Karimganj body moves Gogoi for engineering college

KARIMGANJ, Aug 31: The Ganatantrik Adhikar Suraksha Samiti (GASS) of Karimganj urged Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to use his good offices for selecting a site for the proposed engineering college in Karimganj district and for starting development of infrastructure for its establishment at an early date without further delay.

In a memorandum sent to the Chief Minister on Thursday last, the organization expressed its resentment over the recent controversial suggestion of Excise Minister Gautam Roy that if the Engineering College Demand Committee wants establishment of the proposed college in Karimganj it should approach the Chief Minister with a specific proposal identifying 300 acres of land.

According to the GASS, such kind of attitude of a Cabinet minister entrusting responsibilities of finding 300 acres of land of the Government on the shoulders of a social organization appears to be a negative approach.

The samiti said the suggestion from the minister is an intention to depriving the people of Karimganj of the engineering college.

The memorandum signed by former principal of Karimganj College and president of GASS Dr KU Ahmed, advocate and vice president of GASS Subrata Kumar Paul and advocate and general secretary of GASS M A Rashid among others said Karimganj district was deprived of large-scale educational or industrial or any other projects. They said Hailakandi district has got at least a Paper Mill.

The organization, in its memorandum, specifically mentioned two vast sites for the proposed engineering college, one at Nirala by the NEC Road and about three km from Bhanga Railway Station and the other at Eraligool by the NH-44 adjacent to Eraligool Railway Station. Both the sites are government khas land. THE SENTINEL

Swine carcasses from Mizoram create fear in Cachar

SILCHAR, Aug 31: Although there has been no H1N1 case in Barak Valley till date, except for some unconfirmed reports which when investigated by the Health Department turned out to be unrelated to the dreadful disease, yet three swine carcasses floating on the Dhaleswari and Rukini rivers coming from Mizoram created a fear psychosis among the inhabitants of Cachar and Hailakandi. The district administration was prompted to take precautionary measures in the down stream areas.

Sources said there are certain areas within this town with tribal people at Meherpur in the east near Silchar Medical College, the main marketing centre Fatak Bazar and the railway colony vicinity, which citizens say, call for close surveillance by the health department. The photograph here shows how swines and their rearers live and move through mud and filth, posing health hazards and fear of flu. THE SENTINEL

Goala lobby plunges into Indragarh Zirat case

SILCHAR, Aug 31: Dinesh Prasad Goala’s tea tribe lobby has also joined in the race for grabbing the controversial land of Indragarh grant. Sources said Urban Development Minister Goala’s close aide Sanatan Mishra led a delegation of tea labourers from the long-defunct Chencoorie TE to the Deputy Commissioner claiming that 152 tea tribe families who were residing there for the last 150 years were the actual and genuine owners of the Indragarh Grant land and that they had 2,280 bighas of land under their possession.

Mishra alleged that a group of land mafia had prepared a fabricated list of Zirath i.e. Standing crops, houses, wells and tanks etc and planned to siphon off an amount of Rs 300 crore. It is to be noted that two organizations namely the Indragarh Grant and Indragarh Block Mouja Residents Development Rights Forum as well as Barak Bandhu, a newly formed organization, had been in the fray with their respective claims. Indragarh Grant was the alleged brainchild of Samsulur Rahman Choudhury alias John, a close relative of Cachar ADC H A Laskar while the latter was led by controversial man Basulal Das and his wife and Indragarh GP president Gyanabala Das. Sources further said that Algapur MLA Rahul Roy had supreme control over the Das couple and Roy himself led a crowd from Indragarh area recently to the office of the Deputy Commissioner demanding scrapping of the previous list of Zirath and to prepare a new list incorporating the local and genuine residents. They alleged that Laskar and John had manipulated the entire list without verifying the land and thus deprived the local residents as names of people who had no actual claim over the land were included in the list. Sources hinted that both the warring groups were heading for a mutual understanding to grab a huge amount from the Defense Ministry but, Goala, sensing foul play has now fielded his own lobby with an eye to get their share. But this involvement, in reality, complicated the entire episode. THE SENTINEL

Waterways to Barak Valley through Bangladesh being explored

SILCHAR, Aug 31: The Government of India is planning to revive the waterway to Barak Valley through Bangladesh for regular, easy and cost effective transportation of goods. Rail and road links as well as waterway access with Bangladesh has remained suspended since 1956. The greatest handicap in navigation is the ever rising siltation in Barak river.

In the aftermath of the 2007 devastating floods, the Water Resources Department (WRD) took into serious consideration on the huge siltation in Barak and its major tributaries.

The WRD studied the phenomenon carefully and accordingly mooted schemes for deploying machinery along with amphibian mini-multipurpose dredger to have effective de-siltation and resectioning process of the river and its tributaries.

According to WRD sources, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) of the Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India, planned to develop the waterways of Barak and Kushiara from Lakhipur to Karimganj point of the river with the declaration of the 121-km waterway as a national waterway.

The IWAI framed up an estimate of Rs 58 crore for the purpose including development of channels for navigation with the required minimum waterway of 40 metre width and 1.5 to 2.0 metre depth along with the construction of four terminals at Lakhipur, Silchar, Badarpur and Karimganj.

With the twin objective of survey and study of siltation problem in Barak and transportation of commercial goods, Central Inland Water Transport carrier MV Prafullla sailed from Kidderpore dock in Kolkata to anchor at the terminal here on August 28 halting at Badarpur. Captain of the ship Samar Sarkar said if the waterway could be made navigational round the year, it would be the best means of transportation of goods which would benefit not only Asom but also all the North-eastern States.

Their investigation has so far revealed that at many places, the river bed has risen alarmingly with sand, wastes and boulder deposits. His opinion was that with the deployment of multipurpose dredger, the river bed has to be desilted and with electronic blastic machine, the boulders will have to be disintegrated. Besides, regular navigation as in the past would keep siltation at the minimum level.

The ship that MV Prafulla sailed from Kolkata with 550 tonnes of steel was unloaded at Narayanganj in Bangladesh.

After that it took, on board, 441 mt of bamboo at Jogighopa which was offloaded at Badarpur for the nearby Hindustan Paper Mill. The ship would now move upward to the last terminal at Lakhipur to complete the investigation. THE SENTINEL

Sujan Dutta appointed as new chairman of Silchar Development Authority (SDA)

SILCHAR, Aug 30 – After a long wait, Sujan Dutta has been appointed new chairman of Silchar Development Authority (SDA). In the last tenure, Partha Ranjan Chakraborty, the general secretary of Cachar District Congreee Committee, was the chairman who was also a close aide of Ex-Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev. But Sujan Dutta is said to be very close to Gautam Roy, State Minister.

The grapevine has it that it is the beginning of the end of Santosh Mohan Dev’s pre-eminence in Cachar. The appointment is politically significant in the sense that its final approval was given by Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala, who was expected to appoint one of his close men to the post.

Partha Ranjan Chakraborty was made the chairman on August 3, 2004, just after SM Dev had taken charge of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Ministry at the Centre.

Earlier, SM Dev, whenever he was either minister or MP, always made someone close to him as SDA chairman. But this time the scenario is opposite. The person close to Gautam Roy is heading the SDA.

This appointment has created waves in Cachar District Congress. Sources said Silchar MLA Bithika Dev personally wanted Silchar Block Congress president Sajal Acharjee as SDA chairman soon after the party swept the Municipality elections. District Congress organising secretary Arun Dutta Majumdar, Shibu Kanungo and Dipak Dev were also in the battle from Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala’s side.

Sources said that Sujan Dutta was in no way in the picture. But Goala shocked everyone by appointing a close confidante of Roy. Simultaneously, Goala faced the anger of Silchar Congress. He tried to appease but had to bow down to the pressure of Roy.

Sujan Dutta played a very important role in defeating Sudip Dutta, the Congress candidate in ward No. 25 in the recently held civic body poll. Sudip Dutta was the vice-chairman of the former Silchar Municipality Board led by Bithika Dev. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Silchar Red Cross Hospital to lay stress on mother-child care

CORRESPONDENT
SILCHAR, Aug 30 – The Indian Red Cross Hospital situated at Silchar is going to lay stress on mother and child care, especially on the pediatric section. In this regard a press meet was organised in the hospital premises recently.

Gautam Ganguli, deputy commissioner of Cachar and chairman of the Indian Red Cross Hospital Society said that steps are being taken to modernise the pediatric wing of Indian Red Cross Hospital with meticulous stress on mother-child care for which sufficient funds are being explored

Ganguli refuted allegations that there is no account or trace of Rs 15 lakh donated by ONGC for the expansion of pediatric ward. He clarified that the amount was invested in the term deposit of Vijaya Bank which has given an interest of Rs 76,000.The contributed money has neither been misused nor misappropriated and added the proposal will be drawn up and work started soon for a five-bed pediatric ward with the endorsement of the State committee as per standards.

Ganguli further said that the Government of Assam has identified the hospital as urban health centre and gave MBBS doctors, a GNM and a pharmacist, besides two support staff. Treatment here is provided free of charge, including medicine under sponsorship of National Rural Health Mission, Assam. More resources have to be pulled up for that in order to have medical expertise and a pediatric surgeon as well as child specialists.

Badal Dey, general secretary of the Indian Red Cross Society said that membership of 372-strong society has been regularised. ANM girls’ hostel has been constructed with funds provided by MP and MLA and generated from own sources.

Along with that construction of 2-bed eye cabin, conversion of general ward into a 5-bed cabin, upgrading of the Pathology department and improvement of blood bank facility with accessories have been done with the fund of the hospital. In this 62-bed hospital there 4 doctors and 18 ANM staff. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Citizens’ Forum meet held

Food items distributed
From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Aug 30: The Lakhipur administration distributed food items in three refugee camps of the sub-division. In Kumarcherra camp, 13 quintal of rice, 250 quintal of pulses and 15 kilo gram of salt were distributed. In Doloicherra camp, 8 quintal of rice, 1 quintal and 10 kilo gram of pulses and 44 kilo gram of salt were distributed. In Shibasthan camp, 1 quintal and 30 kilo gram of pulses, 90 kilo gram of rice and 42 kilo gram of salt had been distributed.

Cadre arrested
From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Aug 30: A suspected underground cadre was apprehended at his residence near Pallarband recently. A team from Red Shield Division of Army launched an operation, acting on a tip-off, at the Pallarband Tea Estate. The team surrounded the house and apprehended Marvel Rongmoi (35). The accused has been handed over to Lakhipur police station for further interrogation.

