News on Barak Valley

CPM blocks NH-54 demanding better connectivity
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 24: CPM leaders and workers yesterday blocked NH-54 at Ramnagar for one hour in protest against the callous attitude of the state government towards the improvement of road connectivity in Barak Valley. A large number of villagers also took part in the blockade.
Deepak Bhattacharya, party leader, said that this blockade programme was a sequel to the resolution adopted at a mass convention held in the district library auditorium which was attended by MPs Basudev Acharya and Bajuban Reang. The convention expressed serious concern at the abnormal delay in the completion of Silchar-Lumding BG and Silchar-Saurashtra Mahasadak which stood as a stumbling hurdle in easy connectivity of Barak Valley and beyond.
The highway blockade, he said, was also to bring into focus the public demand for early completion of BG and Mahasadak, introduction of waterways services between Kolkata-Karimganj-Lakhipur, rail services on Karimganj-Kolkata route via Bangladesh and introduction of train services between Silchar and Bhairobi. CPM leader blamed the state government for its abject surrender to a few cadres of Black Widows (DHD-J) which posed challenge before Dispur and prevented construction of BG and Mahasadak. The Tripura government, on the other hand, he pointed out not only overcame the challenge of the extremists but also set an example how to tackle them and complete Dharamnagar-Agartala train route. He demanded positive attitude and steps both from the centre and the state to complete the ongoing projects and introduce the waterways and rail services. source: sentinel assam

ASKAM members lock IOS office
Special Correspondent
Silchar, Dec 24: Asom Sikshak Karmachari Aikya Manch (ASKAM) on Monady locked the main gate of the Inspector of School’s office here and staged demonstration yesterday in order to pressure the higher authorities concerned to concede their demand for provincialization of private schools. The Manch, it is to be recalled, has been agitating for their demand for the last 30 years by resorting to agitational courses, but till date no action has been taken by the state government.
The Manch has been pressing for provincialization of recognized primary schools, middle English schools, high schools, higher secondary schools, madrasas, Sanskrit chatuspatis, junior colleges and degree colleges throughout the state. In to day’s novel method of protest against the indifferent attitude of Dispur. The agitationists carried posters and banners. There was however no one to brief the press. A member of the Manch however said on the sideline that it was also a part of their movement to mobilize public opinion and support for their long pending demand. 8587 primary schools, 4638 middle English school, 1825 high schools, 634 madrasas, 16 Sanskrit tols, 186 higher secondary schools, 130 junior colleges and 133 degree colleges across the state are yet to be provincialized. source: sentinel assam

Rastra Sevika Samiti working for women’s cause
Special Correspondent
Silchar, Dec 24: Rastra Sevika Samiti which was formed in 1936 in the Wadha district of Maharastra by Lakhmibai Kelkar has been working for the uplift and welfare of women with particular emphasis on their physical, mental and intellectual development, besides inculcating in them the spirit of self-pride, nationalism and the tenets of Indian culture and tradition.
Sabita Dhar, town executive of the Samiti, said on Monday, while interacting with media persons, that their organization was making all out efforts to make women self-dependant through various schemes and projects. She revealed that besides branches in this country, Samiti has its branches in 25 other nations. In south Asom, Samiti has 88 units which are engaged in welfare works.

In order to bring about more strength and direction in the works of Samiti, the All India General Secretary of the Samiti, Shanta Akka, would be visiting different places of Northeast. Her mission would be to make women aware of the recent happenings across the country, and about their own responsibility in order to meet the emerging challenges.
Akka today spoke on the “Present situation in the country in the contest of terrorism and extremism” and took questions and clarifications from journalists. source: sentinel assam

