Back issues - November '05

 

30th November '05

Opposition salts Government Games scar:

Guwahati: The Opposition on Nov 28 kept the State Government on the back-foot while dealing with a volley of allegations on the issue of delay in holding the 33rd National Games on time. The Games, which were scheduled for November, 2005 have now been postponed till October, 2006. The Opposition, on the first day of the winter session of the Assembly, said that the Government was warned well before time when the slow progress of the Games works was noticed. But as usual, beating its own drum, the Gogoi band did not pay any heed to the warning and boasted that the Games would be held on time. But now, as it seen, the damage has already been done and the Government is entirely responsible for it, the Opposition claimed. Defending the Government, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi harped on the 'basic need of the infrastructure' being constructed for the Games and said his Government was serious in producing one which would be useful for the future. Gogoi further said that the Government would release a white paper soon to let the people of the State know about the cause of the delay.

Majhi admits no-confidence motion:

Guwahati: The recent ethnic flare-up in Karbi Anglong and the State Government's failure to hold the National Games on time compelled the treasury bench in Assam Assembly to go on the defensive on Nov 28 when the Opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion was admitted by Speaker Prithvi Majhi for discussion. The Question Hour and Zero Hour were dominated by the Opposition's criticism of the Government for its omissions and commissions in tackling the ethnic flare-up in Karbi Anglong district and the Government on the back foot. While the no-confidence motion on Karbi Anglong violence moved by Mahanta and his colleagues was rejected by the Speaker on technical ground, the one moved by the combined Opposition comprising the AGP, BJP, ASDC and Independent legislator Pabindra Deka on the same ground was admitted by the Speaker for discussion.

Karbi Anglong violence; Protests against Government 'apathy':

Guwahati: About 60 organizations staged dharna at Dispur Last gate here on Nov 28 to register their protest against the alleged apathy of the State Government and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council towards the issue of the recent violence in the district. The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), an umbrella body of 23 organizations, demanded immediate arrest of and capital punishment to DHD chief Dilip Nunisa, shifting of DHD designated camp from Dhansiri and a CBI inquiry of the recent carnage. On the other hand, 13 student organizations, including the Karbi Students' Association (KSA), the Dimasa Students' Union (DSU) and the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), have raised the demands of immediate arrest of Hill Area Development Minister GC Langthasa, removal of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and dissolution of the both the autonomous councils of Karbi Anglong and NC Hills for their alleged role in the recent violence.

Citizens' body threatens to boycott polls:

Guwahati: The Guwahati Maati Pattakaran Sangram Samiti, a citizens' body, has threatened to boycott the forthcoming election if the Government does not come out with a positive note to address its 6-point charter of demands, which include free distribution of land pattas to the permanent residents of the city. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, AGP(P) president, pledged his solidarity to the demands when hundreds of activists of the Samiti staged dharna at Dispur Last gate here on Nov 28.

Assam Congress tea cell on damage-control move:

Guwahati: Concerned over the party's fate in the 35tea tribes-dominated Assembly constituencies in view of the forthcoming poll, the Congress tea cell has suggested a series of damage control measures to the Pradesh Congress Committee(PCC) as well as the State Government. Besides, it has decided to hold a series of meetings at the district and zonal levels during the next couple of months in the tea belt

area as despite the 'ban' on Congress leaders imposed by Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (ATTSA). The influential students' body, which vowed to prevent the entry of all the ministers, MLAs and leaders of the ruling party into the tea garden areas in protest against the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the government towards their grievances, staged dharna at Last gate here on Nov 28.

Opposition stages walkout:

Guwahati: The Opposition in the State Assembly on Nov 29 staged a walkout protesting the 'police atrocity' on the high school teachers who were demonstrating against the Government 'apathy' at Dispur while the second day of the winter session was on. The AGP and the BJP members brought about a halt to the proceedings of the House when they created a chaotic situation demanding an explanation on the 'atrocities' committed by the police on the teachers who were holding a 'peaceful' demonstration asking for their due rights. It may be mentioned here that the Assam High School Teachers' Association (AHSTA) demonstrated at Dispur Lastgate, Assembly main gate and at the Dispur PS gate demanding proper pay (the teachers are now paid Rs 2.60 per day), increment in ad hoc grant, Nill Bill and exgratia payment and filling up of vacant posts. The situation turned volatile when a large group of demonstrators, at about 11.25 a.m tried to enter the Assembly premises through the Dispur PS gate. The police then resorted to lathi charge and teargas shelling to disperse the charging crowd. In the melee, at least 21 people were injured, two of them seriously.

New law against bandhs likely:

Guwahati: Cutting across party lines, Assam Assembly was unanimous on its stand against the bandh culture in the State on Nov 29. Calling the attention of the House under Assam Assembly Rule 301, AGP legislator Dilip Saikia said that stringent action should be taken against organizations calling bandhs which badly hit the economy of the State. Apart from bandhs, Government holiday were also on the rise and that needed to be cut, he said, adding that the SC verdict which banned bandhs should be implemented in Assam. BDLP leader Pramila Rani Brahma backed Saikia and demanded stringent action against those giving bandh calls. In reply, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bharat Narah said that the Government too wanted to put an end to the bandh culture which drain out crores of rupees besides hitting the daily-wage earners and others badly. He appealed to the MLAs to oppose the bandh culture collectively the way intellectuals and litterateurs do. He also assured the House that the Government would bring a new law if needed to put an end to the bandh culture.

'Efforts on to check man-jumbo conflict':

Guwahati: Caught in a whirlpool of questions from the Opposition regarding forest depredation and man-elephant conflict in the State, Assam forest Minister Pradyut Bordoloi, while admitting the gravity of the problems, said that his department was trying its best despite all odds, including manpower shortage. Elaborating the steps initiated by the government, Bordoloi said during the Question Hour that besides checking encroachment in the elephant corridors, power fences were being erected along the corridors and 'chilli' bombs were being used on experimental basis. "About 224 lakh people in the State are directly on indirectly dependent on forests for their livelihood and the daily firewood requirement of the State is about 1,400 trucks," he said, adding that there were only 4,600 front line workers in the department.

20-yr identity dissolved; UMF merges with UDF:

Guwahati: Finally, it's done. The United Minority Front (UMF) has formally merged with the United Democratic Front (UDF). This was declared by UDF president Moulana Badruddin Azmal on Nov 29. "The decision of the merger was formalized in a meeting of the Coordination Committee of the Minority Organizations here last night," he said. It may be mentioned here that the UMF was formed in November, 1985 and it had been playing an important role in Assam politics since then. "Keeping the current political situation of the State and cause of minorities in mind a unanimous decision was taken by the party through a month-long democratic process," said Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury, chief of the now defunct UMF, who was also present in the press conference. "Now the UMF is dissolved," he declared. On the possibility of mushrooming of a parallel UMF, Choudhury said the whole party unit comprising its frontal organizations, 13 district units and about 10 lakh primary members merged with

the UDF. " Now, if one conspire to divide the minority vote by floating another UMF we cannot help," he said. However, the UDF will do its best to prevent division of votes, he added.

29th November '05

Feet on boats when cloud is above; An LAC not enough for Assam political topguns:

Guwahati: When it comes to elections, credential no longer remains a factor as stakes are much higher than the degree of certainty, and no wonder that even the so called political stalwarts in Assam prefer to keep their feet on two boats just not to take the risk of defeat in the battle of ballots. With a host of political heavyweights reportedly going to contest from more than one seat in the forthcoming elections, the fact has become more pronounced. Leading the way is Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Gogoi, who defeated AGP's Hemanta kalita by a huge margin in the Titabor by-polls after incumbent Deep Gogoi had stepped down, is reportedly planning to contest from two seats - Titabor and Jorhat. Though Titabor is an obvious choice as he has initiated a slew of development works in the LAC, Jorhat, which has been a bastion of the AGP, is more of a prestige issue for the Congress. AGP heavyweight Hiten Goswami had defeated Congress Padmanath Sarma by a margin of 6,041 votes in the last elections in Jorhat.

Congress neglect irks tea lobby:

Guwahati: An undercurrent of resentment is gaining its momentum within the tea lobby of the State PCC over the latter's alleged lackadaisical attitude towards the plight of the tea community. Poll prospects of the ruling party in the State might be shattered due to lack of any concrete policy and vision of the party for the welfare of the tea community, considered to be the party's traditional support base, the party source said on Nov 27.

Release Neli probe report, demands IUML:

Guwahati: Assam unit of the India Union of Muslim League (IUML) has demanded immediate release of the report of the Tiwari Commission which probed into the Neli carnage that had taken place in 1983. A resolution in this regard was adopted in the executive meeting of the party on Nov 27 said MU Mandal, general secretary of Assam IUML, while talking to here. The party would contest 45 constituencies in the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State, he said. National president of the party, GM Banatwala and its general secretary and Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed were scheduled to arrive in Guwahati to asses the party's organizational status in the first week of December, he added. The party has also decided to hold conventions in district level from December 1 to strengthen its organizational base among the masses.

Centre to form new entity for OIL:

Guwahati: The Group of Ministers (GOM), comprising Financial Minister P Chidambaram, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Manishankar Aiyar and Public Enterprises, Heavy Industries and Water Resources Minister Santosh Mohan Dev endorsed the formation of a new entity under Oil India Limited (OIL) which would be given equal financial power as that of ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) to acquire exploration and producing property abroad, ONGC sources here said. This, according to the sources, would give a tremendous boost to OIL's efforts in future.

28th November '05

Mahajan, Ahluwalia to arrive in State; After Bihar, BJP eyes Assam:

Guwahati: Buoyed by NDA's landslide, victory in Bihar, Assam BJP has stepped up its activities in view of the ensuring Assembly polls with the central leadership giving 'special' emphasis to the State, which, it felt, had better prospects among the five poll-bound States - West Bengal, Punjab, Kerala and Tripura. BJP national general secretary Pramod Mahajan and Assam BJP observer SS Ahluwalia

would take part in separate meetings of State BJP office bearers and the party core committee when they arrive here on December 3. The State committee is likely to be given the go ahead signal on behalf of the central leadership during the meetings. The duo would also take part in a rally at Doomdooma on December 4.

Police party ambushed, 14 houses burnt in Diphu:

Guwahati: Violence continues to haunt Karbi Anglong district as a late night report said that suspected militants attacked a police party and set afire at least 14 houses. The militants came in two groups, simultaneously ambushing a police party and setting ablaze 14 houses at Lower Mohan Dijirwa. Three militants were reportedly injured in the cross fire which lasted for about an hour.

NPF-AGP sing Congress hatao chorus:

Guwahati: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Nagaland People's Front (NPF) have agreed in principle to oust the Congress from the north-eastern region. Both the parties have also agreed to form a common platform of the regional forces in order to materialise, what they said, is their common interest. In a discussion held at Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphieu Rio's office in Kohima on Nov 27, both the parties also discussed the reformation of the North East People's Forum (NEPF) so as to make it an entirely regional-specific body in the future. It may be mentioned that the NEPF now includes national parties like the NCP and the AGP is not a part of it. The AGP has said that only when the Forum becomes regional will it join the NEPF.