Citizens’ Forum meet held
From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Aug 30: In a bid to find solution for various problems in the district, the members of the Citizens’ Forum met in Silchar recently. The meeting was held to discuss problems such as dilapidated roads, drainage system, political malfunctioning etc. At the meeting, the members of the forum vociferously objected to the condition of roads between Capital travels and Sonai road in the town. Due to a poor drainage system, solid wastes are getting piled up on the roads causing enough trouble to the commuters. They raised questions on the silence maintained by the MPs and MLAs of the Barak Valley when Khasia students had imposed a curfew along the national highway, thereby obstructing the transportation system. Drawing up on all these issues, the forum highlighted the need to involve all conscious citizens of the town along with the leading NGOs in Cachar district to chalk out a plan to ensure progress and development in Silchar. Advocate Bithika Acharjee, a member of the forum, stressed on the need for right planning before launching any work. She said, ‘‘The political ears have become immune to the problems of the public’’. She emphasized the need for a public movement by bringing together various factions of the society. Other eminent members of the forum who participated in the meeting included Anup Chowdhury, Biplob Goswami, Baharul Islam, Sanat Koiri and Kamal Kumar Sarda.
source: THE SENTINEL

World Bank body to visit Barak Valley

From our Staff Reporter,
SILCHAR, Aug 30: A high-level delegation team of the World Bank will be visiting the three districts of Barak Valley on September 2, to examine the implementation and progress of various projects undertaken in the Department of Pisciculture and Fisheries in the valley. The 10-member team of the World Bank will visit Hailakandi, where they will peruse the effective implementation and utilization of different schemes under the jurisdiction of Fisheries department, like Asom Agriculture Development Yojana, Asom Agricultural Competitive Projects (AACP) of the Asom government. The team will then pay a visit to the different project utilization sites in Cachar and Karimganj districts. However, the administrative wings of the three districts and the Fisheries department have maintained silence on the scheduled visit. Moreover, Asom Fisheries Development Minister Nurjamal Sarkar’s visit to the Barak valley before the impending tour program of the high-level delegation team of the World Bank is much more important, said official sources. THE SENTINEL

An expedition to thrilling hilly shrine

SILCHAR, Aug 30: How about exploring the less frequented and inhospitable jungle-infested terrain on Asom-Mizoram border? In the midst of the forest hills, is located a sacred place with natural stony idols of Shiva and other gods at Gutguti Punji, revered and worshipped by the Reangs or Brus as well as other Hindu tribes of the area.

A team of adventurers of the Explorer Club of Silchar decided to visit the place after covering a distance of 125 km, trekking through 10 km of treacherous hilly track. Nivia village is the last point till which two wheelers could be taken. From there, it was a journey on foot to Ranpur. After an overnight stay, the trekking began early morning.

As programmed earlier, Sumesmeswar, Asim and Robin Sekasek were to guide the rest through the jungle path. Intermittent rains had made the hilly track a bit slippery. At some ridges, path strewn with stones and fossils made their ascent tenuous. It took four hours to reach Gutguti. Village headman Pabitra Reang and Prenajaya Tularam too joined the expedition on the critical Kalolian tilla.

The strenuous trekking was often obstructed by leeches creeping out of the deep bushes and grasses. Poisonous serpents too created fear-psychosis. Narrow and slippery jungle-infested passage called for caution and balance in movement. After a few hours of trekking, it was a descent down to a stream filled with stones and then it was climb up with the support of bamboo sticks. The wild pigs in the areas also the caused enough fear. A few more steps took them to the foot of a massive stone on the top of which lay the man-made Shiva-Linga. Quite amazingly, water from the hilly stream was rolling down the statue of Lord Shiva. The stone is of 60 feet height. Images of various gods and goddesses could be seen around the Shiva idol. On the other side of the hill, is the idol of Lord Ganesh. Kalolian hillock has been named after the idols of gods and goddesses.

President of the Explorer Club Kumar Kanti Das said, “The objective behind this is to have a darshan of lord Shiva, located in an isolated hilly range.”

“We made two abortive attempts earlier. Now that we did make it, is a matter of joy,” Das said.
It was time to clime down with all the equipment of mountaineering and rock climbing. It was around 10 at night when the team reached Gutguti Punji. Dilip Nath of the team said, “Our expedition reminded us of our journey to Unnakuti at Kailashsahar in Tripura which abound with innumerable idols of gods and goddesses, most prominent being that of lord Shiva”. THE SENTINEL

Barak Valley politics Goala and Roy desperate to dwarf Dev?

SILCHAR, Aug 30: After the induction of Sujan Dutta as the chairman of the Silchar Development Authority, political circles and conscious citizens are abuzz with the question: What does this move signify? Dutta is a close aide of Minister of Border Area Development and Excise Gautom Roy.

For long, charismatic political leader and former Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Sontosh Mohan Dev, wielding tremendous influence in the power corridors at Delhi and Dispur, has his diktat in deciding the appointment of heads of various public bodies, boards and committees. Since the inception of Silchar Development Authority (SDA) in 1984, Dev loyalists have been holding the chairman post. In fact, the last man to go after completing his five year term, Partha Ranjan Chakraborty, is a trusted lieutenant of Dev.

Silchar district Congress Committee has been totally in dark about the induction of Sujan Dutta as the Chairman of SDA, ignoring the claims of State Congress Committee general secretary Arun Dutta Mazumdar, State Congress Committee secretary Pradip Dutta Roy, Trade Union leader Kishore Bhattacharjee and Town Congress Committee president Sajal Acharjee. A Congress leader said, “This has dealt a severe blow to the party organization which will only add to dissension and resentment in the rank and file.”

Although the development in the Silchar Development Authority has come as a surprise to many, according to sources, it has been coordinated by Minister of Urban Development Dinesh Prasad Goala and Minister of Border Area Development and Excise Gautom Roy, known for their close proximity to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Sources said, Goala took charge to hasten official formalities at Dispur for ensuring the appointment of Sujan Dutta without consulting or informing Dev. MLA and wife of Sontosh Mohan Dev Bithika Dev, expressed her anguish over the appointment. She said, “I have not been consulted in the matter of appointment though I am the MLA of this town.”

According to political analysts, it has been a pre-planned and premeditated plan of action by the anti-Dev clan to clip him down and dwarf him as he has been the disputed leader of the valley since he became an MP in 1980. There has been no looking back for him till he faced the greatest debacle of his chequered political career in the last Lok Sabha elections. The entry of AUDF supremo Badaruddin Azmal in the poll fray for Silchar seat that polarized votes on communal lines brought down Dev to the third position and ensured victory of Kabindra Purkayastha of BJP. Both Goala and Roy have gone on records from time to time at press meets and public forums for their diatribes and tirades against Sontosh Mohan Dev for his “style of functioning”. Before the last Lok Sabha polls, Goala had challenged the leadership of Dev and reiterated his resolve to contest from Silchar. Roy often said, “Congress is not any body’s fiefdom”. The message was clear. State Congress Committee secretary Pradip Dutta Roy admitted, “Coming days will see fast changing political equation and balance of power in Barak Valley. A new centre of power is emerging.”

Significantly, both Goala and Roy who started their political careers in 1980 by winning from Lakhipur and Katlicherra constituency respectively have maintained the “no-defeat record” that enabled them to become cabinet ministers holding different portfolios under former CM late Hiteswar Saikia and present CM of Asom Tarun Gogoi. Besides being a trade union leader and president of Cachar Cha Sramik Union, Goala has emerged as a strong political leader. Roy has stamped his dominance in Hailakandi and Karimganj districts and is extending his sway in Cachar as well. Karimganj MP Lalit Mohan Shuklabaidya is also a trusted man of Gautom Roy.
It is to be seen if the anti-Dev lobby succeeds in blocking the appointment of Sontosh Mohan Dev’s daughter Susmita Dev as the chairperson of the Silchar Municipal Board. THE SENTINEL

Sujan Dutta’s appointment irks Bithika

SILCHAR, Aug 29: Silchar MLA Bithika Dev has expressed serious resentment over the process of the appointment of Sujan Dutta as the Chairman of Silchar Development Authority. Talking to The Sentinel, Dev said, she was not even consulted before appointing Dutta by Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala though she represents Silchar in the State Assembly. Sources close to Dev, hinted that she would lodge a complaint against Goala with the Chief Minister. Dev told The Sentinel that she had no personal liking or disliking for any of the incumbents for the post of SDA chairman. “But it is of utter courtesy that the MLA concerned is discussed before appointing someone to the post of such body,” She added. THE SENTINEL

AGP’s Muslims leaders may join AUDF or TMC

SILCHAR, Aug 29: A major group of Muslim leaders of the AGP’s Cachar district unit has been contemplating on joining either the AUDF or the Trinamool Congress. Admitting the report, former AGP MLA Sahidul Alom Choudhury, who is a steering committee member of the party, told The Sentinel that if the AGP leadership did not disassociate itself from the BJP, even majority of Hindu leaders of the party would be forced to quit the party for the sake their political existence. Sahidul, a close confidante of Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, hinted that they had been offered by the AUDF.

Meanwhile, confirming the report, AUDF working president Hafiz Rashid Choudhury told The Sentinel that parleys between a section of AGP leaders and AUDF had been continuing for the last couple of weeks. He added that some minority leaders from the Congress were also willing to join the AUDF before the 2011 Assembly elections.

Citing the incident of AASU cadres demonstrating black flag to the AGP for highlighting Mahanta once again, Sahidul hinted that the present leadership might succumb to the pressure of the student body. Sources said Sahidul and some other Muslim leaders had a detailed discussion with Mahanta in this regard.

