British MP protests Tipaimukh dam

DHAKA, Nov 30: Stating that the proposed dam by India over the Barak river would flood large areas and act as a “weapon of mass destruction”, a British delegation led by MP George Galloway marched to the India-Bangladesh border before he was stopped by border guards.

Galloway and his delegation on Sunday marched from Sylhet city and sought to cross the border into India when the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) stopped them, Bdnews24.com reported.

The march took place ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi December 19-21 when the issue is expected to figure in top level bilateral talks.

India has already assured that there would be no flooding, nor would it divert water from the dam that is only for power generation.

New Delhi has repeatedly assured Dhaka that it would not do anything that would jeopardise Bangladesh’s economy or environment.

The proposed dam at Tipaimukh is to be built 200 km upstream on the Barak river that divides into Surma and Kushaiara rivers upon entering Bangladesh.

The march was coordinated by an organization of Bangladeshis from Sylhet who live in Britain “to draw global attention to the devastating potential impact of the proposed dam on Sylhet and the entire north-eastern region of Bangladesh,” the group’s website said.

“The potential impact on both depriving Sylhet of vital water and threatening serious flooding makes this a ‘weapon of mass destruction’ aimed at the heart of Sylhet and the people of Bangladesh,” Galloway said.

Besides Galloway, the delegates included councillors Abjol Miah and M Mamunur Rashid, and 17 other British representatives. IANS

Railway projects losing credibility in NE

SILCHAR, Nov 30: From Indira Gandhi to Dr Manmohan Singh –– nine prime ministers –– and from Abdul Gani Khan Choudhury to Mamata Banerjee –– eight railway ministers of India –– all stand witness to what may be called “a sort of experimentation with busy projects” of the Railway, one of which is the Silchar-Lumding Broad Gauge (BG) project.

The project lies incomplete even though the project was declared a national project by Dr Manmohan Singh in presence of former Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav.

The Silchar-Lumding BG is essential for connecting Barak Valley, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur with the rest of the country. But the Northeast continues to be neglected by the Centre, observers said as several railway projects lie in limbo.

A glaring instance of the negligence of the Centre is the Jiribam-Tupul (Imphal) BG link, the foundation stone of which was laid by Dr Manmohan Singh along with Lalu Prasad Yadav, sources said. The construction on this project is yet to gain momentum. Moreover, the Bhairobi-Aizawl rail head extension has also not taken any shape and the project to link Itanagar is gathering dust, the sources added. 

After a series of violent sprouts by militant groups in the NC Hills, normalcy has been restored in the hill district. But even after the situation has cooled down, the NF Railway has not begun work on the Silchar-Lumding BG route yet.

On the other hand, the railway website claims completion of 40 per cent work of the project, whereas Barak Valley Council president Kishore Bhattacharjee said only 25 per cent of the project has been completed till now.

According to reports, the Silchar-Lumding BG project was mooted in 1983 and Rs 600 crore was estimated as its cost. The project was supposed to link Silchar with Lanka, diverting the route from Sukritipur in order to avoid the hilly and rough terrain of NC Hills. The existing MG route was left undisturbed which runs via Haflong but the project was shelved mysteriously. Gani Khan Choudhury was the then Railway Minister and since there was no people’s representative from the Northeast to pursue the matter with him, it might have been shelved, reports added.

Thereafter, when Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister and Madhao Rao Scindhia the Railway Minister, NF Railway officials conducted a press meet and informed mediapersons that the MG route would be converted into BG with necessary technical modifications. The estimated cost of the project was Rs 654 crore but this too was discarded without any clarification from the Railway Ministry.

Slowly the political nexus to sabotage the BG link became clear and various student, youth and social organizations staged agitation demanding the completion of the project.

All this pressure exerted by the agitating masses compelled the then Prime Minister Deve Gowda and Railway Minister Ram Vilas Paswan to come here to lay the foundation stone of the BG project in 1997 and they also assured that the project would be completed by 2002.

