigaon superintendent of police Nitul Gogoi confirmed that Jeuti was shot dead by the personal security officer.
When asked about Das’s motive, Gogoi said the police were investigating the matter. The AGP circle in lower Assam was shocked over the death of the party legislator’s wife and was unwilling to comment on the incident until they had spoken to him.
Bhupen, who was not in his constituency at the time of the incident, could not be contacted despite several attempts by The Telegraph.
He rushed to Bongaigaon after receiving the news.

Adult vaccination for JE starts in Assam

2011-10-09T23:56:00.001-07:00

Assam today started adult vaccination programme for Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Sivsagar district, becoming the first state to undertake adult vaccination in the country. State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma inaugurated the programme at Geleki in the district. He urged all people aged above 15 years in the district to take the vaccine. The JE vaccine has a success rate of about 90 per cent and even at this rate, we will be able to contain it drastically, he added. The vaccination programme will continue till October 30. The adult vaccination programme will be extended to other high JE prone districts depending on its success in Sivsagar district. The state health department will incur all expenses and over Rs 72 crore will be spent towards operational costs alone. About five lakh people are expected to be covered under the programme and a routine health check-up of blood pressure and blood sugar will be done on all people before the JE vaccine dose is administered. The state has recorded over 150 JE deaths in the state and several upper Assam districts, including Sivsagar, have been identified as high-prone districts.

Colonel faces probe after gun, Rs 19 lakh found in luggage

2011-10-09T23:34:00.001-07:00

Samudra Gupta Kashyap

An Army Colonel, on deputation as a Commanding Officer of 45 Assam Rifles, is under the scanner after the police recovered cash adding up to Rs 19.31 lakh and a pistol from his luggage at Barama, in Assam’s Baksa district, last week. Both the Assam Rifles and the Army have initiated separate inquiries into the matter.

Baksa SP Bir Bikram Gogoi said the police, following a tip-off, intercepted a truck that was transporting personal belongings of the officer, Col B B Yadav, from Tripura to Lucknow on October 3. On searching, they recovered the cash and the firearm. The Colonel, who was on transfer from a location in Tripura to Lucknow, was earlier posted in Haflong, in Dima Hasao district in Assam.

“While an Assam Rifles jawan travelling with the truck had keys to most of the trunks and boxes in the truck, he did not have the keys for three particular trunks. As we broke the locks of the three trunks in the presence of a magistrate, we found currency notes totalling Rs 19.31 lakh and a pistol,” the SP said.

The police allowed the truck to proceed to its destination with the remaining items, but the cash and the weapon have been kept in the Barama police station. While a case has not yet been registered, a general diary entry was made mentioning the cash and the weapon.

“We have informed the Assam Rifles headquarters in Shillong, and also written to the Income Tax department as well as the Reserve Bank of India to carry out the necessary verifications of the weapon as well as the cash,” SP Gogoi informed.

Last week, the Colonel contacted the police and sought custody of the cash and the weapon. The police, however, refused to part with the items.

“It is up to the Assam Rifles and the Army to confirm whether the weapon was official and was legally provided to the Colonel and whether he was authorised to carry it on transfer, particularly in a truck in which he was personally not travelling,” said Gogoi.

He added that the Assam Rifles had promptly taken up the matter and sought more details from the police. “The AR headquarter in Shillong is in touch with us and we sent them a detailed report yesterday,” Gogoi said.

While the inquiry is still on to ascertain whether the recovered weapon was in legal possession of the officer, investigators are looking at all possibilities as there were no supporting documents to prove that the pistol was licensed to the officer. An official familiar with the case in New Delhi said the formal inquiry would establish both the source of the money and the firearm.

Sources in Delhi said an inquiry was immediately started after the recovery of the items. Indicating the seriousness of the incident, sources said a counter-intelligence inquiry has been initiated by the Army to get a clearer view of the matter.

The Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in the country, is under the Home Ministry. But, while it has its own jawans and junior officers, the senior officers are sent on deputation from the Army.

The Colonel, sources said, belongs to the Sikh Light regiment. “We are conducting our own inquiry separate from the probe that the Home Ministry has instituted,” a South Block official confirmed.

The head of the Assam Rifles — a serving Lt Gen of the Army — also came under the scanner recently after the Army moved to recall him to face a probe for financial irregularities. The officer was accused of misusing regimental funds to pay for the expenses for his spouse, and the Army had asked the Home Ministry to repatriate him to face the charges.

Assam govt sends officer to troubled Nagaland border

2011-10-08T21:09:00.001-07:00

As tension along the Assam-Nagaland border continue to mount, the Assam government today ordered the state Home Commissioner to visit the troubled Merapani area in Golaghat district. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has asked Home Commissioner Jishnu Barua to visit the Merapani area immediately and report back to him. The state government will initiate its action based on the report. Tension has been mounting in Merapani area following reports of alleged encroachment by Nagaland. Reports had claimed that Naga people were setting up houses in the area, with the tacit support of their government. The Nagaland government was also accused of setting up offices inside Assam territory. The two states have border disputes at several places and skirmishes are often reported from such areas.

Cachar plans big on prawn farming

2011-10-08T00:40:00.003-07:00

Silchar, Oct. 8 : After the success of freshwater prawn farming in Guwahati, the state fishery department has decided to develop the same in Cachar district.

Though the district with 3,869 square km area is criss-crossed by a large number of waterbodies, the fish output has remained stagnant as the 1.5 lakh fishermen in the district produce only 20,000 metric tonnes of fish, mainly carp, in a year.

However, the district fishery development officer, Gopal Chandra Bhowmick, said the demand for fish in the district is now pegged at 35,000 metric tonnes, with the gap being filled by import from Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Bhowmick said the farming of prawns would open a new avenue for augmenting fish production through a systematic and scientific culture.

The state government, which has also started the same project in Dhubri, has granted Rs 15 lakh for the scheme in Cachar.

He said a hatchery for growing as well as rearing prawn seedlings is under construction at Bhaga village on the Assam-Mizoram border in Cachar district.

Prawn culture specialist A.K. Reddy from Hyderabad-based Central Institute of the Fisheries Education recently visited the hatchery in Bhaga and interacted with farmers.

The project is expected to produce 30 lakh prawn seedlings.

The fishery development office is also collaborating with Assam University to develop ornamental fish in a fish rearing facility on the university campus in Dargakona.

ABSU supports state demand

2011-10-08T00:40:00.001-07:00

Kokrajhar, Oct. 8 : The All Bodo Students’ Union (Absu) has demanded institution of a state reorganisation commission while extending support for creation of the state of Telangana.

In a statement, the influential students’ union voiced support for creation of smaller states “to ensure better administrative convenience and avoid political discrimination”.