27th November '05

CBI files charge sheet against eight:

Guwahati: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a partial (technical) charge sheet against the eight arrested persons in the Pratul Deb murder case at the CBI court in Guwahati on Nov 25. Khagendra Chakma, Hemendra Chakma, Gunjan Chakma and Kalapona Chakma are four of the eight names that figured in the charge sheet. Meanwhile, late Deb's daughter Dr. Sipra Deb, while addressing the press in New Delhi on Nov 25, said that she had mentioned names of Assam Social Welfare Minister Goutam Roy and his son Rahul her report to the CBI. These two names are among the others whom she suspects to be involved in her father's murder. Dr. Deb, however, said that she was not happy with the progress made by the CBI so far in dealing with the case.

AASU clamps rider on ticket seeking members:

Guwahati: The to politic is not smooth, not at least for the aspiring All Assam Students' Union (AASU) leaders. The ticket-seeking AASU members, who, till recently, had been sitting on the fence keeping their cards close to the chest, have landed in a quandary with the AASU leadership clamping a deadline for them to resign from the students' body. In an apparent bid to uphold its apolitical image, the AASU leadership, in its central executive meet held recently, instructed all the members wishing to join politics to resign from the organization before Dec 21. The instruction, however, was verbal and has not been made public for "technical reasons".

AGP(P) rallies in central Assam soon:

Guwahati: Prodded by Asom Gana Parishad's campaign rally at Nagaon, its offshoot AGP(P) is planning to hold successive public rallies at Nagaon, Barpeta and Gohpur sometime in December. AGP(P) leader and former MP Bhadreshwar Tanti on Nov 25 said in a press conference here that the dates of the rallies will be finalized in the party's executive meeting slated for Nov 28. Tanti said that the party was open to alliance with any anti-Congress force even with the AGP, even as the latter had, till date, been repulsive. Coming down heavily on the ruling party for its alleged malpractices, the AGP(P) said that either it should step down by its own or be removed.

Govt cuts tax on agricultural land:

Guwahati: Ahead of the Winter Session, Assam Cabinet announced a slew of tax holidays and tax cuts, change in mode of taxation, job reservation for women candidates, etc. The Cabinet also decided to table two Bills - Assam College Employees Provincialization Bill and VAT Amendment Bill - in the Winter Session. Talking to newsmen on Nov 25, Assam Government spokesman Himanta Biswa Sarma said that in case of agricultural landed property, people owning 0 to 3 bighas of land would be exempted from paying any land tax and those owning 4 to 6 bighas would have to pay tax at the rate of Re 1 a bigha instead of Rs 5 as was the case till on Nov 25. According to him, with this tax holiday or exemptions, the State Government would incur an annual revenue loss of Rs 2crore. On items falling under the VAT, taxes of mosquito curtain, locally-made jem, jelly, hand-made detergents, ghee being used in rituals, disposable plastic products, etc., have been reduced to 4 per cent from the present 12 per cent. With this tax cut, according t Sarma, the Government will incur an annual revenue loss of Rs 2.40 crore.

26th November '05

26th session of North East India History association; 'Indian history lacks space for NE':

Kokrajhar: The historic 26th session of the North East India History Association (NEIHA) is being held for the first time in Kokrajhar, the capital town of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). The session was inaugurated on Nov 24 at Kokrajhar Music and Fine Art College campus with a view to discuss the ever-growing importance of gender issues in development and on the role of education fashioning women in the Brahmaputra valley in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

ICOMOS expert's Majuli visit ends:

Guwahati: Positive signals are emanating from the three-day trip of Sri Lankan archaeologist Professor Jagath Weerasinghe, an expert with the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), to Majuli which concluded on Nov 25. He had been there for a technical evaluation of the parameters on the basis of which the largest inhabited river island in the world is seeking the UNESCO's coveted World Heritage Site title. The Sri Lankan official is understood to have been impressed by the cultural mosaic of Majuli, the nerve centre of the Xatriya cult and the hallowed seat of the neo-Vaishnavite religious traditions dating back to the 15th century. It may be mentioned here that the river island, a natural wonder in its own right, is seeking recognition as the World Heritage Site on the strength of its cultural landscape. The nomination dossier prepared by the authorities concerned makes a mention of this fact.

AICC to assess State situation; Congress chases Bihar ghost in Assam:

Guwahati: The change in fortune in Bihar polity seems to have rung a warning bell in the Congress Committee (AICC) has given a fresh thought for the ensuing Assembly elections in the State. This contemplative attitude in the party think taken is necessitated by the turnaround in the Dalit and minority support to the RJD-Congress combine in Bihar. This has been accentuated by the formation of the Jamiat-backed United Democratic Front for the nascent political outfit of the minorities may overturn the Congress applecart in Assam.

Koch-Rajbongshis form political advisory panel:

Guwahati: The Assam Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilani has formed a political advisory committee with Sandi Charan Chaliha as its chief convenor. Member of the committee will go to the Koch Rajbongshi-dominated constituencies in the State so as to know the pulses of the voters. The Sanmilani held a citizens' meeting in the city today to discuss the issue of floating a political party. Talking to newsmen, Sanmilani leader Dr Durlav Samua said that the community had already identified a number of Assembly constituencies each of which has 35,000 to 55,000 Koch-Rajbongshi voters. The advisory committee members would go to the constituencies, interact with the voters and submit their reports which would be discussed in the Sanmilani's political convention to be held either at Guwahati or

Mangaldai in January. The decision of floating a political party would be taken the political convention.

Lachit Divas; Asom Suraksha Sankalap Samabesh turns to sea of humanity; Foreigners' issue steals the show:

Guwahati: The Chandmari Engineering grounds on Nov 24 converted into a sea of humanity, as thousands of people from various walks of life assembled on the occasion of Lachit Divas and took the pledge to boycott the foreigners in the State politically, socially and economically and to promote work culture amongst the indigenous population. Talking part in the Asom Suraksha Sankalpa Samabesh organized by the Lok Jagaran Mancha, Assam, many prominent citizens voiced their concern regarding the continuous influx of Bangladeshis into the State.

'Society should change attitude towards women':

Guwahati: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that a paradigm shift was needed in the society to eradicate the discriminatory attitude towards women. Speaking at the Women's Day celebration meeting at Rabindra Bhavan here on Nov 24, the CM said the laws protecting the rights of women should also be implemented properly. The function was organized as a part of the Koumi Ekta Week by State Women Commission and the Social Welfare Department.

Film theft slur on Gautam Saikia:

Guwahati: An allegation of 'unethical adoption of shots in 'The Jaws of Death', the documentary produced and directed by Gautam Saikia, has raised a controversy in the film fraternity. The allegation is raised at a time when the film, based on the 'true story of Kaziranga National Park', has been included in Indian panorama of the 36th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) currently on in Panaji. The non-feature category of the festival will be inaugurated with the showing of the film tomorrow. Jyoti Prasad Das, a documentary filmmaker and lensman, has alleged that most of the shots used in 'The Jaws of Death' are shots taken by him in and around Kaziranga National Park way back in 2002. "The director-producer of the film has crossed the boundary of working ethics and morality by engaging in this act," he said. However, when contracted with Gautam Saikia, who is currently in Panaji to attend the IFFI, denied the allegation. "The film was made with a collection of shots which I gathered since 1997. This cannot be termed as unethical," he said.

25th November '05

Karbi Anglong Congress getting ready for polls:

Howraghat: Under the aegis of the Phuloni Mandal Congress Committee, a workers rally has been planned keeping an eye on the forthcoming Legislative Assembly election. For this purpose, a general meeting of party workers was held at Phuloni on Nov 23. The meeting was presided over by Hemari Teron in which Khorsing Engti, Chief Executive Member (CEM), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Sum Ronghang, EM, in-charge of Education Department, KAAC, Mangolsing Engti, in-charge of PWD Department, KAAC, Singnot Kro, EM, in-charge Soil Conservation Department, KAAC and Bidyasing Engleng, Diphu MLA took part.

Over 52,000 teachers appointed in 8 years; Fag-end appointments; Gogoi Government no exception:

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is following the foot steps of his two predecessors - Late Hiteswar Saikia and Mr. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta-at least in the appointment of school teachers at the fag-end of the terms of their Governments amidst irregularities and anomalies'. According to sources, decks have already been cleared for the appointment of over 1,000 primary and ME school teachers within a month. "While advertisements will published next week, appointments will be complete by December, before the issuance of notification for the Assembly elections slated for early next year.

Congress leaders lobbying hard for IM(DT) alternative:

Guwahati: 'Architect' of the repealed IM(DT) Act, Abdul Muhib Mazumdar and former APCC minority cell chief convenor Imran Sah are leaving for New Delhi on November 27 for discussion on the post-IM(DT) scenario in Assam with the Central leaders. A ten-member APCC team comprising minority ministers and MLAs have been camping in the national capital to push for an alternative law to the repealed Act.

Peace march by freedom fighters:

Guwahati: The Asom Rajyik Mukti Jujaru Sanmilan, a body of freedom fighters, has decided to launch a month-long march - Assam Peace March - from January 2. The march will conclude on January 30, death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, after touring all most all districts of the State. The prime objective of the march is to bring awareness on freedom struggle and the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi among the younger generation.

'Assessment a must in disaster management':

Guwahati: Assessment of the risks is an important aspect of any disaster management plan, as it provides an insight into the history of the disaster, like how often they occur, how they affect the society and environment, or whether they are predictable. This was stated by David Liebersbach, Director of Emergency Services, Alaska, the USA, while delivering his address on 'Disaster Management Preparedness Techniques' at a workshop organized by the district administration, Kamrup (Metro) and Revenu Department, Government of Assam in the city on Nov 23.

Majuli greets UNESCO expert:

Jorhat: Jagath Weersingh, an expert from the International Council of Monuments and Sites, Sri Lanka arrived on Nov 23 for three-day tour of Majuli. The archaeologist, who is representing the UNESCO, is here to verify the facts documented by the Archaeological Society of India, which is seeking the inclusion of the riverine island in UNESCO's World Heritage Site list.

AASKSU stir against OIL apathy:

Dibrugarh: The Dibrugarh district unit of All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students' Union (AASKSU) has demanded cessation of oil exploration and drilling works in the Sonowal-Kachari-dominated areas of Tengakhat, Kotaloni, Bhadoi Paanch Ali, Sasoni and Joypur on November 28. Speaking to media persons at the Naharkaiya inspection bungalow, AASKSU president Gopal Sonowal said that in the tripartite talks involving AASKSU, the district administration and OIL, the OIL authorities had in principle agreed to fulfill the student body's demands.

24th November'05

Gogoi not happy with AICC review; CM's review after battle lines drawn:

Guwahati: A team of All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers has been reviewing the political situation in the State much against the wishes of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his ministerial colleagues who, according to sources close to Gogoi, want to review the situation on their own in December when the political battle lines are likely to be drawn. According to sources, Gogoi is keenly observing the political alliances in the making in Assam in the aftermath of AGP split and emergence of the United Democratic Front (UDF). "Which side the UDF and the Left parties will take has much to do with the poll strategy of the Congress in Assam," the sources said, adding that with the emergence of the UDF the Congress was losing its grip over a number of constituencies which were under it. On the other hand, the sources said, the party's grip was growing stronger in constituencies which are held by the BJP and the AGP. The reasons, according to the sources, are-Opposition MLAs' failure to perform

in their constituencies, the BJP losing its grip which it had about two years back in the State, etc.