On the other hand, in 2004, Dr Manmohan Singh while laying the foundation stone of the Jiribum-Tupul link said that the Silchar-Lumding link would be completed by 2010. And now, with the credibility lost on assurances for shifting target dates for completion of the BG project from 2002 to 2010, the only question now being asked by people here is “Will Mamata Banerjee come cracking down to break the jinx?”  THE SENTINEL

Silchar airport lacks basic passenger facilities

SILCHAR, Nov 29: The Kumbhirgram Airport, 22 km from here, set against scenic and idyllic Borail hill ranges and lush green tea bushes does boast of a modernized terminal building, equipped with suitable user friendly services. It can accommodate 300 passengers at a time. But, complaints are mounting from the passengers about the lack of basic amenities to their discomfort and inconvenience. Airport Authority of India which looks after the upkeep of the airport is blamed for overlooking passengers’ problems.

For security reasons, the only canteen inside the airport building has been closed down with no alternative arrangement. Official version is that AAI is the competent authority to explain the closure of the canteen. All the airports in Northeast are on high alert with foolproof security cover. As an AAI source said disruptive elements might make use of the canteen although passengers have to pass through strict check to get in. Delayed flights in particular irritate passengers as they can not get either water or refreshment. Anjan Roy Choudhury, a businessman, shares the ordeal of the passengers.

Even drinking water arrangement is not hygienic as the purifier machine is out of order. Potable water that filters through only machine installed is muddy and unfit for consumption. No signboard has been put up to caution the passengers not to use the water. Toilets both for incoming and outgoing passengers are in bad condition. Stinking and overflowing flushed out water due to poor sanitary arrangement, toilets are irritating for passengers to use. Disinfectants are hardly used. No efforts are being made to improve the situation.

Strangely enough, night landing of flights at the airport is yet to become operational even after 10 months of the building up of necessary infrastructure.

According to airport sources, the Director General of Airport Traffic Control has not given the clearance. Besides installation of required tools and equipment, the runway has been extended by another 2000 feet to accommodate airbus. Apron has also been extended by another 150 feet.

At present, Air India, Alliance Air and Kingfisher operate daily flights to Kolkata, Imphal and Guwahati from here and on an average around 1 lakh passengers are in and out bound. The delay in the commissioning of night landing of aircrafts, an insider says, is due to the non-installation of sophisticated navigational and visual aids. THE SENTINEL

Cattle-smuggling with fake Indian currency

SILCHAR, Nov 29: On the eve of Id-ul-Zuha, cattle smuggling from Barak Valley to Bangladesh was on large scale. Smugglers from this side of the border find it profitable to sell cattle in Bangladesh where it costs high. According to BSF sources, illegal trade in cattle assumes high dimension due to its heavy demand on that side of the border. According to information, smuggling takes place from the markets of Kaliganj, Kabuganj, Katigorah and Sealtek and it is a regular affair.

Some interesting facets of this clandestine business have come to light with the arrest of some smugglers in the past who have been identified as Safiqul Islam, Nilu Das and Reaj Uddin engaged in the illegal trafficking in the Nilambazar area of Karimganj district. Their interrogation by police and security forces have thrown interesting light on their modus – operandi. In order to avoid the intricacy of rupee – taka exchange, smugglers have adopted novel method of barter system. Smuggling from this side of the border is now taking place in lieu of fake Indian currency note.

The Bangladeshi agents in nexus with their Indian counterparts are operating this lucrative business, taking advantage of many a hole in the border management. This network of smuggling of cattle is ever widening. ISI and terrorist groups are providing the necessary liverage. On trail of fake currency note circulation, intelligence agencies have stumbled upon startling revelations by smugglers.

Indian agents have to take the cattle to the pre-arranged destinations in Bangladesh. In exchange of the market price of Rs 4,000 for a cattle, Bangladeshi agents pay their Indian counterparts fake currency note of Rs 10,000. Even a few months ago, genuine Indian note of Rs 60 was paid against forged Rs 100. The current rate is Rs 100 fake notes for Rs 40 genuine currency. The amount to be exchanged is calculated on the basis of the value of cattle.