Absu president Promod Boro said creation of smaller states was nothing new in India, as many states had been created since Independence to meet the aspirations of the people. “But in case of Telangana, Bodoland and other separate state demands, the Centre has been playing step-motherly and irresponsible politics,” he said, adding that if some communities had the right to enjoy states of their own, why couldn’t other communities enjoy the same? Was the Constitution not equal for all?

Extending support to the people of Telangana, Boro said though it had been more than three weeks since they started their peaceful strike, the UPA government had been highly indecisive, despite support for the cause from Opposition parties.

He said the government was not playing a proactive role despite the fact that the general strike had hit lives of millions of people in Telangana and elsewhere.

“We earnestly request the government of India to immediately institute a state reorganisation commission and look into all separate state demands, with high priority on the demands for Bodoland and Telangana, so that amicable solutions can be found to resolve all legitimate demands for separate states once and for all,” Boro said, adding that the commission should be headed by an independent person, with members from all separate state demanding regions and organisations, so that just and fair decisions could be arrived at in creating new states within the Union of India.

Justifying their demand, the Absu president said they had observed that new states carved out of bigger ones had been performing well in all spheres and had been able to do justice to all sections of society on the political, social, economic, as well as cultural fronts.

He said the administration of smaller states were also far better than that of the bigger states and added that the Centre should immediately arrive at decision regarding the issue to ensure amicable settlement of the Bodoland, Telangana and other similar demands.

Partial shutdown of industries as Assam reels under power shortage

2011-10-07T02:55:00.000-07:00

Guwahati, Oct 7 : Tasked with tackling a power crisis in the state, the Assam government has ordered all big and medium industries to stop production during peak evening hours, which could ensure availability of up to 200 MW for general consumption.

Addressing a press conference here today, Power and Industries Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said, ''We have asked all big and medium industries, which require massive power supply, to stop production between 1700 hrs to 2300 hrs from October 10.'' He added that it was only a temporary measure to tide over the present power scarcity the state was facing.

''Of course, they can carry on production by using generators during the peak hours,'' he added.

The minister said this measure could save up to 200 MW during the evening hours, when demand for power is the highest.

The state has been buying additional power from the national grid at market prices since this month.

Putting thrust on increasing power generation capacity, Mr Bordoloi said two new hydel power projects will soon come up in the state.

The 150 MW Lower Kapili project and another 250 MW Kiling project will soon be set up, he added.

The Minister stressed on the need to utilise hydel power projects for generation, pointing that supply of coal and natural gases for power projects based on these was not dependable and adequate.

'Jealous' Indian husband accused of decapitating wife, parading head in street

2011-10-06T20:47:00.001-07:00

AN Indian man was arrested today when police spotted him walking the streets clutching his wife's severed head.
The suspect, Ranjit Das, is accused of beheading Amiya Daimary Das because he suspected she was having an affair, The Times of India reported.
Cops say he used the machete to decapitate his wife of 10 years inside their marital home before picking up her bloodied head and walking through the streets with it.
The newspaper said Das was spotted by a group of policemen on patrol in Dispur, a city in Assam, north-east India, and immediately arrested.
Das remained in custody today. He is said to have carried out the gruesome killing in front of one of their two young children, The Times reported.
Read more at The Times of India.

Festive season: Animal sacrifice on rise in Assam

2011-10-05T22:45:00.001-07:00

Samudra Gupta Kashyap

Even as animal rights groups continued their campaign against animal sacrifice, the number of animals, including buffaloes and goats, being sacrificed has significantly shot up across Assam except in Kamakhya temple, said to be the original home of Goddess Durga.

In the 600-year-old Bilveswar Temple in Nalbari district, for instance, the number of buffaloes offered for sacrifice on Mahanavami on Wednesday was 34, which was 13 more than last year. While 32 buffaloes were sacrificed and their severed heads placed at the altar of the goddess of shakti, two animals were let off after the ceremonial puja.

"There has been a significant increase in the number of people offering sacrifice of animals and birds, and one reason is the rampant corruption in society," said Sangita Goswami, who heads the Assam chapter of People For Animals (PFA) leading the campaign to put an end to animal sacrifice in the name of religion, especially during Durga Puja.

"The cost of a young buffalo is anywhere between Rs 30,000 and Rs 35,000. Can any person who has not indulged in corruption go for such an offering?" she asked.

Goswami, who also wrote President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to initiate action, said it was the state government that should be held responsible for failing to arrest the "barbaric and medieval" act.

However, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday said "I personally do not support animal sacrifice". "But if individuals do so in the name of tradition and religious rites, we cannot do anything much," he added.

Death toll rises to eight in Assam accident

2011-10-03T03:55:00.001-07:00

Rangiya (Assam), Oct 3 (PTI) Five persons today succumbed to their injuries taking the death toll in the car accident in lower Assam''s Kamrup (Rural) district to eight, officials said.

Three persons were killed on the spot and eight others seriously injured in the car accident at Boko on NH-37 yesterday when their vehicle rammed into a truck coming from the opposite direction.

Five injured persons today succumbed to their injuries at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital where three other seriously injured are battling for life, they said.

Eleven persons were travelling in the car from Guwahati to Goalpara district when a front wheel of the vehicle burst and it hit against the truck.

'Lack of govt support causing shortage of power'

2011-10-02T07:13:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: The Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) once again admitted that lack of government coordination in generating power supply is leading to shortage of power in the state. Though the ASEB had promised it would ensure supply of sufficient electricity during Durga Puja, the board would have to bear a burden of at least Rs 50 lakh a day in order to live up to its word.

At present, the state needs around 1,100 MW of power during the peak load hours and is generating only 839 MW from its various power plants. Reeling under severe power shortage, the ASEB, which was falling short of almost 300 MW of energy on a daily basis, has planned to acquire an additional 150 MW of power so that people do not have to be spend Durga Puja in darkness. tnn

"We have to buy the extra 150 MW everyday from the spot market to meet the demands. Due to the negligence of state government, the power generation of the state is very low and it leads to public anger and the loss to ASEB," said Debopriyo Das, director technical (ASEB), during a press conference.

ASEB also cried over the abnormal hike of power in open market and would be buying the additional power at Rs 12 per unit.

"The rates of every unit went high off late, due to the overall shortage at the national grid, because of the ongoing strike in some coal mines and devastating earthquake in Sikkim. Last week, the rates were only Rs 6 per unit," said Champak Baruah, chief general manager, ASEB (upper Assam).

An ASEB official said the state would suffer more if the government doesn't pay serious attention to the problem now.

"We are facing a loss of around Rs 30 crore a month. While we spend some Rs 200 crore to distribute power in the state, our revenue is only Rs 170 crore a month. It can't continue for long. The government needs to pay serious attention to it," said Debopriyo Das.

Presently, there are eight power stations working in Assam and producing half of what is required.