Meanwhile, sources said Sahidul may join the TMC. Even an effort was initiated to bring the TMC and the AUDF in the same platform in order to strengthen the ties between Hindu and Muslim Bengali-speaking communities. Sahidul did not rule out the possibility. He said in 1996 under the leadership of Mahanta, the AGP formed a coalition government with the secular parties and came to power. But in 2001 the AGP’s alliance with the BJP spelt doom for the regional party, but the party did not take any lesson from its mistake, he added. THE SENTINEL

AUDF GP president blamed for vandalism

SILCHAR, Aug 29: Vandalism in the Cachar Zilla Parishad office in Silchar on Tuesday by suspected members of Gaon Panchayat President Parishad has created much confusion in the district Congress. Arun Dutta Majumdar, district Congress general secretary, alleged that Madhurband GP president Fakrul Islam Majumdar of AUDF led the vandalism and claimed that the Congress GP presidents were not involved in the incident. Incidentally, the police picked up 18 people, including eight Congress GP presidents and Fakhrul Islam, who were later released on bail as Congress MLA from Sonai Kutub Ahmed stood up as the guarantor. When asked as to why the Congress MLA bailed out Fakhrul Islam if he was the main culprit, Dutta Majumdar could not reply suitably. Rather, he targeted APCC spokesman Pradip Dutta Roy, a close man of Rural Development Minister Chandan Brahma. Dutta Majumdar hinted that Dutta Roy played a suspicious role in the entire episode. He further hinted that Dutta Roy wanted to control the DRDA capitalizing his relation with Brahma. Expressing resentment over the role of Cachar DRDA PD Naresh Ghosh, Dutta Majumdar said Ghosh used to undermine the justified demands of the panchayat members. Sources said that it was for Ghosh that the Panchayat Raj failed in Cachar district. THE SENTINEL

MLA Bithika Bithika granted bail on PR bond

SILCHAR, Aug 29: Silchar MLA Bithika Dev was today granted bail on PR bond of Rs 10,000 by Golak Chandra Baruah, Sub-Judicial district Magistrate, who had on July 18 issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against her for her failure to physically appear in the court in previous dates. Apart from Dev, Additional Deputy Commissioner BC Nath and former settlement officer MK Debnath were also granted bail on PR bond. Later all of them, in separate petitions, lodged cases claiming that the case against them was in violation of the Municipality Act as well as the relevant laws.
Pantilung Rongmei, vice president of the Silchar Rongmei Naga Samadhisthan Unnayan Parishad, lodged a case against Bithika Dev, the then chairperson of SMB, BC Nath, MK Debnath and a few other employees of the municipality alleging that the accused unlawfully evicted people belonging to Naga community and even bulldozed the graveyard at the trenching ground in Meherpur area. The case (3714/07) further said that a number of Naga families were allotted land at the trenching ground measuring 48 bighas and 17 kathas, but the Municipality wanted to evict them. THE SENTINEL

Barak cuppa of bonus

SILCHAR, Aug 28: From the cup of woes of years, it is going to be cuppa of buoyancy for the tea gardens of Barak Valley and the one lakh labour force is expected to have smiles on their faces during the festive days of Durga Puja.

Surma Valley Branch of Indian Tea Association chairman Surya Narain Singh said: “The fortune of the domestic tea industry finally appears to be recovering from the decade-long bearish phase.” Tea prices have been firming up. Till the end of 2008, as he pointed out, auction or whole sale prices of tea is some Rs 20 per kg, higher than last year, and the future prospect appears to be bullish too. It is now fetching Rs 70 per kg in the auction market and at Rs 90-100 in the open market this year.

Despite a drought-like situation across the valley, production has increased by over 11 million kg. As per Tea Board estimates till date, production has been to the tune of 53 million kg as compared to 42 million kg last year.

This is enabling the industry, added Surya Narain Singh, to start work on modernization with the objective of boosting production with a thrust on quality. The workers who suffered a lot during difficult times would be benefited by enhanced wages and bonus, he stated. All the 104 tea gardens located in Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts, expect INTUC affiliated Cachar Cha Sramik Union and Barak Valley Cha Mazdoor Sangh, will pay bonus at hiked rates well before the pujas. Three tea gardens of Rosekandy, Kalain and Binnakandi last year paid the highest bonus of 20 per cent. Arunabond tea estate has also declared bonus for the workers well in advance.

Barak Valley Cha Mazdoor Sangh vice president Diresh Chnadra Das hoped that other tea gardens would also pay an increased bonus in time and without any hassle. Payment of bonus in the past has not been without trouble in some cases. Cachar Cha Sramik Union assistant general secretary Dina Nath Boroi said he found no reason for being apprehensive this year due to better output and upswing profit. Both the Unions have started negotiations with garden management on the bonus issue.

The buoyancy has been achieved through a slew of measures initiated by the industry. With Special Purpose Tea Fund (SPTF) introduced by Union Ministry of Commerce, tea estates have undertaken replanting, replacement of old bushes and rejuvenation. There is also the welcome development that Ministry of commerce has in principle agreed to share 50 per cent of social infrastructure cost of the plantation industry.

The tea industry on its part has been appreciative of the trade union leadership in this valley for showing maturity, prudence as well as understanding, specially during the hard times.
This ultimately benefits the entire industry and the work force. Once Barak tea is included in the Vishesh Krishi Gram Udyog Yojana by the government of India, it will be another boosting factor, said ITA secretary general M Das Gupta. THE SENTINEL

Gautam Roy aide is SDA chief

SILCHAR, Aug 28: Virtually signalling the beginning of the end of Santosh Mohan Dev’s supremacy in Cachar, Gautam Roy’s trusted lieutenant Sujan Dutta has been appointed as the new chairman of the Silchar Development Authority (SDA). The appointment is politically significant in the sense that its final approval was given by Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala, who was expected of appointing some of his close men to the post.

Outgoing chairman Partha Ranjan Chakraborty is the general secretary of Cachar District Congress Committee. He was made the chairman on August 3, 2004, just after Dev had assumed the charge of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Ministry at the Centre. It is to be noted that Dev, whenever he was the MP, made someone close to him as SDA chairman. Only this time around, someone close to Gautam Roy is heading the SDA.

Meanwhile, this appointed has created much ripples in the Cachar District Congress. Sources said Silchar MLA Bithika Dev personally wanted Silchar Block Congress president Sajal Acharjee as SDA chairman soon after the party swept the Municipality elections. District Congress organizing secretary Arun Dutta Majumdar, Shibu Kanungo and Dipak Dev were also in the fray. Sujan Dutta was no way in the picture. But Goala surprised everyone by appointing a close confidante of Roy. Simultaneously, Goala has faced the wrath of Silchar Congress. He has reportedly tried to pacify them that he had to bow down to the pressure of Roy. But his explanation found no takers in the party. Meanwhile, a source indicated that Dev did not oppose the move. Sujan Dutta played a vital role in defeating Sudip Dutta, the Congress candidate in Ward No. 25 in the recently held civic body poll. Sudip Dutta was the vice-chairman of the erstwhile Silchar Municipality Board led by Bithika Dev. THE SENTINEL

Paper project workers’ body reconstituted

Paper project workers’ body reconstituted
From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Aug 28: Cachar Paper Project Workers’ Union has been reconstituted. The committee was recognized after conducting election on Tuesday. The eight-member committee comprises president Ranadhir Dev, executive president Dilip Shuklabaidya, vice-presidents Ananta Orang and Bholashankar Goala, secretary Lalit Roy and assistant secretaries as Sachi Chakraborty and Sebananda Das, and treasurer Ashish Devraj. THE SENTINEL

Applications sought by Bharat Petroleum for retail outlets
From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Aug 28: Bharat Petroleum has invited applications from candidates for opening retail outlet petrol depots in two places of Cachar district. One such pump will be installed at the East-West Corridor area between Udharband and Borkhola on the Mahasharak site and the other at Pailapool in Lakhipur subdivision. Bharat Petroleum sources stated that candidates possessing land ownership in the above mentioned sites would be eligible to apply. However, dealership will be distributed to handicapped persons, ex-army employees and the widows of Army personnel only.

It is to be mentioned that besides possessing land ownership, interested candidates will have to deposit Rs 25 lakh as security money in favour of Bharat Petroleum. Application for retail outlet pumps on the mentioned sites should be addressed to Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Ananda path, Dispur, Guwahati office. THE SENTINEL

Mass agitation over faulty implementation of rural schemes

SILCHAR, Aug 27: It did not come as a surprise when hundreds of agitated supporters of Cachar Zilla Gaon Panchayat Presidents’ Parishad (CZGPPP), after holding a demonstration before the office of the Deputy Commissioner in support of their long pending grievances, ransacked and vandalized the Zilla Parishad office here on Tuesday.

On the following day, Gaon Panchayat vice president Bilal Uddin of Harinagar under Ramkrishna Nagar development block was targeted by a group of miscreants while he was on his way to the office. He was seriously injured while his brother Helal Uddin accompanying him died on the spot.

Both these incidents could well be attributed to the faulty implementation of centrally funded rural schemes and projects, resulting in corruptions galore. Siphoning of unaccounted money by unscrupulous elements at the ZP and GP levels and the equally inefficacy, deliberate or otherwise, of the district administration is antagonizing one group against the other. It is a confusing and chaotic scenario which instead of ameliorating the socio-economic condition of villagers is only adding to rivalry among various groups to have a share in this loot of development funds.

A multi crore scam in Kalain block is a glaring example as unearthed by the AUDF MLA of the area Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuiya. The endless memoranda submitted to administrative heads from time to time by different social, political and union bodies for strict implementation of Panchayat Raj System on the basis of guidelines and procedures have not yielded any result.
The memorandum submitted on last Tuesday to the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar by CZGPPP was an expression of collective anger and resentment for not redressing their grievances. The Parishad leaders alleged that necessary funds and facilities for the economic improvement of poor villages have not yet reached them.

The memorandum signed by the Parishad president Jagajyoti Nath and general secretary Nur Ahmed Barbhuiya pointed out the confusion created by the unwarranted letter by chief executive officer of Cachar Zilla Parishad to all GP presidents to submit the list of beneficiaries of the Indira Awas Yojna for 2009-10 with approval of ZP members in total disregard of the lists prepared by the GPs as per guidelines and procedures.

The memorandum sought the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner in the matter of issuance of jobs cards under NREGS by GP presidents only. But violating the standing norms, it is being done by ZPC or AP members.

The Parishad insisted on 100 days of wage employment in a financial year against 13/14 days of work. It has been noted with anguish that since the panchayat elections of 2008, no NREGS, BRGS and other funds at being released which is quite intriguing. It has also brought serious allegations regarding the distribution of ration and BPL cards. There is no transparency in the implementation of old age pension, health care and other national benefit schemes. THE SENTINEL

ISI’s nefarious design in Northeast

SILCHAR, Aug 27: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, while talking to journalists returning with him from the G8/G5 Summit, might gloat over his startling revelations that ISI chief Shuja Pasha “has been exchanging notes” with top Indian diplomats and military personnel in Islamabad on progress with bringing the 26/11 plotters to book, the notorious Pakistani agency continues with its diabolical plot to foment trouble in the Northeast and across the country.