Left for independent foreign policy:

Guwahati: Speakers at a joint convention of Left parties on Nov 22 called for an independent foreign policy and urged the Centre to rectify the mistake of the 'tilt towards imperialism' for the development of the country. The speakers at a joint convention of CPI-M, CPI and RSP held here on Nov 22 alleged that the 'pro-American' foreign policy adopted by the Centre at present will push the country to the brink of disaster. They alleged that the 'tilt towards imperialism' would work against the interest of the people and only an independent foreign policy would help the country develop.

Bird flu scare hampers NE poultry sector:

Guwahati: The bird flu scare and the reports appearing in the newspapers regarding it have apparently affected the poultry industry in the North-east. Considering the situation poultry farming in the region stares at a result, a large number of people employed in the sector may lose their livelihood. In fact, the poultry sector in the country suffered a direct loss to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore last year following rumours linking bird flu to consumption of chicken. In the North-east, hundreds of poultry farms were forced to close down, sources said.

Lachit Divas on Nov 24; LJM rally in city:

Guwahati: "Mere hullabaloo cannot solve the infiltration problem, we should pledge to free Assam from the grip of illegal immigrants by the way of law," Dr Rohini Kumar Barua said here on Nov 22. Ahead of the Lachit Divas celebrations of Lok Jagaran Mancha (LJM), Barua, who is the president of the celebration committee, said in a press conference at Guwahati Press Club that politicians were bent on creating vote banks and the immigration was a result of this.

BTC Chief to field 15 candidates; Euphoric Hagrama carps at Rabiram:

Kokrajhar: A day after the BTC chief emerged supreme with both his candidates winning the by-elections at Banorgaon and Dotma, a contended Hagrama Mohilary on Nov 20 thanked the voters as he vowed to work for the development of both the constituencies. Ex-BLT 'finance secretary' Mono Kumar Brahma and Dokendranath Brahma, both supported by Hagrama Mohilary won the by-elections at Banorgaon and Dotma seats respectively, the results of which were declared on Nov 19. Mono Kumar Brahma defeated BPPF chief Rabiram Narzary, who had the backing of ABSU and MP UG Brahma by a sizable margin.

AJYP fillip to autonomy:

Jorhat: The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad will stage demonstrations in the national capital next month or early next year to press for its demand of full autonomy for Assam. The firebrand youth body has also decided to hold awareness programmes in all districts of the State to mobilize public opinion towards its long standing demand. The twin resolutions were passed at the end of a one-day conference on the grant of complete autonomy to Assam, organized by the AJYCP at the historic Bisturam Borooah Hall on Nov 19.

23rd November '05

2 killed, encounter in Karbi Anglong:

Diphu: Two tribals were killed by suspected militants and the police recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition after an encounter with unidentified militants in separate incidents in trouble-torn Karbi Anglong district. According to sources, four villagers of Kansing Timung village, who had been taking shelter in Lorelangsu relief camp after last month's ethnic flare-up in the district, had returned to their village to look after their agricultural land. Two of the villagers returned to the camp while the other two

had planned to return later. Gunshots were heard in the village last night and the bodies of the villagers, suspected to be killed by militants, were recovered on Nov 22.

Run-up to polls; BJP on overdrive:

Jorhat: There is hectic activity in the Bharatiya Janata Party camp in view of the Assembly polls in the State due early next year. The saffron party is holding workers meetings in different legislative Assembly constituencies for forming booth committees at the grassroots level. BJP MP Rajen Gohain, general secretary of the State unit of the party Palit Bora and prominent leaders Day-ananda Borgohain and Kamakhya Prasad Tassa on Nov 21 attended a booth committee meeting at Kakojan near here. It may be mentioned here that these leaders had attended a similar meeting at Dergaon LAC on Sunday. In his address, Gohain lambasted both the Congress and the Asom Gana Parishad and demanded high-level probes into the alleged scams during the tenure of the present State Government. Corruption and exploitation at all levels became the order of the day in the Congress regime, the Nagaon MP alleged.

Gogoi racing against time to clear paper work of schemes by Dec 31; Government gears up for full concentration on polls:

Guwahati: Assam Government is racing against time to wash its hands of all file work relating to various schemes, both under implementation but delayed and those yet to be implemented, due to various hassles, including non-sanctioning of funds, slow movement of files, etc., before Dec 31 so that it can concentrate fully on the Assembly elections slated for early 2006. According to sources, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, while reviewing progress of various schemes in a meeting with top officials, including commissioners and secretaries, gave stern instructions to the chiefs various departments to speed up the movement of files of schemes. According to sources, announcements made by Gogoi during the Budget speech and later during his tours to the districts, are yet to be implemented. While notifications of some of the schemes have already been issued, some are yet to be notified. In case of pending files, Gogoi asked the officials to clear them by Nov 30.

Anti-Mahanta fire kept burning; Rai says no politics from AASU platform:

Guwahati: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) will not support any political personalities, and allow none to contest polls from its platform, AASU president Shankar Prasad Rai said on Non 21. Talking to reporters before the crucial executive meeting of the student body at Guwahati University this evening, Rai said that the AASU would maintain its anti-Mahanta stance. "Mahanta and co. are culpable and they deserve punishment," he said, adding that the fate of Mahanta acolytes would be decided by the public. Meanwhile, the executive meeting of the student body, which started on Nov 21 late evening, is likely to discuss some vital issues like its members joining politics and the 'rift' with AGP heavyweight Pradeep Hazarika at Sivasagar.

State Government asks staff to open bank accounts:

Guwahati: All government employees and officers of the State have been directed to open bank accounts by Nov 30, 2005 for collection of their salary, wage, pension etc., henceforth, in view of the newly-introduced Banking Cash Transaction Tax (BCTT) by the Central Government. According to Finance Department, Government of Assam, the employees have been directed to open their bank accounts and inform it to their respective DDOs by December 9 so that salary, wage, pension etc., for the month can be paid as per the new arrangements.

ADSU to launch civil movement:

Guwahati: Calling upon the Karbis and Dimasas to restore peace and normalcy in the strife-torn Karbis Anglong district, the All Dimasa Students' Union (ADSU) on Nov 21 resolved to resort to a massive civil movement in protest against the inaction of the government even as the district has been witnessing an unabated spell of violence since September 26. ADSU president Prafulla Hafila and secretary Rakesh Hasnu said in a press conference here that the student body would kick-start its movement with a sit-in

demonstration at Dispur Last Gate on November 28. The student body has also demanded security to the lives and property of the people of the district and adequate relief and rehabilitation measures for the violence-affected people. The organization would chalk out its future course of action after the sit-in protest here.

22nd November'05

Fighting AIDS: NE elected representative sign Guwahati Declaration; Access to treatment, eradication of social seclusion stressed:

Guwahati: The bugles were sounded on Nov 19 by the people's representatives from the North-east against the dreaded HIV/AIDS, as they pledged to fight the disease unitedly. The conclave of elected representative from the region signed the Guwahati Declaration, at the North-East Convention of Elected Representatives organized by the Parliamentary Forum on HIV/AIDS (PFA) in the city. The declaration, which has been viewed as a landmark initiative on the part of the political leadership to combat the problem of AIDS recognizes that the issue has assumed alarming dimension in the region, and that its prevention, care and treatment should involve the political leadership.

Goswami-Mahanta rift blocking third front birth?

Guwahati: The widening gap between Asom Gana Parishad and Asom Gana Parishad (P) has put the brakes on the exercise of shaping a viable platform before the coming Assembly elections, admitted probable partners of the proposed alliance. Even then, efforts to bridge the gap between Brindaban Goswami and Prafulla Kumar Mahanta are still on, they said. "We are in touch with both the parties, but the future outcome of the exercise is still unclear," said UMF president Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury while talking here. He said that the secular and democratic parties have to unite in order to materialize an alternative platform before the election. " Unity is the need of the hour," he said. Sources said that a number of parties barring the Congress and the BJP are considering various options, including seat adjustment without any pre-poll alliance and post-poll alliance. The stand of the left parties in this regard will be vital, the sources said, adding that the CPI(M) is yet to make up its mind regarding choosing of its possible poll partner.

21st November '05

AGP factions out to woo 'allies':

Guwahati: Both the AGP and the AGP(P) have stepped up their activities to cobble up the anti-Congress forces and prepare a strong platform ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections. While AGP president Brindabon Goswami and general secretary Phanibhusan Choudhury were holding a meeting with TGP leader and former PWD Minister Atul Bora at the latter's residence in the city this morning, AGP(P) leaders Gunin Hazarika, Ganesh Kutum and Hemanata Kalita were drawing up a common poll strategy against the Congress with CPI central committee leader and ex-minister Pramode Gogoi.

Face-to-face showdown please, AGP told:

Guwahati: Assam Minister of State for Planning and Development Himanta Biswas Sarma on Nov 18 the AGP and said that the main opposition party of the State should have guts to face the Government face to face in the Assembly instead of resorting to cheap political games like staging mock funeral processions and shraddhas of the Government. Talking to newsmen in the city on Nov 18, Sarma said: "If the AGP has the courage for a face-to-face showdown with the Government it should opt the ensuring winter session of Assembly as the right floor. Instead of staging walkouts AGP members should stay in the House and engage themselves in a face-to-face debate with the Government on all fronts. If need be, the Government will join them in their plea to the Speaker for allowing them four hours for debates in all issues."

Assam for Rs 3,500-cr Budget:

Guwahati: Assam Government today announced that the College Teachers' Pension Bill would be introduced in the Winter Session of Assembly and salaries of the over 5,000 OBB teachers, who had been appointed for an year during the fag-end of the last Prafulla Kumar Mahanta-led AGP regime, would be paid in he first week of December.

UNAIDS for NE-specific approach:

Guwahati: The North-east cannot be equated with the rest of the country when it comes to dealing with the menace of HIV/AIDS, and hence there is need of a region-specific approach to address the problem. This was observed by Dr Peter Piot, executive director, UNAIDS, Geneva, while delivering his presentation at the inaugural session of the regional workshop organized by the Assam State AIDS Control Society in the city on Nov 18.

20th November '05

It's time to unmask Gogoi: AGP:

Guwahati: After the month-long trauma following the expulsion of founder party president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, the AGP, in its attempt to inject a dose for motivation today, nominated its founder general secretary Bhrigu Kumar Phukan as the party vice-president. The move, considered by observers as part of the party's damage-control exercise, assumes significance considering the fact that Phukan and Mahanta were the men behind the formation of the AGP two decades back.

Bid to hijack peace talks: Pradeep:

Guwahati: A powerful force is out to hijack the ULFA-Centre peace process, ULFA vice-president Pradeep Gogoi said on Nov 16. Talking to media persons after he was produced before the TADA court, Gogoi said that a force was active both in New Delhi and Dispur to stymie the peace process. The peace process, was, however, put on track now, he added.

Scrutiny unearths 'lapses' in Nagaon:

Guwahati: Over 250 candidates, who had made it to the panel for recruitment of constabulary in Assam, stormed into the Guwahati High Court precincts on Nov 17 and shouted slogans in favour of their early appointment. The candidates, who had staged a dharna at Dispur Last Gate on Nov 16 in protest against the delay in their appointment, threatened the authorities that they would go for the extreme step of self-immolation if they were not appointed soon.