AGP protest against land swap pact, giant dams

2011-09-30T22:29:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: About 3,000 AGP protesters, led by party president Chandra Mohan Patowary and former chief minister Prafulla Mahanta, on Friday marched to Dispur to protest against the recent Indo-Bangla land deal and the ongoing construction of the Lower Subansiri dam.

Though there was a tussle between the agitators and city police when the cops tried to stop them, there were no reports of any violence as the situation was immediately brought under control. Police said AGP has not taken permission for a procession. "The district administration has only permitted AGP to organize a pubic rally and not a procession," said a top police officer.

During the "Dispur Chalo" march, Patowary challenged chief minister Tarun Gogoi to prove his allegation that the AGP had given away state's land to Bangladesh during its tenure. "If Gogoi can prove the allegation, I will quit politics," said Patowary.

Earlier at a press conference, Gogoi accused AGP of fencing the Assam-Bangladesh border faultily and giving away state's land to Bangladesh. Patowary stressed that the regional party had never taken any decision against the interests of people of Assam and it would not let any other government to do so.

"A fence can never be an international border. Our fencing was only to check illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. Tarun Gogoi is trying to mislead the public with his tricky words and trying to wash his hands off by blaming AGP. But he can never do so as the people know the truth. AGP will do its best to stop implementation of the land pact," added Patowary.

Echoing Patowary, former chief minister Prafulla termed Gogoi as a "weak" minister. "It's only because of Gogoi's weak stand that the state is going to lose its own land. After the chief minister signed the land swap deal with Bangladesh, Nagaland has started claiming Assam's Merapani area. Gogoi has never thought about the state's benefit. Rather, he is busy satisfying Delhi at any cost for his personal mileage," said Mahanta. The AGP leader accused the UPA government of maintaining double standards in dealing with the mega dam controversy.

"The Centre has taken immediate action on the Tipaimukh dam after the Bangladesh government complained of its possible downstream effect. However, for Assam, the government has not done anything to stop or to listen to the expert committee on the Lower Subansiri dam. This is what we call maintaining double standards and we condemn it," added Mahanta. AGP MP Biren Baishya said, "Discussions with other opposition parties is on and we are seeking support from every party not to ratify the land pact in Parliament." AGP announced to launch an array of protests against the land pact soon after Durga Puja.

Electronic media forum condemns attack on journos in Assam hospital

2011-09-30T00:36:00.001-07:00

Guwahati, Sep 30 : The Electronic Media Forum Assam today condemned the alleged attack on journalists by a section of junior doctors of the Assam Medical Collage Hospital, Dibrugarh, last night.

The forum appealed to the authority to take stern actions against those guilty as the journalists and camerapersons representing various television channels were on duty, and urged the government for adequate compensation to those injured media persons at the earliest.

Several media personnel and policemen were injured yesterday at AMCH when a section of junior doctors assaulted them when the former had reached the hospital after a feud had erupted between some doctors and kin of a youth, who succumbed at the AMCH.

Gorkha students' body protest 'D voter' tag

2011-09-30T00:35:00.001-07:00

Guwahati, Sep 30 : A protest rally was today organised at Lakhimpur town of northern Assam by All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) against alleged harassment of genuine Gorkha citizens in the name of identification of Doubtful (D) voters.

Hundreds of AAGSU members, led by Lakhimpur AAGSU president Pawan Bhardwaj and general secretary Bharat Chetry, rallied across Lakhimpur town.

A memorandum was submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh through the Deputy Commissioner, North Lakhimpur, to address the issue raised by the group.

Copies of the memorandum were also sent to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, the Chief Election Commissioner, Assam Accord Implementation Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and all DCs of the state.

The protest rally was organised to register strong protest against alleged branding of Gorkhas as illegal settlers in Assam, mega dam construction in Assam, Indo-Bangla land swap treaty, intrastate border dispute that had caused disharmony with the neighbouring states, flood and erosion problems and property and price rise.

Appeal to Gogoi for procuring paddy under decentralized system

2011-09-30T00:03:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: Union ministry for consumer affairs, food and public distribution has asked the Assam government to start procuring paddy from farmers under decentralized procurement system ( DPS) for higher paddy production in the state.

The union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution K V Thomas who had a review meeting with the northeast civil supply ministers and officials here on Thursday, said higher paddy production would also ensure minimum support price for farmers in the state.

The Union minister has also asked the state government to sort out land issues soon for, setting up new food storage facility at Changsari here.

The review meeting was attended by Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Assam food and civil supplies minister Nazrul Islam, Assam agriculture minister Nilamoni Sen Deka, Mizoram food and civil supplies minister H Rolhuna along with senior officials from the other northeastern states.

Thomas said the review meeting was part of the ministry's ongoing interaction with the states. Four regional meetings were convened in February this year and the subsequent meetings were held with the food ministers and food secretaries of producing and consuming states held on July this year.

"Since the problems faced by the North Eastern States are somewhat different from other states, I thought to have a separate meeting for NE States, as this region is the corner-stone of Centr's Look East Policy" Thomas said.

The Union minister also pointed out that Centre has made substantial allocation of food grains during last year and in the current year for distribution to targeted public distribution system (TPDS) beneficiaries in the northeast.

While allocation of foodgrains for BPL families are made at 35kg per family a month, and for APL families the allocations differ from 15kg to 35kg in various states, he added that for all the northeastern states the monthly APL allocation has been fixed at 35kg per family as a special case.

Assam: Scribes, Policemen Assaulted by Junior Doctors

2011-09-30T00:02:00.001-07:00

At least 11 people, including media personnel and policemen, were injured, some of them seriously, when they were assaulted by junior doctors inside Assam Medical College Hospital (AMCH) here today.

Trouble started when photojournalists reached AMCH campus after some locals protested the death of a boy who was brought in an injured condition to the hospital last night, Dibrugarh superintendent of police Arabinda Kalita said.

The local people tried to heckle the doctors on duty alleging that the boy died to their negligence and wrong treatment.

As the photojournalists tried to cover the incident, a group of junior doctors manhandled them and the police personnel who reached the spot.

In the assault seven media personnel and four policemen were injured and admitted to private hospitals.

Dinesh Das of a popular local TV channel "Newslive" was seriously injured and admitted to the ICU. Officer-in-charge of Dibrugarh Sadar police station Hironya Bora was among those injured.

Greater Dibrugarh Press Club (GDPC) has lodged an FIR and announced boycott of AMCH untill the guilty were punished.

Assam University students go on strike

2011-09-29T01:24:00.001-07:00

Silchar: The day's regular functioning in Assam University (AU), Silchar, came to a standstill when students went on a strike on Wednesday protesting against punishment awarded to six students of various departments by varsity authorities.