Intelligence agencies have gathered enough evidences recently to indicate the involvement of ISI in destabilizing Northeast and subvert the economy of the country as a whole. “Operation dirty money” has become an everyday phenomenon. Fake Indian currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 are in wide circulation and reaching the towns and villages of the region in bulks through Bangladesh.

In this operation are involved D-Gang and the infamous ISI agent code named Batki based in Dubai. Interrogations of some operatives have come out with the facts that after being printed in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar, the forged notes are sent via Kathmandu and Dhaka to the eastern region. The whole operation is monitored by Batki.

According to Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of the Government of India, ISI uses high quality imported security papers to print fake notes which look alike Indian currencies. How deep is the menace can well be understood by the fact that out of every five notes, one is fake. Crores of rupees of such notes have flooded the markets. It has penetrated banks and ATMs as well. The professionally printed notes are smuggled by planes, trains and buses. Excellent papers and printed quality with the details and the signature of current governor leave no reason for suspicion about their genuineness.

Even cadres of militant outfits have become active to spread the dragnet. On July 28, ISI operative identified as Anorul Haque, a resident of Chittagong in Bangladesh who ran a fake currency racket in Asom was arrested along with four of his accomplices in Tezpur. He was involved in a number of terrorist activities. He was also responsible for supplying IED and explosives to NDFB before the recent bomb blast in Sonitpur in which an army colonel and a jawan were killed. He was recruited by ISI in 1995.

Lashkar-e-Toiba talent scout Md Umer Madani who was held in Delhi early June was being hunted by Kolkata police for his involvement in fake currency racket operating in West Bangal. Two persons picked up with fake notes had earlier revealed that Madani was their associate. Mohibur Rahman and Tafezzel Hussain were nabbed from Beadon Street in May. ISI is also playing second fiddle to Islamic outfit People’s United Liberation Front (PULF) based in Manipur. According to intelligence agencies, the outfit floated in 1993 by local Pangal Muslims of Manipur under Azad Khan has been plotting for the creation of an Islamic State in Northeast. It could gain support of ULFA, MULTA of Asom and other Islamic groups based in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

With the arrest of one of its kingpins Abdul Noor and two other members of PULF in July form West Imphal district and their grilling by intelligence sleuth came out the direct support of ISI in extending logistic and material help to it for carving out a separate Islamic state as a part of grand design of greater Bangladesh. The Pakistani trained Noor confessed how he had been working as a conduit to recruit Muslim youths for their training in Pakistan and their induction in the outfit to bolster up its man and striking power.

It was also revealed that Noor had received necessary cover and back up from the Director General Field Forces Intelligence of Bangladesh with active support from Pakistan. ISI and Bangladesh links became more evident on July 17 when a group of seven PULF militants including its chief Abdur Rahman and his wife Samina Akhtar were apprehended in Agartala by Tripura police. During interrogation they admitted that they had gone to Bangladesh in March and crossed over to Tripura on their way to Manipur. It might be recalled in December 2006, some PULF cadres with a group of LeT terrorists were arrested in Delhi. THE SENTINEL

80 irrigation plans in pipeline for Barak Valley farmers

KARIMGANJ, Aug 21 – Lack of proper infrastructure in the State Irrigation Department has caused perennial difficulties in providing irrigation facilities to the farmers.

However, the Tarun Gogoi-led govt has taken up several projects in developing the irrigation system, disclosed Irrigation and Fishery Minister Nurjamal Sarkar.

While talking to mediapersons here recently, Minister Sarkar said, the irrigation department has undertaken 80 irrigation schemes in Barak Valley. Out of these schemes, 42 are in Cachar, 25 and 13 schemes for Karimganj and Hailakandi respectively. Altogether Rs 125.7 crore would be spent for the construction of 42 schemes in Cachar covering 11,000 hectres of land for irrigation.

In Karimganj, 9,000 hectres of land will be bought under irrigation and Rs 83.38 crore will be involved in the execution of the construction work. In Hailakandi, 3,702 hectres of agricultural land will get the benefit of irrigation with a total investment worth Rs 33 crore.

Irrigation Minister Sarkar informed that the State Government has decided to maintain a strict tab on implementation of irrigation schemes.

A Haque, chief engineer, irrigation disclosed that, Barak Valley never got so many number of irrigation schemes since Independance. Out of 80 schemes, seven are lift irrigation schemes. He expressed confidence that farmers of Barak Valley would be benefitted by these schemes.

Gratitude: Lalit Mohan Suklabaidya, MP, Karimganj, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs for giving green signal in renaming Silchar Railway Station as ‘Basha Sahid Station’.

It was a strong demand of the people of the Valley and he is reportedly proud that he played an important role in implementing the demand.

While talking to this correspondent, Lalit Mohan Suklabaidya disclosed that during the last Parliament session he raised voice for early completion of the Lumding-Silchar BG project. He expressed hope that the project would come up within 2011.

Regarding dilapidated roads in Karimganj, he informed that renovation works will commence within a short period and necessary funds will be released from MPLAD. Declaring Karimganj as under-developed district is his main demand and he has already placed the demand before the concerned Ministry, said LM Suklaboidya. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Karimganj DC’s appeal to civic body commissioners

BADARPUR, Aug 21 – The Karimganj deputy commissioner, Dr M Angamuthu has termed Badarpur town under Badarpur town committee as ‘entrance’ and Karimganj town under Karimganj Municipality as ‘drawing room’ while he was speaking, after distributing certificates among newly elected civic commissioners in a function, at Karimganj DC’s conference hall.

Dr Angamuthu said that if the drawing room and entrance were beautiful, nobody would want to see the things inside the residence. So from this point of view, it is the duty and responsibility of the elected civic commissioners to take care of these two towns. The Karimganj DC also stated that the town would automatically become beautiful if the civic commissioners impose stern measures at least for one year. They should take strong and strict attitude towards different matters like tax collection eviction, parking, etc. He observed that when they people would be able to feel the good-effects, nobody would protest. The DC said that no new projects could be set up at Karimganj town due to lack of land. Due to lack of awareness, self-interest and ill political motives, the development of Badarpur has not been possible to the desired extend even after 62 years of independence.

Dr Angamuthu said that the new civic commissioners must have to work for social development.

The other speakers of the certificate distribution ceremony of the elected civic commissioners included Jilla Parishad vice-president Amaresh Roy, president Mantaj Ali, SP Bishnu Prasad Rava, and several others. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Anti-dowry rally at Badarpur

BADARPUR, Aug 23 – An anti-dowry rally was taken out along the thoroughfares of Badarpur town, under the aegis of (under 4th Assam BN) NCC unit of Badarpur Nabin Chandra College, where NCC cadets, NSS students and teachers participated, carrying placards. Some members of the public also willingly took part in the rally and extended wholehearted support to it. The rally took place for two hours from 2 pm to 4 pm in the afternoon.

Talking to The Assam Tribune programme coordinator– Prof Ananta Pegu, NCC Officer of Badarpur NC College unit said that the aim and objective of this rally is to create awareness among the people about the vicious effect of dowry system on society.”

On the occasion, a meeting was held at NC College ground, under the presidentship of NC College principal– Arun Kumar Sen, where the lecturers of various departments of this college, Dr Martuja Hussain, Prof Joynal Abedin Tapadar, Prof Ananta Pegu, Dr Arjun Devnath and Prof Bishnu Dey, among several others narrated the cause and effect of the dowry system, and expected that everybody would try their level best to uproot this evil from society. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Barak river erosion creates havoc in Silchar areas

Correspondent
SILCHAR, August 25 – The people of Madhubond, Barenga Part III, Betu Borjorai GP and Beteukandi GP are in a critical condition due to erosion by Barak river that has submerged their houses as well as crops. The problem is being faced by at least 30,000 people of that area.

At present the people in the area are residing on a temporary basis. In Barenga Part III, the road is situated in the middle of water. On one side, the river Barak hits their residence and on the other, Mahisabeel. Due to erosion by Barak river only a two- to three-metre stretch remains to merge with Mahisabeel.

The people of that area said that from 2002 onwards they had brought to notice about their condition to the authority concerned. But no action from the administration’s side had been initiated. They only received only hope from the ministers and MLAs.

Basat Ali Laskar, 76, a senior citizen of that area said the matter was brought to the notice of Flood Control authority on July 4, 2002. Then after August 22, 2002, Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev wrote a letter to the then Irrigation Minister Bharat Narah to take immediate initiative in that area. Moreover, Dev at a public meeting in the area assured help to rescue the people from the exiting situation. But unfortunately all have been in vain.

Farida Khaton said that they have lost everything. At present they are residing on the road. But the leaders and ministers are not yet bothered to take stock of the situation. The leaders only visit during the time of election and make false promises. Khaton further said that the people of that area decided that from the next election they are not going to give vote to the leader.

Abdul Rehan Khan, a youth of the area said that they moved district administration as well as Flood Control authority. The authority said that it required Rs 20 crore and the fund has to come from the Central Government.

At present Abdul has lost his cultivated land and poultry farm. This cost about Rs 2 lakh and the only source of his livelihood. The house is also in state of ‘to be or not to be’. This grim situation will be faced by residents of Silchar town when Barak river and Mahisabeel join together. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Paediatric wing of Red Cross Hospital to be modernized

SILCHAR, Aug 26: “Concrete steps are afoot to modernize the paedriatic wing of Indian Red Cross Hospital here with particular stress on mother-child care for which adequate fund is being explored,” pointed out Gautam Ganguli, Deputy Commissioner of Cachar and Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Hospital Society.

He dismissed as totally baseless the allegation levelled in a vernacular daily that “there is no account or trace of Rs 15 lakh donated by ONGC for the development of paedriatic ward”. He clarified that the amount in question was invested in the term deposit of Vijaya Bank which has accrued an interest of Rs 76,000.

The donated money has neither been misused or misappropriated, he asserted, and added the scheme will be drawn up and work started soon for a five-bed paediatric ward with the approval of the State committee as per norms.

More resources have to be pulled up for that in order to have medical expertise and a paedriatic surgeon as well as child specialists. He admitted lack of required infrastructure and facility.
The Government of Assam, he disclosed, has recognized the hospital as urban health centre and provided MBBS doctors, GNM and pharmacist, one each, besides two support staff. Treatment here is provided free of charges, including medicine under sponsorship of National Rural Health Mission, Assam.