Employees decry Govt's noncommittal attitude:

Guwahati: Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM), a joint body of the trade unions of Central Government employees has sought early redressal of their long pending demands, failing which it will resort to an indefinite strike, the schedule of which will be announced in January next year. Demands of the Central Government employees include constitution of the Sixth Pay Commission, appointment to the vacant post in various departments and public sector undertakings, immediate halt to the retrenching of employees, among other demands.

19th November '05

NRC update & setting up of tribunals: State Government, Centre taking their own good time; Is Gogoi thinking of tendering another apology?

Guwahati: Decks were cleared for a permanent solution to the decades-old foreigners' problem in

Assam with the repeal of the IM(DT) Act by the Supreme Court recently and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh giving the go-ahead signal to the State Government and the AASU on the update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and setting up of 16 additional tribunals under the Foreigners' Act but the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government in Assam is keeping the problem alive as it has neither started any work to update the NRC no set up the additional tribunals as promised by it. Both the governments at the Centre and in the State have been passing the buck on each other on the issues of updating of the NRC and the setting up of the tribunals. Though about six months has elapsed since the repeal of the IM(DT) Act, yet the State Government is not doing anything concrete towards the implementation of the SC verdict as if it is only buying time so that it does not have to face the ire of 'a section of voters' ahead of the Assembly elections slated for early next year. As the Assembly elections in the State are supposed to be completed before the Rongali Bihu, Gogoi may try to get rid of his constitutional duty in implementing the SC verdict by simply tendering an apology to the people of the State (not to the AGP or the BJP) the way he did on his failure to hold the National Games on time.

BMAP moves Gogoi with slew of demands:

Guwahati: Along with rest of the State, Greater Guwahati branch of the Bishnupriya Manipuri Andolan Parishad (BMAP) today moved Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi with a slew of demands, including the introduction of Bishnupriya Manipuri language in Class V and above (at present the language has been introduced up to Class IV and that too as a subject even as the community has been banking on for the introduction of its language as the medium of instruction. Staging a demonstration in front of Kamrup Deputy Commissioner's office today, members of the community submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Kamrup Deputy Commissioner.

Constabulary candidates stage demo in city:

Guwahati: Over 2,000 selected candidates of the constabulary recruitment today stage a sit-in demonstration at Dispur Last Gate here demanding immediate appointment. The youths under the banner of All Assam Newly-Selected Constable Suraksha Samity display placards and banners voicing protest against the halt to the entire exercise triggered by filing of a case at High Court.

GMDA Master Plan for city:

Guwahati: So to say , better late than never Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has ultimately reached an advance stage of its comprehensive master plan to make Guwahati 'one of the most admired state capitals of the country in next 20 years as the Gateway to the North-east with a unique image of its own'.

18th November '05

Gogoi says sorry for delay in Games; A solid infrastructure is the basic requirement: Chief Minister:

Guwahati: After keeping mum for a couple of days Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Nov 14 apologized to the people of the State for failing to hold the 33rd National Games on time. The Games, scheduled for November this year, have been postponed till October, 2006. Speaking here Gogoi, in an obvious attempt to avoid embarrassment, said the basic thing such a big event requires is a solid infrastructure. "It remains. Thus, we are making it a point to have one of the best sports infrastructure in the country," he said, adding that even Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi has praised the construction work during his recent visit. "I feel proud of this," Gogoi said.

Government to invite ATTSA for talks soon:

Guwahati: In prompt response to the ultimatum served on Nov 14 by the Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (ATTSA), the State Government on Nov 15 hinted that the students' body will be invited to the negotiation table very soon. "As the government believes that every problem can be solved through

negotiation, it is going to sit with the ATTSA leadership very soon to address their grievances," the government sources said. It may be mentioned that the ATTSA served the 7-day ultimatum for keeping the promises made by the government during its talks with the Students' body in September.

Dispur keeps eyes peeled on State jails:

Guwahati: In the wake of on Nov 14 massive Naxalite attack in Jehanabad sub-jail, Dispur on Nov 15 alerted all the jails in the State instructing jail officials to closely monitor the activities of under trials and thoroughly check visitors, particularly those of extremists. The State has 27 jails-18 district jails, 6 central jails, a special jail, an open jail and a sub-jail. Among the incarcerated, there are extremists belonging to the ULFA, NSCN, PLA and the KLO in almost all the jails. While there have been instances of jailbreaks in the State jails, sources said that almost all the jails lacked proper infrastructure, including strong parapets, floodlights and watch towers to manpower.

FINER for NE-specific banking policy:

Guwahati: The Federation of Industries and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER), in a submission placed before Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor YV Reddy, has sought for Region Specific Banking Policy for the North-east. "The North-east has certain unique features and the industry in the region cannot be given same treatment as the industry elsewhere in the country," said the FINER advocating for region-specific guidelines for lending norms.

Security in Dotma, Banargaon beefed up; Crucial BTC by-polls today:

Kokrajhar: Campaigning for the Nov 14 by-polls in the two Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) constituencies of Dotma and Banargaon concludes yesterday at 5 p.m. amid tension and stray incident of violence at several places between the supporters of rival groups. Like the previous election, the fight is between BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary and candidates of Bodoland People's Progressive Front (BPPF). BPPF president Rabiram Narzary and Shankarlal Brahma are facing stiff competition from Hagrama Mohilary-backed candidates Mono Kumar Brahma and Dokendra Brahma at Banargaon and Dotma. While the BPPF enjoys the backing of the powerful All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and other frontal Bodo organizations, Mohilary claims the support of the non-Bodo organizations.

UPDS blames Karbi Anglong carnage on DHD:

Guwahati: The UPDS has blamed the ethnic clashes taking place in Karbi Anglong on the DHD militants. In a press release, the UPRS said that the DHD elements, through their various actions during the past three years, have been solely responsible for creating animosity between the Karbis and the Dimasas who have, for generations, lived in peace, harmony and cooperation. Recent events have demonstrated that the Dimasa people in Karbi Anglong can have better, friendlier and shared relationship with the Karbis without the DHD elements. The Karbis as well as the UPDS have never considered the Dimasas as their enemy, the release said. The UPDS shall make conscious effort to remove the bitterness and restore peaceful and normal relationship between the Karbi and Dimasa communities in Karbi Anglong, and in doing so it is only logical that the Dimasa people reject the DHD elements which have played the role of a villain in the relationship between the two indigenous communities.

17th November '05

NSUI plays nationalistic tune:

Dibrugarh: The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) went hammer and tongs at the Assam Students' Union (AASU), Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Left parties at a meeting held at the District Library auditorium here on Nov 15 Addressing a massive gathering of NSUI workers of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Youth Congress, Mahila Congress and Seva Dal, central NSUI general secretary Sanjay Banerjee said that the AASU played with the emotion of the people in the name of regional politics by announcing that they would transform the State into 'Xunor Axom' golden

Assam only to fill their coffers in the form of the AGP under the leadership of Prafulla Kumar Mahanata.

'People unhappy with Congress, AGP' BJP says it will win 70 seats:

Jorhat: The State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party is confident of winning at least 70 seats in the forthcoming Assembly polls and wresting power from the 'corrupt and inefficient' Congress Government. Its general secretary, Palit Kumar Bora told reporter here on Nov 14 that the recent developments within both the ruling Congress and the Asom Gana Parishad had disillusioned the voters to a great extent. There is serious rift within the Congress which is clear from the statements made against the Chief Minister by one of his own MPs (Golam Osmani), Bora said, adding that the formation of the United Democratic Front has made a dent in the traditional minority support base of the Congress. Tea voters are also turning away from it, the BJP leader maintained.

70 per cent turnout in BTC polls:

Kokrajhar: Despite apprehension of violence, an estimated 65 to 70 percent voters exercised their franchise in the by-elections to two Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) constituencies amid unprecedented security arrangements today. The election for the two constituencies amid unprecedented security arrangements today. The election for the two constituencies of Dotma and Banorgaon was by and large peaceful, barring a couple of untoward incidents. Election to the two constituencies were countermanded following allegation of large scale violence and massive rigging at May last. Miscreants tried to derail peace at Belguri polling booth under Banorgaon constituency by bursting crackers but their attempt was foiled. On the other hand, ABSU district secretary Surya Mushahary was injured when supporters of Hagrama Mohilary allegedly beat him up in the wee hours today at Sukhanjhora under Dotma police station.

CPI (ML) for permanent solution to ethnic problem:

Guwahati: The Communist Party of India (Marist-Leninist) has said that the couple of days of clam in the Karbi Anglong district, though welcome in itself, should not lull anyone into a false sense of complacency on the score that peace has returned in the district. In a memorandum to the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the party said that after enormous human sufferings and violence inflicted on the Karbi Anglong district of Assam by armed outfits leading to the murder of more than ninety five persons, the absence of any major incident during last couple of days in Karbi Anglong and NC Hills is a positive sign. But one must not undermine the growing tension simmering below the surface that might burst at any moment at the slightest provocation. Apart from symbolic visits by many dignitaries, the government has done precious little to offer assistance and relief to the more than 50,000 displaced persons who are mostly poor peasants. The party decried the delay in the ex-gratia financial assistance, declared by Chief Minister, to the families of those who lost their lives in he carnage. It said that had it not been the effort of opposition parties, including CPI(ML) and various civil liberty and voluntary organizations, the plight of the inmates of relief camps would have been pitiable.

'State Government a complete failure' AADPA warns of renewed agitation:

Guwahati: Close on the heels of Shillong conclave organized to monitor the status of implementation of various existing Acts meant for the disable people, the All Assam Disable Persons' Association (AADPA) has threatened to re-launch its agitational programme because of the State Government's alleged failure to keep its promises for providing various legitimate facilities to the physically challenged people of Assam. It may be mentioned here that a delegation of the AADPA, led by its general secretary Rahim Badsha Ahmed, while attending the Shillong conclave, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Commissioner of Disability (under the Persons With Disability Act, 1995), Dr Manoj Kumar, seeking his intervention in this regard. Despite repeated assurances given by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, his Government miserably failed to implement even the free travel of the physically impaired people in Government buses, said Ahmed.

'AGP reserves 30% tickets for newcomer':

Tinsukia: The AGP leadership has decided to bring in new faces from various fields as electoral candidates for the next Assembly elections. This was disclosed by party general secretary Dilip Saikia Sonowal in press conference held at Duliajan here recently. "many academicians lecturers, legal experts and entrepreneurs have joined the party recently," Sonowal claimed while adding that the work for strengthening the party at grassroots level is going on in full swing.

16th November '05

BJP demands white paper on Games:

Guwahati: The BJP has demanded a white paper on the expenses till date made by the State Government for the preparation of the National Games. Besides, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi should clarify the actual cause behind the decision of postponing the Game, the party further said. State BJP president Indramoni Bora, while addressing the press here on Nov 14 said, "The Chief Minister should seek pardon, if not resign on moral ground, from the people of Assam for the failure of his government to organize the Games on time."

Congress poll observer in State:

Guwahati: Rajya Sabha Mp and Congress poll observer for Assam Dr. Ananda Prasad Sethy on Nov 14 arrived for a 5 day visit to the State. Immediately after his arrival Sethy convened an emergency meeting with the office bearers of the APCC. The visit of the Congress poll observer assumes significance from the fact that the party, of late, has slipped into the bad books of a host of organizations, including some of its trusted allies like the UMF and the ATTSA. With less than six months left for the State Assembly elections, Sethy would "assess the ground situation in the State" and report his "findings" to the party high command.