The AU authorities on Tuesday, in an order, terminated six students - two belonging to computer science, two from information technology and two more from the department of law. According to the authorities, the students in question were involved in the "riot-like situation" in Assam University on August 17 and 18 that lead to the death of a student.

However, according to the agitating students, the pupils who were punished were not involved in the incidents. On Wednesday, they observed the strike seeking withdrawal of the order of punishment against the students concerned.

As part of the agitation, the students on Wednesday didn't allow the authorities to open the main gate of the central varsity. They prevented students, teachers and officials to enter the varsity campus during the day. There was no work in the institution, the sources said.

Authorities, however, deployed police and security forces in and around the campus fearing untoward incidents. However, the agitation passed off peacefully, sources added.

On August 18, for the second day, two groups of students of Assam University engaged in fierce clashes. At least 27 students, including Ratnadeep were left injured, some of them seriously, when hundreds of students of the departments of social work, law and computer science and information technology engaged in clashes on the varsity campus.

On September 16, Ratnadeep Malakar alias Kunal (23), a student of the department of social work succumbed to his injuries at his Fakirabazar home in Karimganj district after remaining bed-ridden for 28 days.

Kingpin of sex racket arrested in Assam's Kamrup district

2011-09-29T01:23:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: CID sleuths have arrested the kingpin of a flesh trade racket at Dokusi village in the Nagarbera area of Kamrup (rural) district. Police were looking for Utpal Das (40) since May this year after nabbing Rupa Begum, Das's partner, from the city's Anil Nagar area.

According to CID, the duo rented a room on Rajgarh Link Road early this year and has been been running a sex racket since then.

"We succeeded in arresting Rupa Begum from the house, along with two other girls and three men, on May 13 this year. After interrogating Rupa, we got information about Utpal's involvement in the racket. But we couldn't catch him as we had no clue about his whereabouts," said a CID official.

The CID came to know about Utpal's address after the latter moved a bail petition in high court. "He was scared of the arrest warrant and filed an anticipatory bail petition in court. It's only then we started looking for him. Finally, our team succeeded in arresting him last night," added the official.

Asked about the flesh trade rackets flourishing in the city during the festive season, the CID admitted that the arrival of sex workers has gone up.

"We have sought the support of NGOs and civil society groups during the festive season as the import of sex workers has gone up of late. The racketeers are using smart ways to bring sex workers from outside the city," said the official.

The CID has registered a case against Utpal Das and charged him with section 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act and taken him on three-day remand.

Hunger strike by AASU against Indo-Bangla land swap deal

2011-09-28T23:20:00.001-07:00

Guwahati, Sep 29 : Continuing its protests over the recent land swap deal between India and Bangladesh, the All Assam Students Union (AASU) today sat on an 11-hour fast demanding that Assam’s land should not be handed over to the neighbouring nation.

AASU activities sat on the fast that began at 0600 hours this morning at all district headquarters and sub-divisions.

The central leadership of the group participated in the fast at Guwahati.

AASU president Shankar Prasad Rai said, ''We will continue with our protests till the deal is scrapped and the Centre announces that Assam’s land will not be given away.'' He said more agitations would be taken up during the coming days.

The AASU had taken out protest rallies immediately after the land swap deal was signed in Dhaka earlier this month.

Though the state government claimed that not an inch of Assam’s land had been given, other political parties as well as apolitical outfits like the AASU maintained that the land Bangladesh got in the deal actually belonged to the state.

Scanner on army act after ‘SSB’ gangrape

2011-09-28T23:04:00.001-07:00

New Delhi, Sept 29 : The gangrape of a deaf and mute woman on September 10 allegedly by some Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel in Assam has again raised the urgency of repealing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

This week human rights activists asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Assam, to ensure the immediate arrest of the SSB personnel.

However, even two weeks after the crime, Assam police have not been able to identify the personnel responsible for the crime. They were allegedly posted at the Naharani and Saralpara outposts on the India-Bhutan border in Kokrajhar district, SSB sources said.

Assam additional director-general of police Khagen Sarma said no arrests had been made yet.

In a memorandum to the Prime Minister, the president of Bodo Women’s Justice Forum, Assam, Anjali Daimari, and several others said the incident reminded one of medieval barbarism. The victim was raped in front of her husband. “All this happens though India is the world’s largest democracy and an emerging economic power. This incident exposes the criminality and insensitivity of the armed forces, the political executive and the degeneration of India’s state apparatus,” the memorandum stated.

The incident also brings back black memories of the rape and murder of Th. Manorama Devi by Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur and the subsequent review of the army act. The Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee has submitted its report and the Prime Minister himself has said that “a more humane act” should replace the existing legislation. Union home minister P. Chidambaram recently said the law would be “revisited”.

In Manipur, Irom Chanu Sharmila has been on a hunger strike against the law for the past 11 years.

However, the government has been unusually tepid, being under pressure from the armed forces, especially the army. While the law has been in place and the armed forces continue to be deployed in Manipur, there are more than 50 insurgent groups in the state.

Daimari said such shameful incidents were repeated at regular intervals in Assam and other northeastern states. She said the outcry after women paraded naked in front of the army headquarters at Kangla Fort in Imphal after the Manorama incident shook the conscience of the nation. However, “the killing machines of the armed forces in the Northeast were neither ashamed nor shocked.”

SSB officials said the commander of the company on duty near Sonapur had been transferred. “The Assam police have not been able to identify the accused. We are for the dismissal of such personnel so that justice is done,” an official said.

Guards leave Assam parks

2011-09-28T22:39:00.001-07:00

Homeguards, casual workers quit because of non-payment of 7 months’ salary
PULLOCK DUTTA