With the assumption of responsibility by the present executive committee, Badal Dey, general secretary of the Indian Red Cross Society, said: “Many irregularities have been set right”.
The membership of 372-body society has been regularized. ANM girls hostel has been constructed with funds provided by MP and MLA and generated from our own sources”.

Along with that construction of 2-bed eye cabin, conversion of general ward into a 5-bed cabin, upgrading of the Pathology department and improvement of blood bank facility with accessories have been done with the fund of the hospital, he said.

For the 62-bed hospital, Dey pointed out, there are 4 doctors, 2 general and 18 ANM staff. Founded by Henry Donald in the British era, the hospital has come a long way to serve all sections all people in need of medical care, attention and treatment. THE SENTINEL

BPL families instructed to apply for pension schemes

SILCHAR, Aug 26: Beneficiaries receiving old age pensions were directed to submit their pension account number along with the names of their nominees at Lakhipur Municipal Office within August 28, 2009, sources said. Widows and physically handicapped people living below the poverty line (BPL) have also been instructed to apply for the India Gandhi Widow Pension and Indira Gandhi Handicapped Pension plans respectively. Sources said widows within 40 to 64 years and handicapped people within 18 to 64 years are eligible to apply for the above mentioned pension schemes. The people have been directed to collect the pension forms from the Municipal Office, Lakhipur, within August 28. THE SENTINEL

New name for Silchar railway station likely by Tuesday

NEW DELHI, Aug 26: Special Railway Secretary Ratan Mukherjee is hopeful that the Railway Ministry will name the Silchar Railway station as Bhasa Swahid Railway Station by Tuesday next. Talking to this reporter today, Mukherjee said: “A number of technicalities are involved in changing the nomenclature of the railway station. The responsibility has been given to Railway Board member (traffic) Sriprakash.” THE SENTINEL

Application for post-metric scholarship invited

SILCHAR, Aug 26: Application for post-metric scholarships have been invited from the students of backward classes in Lakhipur subdivision. Those guardians who have an annual income of less than Rs 44,500 are eligible for applying for the scholarship. The application forms will be submitted though the school principals to the office of the Lakhipur subdivision welfare executive.
Sources said details about the forms will be available in the Lakhipur subdivision welfare executive office only. THE SENTINEL

Night landing under cloud in Silchar Airport

SILCHAR, Aug 25: Though Sontosh Mohan Dev, former Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, had assured that Silchar Airport would be ready for night landing by January 2009, nothing till date has materialized. It has now been learned from airport sources that unless technical clearance is given by the Director General of Civil Aviation, it will not be feasible.
In fact, Sylvian Kondapan, MP in the last session of Parliament, wanted to know from Union Minister of Civil Aviation Prafull Patel about the preparedness of Silchar and Dibrugarh airports for night landing of aircrafts. Patel replied that necessary infrastructure and arrangements were made to operate flights after dusk. Lalit Mohan Shuklabaidya, Karimganj MP, quoting Kondapan, said here that the ground reality is different. Perhaps, as he said the Minister has not been properly briefed by his department on the developments at Silchar and Dibrugarh airports.

On August 17, 253 Airbus flights from Kolkata could not land at Silchar due to poor visibility and inclement weather in the afternoon. The aircrafts, after hovering over the airport for half an hour had to return back to Kolkata. When Shuklabaidya contacted the Air Traffic Control here, he was told that the Director General of Civil Aviation has not yet given clearance for night landing at Silchar. Dibrugarh airport is yet to have the necessary infrastructure.

Silchar airport, according to Airport Authority of India, is equipped with the vital instrument landing system (ILS). The MP said he pursued the matter with the Director General who informed him that he would examine all relevant angles and thereafter take a final decision regarding the airport here. In the meantime, Airport Authority of India according to its modernization plan has extended the runway from 5,857 to 7,500 feet in order to accommodate airbuses. The terminal building has also been expanded and modified and installed with suitable user friendly services that can seat 300 passengers at a time.

A set of the state-of-the-art navigational and visual aids has been provided for smooth operation of ATR, Boeing and Airbus aircrafts in all weather conditions.

Though ILS has been installed for precise landing, considering the location of the Airport against the backdrop of Borail Hill ranges and prolonged monsoon, Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Range coupled with distance measuring equipment and precision approach path indicator are the other essential landing and navigational aids required for easy and safe landing even in bad weather.

At present Silchar is linked with Kolkata, Guwahati and Imphal. On an average, annually 82,000 passengers embark and disembark while 600 metre of cargo are handled here. Silchar is ranked fourth after Guwahati, Agartala and Imphal. THE SENTINEL

ONGC yet to implement SC order on jobs of contractual workers

SILCHAR, Aug 25: The Deprived ONGC Contractual Workers’ Union (DONGCCWU) earlier approached the Central Industry Tribunal at Guwahati demanding regularization of the jobs of temporary workers in ONGC. The tribunal was also convinced with the legitimacy of the demand of the workers. Under case No. 6(C)/1990, Central Industrial Tribunal, Guwahati, president JC Kalita passed a judgement on July 11, 1994 instructing the Cachar ONGC management to regularize the services of the temporary workers in a phase wise, if it was not possible for it to pay them along with their allowances as paid to regular employees.

Sources said ONGC started to operate during the mid-70s in Cachar. Local youths were employed by ONGC on contractual basis against maximum payout. Slowly, the role of the temporary employees increased as a result of which the temporary workers of ONGC, Cachar Forward Base, started to demand regularization of their jobs. But, the ONGC reportedly rejected the demand which led the DONGCCWU to approach the Central Industry Tribunal.

It was reported that ONGC in Cachar challenged the judgement of the Central Industrial Tribunal and filed a case in the Gauhati High Court. Here too, ONGC convinced the single-bench judge Justice Mira Sharma and won the case. But the DONGCCWU challenged the judgement and again appealed to the Gauhati High Court.

Therefore, on September 8, 1998, justice NC Jain and PG Aggarwal rejected the order passed by the single-bench judge and the Central Industrial Tribunal under case No. 269/1998.

On the other hand, ONGC in Cachar district was not satisfied with the High Court order and approached the Supreme Court under Civil appeal case number 4755/2001. Thereafter, the case went on for seven long years after which the Supreme Court delivered its verdict in favour of the contractual workers on May 16, 2008, upholding the earlier sentences of the Central Industrial Tribunal and Gauhati High Court on the issue.

Meanwhile, the ONGC officials of Cachar Forward Base reportedly offered a good will package to the temporary workers in an alleged cover trap to strip off 290 casual employees of their services The ONGC officials allegedly tricked the workers by exploiting their weakness and lured them to accept financial aid in return of which they were asked to withdraw their names from the respondents’ list of the then proceeding case in the Supreme Court. However, the attempt failed as the matter was sub-judice and the court did not accept any secondary solution on the issue.

Sources further said the matter remains unsolved as the ONGC management did not oblige to the Supreme Court orders and has not regularized or reinstated the services of the contractual workers till date. THE SENTINEL

99 per cent of cancer can be cured: Dr Shubha Maudgal

SILCHAR, Aug 24: A four-day programme on Psycho-oncology counselling and prevention of cancer began here on Sunday organized by Cachar Cancer Hospital Society. Heralding the programme in the counselling hall of the hospital before a selected audience of doctors, staff members, students as well as others, Sweetha Lakshmi explained in brief the objective and touched upon relevant aspect of the disease which has assumed a dimension of concern in Barak Valley.

Cachar Cancer Hospital Society and Research Centre general secretary Dr Chinmoy Chowdhury outlined succinctly the growth and development of this hospital since its inception in 1994 with generous contributions from all sections of people, rich and poor, corporate houses, institutions and organizations and above all magnanimous political leaders of all hues. Today, he pointed out, the hospital set up with the objectives of awareness, detection, treatment with latest methodology and to have a research centre has come a long way.

Patients from North Cachar Hills, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura, apart from this valley, come to this centre for treatment.

Participating in the programme as resource person, New Projects, Cancer Patients’ Aid Association (CPAA), Mumbai, executive director Dr Shubha Maudgal in her hour-long discourse, in a simple and lucid manner, said earlier cancer was regarded as a disease of the west. Today, it has become global. CPAA, she added, since its initiation in 1969 has been taking care of the poor and needy patients. The problem of cancer “in our country is that certain myths and misgivings have come to be associated with it which stand in the way of its detection”, she stated.

The philosophy of her association is total management of cancer with stress on education and awareness, guidance and counselling as support to treatment and rehabilitation. Women in particular with inhibitions are motivated for diagnostic check up. “99 per cent of cancer can be cured if detected in time”, she maintained.

Referring to risk factors, Dr Maudgal pinpointed all sorts of reasons leading to cancer like tobacco consumption, habit of smoking, alcoholism, early marriage and multiple partners along with age, race and family background of a patient. Among the causative factors are dietary habits, life style, continuous irritation at the same spot, natural carcinogens and exposition to chemicals and x-rays.

Continuing, she further explained cancer, environmental or heredity, is considered to be a genetic disease. Much of the support of diagnosis and therapy controlled lies in genetics. Cancer occurs when cells that are not normal grow and spread fast. These cells may not always be the product of a single abnormal cell that is monoclonal.

One way of identifying the causes of cancer is by studying population comparing cancer rates among various groups of people exposed to different factors and exhibiting different behaviours. A major finding of population study is that cancer arises with strikingly different frequencies at different places. For example, she said, stomach cancer is frequent in Japan, liver cancer in China, skin cancer in Australia, colon cancer in America, cervical cancer in Brazil, head and neck and cervical cancer in India.

In all cases, it is psycho-oncology counselling that helps the patients overcome their trauma. Mumbai CPAA Susmita Mitra and Bharat Group of Schools and Colleges, Thane, academic coordinator Dr Rita Banik assisted Dr Maudgal in her deliberations. THE SENTINEL

Cachar DC instructs officials to keep vigil on bunds

From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Aug 24: The water level of Barak River has decreased by one cm, but, the water level of Kushiara River is touching the danger mark in Karimganj, whereas, the water level of Matijuri River in Hailakandi is rising, sources said. On the other hand, the water level of Madhura river, a tributary of Barak, is decreasing gradually.