Citizens protest against poor health facilities
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 24: The order of the state health department for closure of Sundari Mohan Seva Sadan, a philanthropic centre of treatment, located at Sreekona, 7 km from here, has evoked strong resentment and reaction among citizens of Barak Valley. The most irritating part of the order is that the grounds cited by the order for the closure are applicable in the case of scores of nursing homes of the town. It has been quite intriguing why Sundari Mohan should be targeted.
In fact, this hospital can not be equated with other nursing homes since it has been running on no profit no loss basis and dedicated to the care and attention of the needy and poor people. In order to voice their protest against the order of the health department, citizens from all walks of life today assembled before the office of the deputy . sourcE: sentinel assam

Centre’s anti-terror policy criticized
Special Correspondent
Silchar, Dec 24: “There is lack of coordination between the security forces and the intelligence agencies of the country which allows enough space for Jihadi and terrorist groups to strike at soft-targets and the Mumbai mayhem is the latest and glaring example of it”, this was the observation of Sreekanta Joshi, RSS think tank of south Asom. He was speaking on the theme “Mumbai strikes and terrorism” organized by Vishwa Sambad Kendra in the auditorium of Women’s College here on Sunday last.

He said, though each agency has its intelligence wing, there exists wide hiatus between them in respect of dissemination and sharing of information. He also pointed out infrastructure deficiencies in keeping the forces ready to meet any emergent situation. Still unfortunate, as he said, the land, riverine and coastline frontiers of the country are porous. The jihadis who stormed Mumbai have shown that lot has to be done to make “our border line foolproof.”
The UPA Government led by Dr Manmohan Singh came in for severe criticism for its ham-handed policy in dealing with the threat posed by terrorists from across the border. He accused the Centre of being “a prisoner of indecision” which lacks direction and purpose in adopting tough stand against both Pakistan and Bangladesh which shelter anti-Indian forces. Though belated, New Delhi “has woken up to the situation and is talking tough”, he doubted if it is “all sound and fury”.

Also on his firing line was China for its questionable role in supporting the cause of terrorism which, as he said, came out brazenly in its advocacy for Pakistan in the wake of Mumbai attacks. This kind of attitude only contributed to complicate the issue which is not confined to this sub-continent only. “The need of the hour is the coordinated efforts of all the countries to speak in one voice of condemnation against terrorism for its total elimination,” Joshi pointed out.
He took serious umbrage at calling Hindu terrorists as is being propounded by pseudo-secularists.

In an oblique reference to Defence Minister A R Antulay, he asserted, “Hindus can never be terrorists.” Continuing he pointed out India has impeccable evidences to nail Pakistan and Bangladesh for giving shelter to jihadis, the root of all problems in this country.
He called upon New Delhi to shed obscurism and adopt tough posture and if need be military action to strike and dismantle the bases and camps of jihadi, terrorist and extremist groups in both the neighboring countries.

Amalendu Chakaraborty, a prominent citizen, expressing his views, said the main objective behind terrorist strikes engineered from foreign soil was to weaken and paralyze the economy of the country. Paresh Dutta, noted journalist, expressing his concern at continued terrorist attacks across the country, described it as a dangerous development which needs to be tackled firmly and decisively. The discussion was conducted by Umananda Bhattacharya, chief coordinator of Vishwa Sambad Kendra. source: sentinel assam

BJYM to woo young voters
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 24: With an eye on the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) has embarked upon a novel method to woo and tap young voters in the age group of 18 to 25 in order to motivate them to vote for a party which would bring about changes in the country where every citizen would feel safe and secure, besides accelerating the pace of socio-economic, agriculture and industrial development. This was stated by Nitin Navin, observer for Asom and MLA from Bihar, while talking to journalists on Monday at the BJP party office.
He pointed out as a part of this strategy, a conference of the target young voters would be convened in January at Silchar. This is an effort to make them conscious about their precious franchise and its crucial role to change the governance of the country for better.He admitted it was a difficult exercise, but was confident this would work in the interest of youths and the party.
On the question whether Dr Rumi Nath, the young MLA of Borkhola, was being projected for the MP seat of Silchar, Nitin Navin clarified it was simply a media-hype and there was no truth in it. The candidate for the seat would be finally decided by the central as well as the state body of BJP, and it would be accepted by BJYM without any reasoning or questioning.
On the crucial issue of infiltration and branding Hindus as infiltrators, he asserted, “Hindus can not be treated as infiltrators for reasons that they have to desert their hearths and homes due to adverse situations in Bangladesh.” He said if NDA comes to power at the centre and in the state, it would enact legislation to protect Hindus as refugees on the pattern of Rajasthan and Gujrat. About the prospect of BJP in Silchar seat, his party, he was confident, would wrest it from Congress because Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Sontosh Mohan Dev has failed to live up to the expectations of the people. He was too aged to work and do justice and deliver goods. Along with Nitin Navin were present Mriganka Burman, state general secretary, Sudip Chakraborty, state vice-president, and Rupam Saha, district president of Cachar BJYM. source: sentinel assam