AASA serves ultimatum to Government:

Guwahati: The Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (ATTSA) has decided to impose a ban on the entry of all Congress leaders, including ministers and MLAs, in the tea tribe dominated areas from Nov 24. The students' body has served a 7-day ultimatum to the State Government for keeping its promises made during the talks with the ATTSA leadership held in September this year.

15th November '05

Deferring of National Games; AGP, BJP flay Govt; ABSU joins hand:

Guwahati: The Asom Gana Parishad, Asom Gana Parishad (P) and the Bharatiya Janata Party on Nov 13 blamed Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his government for not being able to hold the 33rd National Games in Guwahati as scheduled. Coming down heavily on the Chief Minister, Opposition leader and AGP president Brindaban Goswami on Nov 13 said that Gogoi has demeaned the image of the State at the national level. Addressing the press at the party headquarters here, Goswami said that the people of the State would give a befitting reply to the Congress in the ensuing election. Goswami further said that the Gogoi government had not taken the political parties, sports organizers and most importantly the people of the State into confidence before embarking on the plan to host such a prestigious event for the first time.

The Congress only kept in mind the benefits that could be reaped through the extravaganza. "Since Gogoi had been claiming that the Games would be held on time, under on Nov 13 circumstances he should resign," Goswami said.

Mahanta stakes claim on symbol:

Guwahati: It has been a long lull but the feud between Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Brindabon Goswami is far from over. In consonace with a proposal adopted at the political convention which

witnessed the formation of the AGP (P), Mahanta has petitioned the Election Commission of India staking claim on the elephant symbol arguing that his party was the "real AGP". Talking to reporters in the city on Nov 13, the founder AGP president and two-time Chief Minister said that his expulsion from the AGP was unconstitutional and was the outcome of 'personal grudge'.

UMF-UDF may fight polls together:

Guwahati: The United Minority Front (UMF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) are likely to fight the ensuring electoral battle together. The mode of understanding between the parties, however, is expected to be reached at by Nov 20 when the executive committee of the UMF will to discuss the matter. This was stated by UMF president Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury today. "We always favour a viable non-Congress and non-BJP platform with a considerable political voice of the minorities," he said.

Bihar, Manipur goons behind city crimes?

Guwahati: Criminals of Bihar, Manipur and Dimapur are having a field day in the city in cahoots with the local gangs, police sources revealed here on Nov 13. With criminal activities on the rise in the city, the sources said that miscreants from various places, including inter-State gangs, who have established a network with the city-based criminals, are engineering anti social activities ranging from petty thefts, car lifting and robberies to extortions.

14th November '05

AGP minority cell out to expose Cong:

Guwahati: AGP Religious Minority Cell president Khalilur Rahman Choudhury and general secretary Seikh Abdul Hamid Nov 12 sad that they would publish a white paper on the neglect of the Congress towards the uplift of religious minorities in Assam since 1947. Talking to newsmen in the city, MLA Rahman Choudhury and Hamid said that since the Independence of India the Congress had been using the religious minorities in Assam had been using the religious minorities in Assam as its vote bank but did precious little for the uplift of the communities. They said that they would go to each and every nook and corner of minority-dominated areas in the State and expose the true colour of the Congress to the minority voters.

Kalmadi fixes date in October next year; sullied Gogoi keeps mum; Govt claim goes phut, Games postponed;

Guwahati: President of India Olympic Association (IOA) Suresh Kalmadi announced the postponement of the 33rd National Games for a year here on Nov 12. The Games are now scheduled for Oct 2006. Addressing the press after visiting Sarusajai, the main venue of the National Games, Kalmadi said, "The decision has been taken in view of the upcoming election in the State and the crowded calendar of sporting events in the first half of next year. IOA is not in a hurry to hold the Games and would prefer them after some time rather than compromising on the quality of construction works."

AGP factions in tug of war for symbol:

Guwahati: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) led by Brindabon Goswami and the Asom Gana Parishad (Progressive) led by former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta , two regional parties, have remained busy fighting among themselves for one reason or other rather than targeting their political enemy, the ruling Congress. Right now, the tussle for the "elephant" is gaining momentum between the two regional groups much to the glee of their common rivals in the AGP(P) moving the Election Commission to stake its claim on the AGP's election symbol. The former AGP president and two-time Chief Minister of the State, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, who floated the AGP(P) after he had been expelled from the party he had established about two decades back, is trying to snatch the AGP

symbol for the next Assembly polls in the State.

13th November '05

Vigilance Week ends with 'fight-corruption-out' slogan: CM for change in admin set-up:

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that commitment and quick response equally from the politicians, bureaucrats and the public could only check corruption. Talking at the concluding function of the Vigilance Awareness Week at Janata Bhavan in the city on Nov 11, Gogoi said: "Total check of corruption is not possible. We can at the best check it by minimizing its scope, and to make it a reality we have to go for a change of the whole administrative set-up. Awareness of the people about various schemes can also reduce corruption and the evil practice will die its natural death if the people are determined not to pay bribes." Implementation of the Right to Information Act would also reduce corruption to a large extent, he said. Speaking on the occasion, CVC MS Pangtey said that the existing departmental rules had no teeth and they needed thorough modification. According to him, for any corrupt practices in any department, the higher-up officials should be made accountable and the CVC should be equipped with more powers. He said that the movement of office files was very slow and for this the public had to suffer the most. "600 to 3,000 people visit the Janata Bhavan daily, and 80 per cent of them are with pension-related problems," he said, adding that they bore the brunt of slow movement of files. This practice needs to be done away with," he said. On inquiries into corruption charges, he said: "The inquiry officers do not follow the existing rules and as such their findings are being challenged in courts with success." Chief Secretary S Kabilan said that vigilance was a matter which had to be seen from within the departments and not from outside.

All-party meet on BTC polls:

Guwahati: Worried over the "fast deteriorating situation" in the BTAD areas on the eve of the elections to the two crucial seats of Dotma and Banorgaon, representatives of the eight political parties of the State on Nov 11 met at the AGP Legislative Party office at Dispur and called upon the State Election Commission to ensure free-and fair polls in the constituencies. In May last, elections to the two constituencies were countermanded following large-scale violence and massive rigging. This time too, a sense of insecurity and fear psychosis has gripped the voters in the wake of a feud between BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary and former ABSU president Rabiram Marzary who is contesting from Banorgaon constituency. The political parties-the AGP, TGP, CPI, CPI(M), ASDC, UME, UDF and the PLP-will submit a memorandum to Governor Lt. Gen(retd) Ajai Singh tomorrow urging him to personally monitor the situation.

NE industrial policy revision soon:

Guwahati: The much awaited revision of the North-East Industrial Policy is expected to be announced during the ensuring visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the region later this month. The Centre is contemplating a package for fiscal incentives for the North-east, N N Prasad, joint secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion(DIPP) under the Minister for Industrial and Commerce, said while briefing newsmen after an interaction with the officials of the Federation of Industries and Commerce of North- Eastern Region (FINER) here, November 11.

School head granted bail:

Guwahati: Gurukul Grammar Senior Secondary School Principal Dr Basanta Kumar Bhuyan, who had been arrested on Nov 10 in the night on charges of molestation of a class X girl of the school, was granted bail on Nov 11. The Magistrate, on the other hand, recorded the statement of the girl.

'DONER clandestinely assertive on NE people':

Guwahati: The two-day consultative meeting on Study of Natural Resources, Water and Environment nexus for the north-eastern region organized by World Bank with the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DONER) has never been consultative at all but clandestinely Committee on Nov

7. Elaborating on the projects which will cover 345 km across four north-eastern States, the source said that the four new road projects are in addition to 17 others cleared by the Ministry during the plan year. "Seven other new roads projects are expected to be cleared very soon", the source further said adding, "already Rs 1,042 crore has been spent on roads during the current fiscal".

12th November '05

Advantage Congress as AGP, BJP fight dissent; Tinsukia AGP a divided house?

Tinsukia: With Assembly polls in the State just months away, major political parties are getting ready for a showdown. Whereas the Congress and the BJP are girding up their loins, the Asom Gana Parishad, still sulking after a spit in the party, is yet to get ready, at least in Tinsukia, for the all-important polls next year and on the brink of a crisis in its 20-year history. In Tinsukia, a lock of activity has characterized the party district committee. In the last polls, the party cut a sorry figure in Tinsukia, Digboi, Margherita, Doom Dooma and only won Sadiya. Party workers at the grassroots are also a demoralized lot. What has added to the discomfiture of the party is the intra-party division. The district AGP, according to sources in the party, is divided into two camps.

OKDISCD meet on Karbi Anglong clashes; Verdict unanimous: Government responsible:

Guwahati: In a discussion on the current problem of Karbi Anglong organized by the Karbi Anglong organized by the Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development here on Nov 8, almost all the speakers virtually blamed the Governments-both at the Centre and in the State-for the prevailing situation in the two hill districts of Assam. Speaking on the occasion, ASDC leader Holiram Terang said that the State Government had done nothing after the incident of September 26, in which three Dimasa youths were killed by the miscreants. Even after the unprecedented carnage, the Government has not taken any steps till date to unearth the causes behind the killings, he said. Due to callous attitude of the State Government, the situation had escalated into such a major disturbance, he alleged. On the other hand, Janata Rongpi, CPI-ML leader, alleged that the step-motherly attitude of the Government towards the two hill districts made a mess of the situation. The total collapse of the ceasefire ground rules with the DHP and the UPDS was the root cause of the problem. He stressed the need for speedy political solution of the problems related to the militant outfits.

ULFA top brass well coordinated: Mamoni:

Dibrugarh: "There is perfect coordination between the ULFA's 'commander-in -chief', Mr. Paresh Barua and its chairman Mr. Arabinda Rajkhowa," said Ms. Mamoni Raisom Goswami. Noted writer and mediator of peace talks held between the People's Consultative Group and the Central Government while talking to the media persons at the Circuit House here today. Commenting on the personality of ULFA's 'c-in-c', Goswami said that h had strong feelings for Assam and its people. "He has a dream to see Assam free from all exploitation," said Goswami. However, Goswami admitted that the ULFA chairman had a different personality. He can communicate with anyone in a suave language with logic. "As he hails from a Rajkonwar family, he demands, equal respect from others," she said. But Goswami said both the leaders have very cordial relations and always depend on each other. Goswami, who is on a two-day tour to attend a function at Dibrugarh University.

Ex-BLT Society laments allegation by UG Brahma; 'Ex-BLTs not used by Hagrama'

Kokrajhar: The Ex-BLT Welfare Society, Kokrajhar district committee expressed surprise and serious concern on the baseless allegation leveled by RS MP U G Brahma that the Ex-BLT Society has been used by the BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary to serve personal interest. The Society also expressed complete ignorance that any of former cadres of the BLT is working for Mohilary in Dotma and Banargaon by-polls. The Ex-BLT Welfare Society said hat ever since its inception the Society has been working for the all-round welfare and security of its members. The Society said that it is an independent body and is not used by Rajya Sabha MP. The organization for the former BLT cadres said that it was extending moral support to the Hagrama-led BLT in order to ensure that the BTC accord was implemented in letter and spirit, and that cases former BLT members are withdrawn. It added that U G

Brahma was leveling baseless charges and was trying to create a rift in the long-standing brotherly relationship between the ABSU and former BLT members. The society also asked U G Brahma not to use ABSU in politics since it is a political entity.