Jorhat, Sep 29 : Security at the national parks in Assam has come under threat with a large number of homeguards and casual workers engaged there leaving their jobs because of non-payment of salary for the past seven months.
The forest department could not give the actual figure of how many homeguards and casual workers had left Kaziranga and other national parks in the last few days. Park authorities claimed that the personnel were leaving every day, many of them without informing them.
“Till a few days back, 30 had left and more are set to leave,” a Kaziranga official told The Telegraph today. Altogether 175 homeguards and 100 casual workers are engaged at the park and security at the home of the one-horned rhino is heavily dependent on them. Kaziranga has 525 permanent workers.
Kaziranga director Surajeet Dutta said homeguards and casual workers were regularly protesting and threatening to leave if their salary was not paid.. “I have taken up the matter several times with the headquarters but nothing has happened so far,” he said.
At Orang National Park, considered to be a miniature Kaziranga, the situation is worse with 25 of its 68 homeguards and 45 casual workers leaving in the last couple of days. The park employs 80 permanent workers.
The situation is not different at Dibru Saikhowa and Nameri national parks and Pobitora wildlife sanctuary.
The development comes at a time when the national parks are under tremendous pressure from poachers, who are making frequent attempts to kill rhinos to make easy money just before Durga Puja.
Rhino poaching increases just before the festive season. Only a few days back, forest guards were engaged in gunbattles with poachers at Kaziranga and Orang. Four poachers were killed and arms and ammunition recovered during these gunfights. At least six poachers have also been apprehended from Kaziranga in the last few days.
A forest official at Orang National Park said it is a crisis situation, which might have serious implications. “Shortage of manpower will expose the animals of the national park to poachers. It would be very difficult to protect the animals, especially rhinos, with less manpower,” he said.
A homeguard at Kaziranga said they were totally demoralised and unwilling to work any more. “We received our last pay in April. How can our families survive like this? First they promised to pay us in August, then before Id and now before Durga Puja. However, only three days are left for the Pujas and we were told that funds have not come till now. How can they expect us to perform our duties that too deep inside the jungles when our families are starving?” he asked. A homeguard gets a monthly salary of Rs 4,500 while a casual worker get Rs 114 per day.
Forest minister Rockybul Hussain, when contacted, said the delay in release of funds for the salaries of homeguards and casual workers was nothing new and had happened earlier. “The funds are awaiting clearance from the finance department,” he said.
On homeguards and casual workers leaving the national parks, Hussain said he was not aware of the development. “There is nothing to worry about since there are permanent workers to guard the national parks,” he said.

Gogoi for sustainable green economic development for assam

2011-09-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has advocated for a ‘sustainable green economic development’ model of growth in order to “mitigate the hardships caused by natural disasters and foster harmony and co-existence between mankind and nature.”

“To bring about sustainable economic development and inclusive growth, we must conserve our nature. We should harness nature in order to bring sustainable green economic development and inclusive growth,” a press statement issued by his office quoted him as saying at the 5th International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), at Incheon in Republic of Korea.

Gogoi said “emphasis need to be laid” upon rubber plantation, bamboo and cane industry, herbal medicine and aromatic plantation, floriculture and horticulture. “All this will undoubtedly enable us to improve our economic condition to enhance our GDP growth rate which will lead to happiness,” he said.

“We need to protect and promote our biodiversity, our nature to eradicate poverty, solve unemployment problem, to usher in green economic development which can foster harmony and co-existence between mankind and nature,” he added.

Referring to Assam, Gogoi said that the topography of the state changed after 1950 earthquake, leading to recurring floods and erosion caused by the mighty Brahmaputra, thus causing great hardships to the people of the state. According to him, that also resulted in gradual economic decline of Assam since then.

Gogoi cited the example of Bhutan to drive home the point that economic prosperity should come along with national happiness.

Assam to host tourism meet in 2012

2011-09-27T22:33:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: Assam would host the first Assam International Tourism Carnival from April 8 to 10 next year with a view of promoting tourist destinations of the state across the globe, said state tourism minister Chandan Brahma on Tuesday. Speaking at the 'Assam Tourism Brand Summit' on the occasion of World Tourism Day here Brahma said that delegates from the neighbouring countries, high commissions in the country and diplomats from 129 embassies would be invited to the carnival.

Brahma said exploitation of the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage can help Assam to have its name among the most prominent tourist destinations of the world. The tourism minister noted that promotion of tourism is needed not only for generating more employment, but also to bring about peace in the region. It is also a vital source of foreign currency. "Development in the tourism scenario would play a big role in ushering in peace and prosperity to Assam", Brahma said.

The tourism minister was hopeful that by showcasing the rich cultural and historical heritage of the state, tourism could become a sustainable industry. Brahma pointed out that the biodiversity for eco-tourism in Assam includes two world heritage sites - Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park - which are great assets for the state. "By exploring its natural resources, the state can benefit a lot", he added.

Private university launched

2011-09-27T22:27:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI, Sept 28 – Putting emphasis on introducing employment-oriented courses in the region, the Education, Research and Development Foundation, Guwahati on Sunday announced the launch of the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya (USTM).

The university at Ninth Mile in the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya and is 6 kilometres from Dispur.

Mahbubul Hoque, chairman of ERD Foundation, was appointed Chancellor of the University.

“With almost two years of focused study on the educational needs of the region by expert academicians, scientists and a group of former Vice Chancellors of the region, the roadmap, mission and vision documents of the new university has been prepared,” he said.

USTM now is on the verge of commencing its academic process with the initiation of five schools in the fields of Biological Science, Physical Science, Computational Science, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Business Studies.

Dr Satyendra Kr Choudhury, until recently the Director of Assam Science Technology & Environment Council has taken over charge of the Vice Chancellor of the new university.

Kishori Mohan Pathak, ex-Vice Chancellor of the Tezpur University also lauded the efforts of the ERDF in promoting higher education in the region.

Dr Kulendu Pathak, former Vice Chancellor, Dibrugarh University, Professor GD Sharma, Pro Vice Chancellor, Assam University, Silchar, and HN Das, former Chief Secretary, Assam, who were associated with the new university right from its nascent stage, spoke of their experiences with the project and expressed full confidence that USTM will be a torch-bearer in the field of technical education in entire South East Asia.

AASU protests bartering Assam''s land with B'desh

2011-09-26T07:25:00.001-07:00

Guwahati, Sept 27 (PTI) The All Assam Students Union(AASU) today further criticised the recent land agreement withBangladesh and said it was improper to give Assam''s land tothe neighbouring country. "It is immaterial that Assam has got more land fromBangladesh under the agreement. What matters is that Assam''sland has been given away,"AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyatold reporters here. AASU President Shanker Prasad Rai said the land did notbelong to the government but to the citizens of India. The prime minister and the state chief minister shouldhave discussed the matter with the people, political parties,different groups, in assembly and Parliament before signingthe deal, he said. AASU General Secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi said "beforethe prime minister''s trip to Bangladesh we had sent amemorandum to him to ensure that no land of the state wasgiven away and the issue of deportation of illegal Bangladeshimigrants be taken up." To protest against the land deal and big dam projectsin the state, AASU activists will sit for an 11-hour fast onWednesday across the state.

Assam court finds MBBS admission criterion irrational

2011-09-25T22:05:00.001-07:00

AGARTALA: The Gauhati High Court has found the Medical Council of India (MCI) eligibility criterion for MBBS aspirants from the scheduled castes and tribes "irrational and in violation of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution", officials said Sunday.

According to MCI regulations, MBBS aspirants from these categories must secure at least 40 percent marks in the combined competitive examinations or joint entrance examinations (JEE). The union health ministry and the MCI had earlier refused to further relax the criterion for northeastern tribes and scheduled caste students.

A senior Tripura health department official said around 31 MBBS seats were lying vacant in the government-run medical college in Agartala and in the Tripura quota in other states because no student secured the minimum in the JEE this year in the state.

Some students and guardians have filed a writ petition in the Gauhati High Court against the MCI regulations.