ABYSA conducts post card campaign
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 22: The All Barak Youth Students’ Association (ABYSA) has been holding street corner and market place meetings across Barak Valley with the objective of pressurizing the concerned authorities, for the expeditious completion of Silchar-Lumding BG and Silchar-Saurashtra Mahasadak, besides taking stringent action to contain unabated corruption in the implementation of rural schemes and projects.

Chief Convenor of the Association, Baharul Islam Barbhuiya said that its post card campaign to collect the signature of the masses, in the urban and rural areas to highlight the demands of people of this valley, is to be addressed to the President of the country for her intervention to fulfil their resolutions.

The demands include the completion of BG and Mahasadak without further delay, due recognition of the language martyrs of this valley and strict monitoring of utilization of centrally sponsored welfare schemes.

Addressing a public meeting at Bhangarpar in Borkhola constituency, leaders and members of the Association spoke about the various problems crippling normal life while the leaders continue to maintain an indifferent attitude towards them. source: sentinel assam

Gramin Dak Seva paralysed
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR Dec 22: With Gramin Dak Sevaks on indefinite strike from December 17, the rural postal services have been paralyzed. This strike call, as claimed by the All India Postal Extra Department Employees’ Union has been given in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. As there is no parallel courier services on the urban areas, the rural postal network has been badly hit.

The demand for acceptance on which the employees have embarked upon this indefinite strike include declaration of GDS employees at par with central civil servants for all purposes, all rules and regulations applicable to central civil servants be made applicable to GDS employees. The demands also are for no curtailment of rural postal facility and rejection of impracticable and ridiculous norms and the working hours of branch post masters should be between four to six hours and that of all other outdoor staff shoul be for five to seven hours.

In keeping with recommendations of sixth central pay commission, pay bands with grade pay corresponding to departmental counterparts should be prescribed. The annual increment should be at the rate of three percent as suggested by the pay commission. All allowances and benefits should be given at par with full time employees besides extension all retirement benefits like central civil servants. Member of GDS Union of Cachar Division Niam Uddin Laskar said their strike would continue till all demands are met. source: sentinel assam

Sixth Bi-Annual conference to be held on Dec 28
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 22: The three day sixth Bi-Annual Conference of All Asom District Administration Employees’ Association will be held from December 28 in the District Library Auditorium. Publicity Secretary of the Association Milon Uddin Laskar, while giving details of the programme said in a press-meet, that a delegates’ session would be held on December 29 which would be followed by an open session the next day.

The conference would sieged an 11 point charter of demands, pointed out Laskar, which will be, separate pay-scale for district administration employees’, appointment of administrative officer for better coordination and liaison, special allowance to the employees’ for their extra services as warranted by the pressure of works, clearance of their arrear dues of election duties performed by them etc.

Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Sontosh Mohan Dev would be the Chief Guest while Speaker of Assam Assembly Tanka Bahadur Rai would be the Special Guest. Urban Development and Housing Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala would release the souvenir of the conference while other prominent personalities to grace the conference are Minister of Revenue Dr Bhumidhar Barman, Minister of Health Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister of Excise Dr Gautam Roy, and Opposition Leader in the Assembly Chandra Mohan Patowari, informed Milon Uddin Laskar. source: sentinel assam