11th November '05

Principal arrested on molestation charge:

Guwahati: The principal of Gurukul Grammer Senior Secondary School at Geetanagar in the city was arrested tonight following an allegation of molestation leveled by a class X girl against him. The school authorities had to suspend the classes till November 14. The girl told newsmen on November 10 that the principal of the school, Dr Basanta Kumar Bhuyan, called her during the leisure period on November 8 on the pretext of expressing grief over her father's illness. "He then offered me Rs 100 saying it would be of my use as my financial background is not sound, "Soon he closed the door and tried to molest me. I ran out of the room crying." A group of girls immediately informed the matter to the vice principal, Chandana Kalita who tried to hush up the incident, she alleged. When contracted, the principal rubbish the allegations. "I suspended a boy after he had repeatedly brought a bike to the school in spite of my disapproval. Thee girl happens to be a good friend of his and she leveled the charges to avenge me," he said. He, however, admitted that on November 8 he had called the girl to his office to inquire about her father's health. Another girl of class IX revealed that the principal had made similar attempts on a number of girls, including her, but "they had been afraid of exposing him".

Disabled flay Government over inaction, submit memo:

Guwahati: Frustrated over the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the State government regarding the implementation of various provisions of the Persons With Disability Act, 1995, the physically challenged people in Assam today sought the intervention of Chief Commissioner for Disability, under PWD Act, Monoj Kuumar into the matter. A memorandum in this regard has been submitted to him by the All Assam Disabled Persons' Association (AADPA) during a two-day workshop organized by the Bethany Society on behalf of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) that started today at the St Edmund's College in Shillong. The theme of the workshop is 'Human resource development in disability sector and status of the implementation of PWD act 1995 and National Trust Act 1999.' The memorandum has alleged that the Assam government has failed to address the demands of the disabled persons despite repeated assurance given by Chief Minister.

Influx: Former CS for more tribunals:

Guwahati: Alleging that both the Centre and the State Government have been casual towards infiltration into Assam, former Chief Secretary Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa today said that more tribunals were needed to root out the problem. Speaking at a students' gathering organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhya Parishad (ABVP) at Latasil playground here, Rajkhowa said that the existing 11 tribunals had not been empowered to tackle the problem adequately. Stating that the six-year-long Assam agitation of the AASU had created "some devils" in the State, he called upon the student, youth and social organizations of the State to join the movement against the illegal migrants whose influx had set the alarm bells ringing across the State.

Adivasi rebel group active in Golaghat:

Guwahati: Over 500 Myanmar and Bhutan trained All Adivasi Liberation Army (AANLA) cades have sneaked into Assam recently and made their presence felt in the State, mainly in Golaghat district along Karbi Anglong border from Bokakhat to Myanmar. According to sources, the rebel group, which was formed way back in June ,2003 when Nirmal Tirkey as the 'c-in-c', Lucas Bhangra as the chairman and George Domdom as the general secretary, has all types of AK series rifles and tie-up with the Kuki Revolutionary Force (KRA). According to sources, AANLA cades also undergo training at KRA camps in Singhasan Hills in Karbi Anglong district and the instructors come from Myanmar and Bhutan. Top level police sources in Golaghat district also confirmed the report by saying that about 40 AANLA

cadres were active in the district and five of them had been arrested during the last three month.

10th November '05

ALP backs UDF, to contest 35 seats:

Guwahati: The Assam Labour Party (ALP), a conglomerate body of 12 tea tribe organizations, has decided to support the newly-floated United Democratic Front (UDF) in the forthcoming State Assembly elections, due early next year. The ALP backing comes in the wake of hectic efforts by the UDF to mobilize different ethnic groups and communities' support in its favour. ALP chairman Biren Mirdha said that the understanding with the UDF was part of its strategy to keep the BJP away from power. Mirdha said that the party had also sought support from Janajati Adivashi Jatiya Aikhya Mancha, Asom in the ensuring election.

AASAA move to form party begins:

Guwahati: The All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA) has launched its much-hyped move for the community with a two-day special convention at District Library auditorium here on Nov 8. Representatives of several 'like -minded organizations of the community have taken part in the convention and expressed their views regarding the move, the students' body sources said.

Oil tanker blast kill 1:

Guwahati: No lesson, it seems , has been learnt by those running the oil tankers even after the Khanapara incident of 1998 where 13 people were killed in an oil tanker blast. Year after the Khanapara incident, another oil tanker exploded today right in the heart of the city at around 8.45 a.m. killing one on the spot. According to sources an unloaded oil tanker was under repair at a garage located at Lakhimi Path, under Hatigaon police outpost. A worker in the garage,Tarun Das, was welding the tanker, when it exploded killing him and injuring another worker Kamal Terang. Concerned citizens have pointed out that oil tankers even if unloaded retain some inflammable qualities.

Number of pending cases, crime graph on the rise; Cops' performance in Assam: A far cry from better policing:

Guwahati: Better policing by the overburdened men in uniform in the State is next to impossible if the authorities at the helm of affairs do not take steps to solve problems, specially on the manpower front, afflicting the police force in its functioning, mainly investigations of cases. According to department sources, unarmed branch (UBs) manning the police stations have to face various problems in maintaining law and order and in carrying out investigations because of lack of adequate number of armed personal attached to them. In the UBs too, according to sources, as many as 300 posts of SI and 80 posts of inspector have been lying vacant, and this lack of manpower has a direct impact on the disposal of the ever-increasing number of cases. In all, as many as 7,500 post have been lying vacant in the State Police Department which has 23 battalions. The total strength of vacant posts is equal to that of nine battalions. Of the available armed manpower, five to six battalions are busy in VIP duty.

Manas website to boost smiling tiger:

Guwahati: From November 8, seeking any information about the century-old Manas National Park will be a matter of just a mouse click. With the launching of the official website, information about the park right from its history to its flora and fauna , floods, cultural heritage etc. have now become globally accessible. Chief Wild Life Warden MC Malakar launched the website www.manasassam.org here on Nov 8. Speaking on the occasion, Malakar said that the portal will help attracting tourist to the State. It may be mentioned here that the park will be celebrating its centenary soon and Mwsha Bahadur, or the smiling tiger, is the logo of thee centenary celebrations. Abhijit Rabha, conservator of forests and field director, Manas National Park in his address said that the website has a lot of information about grassland management, river ecosystem management, tree land management, trained elephant management, etc. Rabha further said that the logo of centenary celebrations is symbolic of the

existence of Manas and its inhabitants over a hundred years under most trying circumstances.

AASAA: Political platform by Nov 26:

Guwahati: The move of the All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASA) for floating of a separate political platform has virtually reached a decisive stage today at the concluding day of its two-day Adivasi National Convention held at the District Library auditorium here. A coordination committee headed by AASAA president Jastin Lakra has been formed to assess all the pros and cons regarding the proposal platform. The proposal move is expected to take a final shape on November 26, when the next meeting of the coordination committee, comprising the presidents and general secretaries of all the 17 organizations present in the convention, is scheduled to be held at the OBC Bhawan at Chandmari, said Joseph Minz, general secretary of the AASAA central committee.

No sanitation, no vote:

Guwahati: No sanitation, no Panchayat membership. The Union Government is pushing the idea to the State Governments to make law in this line to promote sanitation in the rural areas. Union Minister for Rural development Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh today informed that his ministry was actively using the idea in the recent times. He was speaking here today n the Editor's Conference on Social Sector Issue. "If there is no sanitation you cannot be Panchayat member. Chattisgarh already have a law like that and Maharashtra is also bringing a similar law," he said. Giving a dismal picture of the low sanitation in the rural areas of the country, he said that till today only 33 per cent of rural homes have sanitation facilities. "We want total sanitation by 2015," he said. He said, "most do not like to discuss this topic considering it too uncivilized to be discussed. But in rural India, this has one of the most important issues and every day 2 lakh tone of soil are left in the outside which create enough pollution to infect thousands of children everyday." He announced that like the previous ear, this year also Nirmal Gram award would be given.

Guwahati master plan in the offing: GMDA unveils new bye-laws:

Guwahati: Decks have been cleared for the implementation of a new set of building bye-laws prepared by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) with thrust on safety measures, parking facilities, proper approach roads and alternative sources of drinking water for the city. The new set of rules, called Draft Building Bye-laws, which were made public today by Guwahati Development Department (GDD) secretary Ashish Bhutani at a press conference here, would come into force from January next year. Besides, a master plan for the city was also in the offing and is likely to be implemented early next year, GDD minister Himanta Biswas Sarma, who was also present at the conference said. As part of the plan, government offices would be shifted to the outskirts of the city to lighten the burden of the heavy city crowd.

Ramadoss moots uplift of rural health; Rural internship to be made compulsory for new doctors:

Guwahati: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. A Ramadoss today said that the launching of the National Rural Health Mission and the Regional Resource Centre (RRC) in the North-east would bring in a paradigm shift in the process of rapid development of the rural health sector in the region. Inaugurating the Regional Resource Centre for the North-east at Khanapara here, the Union Minister said that the Centre in association with the 'development partners' like EC, UNFPA, DFID and others has embarked upon a mission to augment technical and managerial capacities in health sector in the eight NE States. The main objectives of the RRC would be to provide technical assistance to the States and identify the core areas to be focused.

The RRC will also facilitate the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission in finalization of community-based health initiatives and programmes, development of social mobilization campaign for community involvement. "Despite the fact that considerable amount of funds have already been released to all the eight north-eastern States, it has not resulted into a significant improvement in the vital health indicators of the region due to lack of managerial and technical capacities," Ramadoss said

adding, "To tide over this adding problem, the Centre has thought of augmenting the technical and managerial capacities at all levels."

9th November '05

Jatindra Nath Goswami passes away:

Jorhat: Writer biographer and critic Jatindra Nath Goswami, who was honoured with the title 'Sahityacharyya' for his noteworthy contribution towards the preservation of Assamese language and literature, passed away at his Natun Para residence 'Rodali' here at 12.30 a.m after midnight. His 88th birthday was just five days short when the end came today. Goswami was a former president of the Asom Xahitya Xabha. Born on November 12 in 1918, the Sahityacharyya had his education at Tinsukia, Jorhat, Shillong and Calcutta. He started his work life with a job in the Military Engineering Service in 1942 and became a teacher in 1946. After stints at several education institutions, Goswami finally retired as a lecture of Assamese from the Jagannath Barooah College here in 1980. It may be mentioned here that the octogenarian litterateur had been admitted to a private nursing home in September for serious heart problems. According family sources, Goswami's condition had turned critical since November 2 and showed no sings of improvement till his death in the wee hours today. Goswami made his literary foray in the age of the Abahan, and penned thee scholarly Axomiya Xahityar Somu Xikhon and Jagaron Aru Jana. As a critic, Goswami had edited as many as 22 book.

Of ISI teachers and ULFA 'kids':

Nagaon: The teachers are dreaded ISI agents and the students "ULFA children". Nothing sinister here but. The unique school with seven students and three teachers is inside a jail of Assam. The students are mostly offspring of the jailed ULFA leaders and the teachers are three dreaded ISI agents, condemned for life.