Although the water level of the rivers are decreasing gradually, floods cannot be ruled out said Cachar DC Gautam Ganguly while instructing the engineers of the Water Resources Department to keep close vigil on the bunds in Cachar district.

He said extra caution should be taken to prevent the bunds from breaking in those areas which are sensitive. THE SENTINEL

People apprehensive of floods in Rongpur area

SILCHAR, Aug 21: Within a year of its construction by the Water Resources Department, the bund constructed in the Angarjur area broke recently. The rising level of the Barak River has increased the risk of flooding the area. Sources said the people in the area are keeping their fingers crossed with the sudden spate in the river and rains lashing down almost everyday.

Sources said that the bund was constructed from SLPW road up to Madhuramukh at three different places but went under water completely and the river waters percolating through these holes are can inundate large stretches of land in greater Rangpur area.

It was reported that the Water Resources Department under NREGS had taken up bund construction in Rangpur Village Panchayat under Udharband Assembly Constituency of Cachar district on February 18, 2008. The total expenditure of the project was ascertained to be Rs 13.83 lakh. The work was under the supervision of SE Afsan Hussain Laskar. But the local people here alleged that the local Rangpur panchayat secretary Debashish Dev and Munna Singh, representative of MLA Ajit Singh, had misutilized the fund. It was charged that Dev and Singh had prepared master roll and job cards against fictitious names and somehow completed the work of setting down soil on the embankment areas and installed small pipes instead of culverts at the end of Angarjur street. This resulted in narrow breaches at several places on the bund. Sources further said the overall flood situation is serious and a little rise in the level of Barak will lead to floods in Rangpur, Angarjur, Majhargram, Karatigram, Shimultala, Arkatipur, Gosiapur, Moinarbond etc. The flood will also affect the National Highway and Silchar-Imphal land route connection. Even air transport will face problems since Kumbhirgram Airport lies on the same route at the distant end. THE SENTINEL

Atuar playing pressure tactics on Ajmal?

SILCHAR, June 22: Muslim polities in Barak valley, boosted up with the advent of the AUDF, has found itself in an unexpected turmoil even after faring quite well in the last general elections. Though the AUDF could not win either of the two LS seats in the valley, it finished second in both Karimganj and Silchar Lok Sabha seats. The significant matter is the fact that the party could maintain lead in eight out of fifteen Assembly segments, thus promising for a better results in the 2011 Assembly elections.

But quite surprisingly, the AUDF failed to carry forward the tempo that was generated during the Lok Sabha elections just four months back. The central leadership of the party has already dissolved its Cachar and Hailakandi district units following an open showdown among the local leaders.

The turmoil now takes a dramatic turn as AUDF MLA from Katigorah Maoulana Ataur Rahman Majharbhuiya allegedly trying to capitalize his parent socio-religious organization, the Northeast Nadwatut-Tamir, to throw a challenge to AUDF supremo Badrauddin Ajmal. On Wednesday, Majaharbhuiya convened a meeting of the Nadwatut in Guwahati without informing Moulana Tayeebur Rahman, Amir-e-Shariyat. It is reported that the meeting on Wednesday took certain decisions indicating that the Nadwatut would not tolerate the ‘autocratic rule’ of Ajaml. Secondly, the meeting focused on strengthening the coordination committee which was formed at the time AUDF’s coming into existence. It was said that Ajmal had been neglecting Nadwatut. Thirdly, the meeting expressed reservation against the reported candidature of Ajmal’s son in South Salmara bi-elections.

The report of the Wednesday meeting created much ripples inside Nadwatut. Amir-e-Shariyat reportedly hinted that he was not aware of the meeting. Other senior members of the organization also reported that Ataur Rahman had, in his personal capacity, convened the meeting in Guwahati as he wanted to put pressure of the AUDF leadership. It is to be noted that Majharbhuiya was allegedly involved in mishandling of fund during last general elections in Silchar where Ajmal was the candidate. Former district president Anup Choudhury, in his secret report to Ajmal, had openly alleged that Majharbhuiya teamed up with district general secretary Altaf Hussain and youth leader Saminul Haque to misguide Ajmal. In other words, Majharbhuiya was not in the good book of Ajmal, and it was assumed that he might not get nomination in the forthcoming Assembly elections. Sensing trouble, Majharbhuiya tried to put pressure on Ajmal by involving Nadwatut. But the attempt seemed to boomerang. Meanwhile, an AUDF central leader said Ajmal will not succumb to such types to blackmailing. On the other hand, Anup Choudhury said the AUDF is a political party and Nadwatut is a non-political socio-religious organization. Hence, Majharbhuiya’s pressure tactic will not get any takers. THE SENTINEL

SAKP to launch a pen-down strike

From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Aug 23: Keeping abreast with the rest of the State, the Barak Valley chapter of Soduo Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) has decided to hold a pen-down strike on September 2-3 in protest against the State Government’s failure to table the report of the 5th Pay Commission headed by former bureaucrat Bhaskar Baruah. This was stated by SAKP’s central committee organizing secretary for Barak Valley Sudip Bhattacharjee.
He said, ‘‘More than 20 thousand State Government employees in the valley would not attend their duties on the said dates to mark their protest against the delay in publication of the commission report’’. In a protest rally held on August 14 in Barpeta, the SAKP decided to launch an agitation if the commission failed to table the report by August 31.

One arrested, fake currency seized
From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Aug 23: The BSF arrested a person possessing fake currency amounting to Rs 92,000 in Aizwal recently. The arrested person identified as Jonan Sanga (30) was arrested by the BSF in coordination with the Mizoram Police. Jonan Sanga was waiting for his companion at the Treasury Square in Aizwal when he was arrested by the BSF jawans. On being searched, fake currency notes were recovered from his possession. The arrested has been handed over to the police.

20 families rendered homeless in Panchgram
From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Aug 23: At least four villages near Panchgram were under serious threat as incessant rainfall for the last few days had accelerated erosion of the Barak river. According to sources, altogether 20 families were rendered homeless. Of late, erosion stretched to a range of 5 km, touching villages like Kalarpar, Das Colony, Katakhal and Tukargram. Satyendra Singha, Biswas Singha and Birendra Singha of Kalarpur, discovered cracks in their RCC building as erosion hit the entire area. The local residents said the problem of erosion has continued for the last one decade. The river banks are prone to erosion because of the meandering of the Barak river flowing through the alluvial plains. Already, 500 families were rendered homeless and relocated to other places. Further, if anti-erosion steps are not taken at the earliest, NH 53 connecting Cachar district would soon be washed away, sources said. Chief Engineer of State Water Resources Department NC Das and MLA Rahul Roy inspected the sites of erosion yesterday. They later informed that a project costing Rs 7.5 crore had already been sanctioned by the Central Water Commission for the construction of dykes to resist erosion. Roy confirmed that the work will commence from January 2010. Meanwhile, prior to the last general election, the Government officials claimed an amount of Rs 7 crore had been sanctioned for embankment work at Tukargram. However, no work have been done so far in this regard. THE SENTINEL

Citizens facing a harrowing time

SILCHAR, Aug 23: With incessant rains lashing the town for the last one week, the situation has worsened, thereby causing trouble to the daily commuters. The roads which were recently laid with a Central funding of Rs 5 crore, have already given way to potholes and craters. The improvement of drainage system undertaken by the National Building Construction Company (NBCC) has been suspended after spending an amount of seven crore against the total allocation of Rs 158 crore by the Centre.

If sources are to be believed, NBCC decided to quit work alleging too much interference from the public, a lame excuse to cover up their own lapses. Meanwhile, drains are clogged to the brim and overflowing at many places. This has resulted in dirty water spilling over on the roads and pavements of the town.

In certain areas, drains are clogged and there is no outlet for the accumulated water to flush out. The residents are also to be blamed as they fling waste materials and plastic bags into the drains. As the garbage bins are not cleared by the civic authority on a regular basis, waste matter from these containers are often pulled out by stray cows, leaving the streets and drains dirty. At several places, drains are open, with slabs over them either broken or caved in.

The woes of the citizens have mounted due to the unattended garbage on the streets, stalled drain water and the abominable stench emanating from them. Pedestrians are finding it difficult to use the roads. A haberdasher Mrintunjoy Paul said, “It is difficult to sit and do business as the rotten matter stinks badly. Customers find it repulsive to step over the drain and come to my shop”. Namita Dey, a house wife of Shillongpatty road said, “Conservancy staff often do not take care to take away the waste matter while cleaning the drains. Instead, these are left on the road side, making the surroundings dirty”.

Meanwhile, garbage and the stagnant water in the drains have become a breeding ground for germs. “Any person can get infected by bacteria and virus due to this contamination”, observed B Bhattacharjee, a physician. Though the new municipal board is yet to be formed, an executive in the establishment claimed that the garbage and drains are being regularly cleaned.

In spite of problems looming large over the citizens, they are hopeful that the new municipal board to be formed by the Congress, will take action to improve the civic amenities in the town. THE SENTINEL

Employees go for indefinite strike in NC Hills

SILCHAR, Aug 23: The fate of 4550 employees of the Normal Sector of the NC Hills Autonomous Council, hangs in uncertainty as they have not received their salary for the last five months.

The employees have already started an indefinite strike demanding the immediate disbursement of their due salaries. Sources said, Principal secretary Dibakar Nath Mishra had reportedly questioned the validity of the appointment of the employees belonging to the Normal Sector of the council.

Erstwhile council representatives issued appointment letters at their will and no scheduled procedure was maintained. The salaries were being paid by diverting funds of various departments, sources added. The overstaffed Normal Sector required almost Rs 50 crore per month for salary, whereas the sector could generated a mere five crore on its own. Mishra, who recently joined as the Principal secretary (N), found immense irregularities in the allocation of funds as well as appointments. Even the employees of the Transfer sector of the Council covering 30 departments, were being deprived of their regular salary. It was found that the Council leaders used to divert the fund, allocated by the State Government for various development scheme, at their free will. A major amount of money was drained out to the coffer of the militants. Problems cropped up after the dissolution of the Council by the State Government. THE SENTINEL

ABVP to submit memorandum to DC

SILCHAR, Aug 23: The ABVP will submit a memorandum, addressed to the Home Minister and Education Minister of Asom, to the district Deputy Commissioner on August 24, demanding the immediate release of the two students of Katakhal Janaki Charan Higher Secondary School who were arrested on August 11, 2009, on false charges. This was stated by the ABVP at a press meet organized at the Press Club in Silchar recently .