"The High Court has asked the authorities to admit those students in the MBBS courses within a week against their respective quota of seats," the official said, quoting the court order passed Friday in Guwahati.

"The division bench of the court, comprising I.A. Ansari and C.R. Sarma, said in their ruling that state secondary board examination results were sufficient," the official said.

"Though the MCI regulations had been upheld by the Supreme Court in its various verdicts, the fact of the matter remains that in the decisions, cited and relied upon, the constitutionality of the regulation have been put to challenge," the court is reported as saying.

"When the issue has not specifically been raised and has not been decided, the constitutionality of the MCI's regulation remains open for challenge on the ground of its irrationality," the high court said.

Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, responding to a letter of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, has communicated the centre's decision to follow the MCI guidelines.

Azad had said: "Though the health ministry agrees in principle that there is need to make enabling conditions to encourage the underprivileged sections of the society, so far as medical education is concerned, it is felt that diluting the qualifying criteria would neither be feasible not desirable."

AGP Demands Assam CM's Resignation

2011-09-25T22:04:00.001-07:00

Guwahati, Sep 26 : Opposition Asom Gana Parishad today demanded resignation of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for making frequent foreign tours costing the state exchequer.

"The chief minsiter may justify saying that he visited the nations to get a first hand information about the latest technology but he has wasted public money" AGP President Chandra Mohan Patowary told a press conference here.

"The chief minister has become an autocrat in his third term of office and thus we demand his resignation and a special session of the assembly", he said.

Even the land deal with Bangladesh was a failure and the deal with the ULFA leaders had not been successful.

The AGP has chalked up a programme to protest against the swap land deal with Banglasdesh in every district headquarters.

Litterateur Indira Goswami's condition critical

2011-09-24T22:40:00.001-07:00

Guwahati: Jnanpith award winning Assamese litterateur Indira (Mamoni) Raisom Goswami's condition on Saturday turned 'very critical' and was put on ventilator support.

"Goswami's condition has been very critical and she was put on 80 per cent ventilator support since this evening," Assam Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarmah told reporters after visiting her at the hospital.

Goswami, who has been undergoing treatment at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, was shifted to Intensive Care Unit on Wednesday and her condition worsened further after she suffered a brain haemorrage today, doctors said.

Her blood pressure has also fallen considerably, sources said.

Goswami was admitted to GMCH on February 12 after she went into coma following severe lung infection caused by multi-lateral pnuemonia and was later shifted to a super speciality hospital in Gurgaon.

She was shifted back to GMCH in July after her condition improved marginally though she continued to be in a state of unconsciousness.

Can possession alone be the law?

2011-09-24T21:55:00.001-07:00

India's move to ‘rationalise' the eastern border, giving away some land to Bangladesh, has angered Assam which is already reeling under illegal immigration
My travels over the last 10 days were an incredible study in contrasts. Between September 13 and 17, I was in Singapore as a member of a delegation of BJP MPs led by Ms Sushma Swaraj, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha. Within three days of my return, I flew to Silchar in Assam to study on the spot the situation arising out of the latest India-Bangladesh agreement for exchanging some territory that is in ‘adverse possession’ of each other so as to straighten out the complex legacy of the partition of Bengal in 1947. I will write on another occasion about our successful visit abroad, where Ms Swaraj delivered a public lecture at the National University of Singapore at the invitation of a think-tank, Institute of South Asian Studies, and we also participated in a round table meeting besides several high level discussions, including one with the Prime Minister. But closer home, the situation on the Assam-Bangladesh border has recently become rather complex although not adequately reported in Delhi’s mainstream media.
Responding to persistent demands from nationalist groups in Assam, BJP president Nitin Gadkari set up a committee to study the ground situation and submit a report. Accordingly, I led a group to Karimganj district in the Barak Valley, Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy took a delegation to Dhubri in Upper Assam and Mr SS Ahluwalia, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, visited the Tin Bigha area of West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district. Widespread confusion prevails in Assam over the proposed ‘rationalisation’ of the international boundary. Feelings are running high throughout the State and the local media has focussed on the issue consistently before and after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Dhaka on September 5-6.
The somewhat conflicting statements of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and the contrast between his conciliatory position and the hardline stance of Ms Mamata Banerjee on Teesta waters has also come in for much debate. That Mr Gogoi accompanied Mr Singh and thus became party to the agreement is being widely criticised by Assamese nationalists. This recently forced the embattled Chief Minister to declare that “no Indian territory” has been surrendered. He also rhetorically accused Opposition AGP and BJP of secretly sympathising with Ms Khaleda Zia’s BNP against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, generally regarded as a friend of India unlike the BNP supremo.
I visited two of the most disputed points on the border between Assam’s Karimganj district and Bangladesh, first at Lathitila-Dumabari and then Madanpur, where a tea estate straddles the international boundary. Both are the result of the hurried pencilling by British civil servant Sir Cyril Radcliffe, entrusted to demarcate the cartographical boundary on the eve of Partition and Independence. Unlike India’s western border, the densely populated and cultivated regions in the East posed insurmountable problems because custom and tradition militated against any surgical separation. The region’s population too was not sharply delineated along religious lines for as many Hindus lived in districts transferred to East Pakistan as there were Muslims in areas that stayed in India.
At the time of Partition, Muslims constituted no more than 58 per cent of East Pakistan’s population, while Hindus numbered 38 per cent although their strength has now plummeted to barely 10 per cent. Two districts were transferred to East Pakistan only after a referendum was held, one of them being Sylhet (or Srihatta) which showed a very narrow preference for Pakistan that too because all, preponderantly Hindu, migrants working for decades in its tea gardens were disfranchised. No wonder the two disputed points I visited bordered erstwhile Sylhet, although a new district called Moulvi Bazar has since been carved out of it.
The problem of demarcating the border with any finality arises from imperfect revenue records and disputed cartographical evidence. In Lathitila, for example, locals claim their elders were evicted from possession of some 300 acres of fertile, cultivated land during the 1965 war between India and Pakistan. Taking advantage of the security forces’ preoccupation, Muslim farmers supported by East Pakistan Rifles grabbed the land, forcing them to flee to safety. At present a small portion of land continues to be tilled by Indian farmers, mostly Bihari migrants, while the bulk of the disputed area is in Bangladesh’s possession.
But this sector is not recorded as one in ‘adverse possession’ of either country. A 2.87 km stretch in Lathitila has defied mapping and hence the boundary is undemarcated. The BSF Commandant at the Border Outpost showed us temporary pillars atop which Indian flags have been posted to create what he called a “working border”. But in the absence of demarcation, it is impossible to determine which paddy field lies in Bangladesh and which in India.
We returned to base at village Kupital where the evicted Indian families are now settled. They showed us copies of revenue receipts saying many of them have been paying land revenue to the Assam Government although their lands are in possession of Bangladesh. Asked why they have continued to do so, they claimed this was based on hope that either they will get the fields back, or be given alternative land, or if neither works, at least get compensation. At a gathering in a thatched hall of a school, local people agitatedly pointed out that their opinion had never been solicited on the issue. “How can our lands be formally given away by the Government? The illegal occupiers are being rewarded while Indian people are denied their rights,” they argued amid voluble local support.
Reaching Lathitila was difficult enough but getting to Madanpur near Neelam Bazar (off the Karimganj-Agartala road) was nightmarish, with impassable roads covered in tons of slush. Here it appears that the construction of the forbidding barbed wire fence has complicated matters instead of resolving them. The international border follows the standard ridge principle and pillars are placed atop the hillside. Under international convention permanent structures cannot be built within 150 metres of the IB. By building the fence at the foot of the hill, easily 500 metres below the watershed line, India has in effect conceded the hillside to Bangladesh. Predictably, the Pallatal Tea Estate in Bangladesh as well as other farmers have simply encroached the hillside left unguarded by India. Although the encroachment here and in various other places along the Assam-Bangladesh border took place over two decades, the Government did nothing about it and is now in a mood to legitimise the fait accompli.
The larger issue arises precisely from this. Powerless to prevent the demographic invasion of Assam, the massive spurt in the State’s Bangladeshi Muslim population and consequent fears that Assam’s traditional social and cultural fabric will be subsumed under Bangladeshi Muslim onslaught, native Assamese and Bengali Hindus are up in arms. “What they have illegally grabbed is bad enough. Now our Government is legitimising their occupation. There is an international Islamic conspiracy to make Assam an extension of Bangladesh. If we don’t resist now, it will be too late 10 years down the line,” commented a senior journalist in Silchar with both logic and passion. He certainly has a point.