Now Rabhas to float party:

Guwahati: The split in the AGP might have delighted the Congress, but gauging the number of disgruntled bodies things are not auguring well for the ruling party. After the Koch Rajbonshis, it is the Rabhas, outraged at the failure of the State Government to grant them Sixth Schedule status, who are clearing the decks to float a new political party. The steering committee of the All Rabha Students' Union (ARSU), in its meeting held at Dudhnoi today, decided to hold a political convention on November 23 and 24 at Dudhnoi. A delegation of the Sixth Schedule Demand Committee and representatives of the ARSU met the AGP leadership recently and called upon the Opposition to raise the issue of scheduling the Rabhas in the forthcoming Assembly election.

AASU leaders land AGP chief in trouble? Mahanta bait for disgruntled Brindaban men;

Guwahati: AGP heavyweights, who may be denied tickets for the forthcoming Assembly elections by the party have another door open for them. The AGP(P) is ready to take them in its fold. That is not all. The AGP offshoot will also give them poll tickets if they want so. Sources said that the AGP(P) which is at loggerheads with AGP leadership for ruling out any pre-poll alliance with it, is mulling to bait the disgruntled AGP leaders and rope them in. This tactics of the AGP(P) comes in the backdrop of reports that the AGP leadership has been in a catch-22 situation after a number of past and present AASU top guns have 'sought' tickets from constituencies which have been 'bases' of prominent AGP heavyweights. As for now, the AGP(P) has shown the green signal to a number of prominent AGP heavyweights. As for now, the AGP(P) has shown the green signal to a number of its contenders and instructed them to begin the spadework in their respective constituencies. However, confirmed sources said that even though the party had prepared the first list, which figures as many as 40 names, it was subject to changes if 'stronger' names joined the party.

8th November '05

ACHR tough on Government on Karbi Anglong:

Guwahati: The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has suggested formation of Assam State Commission on 'internally displaced persons and community recovery' for a trial period of at least five years to monitor developments in conflict areas for early warning, address security concerns and facilitate the granting of safe access to internally displaced persons by humanitarian workers, monitor measures taken to ensure recovery of the community and take community confidence building measures. The ACHR today released its 23-page report, 'Ethnic Cleaning and Internal Displacement in Karbi Anglong and NC Hills: Lesson Not Learnt by Assam', on the observation gathered during its recent visit to the strife-torn hill districts. It also recommended strict enforcement of ceasefire agreements with DHD and the UPDS, a Central package for proper rehabilitation of the displaced people and providing free rations to enable them to start cultivation and prompt start of the Commission of Inquiry by Justice PK Phukan irrespective of a CBI inquiry.

Government mulls poll before Bihu:

Guwahati: The election Commission is likely to ask the State Government for a tentative date for the State's Assembly elections soon after the completion of the Bihar poll. According to official sources, the EC has already instructed the Government to repair the roads in the sensitive places of the State. It has also quizzed the State Home Department regarding the prevailing law-and-order situation. The legislators have been asked not to use loudspeakers from 10 p.m to 6 a.m. Even though the Congress-led State Government was contemplating to hold the elections as early as February to exploit the spit in the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) scepter, which it had failed to exorcise till date and a host of its trusted allies abandoning it and floating separate political platforms, has propelled it to buy time and opt for the month of April. The APCC has given its nod favoring the election in April and, according to sources, the government was mulling to complete the exercise by mid-April - before the Rongali Bihu. It may be mentioned here that the term of the current (11th) Legislative Assembly ends on May 29, 2006 and as per rules the 12th Assembly must be formed before its preceding Assembly is dissolved.

Trust Act: Assam lacks awareness:

Guwahati: Public awareness about the National Trust Act in acted by Parliament in 1999 for the benefit of the disable is not satisfactory in the State of Assam. This was observed by Ms Aloka Guha, chairperson, National Trust, which is an autonomous body set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, for the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities. Talking to media person in the city today, Ms Guha said that the National Trust is instrumentalized through local initiatives called Local Level Committees headed by the deputy commissioners. "But in Assam, LLCs have been constituted only in 12 districts so far," said Ms Guha. She further said that the Legal Guardianship is still to catch up in the State.

Industrial park at Sualkuchi; park in city; Mumbai firm in mission to beautify city:

Guwahati: If everything goes as planned, the day is not far for the netizens of greater Guwahati to get the much needed breathing space. As of now, life in this capital city is a 'veritable hell' with traffic snarls lack of proper and adequate number of parking lots, number of amusement parks being too less, lack of industrial and civic infrastructure etc., being the common feature. A ray of hope is, however, beaming now as the Tarun Gogoi Cabinet has approved the formation of a joint venture comprising Industrial Leasing and Finance Services (ILES) with 50 per cent stake, NEDFi with 24 per cent stake and the GMDA with 26 per cent stake. According to source, the joint venture has taken schemes like the setting up of a state -of -art industrial park at Sualkuchi on the outskirts of the city, a park each near the Adabari bus terminus and near the State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden, four multi storeyed parking lots in the city, shifting of Adabari bus terminus to Gorchuk etc., in its hands as the first-to -do assignments. Sources said that the sites for the four multi-storeyed parking lots had already been identified and the park near the Zoo would be on the spot of the soil conversation office which would be shifted elsewhere.

7th November '05

Hindu Bengalis to float party on Nov 30:

Guwahati: The Bhashik Sanghkhyalaghu Mahasabha, an ad hoc body of as many as nine linguistic minority organizations, in its first executive meeting here today, decide to float a political party in its political convention slated for November 30 in the city. This was stated by Asit Sarkar, president of the Mahasabha, while talking on Nov 6 after six-hour-long brainstorming executive meeting. Three subcommittees for publicity, finance and organization were formed in the meeting, he said.

Assam earn two points as match ends in draw:

Assam earned two points against Jharkhand by virtue of first innings lead in the Polly Umrigarh Trophy match which concluded on Nov 5 at Nehru Stadium on Nov 5. The three day match ended as a draw.

AFA selection camp from Nov 10:

The Assam Football Association will organize coaching-cum-selection camp to select its team for the Junior National (NE Zone) Football Tournament. The camp will get under way at Tezpur from November 10 while the tournament will begin at Belonia in Tripura from November 25. The AFA has already selected 47 probables for the camp and they have been instructed to join the camp within November 9.

Bengal humiliate Assam:

Assam suffered a humiliating defeat of one innings and 77 runs at the hand of Bengal in the U-22 C K Nayaudu Cricket Tournament which concluded at Halakandi on Nov 5. Assam in its next match will face Tripura from Nov 9. The match will be held at Goalpara.

PSPB inter-unit soccer from Nov 7:

The 26th Petroleum Sports Promotion Board Inter-Unit Football Tournament will be hosted by BRPL at Dhaligaon from Nov 7. Altogether eight teams are taking part in the meet which will be inaugurated by the Managing Director of the BRPL A K Sarmah. Final is slated to be held on Nov 12.

Natasha to represent State national chess:

Natasha Dutta of PC Borooah Chess Academy will participate in the National U-7 Chess Championship scheduled to be held at Aurangabad from November 6 Natasha has been selected to represent State.

Assam beat Bengal:

Assam defeated Bengal by two wickets in the U-19 cricket match played at Kolkata on Nov 5. Batting first Bengal scored 200 runs for nine wickets. In reply, Assam reached the target for eight wickets.

6th November '05

Bomb threat to bankers:

Guwahati: Guwahati denizens are a panicked lot on Nov 5 following the recovery of a bomb purportedly sent in a parcel to the general manager of Bhangagarh branch of ICIC Bank. The GM found a threatening letter after opening the parcel. He immediately called the security guard on duty. The guard opened the box and found a bomb and kept it on the footpath. On receiving the information, the police rushed to the spot without any equipment and as such one of the policemen had to use a

bamboo to throw the bomb into a roadside drain. A number sand bags had to be stacked on it so as to lessen it impact if it goes off. When the bomb trailer arrived, the device was wrapped in blankets, kept it on the trailer using bamboos and then taken to the police reserve. Though City ASP Vibekananda Das said that the bomb was without explosives, another police source said that there were explosives but the quantity was too small.

Tension in city area:

Guwahati: Sensation prevails at Kotabari area under Gorchuk police station in the city following a clash between two communities since on Nov 3 and that led a group of a particular community to gather near the masjid in large numbers and one of them misbehaved a woman. The police managed to avert the situation from further escalation but after the peaceful celebration of Idd, hundreds of people from both the communities gathered in the area on Nov 5.SSP Nitul Gogoi, ASP Vibekananda Das and Pandu range DSP Utpal Bayan rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Though the police picked some selected people from both the communities and formed a peace committee, the situation is tense.

ABSU heading for a split?

Guwahati: After the schism in the BPPF, it is now the turn of the All Bodo Students' Union to brace itself for an imminent spilt. On Nov 2, the ABSU president had voiced support for the BPPF's Rabiram faction candidates for the Dotma and Banargaon by-polls but a press release issued by the Guwahati unit of the ABSU has reposed confidence on Rabiram's bete noire Hagrama Mohilary for the by polls and stated openly that they were not in favour of Rabiram Narzary. The Guwahati district committee of the ABSU in its release said that Hagrama Mohilary would be able to ensure the implementation of the BTC Accord. The Guwahati unit of the ABSU also expressed serious concern over the attack on election sub-committee office of Dokendra Nath Brahma, the Mohilary backed candidate by some ABSU workers on November 2 at Ramani Ashram under the Dotma constituency. It asked its counterparts to refrain from what it termed as 'cowardly activities'.

5th November '05

Himanta creating political terror in BTC; UG;

Kokrajhar: Charging the State Finance and Planning & Development Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as the man behind the split in BPPF and Bodo leadership, Rajya Sabha MP U G Brahma said that state-sponsored political terrorism has arrived in the BTC which would continue till the forthcoming Assembly polls in the State.

Karbi Anglong violence a conspiracy

Diphu: KAANCHASDOM and KAASDCOM in a joint press release did not rule out the involvement of a third force in the ongoing ethnic violence in Karbi Anglong. The release has said that the violence between Karbis and Dimasas was the result of feud between DHD and UPDS and was a calculated act of conspiracy triggered by vested interest. The release appealed to the Karbis and Dimasas not to be swayed by rumours and instigations for the sake of peace.

4th November '05

AGP women wing for 33% party tickets

Guwahati: With the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) getting down to business after overcoming month-long trauma, the Asom Mahila Parishad (AMP), women's wing of the party, is also girding up its loins cheek by jowl. AGP insiders said that the AMP, in a letter to the party president, has sought 33 per cent seats in the forthcoming elections. Among the AMP leader who have emerged as strong contenders for the party tickets are Rekharani Das Boro (Boroma), Dr Alok Desai (Nalbari), Renupama Rajkhowa (Teok),

Sushil Hazarika (Dergaon) (all former legislators), Meenara Begam (Dalgaon) and Sunitte Brahma Choudhury (Bijni).

Fate of LCV Science; Bodies blame it on Govt, AAU

Guwahati: The indifferent attitude of the State Government and Assam Agricultural University to the derecognition of the Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science by the Veterinary Council of India has exposed once again the degree of callousness on the part of the authorities at the helm of affairs to public feelings. Various organizations of Lakhimpur district have s far registered their protests against AAU and the State Government for their lack of good- will and interest in the continuance of the College." The Government, AAU and the Assam Agricultural University Teachers' Association are to be blamed for matters reaching to such a state," said members of the Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science Suraksha Somittee.