The ABVP said the actual plot behind the August 10 incident must be brought to light through proper investigation and the innocent students should be released at the earliest.

According to sources, a delegation of ABVP had visited the Principal of Katakhal Janaki Charan Higher Secondary School, Aftab Uddin Ahmed on August 10, 2009. The delegation was led by State President of ABVP, Northeast wing, Mrinal Kanti Das, to discuss vital issues such as the educational environment of the school, fee hike and dress code for students.

While discussing the issue of dress code, assistant teacher of Persian Language, Kamrul Islam suddenly barged in to the Principal’s cabin and abused the visitors. Sources said, Kamrul Islam was against any dress code for the Muslim students. He was also found shouting infuriating slogans inside the school campus.

On subsequent developments, Sanjay Dey, a student of the school, was arrested by police on August 11, 2009, under section 153/A of the Detention Act. Another student, Himu Dey was also picked up by the Katakhal police from the bazaar area on the same day. Following the arrest, an FIR was lodged against Principal Aftab Uddin Ahmed and teacher Kamrul Islam by the local people and the guardians of the arrested students.

Addressing the press meet, the ABVP said they would submit a memorandum to the Home Minister and Education Minister of Asom, demanding the immediate release of the students and proper investigation of the matter.

The meeting was attended by State President of ABVP Mrinal Kanti Das, Students’ experience in Interstate living (SEIL) coordinator Angsuman Phukan, ABVP joint secretary Shaikia Dutta Chowdhury and ABVP District Organization Secretary Apangshu Sheel. THE SENTINEL

SMC Supdt allays fear on swine flu

SILCHAR, Aug 17: An awareness camp on swine flu was organized at the Silchar Rotary Club yesterday. Silchar Medical College Superintendent Dr Mrinal Kanti Dey, while speaking at the camp, advised the people not to panic unnecessarily on transmission of A H1N1 virus infection and told them to be careful.

He said children less than five years of age and people more than 65 years of age are more susceptible to swine flu infection. Therefore, he advised parents and guardians to refrain their children from sending them to schools on receiving complaints of any of the symptoms of swine flu. He also said patients who are suffering from tuberculosis, kidney, heart diseases and those suffering from physical weaknesses are also susceptible to the infection. He, therefore, asked these people not to visit public places like shopping malls, cinema halls, theatres, market places etc frequently.

Dey further said: “Treatment is necessary if fever, cough etc are accompanied by chest pains. Hands should be washed regularly for hygenic causes.” He also said that wearing of N-95 masks was not necessary for everybody and said if any inmate of the house is suspected to be infected with the virus, then the person should be kept isolated and attended by a single member amid much caution to prevent further contamination. These patients should be quickly shifted to hospitals, he advised. The awareness camp was presided over by Nirmalendu Kar Purkayastha. Others who spoke on the occasion include Dr Kushal Kumar Kar and Dr Sudev Purkayastha. THE SENTINEL

Gautam Roy for concerted move to save Panchgram Paper Mill

SILCHAR, Aug 17: A meeting was convened by Algapur MLA to save Barak Valley’s one and only heavy industry, the Cachar Paper Mill at Panchgram, which is slowly dying. It was revealed in the meeting that the condition of the mill was reportedly because of lack of coordination among CPM authorities, Forest officials as well as contractors.

The meeting, first of its kind, was attended by State Excise Minister Gautam Roy, Karimganj MP Lalit Mohan Suklabaidya, MLA Kutub Ahmed and Rahul Roy and a number of dignitaries along with some contractors.

Gautam Roy, in the meeting, said there should be a concerted move among all the concerned parties to revive the one and only heavy industry in the valley. Roy said he would personally look into the matter so that supply of bamboo was uninterrupted.

At present the mill is incurring an annual loss of Rs 30 crore mainly because of inadequate supply of bamboo, the authorities clarified. He hinted that the CMP was not receiving proper support from the Forest Department as well.

Moreover, Executive Director of the Panchgram Cachar Paper Mill (CPM) Mohan Jha has agreed to accommodate 68 contractual labourers, who were terminated yesterday, after State Excise Minister Gautam Roy interfered into the matter. Roy told Jha that these poor contractual labourers should not be terminated just before two major festivals like Durga Puja and Id.

Jha argued that these labourer were not direct employees of CPM as they were working under contractors whose term had expired. But, Roy said, on humanitarian grounds these workers, who had been serving here for the last 20 years, should be accommodated. Later, Jha agreed to employ them in other departments of the CPM. THE SENTINEL

Independence Day celebrated with enthusiasm in Silchar

SILCHAR, Aug 16: The 63rd Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Cachar district yesterday. Unfurling the tricolour at the DSA field at Silchar, Urban Development and Planning minister Dinesh Prasad Goala paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the martyrs of the freedom movement. He said, while the country has progressed in different fields, Asom, too, is not lagging behind. The State is making remarkable progress in the health sector, he said.

Addressing the occasion, Goala said, ‘‘Some extremist groups are trying to destabilize the life of our State with the help of foreign hand. These extremists should shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.’’ The programme kick-started with a relay of patriotic songs. Power tillers were also distributed on the occasion.

Meanwhile, civil SDO Madhumita Chowdhury hoisted the flag in Lakhipur under tight security arrangements in the presence of public and other government officials. It was the first time in Barak Valley that a lady administrative officer hoisted the flag on Independence Day. The Assam Police, NCC Nehru College, Emanual High School, GNV, Ashapalli English School, Union High School, Adit High School and others participated in the Independence Day parade.

Addressing the gathering, the Civil SDO mentioned about the works carried by the Central and the State Government for the development of Lakhipur subdivision. A total of 27,750 job cards and account were opened recently. In the four blocks of Binnakandi, Banskandi, Jaipur and Lakhipur, more than eight crore have been invested on development works. In Lakhipur subdivision, 14 PHE water supply schemes have been inaugurated recently. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme have been distributed among the students of 391 lower primary schools in the Lakhipur subdivision. Moreover, 50 per cent of Lakhipur-Barak bridge work has been completed so far.

In the Binnakandi block under the Lakhipur subdivision, 20 sewing machines were distributed on the day. Moreover, old-age pension cheques were distributed by BDO Subhash Koiri in nine Gaon Panchayats under the Binnakandi block. Apart from the Government official, more than 2000 people gathered to celebrate the occasion. THE SENTINEL

Power crisis in the State, ASEB resorts to power rationing

SILCHAR, Aug 16: The Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) will soon introduce power rationing in wake of the severe power scarcity in the State.

Asom has been reeling under severe power shortage in the recent times, causing inconvenience to all. But due to the failure of the State Government to install alternative devices, the ASEB has decided to introduce power rationing. According to official sources, street lights in places like Silchar, Guwahati etc, will be lit up and put off one-hour after and before the scheduled time.

As per Government orders, unnecessary lighting in the urban areas, such as shops, business establishments and markets, glow signs and lighted hoardings will be avoided. The entertainment centres and shopping malls in Guwahati city have been instructed to close down by 10:30 pm and 9 pm respectively.

Additionally, in the Government and non-Government establishments, electrical applications would be utilized prudently. In private residences, temperature slabs of AC machines have been instructed to be kept above 25 degree centigrade.

The hydroelectric projects in Asom and the neighbouring states have dried up due to insufficient water. As a result, the State is facing acute power shortage. Moreover, due to power crisis in other parts of the country, it has become extremely difficult to import power supplies to the State. the sentinel

Jobs of 68 labourers terminated at Cachar Paper Mill

SILCHAR, Aug 16: At least 68 contractual labourers were prevented from entering the Panchgram Cachar Paper Mill (CPM) where they had been working for the last twenty years. The labourers belonging to the HR & EF department of the HPC paper mill were told that their services had already been terminated. This incident created a lot of tension in the HPC campus as the terminated workers refused to go away and demonstrated in front of the gate. Meanwhile, Directors of Hindustan Paper Corporation Partha Dhar, while speaking to The Sentinel said, ‘‘These labourers are not HPC employees as they were recruited by a contractor.’’ Sources said, contractor Subrata Devwas was served a notice by the paper mill authorities on July 31 that his contract had expired. Dev had reportedly informed that it was not possible for him to accommodate, compensate or rehabilitate the labourers working under him for such a long period.

Meanwhile, the terminated labourers have decided to bring the issue to the notice of the district administration as well as the labour office. In the meantime, Algapur MLA Rahul Roy has convened a meeting of all the 15 MLAs and two MPs of the valley at the CPM guest house tomorrow, to discuss the chronic problem of the mill in procuring raw materials, particularly bamboo and coal. The meeting is importance in the sense that it is the first step by Rahul Roy, who himself was a supplier of coal in the mill, after the defeat of Sontosh Mohan Dev in the last general election. Dev was the Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise in the Centre and HPC was under his ministry. Dev made his trusted lieutenant Partha Dhar a Director of the HPC and the latter reportedly resorted in clipping the wings of some contractors close to Excise Minister Gautam Roy and his MLA son Rahul. THE SENTINEL

Tribals call off bandh

SILCHAR, Aug 16: The Hailakandi District Tribal Sangha, an organization of the Reang tribes, had called off its 12-hour bandh call on August 18, following Excise Minister Gautam Roy’s assurance that the miscreants involved in the manhandling case of Reang leader Panchuram Reang in Ramkrishnanagar, would seek an open apology to the latter. Various tribal organizations had jointly declared the bandh in protest against the alleged police inactivity against the miscreants who had beaten up Panchuram and his friend Tayuubur Rahman in Ramkrishnanagar on the grounds that they were taking photographs of girl students with their mobile phones. Panchuram headed a militant outfit in southern Hailakandi and had surrendered last year. Later he joined the Congress party. He is the vice-president of the tribal cell of Hailakandi Congress. Excise Minister Gautam Roy met the tribal leaders yesterday and assured them that those who had beaten up the Reang leader would be compelled to seek apology. Following the Minister’s assurance, the organization called off their agitation THE SENTINEL

Municipality facing Naga resistance in garbage disposal

SILCHAR, Aug 16: Chronic problem of garbage in Silchar had multiplied in the recent times as the residents of the trenching ground in Meherpur area had resisted the municipality workers to dump the garbage there.