India never tried to reclaim Boroibari: Gogoi

2011-09-23T20:45:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: India never made any attempt, diplomatic or otherwise, to reclaim the 193-acre Boroibari area of Assam's Dhubri district which has been under the adverse possession of Bangladesh since the Partition, said chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday. He, however, admitting that he, too, didn't do anything in this regard.

This land has now been ceded to Bangladesh under the deal signed between the two countries in Dhaka on September 6.

"Boroibari has been left out as a fait accompli by everybody. Even I did not do anything to reclaim this area from Bangladesh's possession. This area, though in India's map, has never been under India's possession since Partition."

India also made no attempt to take back Boroibari when the final India-Bangladesh Joint Boundary Working Group met in November last year for preparing the index maps to set the base for the land-swap deal. In 2001, Boroibari was the centre of a border flare-up between the two countries when BSF men posted at Mancachar entered Boroibari and 14 of them were butchered by Bangladeshi locals and army.

At the fourth meeting of the joint group held in New Delhi, Bangladesh admitted to adversely occupying the territory of India at Boroibari, Pallathol and Nayagaon in Karimganj district. It was decided that a joint survey would be carried out in these adversely possessed areas for preparing the index maps. Accordingly, the survey took place but India made no attempt to claim back Boroibari. India, however, successfully put up a strong case in the other two locations

The land deal agreement shows that though Bangladesh has 455 acre of Pallathol area in is adverse possession it got only 74.5 acre as decided by the joint survey. Similarly, Bangladesh had 145 acres of Nayagaon land in its adverse possession since 1965. Under the land deal, Bangladesh ceases to have possession of the entire area.

The Nayagaon area was more difficult for India to have possession back from Bangladesh since the border fence has already been erected leaving this area outside the fence towards Bangladesh. There are 40 Indian families at Nayagaon.

Gogoi said once the agreement is ratified in Parliament, the fence will be relocated to bring Nayagaon and the 40 families inside the fence.

Music and dance festival kicks off in Guwahati

2011-09-23T01:11:00.001-07:00

GUWAHATI: A splendid programme showcasing Sattriya dance, which glorifies Vaishnavite culture, and Nepali folk dance was organized by artistes from Sikkim to mark the beginning of a four-day music and dance festival of the northeast at Shilpagram auditorium in the city on Thursday.

While Sattriya performance by Padmashree Jatin Goswami and troupe provided the audience a glimpse of the rich culture propagated by the satras in Assam, Nepali folk dance performed by Ujjwal Kala Kendra of Sikkim took the dance lovers to an atmosphere miles away from the busy city life.

For the folk culture enthusiasts, settled in the city, it was a delightful experience to see exponents in the field perform before their eyes when very few Sattriya dance programmes are staged in the city.

One of the eight principal classical dance traditions of India, the Sattriya dance, has been a living tradition among the Assamese people that was created by the Assamese Vaishnava saint Srimanta Sankaradev and enjoys great respect among the Assamese populace.

The music and dance festival organized by the The Indian Council for Cultural Relations and North East Zone Cultural Centre in Guwahati will be a new experience for the young generation as cultural troupes from five North eastern States will be presenting traditional dance performances during the fest.

Internationally acclaimed fusion rock band Abiogenesis from Nagaland, which was listed for Grammy awards thrice will be the star attraction on the final day of the festival.

Bihu and some of the traditional folk dance forms of Assam, Ga-Laam Dance of Manipur and Bizu dance from Tripura will give a chance to the people from the region to have a glimpse of the vivid culture of the north east.

Inaugurated by Santanu Thakur, Secretary to the Government of Assam the festival which is a initiative to bring the hearts of the people of the north east closer, is expected to pull dance lovers of the state in the coming days.

Assam: Culling completed to check bird flu

2011-09-22T20:30:00.001-07:00

Guwahati: Assam government has completed the culling of infected birds and mopping operation to control spread of avian influenza which broke out recently in Assam's Dhubri district.

A total of 15,409 birds were culled and 149 eggs were destroyed till September 18 and a compensation of Rs 6,51,923 have been paid to the affected poultry farmers in the district, officials of Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary said here today.

Clearing and disinfection work in 11 villages have also been completed.

In this operation, eighteen Rapid Response Teams (RRT) were deployed. Bird flu broke out in Bhamundanga Pt-I Epicentre in Agomoni block of Dhubri district.

The Bhopal-based Forensic laboratory had confirmed that the samples sent to it for testing was positive for bird flu virus.

The state government had also directed the forest departments to take precautionary measures in areas where there is considerable avian population, sources said.

Assam CM justifies foreign visits

2011-09-22T20:27:00.001-07:00

Guwahati, Sep 23 (PTI) Countering adverse comments about his recent visits to several countries, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today claimed that those visits helped the state acquire new technology to usher in a green revolution.

"I have got a first hand knowledge of the latest technology used by the advanced nations," the chief minister told reporters here rejecting barbs in certain quarters about his recent visit to US, UK, Spain and France.