Koch Rajbonshis set to float party

Guwahati: The All Koch Rajbonshi Students' Union (AKR'SU) is all set to float a new political party, a move which, according to pollsters, might be crucial as the tribe has a population of around 50 lakh in the State. AKRSU president Biswajeet Roy told the new party would be floated at a political convention, slated for December in Bongaigaon. "The government has been dragging its feet on our demands - Scheduling of the Koch Rajbonshis and a separate Kamatapur State. We had supported the Congress which had pledged to fulfill our demands during the last elections, but it betrayed us ," Roy said and rued that even the AGP, during its term, had been casual regarding the demands of the tribe.

DPs begin with a bang, end in a whimper: The inquiries, in most of the cases, rather do injustice to so-called delinquent officials (who are not guilty) by blocking all opportunities including promotions, and provide escape routes to officials (who are guilty) during the abysmally-long time they take:Guwahati: The 'never - ending "inquires or departmental proceedings (DPs), which generally begin with a bang but end in a whimper, do not serve the purpose for which the are instituted. The inquires, in most of the cases, rather do injustice to so-called delinquent officials (who are not guilty) by blocking all opportunities, including promotions, and provide escape routes to officials (who are guilty) during the abysmally-long time they take. There are instances of DPs going on even after retirement of the delinquent officials thereby helping them avail even retirement benefits. In the process, the officials who are not guilty of the allegations leveled against them are on the receiving end since they are deprived of even promotion benefits during the time of inquiries, and the impact on them is the worst when the inquiries linger long. This is one of the many grey areas in which the Tarun Gogoi - led Congress Government, which had formed the Chief Vigilance Commission with the promise of transparent and corruption-free governance, failed utterly during its over four -and half -year term. As if to make things worst, no step was taken to revive the now defunct departmental vigilance system which had been set up way back in 1990

ULFA talks: Round II likely in city; Mamoni keeps fingers crossed:

Guwahati: Noted writer Mamoni Raisom Goswami would prefer to keep the fingers crossed, over the proposed second round of peace talks between the Government and the nine member ULFA constituted PCG. Observers here feel that the second round of peace talks might take place during the Prime Minister's visit to the State towards the end of this month.

Linguistic minority panel:

Guwahati: In an apparent move to woo the linguistic minorities, who are all set to float a new political outfit before the coming elections, the Assam Cabinet, in a meeting on Nov 2, has approved the Linguistic Minority Board for the development of the communities. Besides, new recruitment policy for appointment of teachers in LP and ME schools also got the approval of the State Cabinet.

Cong, BJP out to woo linguistic minority body:

Guwahati: Even before the formal floating of the proposed separate political platform of the Hindu Bengalis of the Brahmaputra valley, frantic efforts are on by the ruling Congress and the BJP to pull the new move in their favour. Both the parties have been in constant touch with the ad hoc committee constituted last month to prepare the base for the proposed political party for the linguistic minority.

3rd November '05

Tea cell all praise for Tata Tea; Tata Tea has decided to transfer 80% of equity shares of its 17 gardens in Assam to the workers of respective gardens:

Guwahati: The Congress" tea cell has welcomed Tata Tea Ltd's move to transfer maximum shares of the tea gardens owned by the company in Assam to the workers and employees of the respective gardens."It is a welcome move taken by the tea gaint," said Bhagirath Karan, here. Representation in the management had been a long-standing aspiration of the tea workers, he said. Tata Tea Ltd, which , earlier, was reportedly considering sale out of all its gardens in the State due to the plight of the tea industry, has decided to transfer 80 percent of equity shares of its 17 gardens in Assam and eight in Doars of North Bengal to the workers of the respective gardens, sources said.

Resignation of State Govt demanded:

Guwahati: A citizens' meet was held recently at the Guwahati Press club under the aegis of Sodou Asom Janasanskritik Parishad and Karbi Culture Society. The meeting was presided over by Loknath Goswami, a press release. The meeting expressed opinion that the Congress Government in the State, which had miserably failed in containing the acts of violence in Karbi Anglong, had no right to remain in power.

ULFA greets PCG for opening talks; Oct 26 will remain a red-letter day in the history of the North-east politics: ULFA:

Guwahati: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Nov 1greeted the People's Consultative Group (PCG) for opening the peace process with the Centre and raising the matter of sovereignty in the meeting. In its monthly newsletter, Swadhinita, the ULFA on Nov 1 'patted its own back' for being able to raise the issue of sovereignty in the very first meeting with the Centre. The rebel group claimed that it was the only militant organization in the North-east who could raise the issue of sovereignty with the Centre, albeit through an interlocutor and a group picked by itself. This, according to the rebel group, is itself a history.

Anti-Cong pre-poll truck in the making:

Guwahati: With the Assembly elections in the State barely a few months away, political parties have stepped up their activities drawing poll strategies even as the two major national parties, the ruling Congress and the BJP, have so far been seemingly inert. New political axes to frustrate the Congress are on the cards with a number of parties engaged in hectic parleys to cobble up the anti-Congress forces but the saffron party has been maintaining a mysterious distance from all.

Rekharani hardens her Boroma claim:

Guwahati: A day after former AASU president Probin Boro announced that he would step into politics shortly, senior AGP leader and two-time MLA from Boroma Rekharani Das Boro on Nov 1 expressed her strong AASU leader might be given AGP ticket from Boroma.

Hindu Bengalis out to form party:

Guwahati: The Bengali Yuba-Chatra Federation and Linguistic Minority United Forum will hold a linguistic minority mahasabha in the city on November 30 when they will formally announce their decision to float a new political party comprising, what they claim, the 65 lakh Hindu Bengalis of Assam

and other linguistic minorities of the State.

2nd November '05

It's all groundwork for AGP:

Guwahati: Two groups, one comprising party workers and people from outside the party and the other from a private agency are on the job to perceive the pulses of the people of 80 constituencies of the State and report the findings to the party high command so as to help it field 'strong' candidates in the forthcoming Assembly elections, AGP president Brindabon Goswami said on Nov 3.

ASDC, BPPF train guns on Govt; Karbi Anglong violence:

Guwahati: The Autonomous State Demand Committee and thee Bodoland People's Progressive Front, in a press release, held the Government of Assam responsible for the carnage in Karbi Anglong. In the release, these organizations alleged that the Government was deliberately neglecting to arrest the killers of the three Dimasa youths who had been killed on September 26 even though the nearby villagers had reportedly informed of their (the culprits) presence to the Manja police outpost. Similaly, the killing of five Karbi people on October 2 and three more Karbis on October 3 were also deliberately ignored by the Government, the release alleged. And this "criminal negligence" had led to the loss of a number of innocent lives and torching of houses of hundreds of villages. It said that the series of incidents only proves that the Congress(I) - led State Government had deliberately allowed the band of killers to roam freely.

Cabinet nod to panel: Decision too late: Ardhendu:

Guwahati: Assam Cabinets approval for the formation of the Linguistic Minority Development Board is another furtile exercise, feels the Assam Bhashik Sangkhalaghu Mahasaha, an ad hoc body formed for doing the ground work for a separate political party by the linguistic minorities before the coming elections. The body has made it clear that it is determined to float a party. It has termed the Cabinet decision as an "election sop.' On the other hand, former Assam minister Ardhendu Kumar Dey, who belongs to the community, said that the Cabinet decision came too late. The government would get only a couple of months before the ensuing election to activate the board, he said.

ATTSA leaders flexing muscle

Guwahati: Enraged over the State Government's dilly-dallying tactics to address its various demands, the Assam Tea Tribes Students Association (ATTSA) is set to embark on a fresh muscle - flexing exercise on the eve of the forthcoming elections. The 60 - member new executive body of the student organization is likely to finalize its next course of action later this month.

OIL net profit up by 84 per cent

Guwahati: Oil India Limited (OIL) has recorded a net profit of Rs816 crore in the first six months of 2005-2006 registering an increase of 84 per cent as against Rs 442 core during the corresponding period last year. The total income during the period was Rs.2,736 crore as against Rs 2513 crore during the last financial year, OIL sources said on Nov 3. This was despite the company giving a discount of US $ 9 per barrel for the refineries from April, 2005 to September 2005. This apart, according to sources, the company is also giving discount the north-eastern refineries by absorbing major portion of sale tax and transportation charges for crude oil supply.

Fresh violence in KA, bandh called:

Diphu: Fresh violence in Karbi Anglong district broke the fortnight-long lull on Nov 2. Suspected Karbi miscreants ambushed a Dhansiri-bound bus and hacked to death two passengers near Sorsori, about

three km from Diphu, around 3 p.m on Nov 3, police sources said.

1st November '05

War of words intensifies in BPPF; Mohilary a puppet in the hands of Himanta: Brahma

Kokrajhar: Rajya Sabha MP Urkhao Gwra Brahma on Nov 1 alleged that the BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, was acting as a puppet of the Minister of State for Planning and Finance Himanta Biswa Sarma who was masterminding a split in the BPPF. He said that it was due to the Minister's stratagem that a schism was palpable among the senior Boro leaders who, just before the BTC elections were seen working unitedly for the cause of Bodo unity.

Axom Xena's 'life-size' appearance in Nov-end:

Guwahati: The wait was long but things seemed to have fallen in line now. Months before the Assembly elections in the State, the Axom Xena, an offshoot of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), would formally make its appearance public at a State convention to be held at Boroma in Nalbari in the latter part of November.

Statewide NFR 'eviction' in quarters?:

Guwahati: The recent directive of the Northeast Frontier Railway to turf out all non-railway employees from the railway colony quarters has raised many an eyebrow and seemingly foretold the onset of another 'eviction'. It may be mentioned here that more than 50 percent of the families residing in the railway colonies around the State are non-railway employees. Railway employees, on whose names the quarters have been sanctioned, have authorized persons/families to reside in their quarters as they purportedly had inconveniences in staying in them.

Scribe suicide: Police action stirs up hornets' nest; I have been dragged into the episode: Himanta:

Guwahati: Police action into the two 'accused lists' left behind by Kanakraj Medhi, Sualkuchi correspondent of the Asomiya Pratidin who had committed suicide recently, stirred up a hornets' nest as the lists contain names of Sualkuchi correspondents of a number of Newspapers of the State. The Sualkuchi local correspondents of the Janasadharan and the Khabar figured in the first letter containing a list of eight, who, according to Medhi, were directly responsible for his suicide. The second letter also has a list of 22, including the correspondent Amar Asom. The 22, according to the content of the letter, were indirectly responsible for Medhi's suicide.

'Nagalim demand' behind KA violence: JGCPF

Guwahati: Brushing aside reports that the violence in Karbi Anglong was a case of ethnic strife, Janajati Faith and Culture Protection Forum (JFCPF), an umbrella organization of fourty hill tribal bodies, on Oct 31 demanded a CBI inquiry into the whole episode. Alleging 'third party' involvement in the violence, JFCPF president BB Jamatia said in press conference here: "The motive behind spreading large scale violence is to divide the people of Karbi Anglong on Communal lines and to create permanent hatred among them and thereby to create a Kashmir-like situation and compel the native people to leave the place permanently. Here the importance of demand for greater Nagaland for the vested interest can be well understood from the international conspiracy".