Problem was so acute that Administrator of Silchar Municipality Board Supriyo Dutta, in a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, had sought police force under the supervision of a magistrate so that the municipality workers could discharge their duties. Deputy Commissioner Gautam Ganguly, told The Sentinel that police force had escorted six trucks loaded with garbage to the trenching ground. The inhabitants of the trenching ground, particularly some women tried to resist the workers but ultimately they had to give up. “We need not apply force”, Dutta said.

Last week, the Rangirkhari police escorted the trucks, tractors and excavators carrying garbage to dump at the trenching ground, but the local inhabitants, all belonging to the Naga community, put up resistance. A number of trucks loaded with garbage were stranded in the municipality office, thus creating hygiene problem.

It is to be noted that 23 Naga families, all workers of the municipality, were given shelter last year, in one corner of the trenching ground measuring at least 60 bighas. But eventually, people from the Naga community from various parts of the district started to reside there and at present not less than 63 families are residing in the ground meant for dumping garbage. For the last couple of years, the Nagas refused to let the municipality dump garbage and were in direct confrontation with the Municipality Board. The case ultimately rolled to the court. The next hearing will be held on August 28. The erstwhile chairperson of the Board Bithika Dev, who is also the MLA of Silchar, tried to settle the issue out of court, but she failed. As a matter of fact, Silchar town produce 70 tonnes of garbage per day. THE SENTINEL

Karimganj gets district library after 16 years’ wait

BADARPUR, Aug 14 – Karimganj has finally got its District Library after a wait of 16 years. The library was inaugurated recently in a ceremony by State Excise and Border Development Minister Gautam Roy.

On this occasion, a meeting was held under the presidentship of Karimganj Deputy Commissioner Dr M Angamuthu. Roy, in his address, expressed satisfaction over the opening of the district library.

In the presence of leaders and representatives of different political parties, MP and MLAs, top officials of the district administration and public, the minister said that the State Government has fulfilled the demand of the people in Karimganj. Now it is the duty of the people to protect and supervise this library he maintained.

Roy appealed to MP and MLAs to extend financial aid for greater development of the library.

The minister said that the State Government’s proposed engineering college for Barak Valley would surely be setup at Karimganj and not in Hailakandi. Roy said that he has no objection at all to setup this engineering college in Karimganj. To setup this college at Karimganj, at least 300 acres of land is needed, which is not available at present. So, if these land can be found, the college must be setup in Karimganj, Roy added.

The Karimganj MP, Lalit Mohan Suklabaidya, in his address, said that he has granted Rs 7 lakh for obtaining the generator of this district library, and Rs one lakh for purchasing the library books from the MP Area Development Fund. Besides this, MP Suklabaidya also assured that for the repairing and re-constructing of the worn-out roads of Karimganj and Badarpur town areas, more than Rs 5 lakh will also be granted from the DONER funds.

The Karimganj Deputy Commissioner, Dr M Angamuthu said that in the greater interest of the district library, no permission would be given to the political parties to use it. The DC also said that the district administration has decided to hold the cultural and film festival in the district library on the occasion of Eid and Durga Puja. Dr Angamuthu said that in exchange of fixed rentals, various cultural functions and literary programmes could be easily held by the different literature and cultural units. The ADC of Karimganj, HK Nath explained the significance of the meeting and informed that this 690 seat district library, has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1.35 crore.

The meeting feted three successful students, Kisan Sen Laskar, Soumitra Dev and Najrul Islam.

The meeting was also addressed by MLAs Mission Ranjan Das, Anwarool Haque, ADC MK Das, educationist Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Tarun Das, Lopamudra Choudhuree among others. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Gautam Roy faces challenge from his disciples

SILCHAR, Aug 14: The stage is all set for a full-blown battle between Excise Minister Gautam Roy and his one-time political disciple and now his rival Siddeque Ahmed, who represents south Karimganj constituency in the State Assembly as an Associate Member of Congress.

Sources said relations between Roy and Ahmed reportedly started to sour over the misappropriation of fund belonging to Border Area Development, a ministry headed by the former. Party insiders hinted that Siddeque Ahmed, a man with controversial and a shabby past, was fuelled by two youth ministers of Gogoi’s Cabinet, who reportedly designed to field someone in Karimganj who could thwart the all-encompassing power of Roy in the district.

The battle between the mentor and his disciple has already begun, sources said. Ahmed had addressed a number of rallies in which he promised that he would free Karimganj from the clutches of Roy. He even branded Roy as an anti Muslim leader. In reply to this, followers of Roy in Karimganj and Hailakandi bounced back with a series of rallies alleging that Ahmed was spreading communal venom to settle his personal score with Roy.

Sources said Siddeque Ahmed was reportedly associated with a racket operating in the Indo-Bangla border. Ahmed, an ace footballer, was first picked up by former State Minister Muktadir Choudhury and Ahmed soon became his trusted lieutenant. Their relation broke when Siddeque fielded himself as a candidate in 2001 Assembly election against his mentor Choudhury.

Being backed by Roy, who wanted to clip the wings of Muktadir, a close associate of former Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev, defeated his mentor. And that was the beginning of the rise of Siddeque as well as the beginning of closeness between Roy and Ahmed.

Roy raised Siddeque as an alternative to Choudhury. Siddeque again defeated Muktadir in the 2006 election as an independent candidate and Roy made him an associate member of the ruling party.

But, certain issues rocked their relation and Siddeque is now a foe and Muktadir a friend to Gautam Roy. Ahmed knew that he would not get assistance from Roy in the 2011 election and hence started to project himself as a saviour of the Muslims. On the other hand, Muktadir Choudhury, in order to get ticket for the next election, forgot his enmity with Roy and was seen delivering praising Roy’s leadership recently. THE SENTINEL

Tribal sangha calls for Barak bandh on August 18

SILCHAR, Aug 14: Hailakandi district Tribal Sangha, an organization of Reang tribes, has called a 12-hour Barak bandh on August 18 in protest against ‘motivated failure’ of the Karimganj Police to book the miscreants involved in the incident of manhandling Panchuram Reang, a surrendered militant of the United Barak Valley Liberation Front, a Reang militant outfit, in Ramkrishnanagar recently.

Sources said Panchuram was beaten by the local people of Ramkrishnanagar last week for allegedly taking snaps of school girls. He was later handed over to the police who released him after a group of local Congress leaders intervened. But, the tribes of South Hailakandi urged the Karimganj Police administration to book the miscreants within 48 hours, which expired on Tuesday. Sources added Panchuram had surrendered himself to the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi last year and had subsequently joined the Congress.

On the other hand, the BJP in Ramkrishnanagar alleged that police had freed Panchuram under the pressure of Excise Minister Gautam Roy, who took the initiative to make the surrendered militant the deputy chairman of the tribal cell of Hailakandi Congress.

The Tribal Sangha emergent meeting was attended by the Congress Tribal cell chief Dhanmadhan Chakma, ST Board chairman Purbajoy Reang, Sabhir Ahmed of Samaj Unnayan Sangtha and others. All the speakers alleged that the attack on Panchuram Reang and his friend Taybur Rahman was a conspiracy.

Panchuram had earlier told that the incident was the outcome of some misunderstanding. He said his friend Rahman was searching his cell phone in front of a pan stall when suddenly a group of youths came and alleged that he was taking snaps of girls of the nearby school and started to beat up Rahman. On seeing this, Panchuram jumped to save him but he himself got beaten in the process. THE SENTINEL

Farmers damage ‘faulty’ dyke

SILCHAR, August 14: A mob of irate farmers damaged a dyke worth more than a crore constructed under the Flow Irrigation Scheme. Local farmers alleged that the dyke inundated about 5,000 bighas of plough fields and their cultivation had virtually come to halt. Recently, they gheraoed State Irrigation Minister Narjamal Sarkar when he visited the dyke over river Boali in Sonai.

Sarkar had assured them of corrective measures, but, the desperate farmers did not wait for the implementation of the Minister’s promise. On Thursday, at least 1,500 people jointly damaged the dyke. THE SENTINEL

Jawan isolated

SILCHAR, Aug 14: An Army jawan has been admitted to the isolation ward of the Army hospital here after he exhibited swine flu-like symptoms. This was confirmed by Cachar Jt Health Director Amrit Narayan Deka. The jawan had recently returned from Pune, sources said. THE SENTINEL

Silchar Medical College ready to treat swine flu patients

SILCHAR, Aug 13: A quarantine ward has been set up in Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) for treatment of swine flu patients. Patients with symptoms of the swine flu infection in Barak Valley, if any, can be treated at SMCH where tamiflu medicines have been kept in abundance.

According to SMCH sources, since temiflu medicines are available in SMCH, there is to need panic for swine flu that has not been detected in Barak Valley.

The sources further said two Microbiology doctors of SMCH will be sent to Guwahati for training on swine flu treatment. Talking to The Sentinel, SMCH Principal Dr Sandip Swapan Dhar said: “Till now, no case of swine flu has been detected in Barak Valley. However, the SMCH authorities have taken precautionary steps to meet any eventuality. We have considerable quantity of tamiflu tablets. People should not be scared of the disease that has not been reported in the valley.” THE SENTINEL

Karimganj committee demands Central pay scale for teachers and employees

KARIMGANJ, Aug 13: The Central Pay Scale Demand committee of Karimganj is of the opinion that the State Government should declare the sixth Central Pay structure with all other allowances for the teachers and employees serving under the government of Asom.

This district-level demand committee for central pay scales for the State Government teachers and employees was formed on July 19 in a meeting held at the Karimganj Government HS School by the representatives of all sections of the teachers and employees of the district of Karimganj.

The committee has decided to meet in an extended meeting on August 16 at Karimganj Law College to decide its future course of action in respect of their demand for central pay.

Biswanath Majumdar, joint convenor of the demand committee, while talking to this correspondent said that they demanded implementation of sixth central pay structure for the State Government employees and teachers.

It may be mentioned that when the government of Asom had accepted the fifth Pay Commission of the State in the year 1998, the employees’ associations demanded central pay scales.

But, though about 20 States including Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh Jammu and Kashmir, Orrisa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh had accepted and implemented the Central pay scale, Assam Government did not accept it.

Those 20 states have accepted the sixth Central pay structure too but Assam Government wants to apply the formula for Central Government pay fixation only keeping basic pay scale of the State in the name of enhancement of salaries for State Government employees at the rate of Central government employees.

The State Government employees demanded pay and allowances at par with the Central Government employees.

It may be mentioned that similar demand committees have also been formed in Cachar and Hailakandi district. Other districts of the State are also likely to form such demand committees soon. THE SENTINEL