Asserting that his foreign trips were meant to lure investment to Assam, Gogoi said "I could not provide large acres of land to the foreign companies willing to invest and thereby my objective remained to bring the latest technology for developing the agri-sector and help it implement here".

The chief minister said that the state is richly endowed with natural resources and hence sectors as rubber, coconut, fruit plantation can be developed by adopting the latest methods.

This would galvanise rural economy as a result of which unemployment problem can be solved and insurgency effectively tackled, Gogoi added.

Now, development the watchword in Assam's Kakotiya village

2011-09-20T22:01:00.001-07:00

Sivasagar (Assam), Sep 21 : As militancy declines in the northeast, people living in rural areas have been the biggest beneficiaries of speeded up development in states such as Assam.

An example of this is Kakotiya village in Assam's Sivasagar District. Kakotiya comprised of four small hamlets and has a population of nearly 2500 people. It earlier served as a safe haven for militants. But things have changed now.

Development work has gained momentum that was stalled by militancy and several centrally sponsored programs for creating jobs, building houses, bringing students to school, development of rail and road infrastructure are being implemented in the village. One such scheme is Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna under which new roads are being constructed.

"Now we are constructing this road and it will be of great help to all of us and it will give us access to roads and markets easily. Such initiatives are essential for the development of our village," said Nilaram Gogoi, a villager.

The new road will be 3.75 metre wide and 12-inches thick. It will connect Amguri sub-division and Samuguri in Sivasagar district.

The Government has earmarked Rs 90 lakhs for its construction and work is in full swing. The construction work has created jobs for many unemployed people in the area who are paid Rs 200 per day.

Most of the villagers here are engaged in farming and sell their produce in the nearby market, 11 kms away. The poor condition of the roads earlier, created problems for the people. But as soon as the construction is completed busses will ply on the road.

"If the road is good then any business can flourish here. This will reduce wastage of time and will lead to development of the region," said Deepa Borah, another villager.

"Earlier the road was in bad shape. But now they are constructing it and it is beneficial for all of us. Also, the transportation of goods will take less time and children can go to school without any hassles," Borah added.

Both the state governments and the centre are totally committed to development of infrastructure in the northeastern region. Several schemes and projects are being run that provide monetary and technical assistance to the people in these rural areas so that they can uplift their socio-economic standards.

Assam to get $2.5 mn from UN body for rural hygiene

2011-09-18T22:13:00.001-07:00

NEW DELHI: Assam has been allocated $2.5 million by a UN body to help improve hygiene in rural areas, stressing on the economic gains that would follow "when people spend less money on preventable sanitation-related diseases".

India is among 10 countries - seven African and three Asian - which have been identified for a five-year project. India loses $53.4 billion annually due to poor sanitation and hygiene, according to a recent report by the World Bank's Water and Sanitation Programme.

The Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) under the Geneva-based Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) has launched a special programme towards promoting sustainable sanitation in rural India, with special focus on Jharkhand state as well as Assam, a state with a population of around 31 million.

The target population is 8 to 10 million in select locations - or 1.5 to 1.8 million households - in the two states, David Trouba, WSSCC programme officer for communications, told media in an email from Geneva.

Noting the UN body's mission is to achieve sustainable water supply, sanitation and hygiene for all, he said the programme seeks to respond to the challenges in the Indian rural sanitation scenario.

Initially, eight focus districts have been chosen in Assam for implementing the project-Kamrup, Sonitpur, Hailakandi, Jorhat, Nalbari, Goalpara, Nagaon and Cachar.

A GSF report states that Assam, despite reporting about 75 per cent rural household sanitation coverage, presents significant technological challenges on account of a large flood-prone area, two hill districts with unique socio-cultural and geophysical circumstances and because it is part of the "often neglected" northeast.

Bihar and Orissa remain an option for future consideration for implementing the GSF programme.

Trouba said the development of the GSF programme in India has involved consultations with the government and civil society organisations within the state and would focus on the districts where the sanitation status is poor.

However, the GSF is not a technologically-oriented - or hardware-based - fund, Trouba said.

"It is more focussed on 'software'. It funds programming which uses information, education and communication approaches that create awareness," he said.

Trouba said a "beautiful thing about sanitation" was that, once achieved, it yields many benefits such as improvements in human health, better economic well-being for individuals and for regions, a cleaner environment, and more dignity for people themselves.

"Economic gains come when people spend less money on preventable sanitation-related diseases such as diarrhoea, when girls can go to school because there is a separate toilet for them and thus become more educated and more productive contributors to society when a good sanitation and hygiene market is created, and entrepreneurs find jobs through it. All of these impacts we expect to see in Assam," he said.

Tarun Gogoi shown black flag in Guwahati

2011-09-18T21:56:00.003-07:00

Guwahati, Sep 19 : Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who returned here after a 13-day foreign tour, was on Saturday greeted with black flags by members of the influential AASU who accused him of surrendering the state's land to Bangladesh.

Hundreds of All Assam Students Union (AASU) members and supporters gathered on the road passing through Gauhati University to block the thoroughfare as Gogoi travelled from the airport on arrival.

As the chief minister's convoy passed the University area, the demonstrators waved black flags and shouted slogans accusing Gogoi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of "gifting" Assam's land to Bangladesh by signing the land pact during their recent visit there.

Slogans against Tarun Gogoi and the Prime Minister who represents Assam in the Rajya Sabha rent the air as Gogoi's convoy drove past the area to his official residence at Koinadhara area here.

Heavy security arrangements were made with police and paramilitary personnel lining up on both sides of the road to prevent demonstrators from blocking the road.

Riot vans were also kept ready as AASU members, students of the University and the law college there gathered to block the road.

AASU leaders said they would continue with their protest against "the giving away of Assam's land to Bangladesh and also against the construction of big dams in the state".

Police had suggested that Gogoi use helicopter from the airport to his residence, but he chose to travel by road.

Gogoi was returning from Delhi after being away for his visits to Bangladesh, Spain and Belgium.

Assam Valley ropes in Singapore educationist

2011-09-18T21:56:00.001-07:00

TEZPUR: A reputed residential school in the state, Assam Valley School, has roped in Singapore-based educational motivator and thought leader Dilip Mukerjea to make students and teachers more inclined towards and aware of the practical implementation of educational methods.
Dilip Mukerjea is the owner and managing director of Braindancing International and Buzan Centre Singapore Pvt Ltd, organizations that were formed to work towards advancement of human performance across multiple domains.
"The purpose of this initiative is to make the quality of education more specific, focusing more on the learner, so that the learner can grasp more from the education imparted," said DNA Mountford, headmaster, Assam Valley School. He added, "Schools like ours show the path towards a learning revolution and with the help of Dilip Mukerjea's teaching procedures, we will be able to place Assam Valley on the global map as a centre of educational excellence."