Border line residents along the unfenced side are mute witness to this phenomenon since the persons in the shady deals are armed and organized. The movement for smuggling begins after late evening through vulnerable points. Against a limited number of weekly cattle markets on Indian side, there has been mushrooming of illegal trade centres in Bangladesh, enough indication of its voluminous growth.

Bangladesh despite the friendly Awami League led Government has emerged as a route to push in fake Indian currency notes printed in some important cities of Pakistan as documented by the Intelligent agencies.

Availability of American dollar much in demand in Bangladesh becomes easier through Indian currency because of its higher appreciation in international market. According to Union Home Ministry, fake currency note in circulation in the country has touched staggering figure to paralyse the economy.

Investigations have revealed subtle distinction between the genuine and fake notes which are in the denomination of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500. Unless this racket is tackled with tough hand, it will wreck the Indian economy, experts opine. THE SENTINEL

Red Shield Division recovers weapons

SILCHAR, Nov 29: 11 Field Regiment (ZOJILA) of Red Shield Division of Army recovered an AK 47 rifle and one .9mm carbine along with ammunition during an operation recently.

The 11 Field Regiment had recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition which included an AK 56 rifle, nine SLR rifles, one .51 mm mortar, 16 morter bombs and over 5,500 rounds of assorted ammunition and apprehended three active members of the United Tribal Regulatory Army (UTRA) which looted the said arms and ammunition from Chekarchum police out post on November 13.

All the weapons and ammunition seized including the three active members of the utra group were handed over to the police recently. THE SENTINEL

Teacher assaulted

KARIMGANJ, Nov 28: The Karimganj Nagarik Mancha (KNM) demanded immediate transfer of an allegedly drunken postmaster of Karimganj head post office along with two others in connection with an incident occurred recently.

Memorandums signed by Dr Manas Das, chairman of Karimganj Municipla Board, Ketaki Prasad Dutta, Ex MLA, Mahitosh Das, convener of Karimganj Nagarik Mancha, among others, was submitted to the Karimganj Deputy Commissioner and Karimganj Superintendent of Police demanding an end to police harassment on the retired teacher Karuna Shankar Bhattacharjee on the basis of a false FIR submitted by some culprits. THE SENTINEL

Pometric denies CAT test crash report

SHILLONG, Nov 28: Amid reports that the CAT 2009 online exams had crashed countrywide because of server snags, managing director of Pometric, Soumitra Roy, today clarified in a statement that the CAT 2009 had certainly not been cancelled in any of the test centres. In fact, thousands of tests were successfully delivered in hundreds of test centres throughout India. To accommodate the maximum number of candidates, Prometric and IIMs delayed the start of the morning session by about half-an-hour. As a result of isolated technical issues some candidates were being rescheduled and provided a new appointment via e-mail and SMS. THE SENTINEL

Gautam Roy’s extravagance raises eyebrows

SILCHAR, Nov 28: The acts of charity shown by Excise Minister Gautam Roy towards his fellow citizens has raised quite a few eyebrows on the assets and property he owns. Roy donated Rs 1 lakh to Masoom Abdullah Barbhuya, advocate of Tafajjul Ali who was earlier kidnapped by militants, and another lakh for the treatment of a blind man.

Sources said Roy also donated Rs 10 lakh to the Biswa Banga Sahitya O Samskriti Sammelon in Kolkata for the construction of an auditorium to be named after his father, late Santosh Kumar Roy. Roy had earlier donated Rs 10 lakh to the Silchar Shishu Udyan for constructing a concrete canopy to be named after his father. The surprising fact about all this donation episode was that Roy made all these donations in cash and his private secretaries were reportedly getting all these news published in local dailies.

This act of the excise minister has raised many questions in the minds of the people and even the Karimganj BJP. Members of the Saffron party have demanded the source of income of Roy. BJP leader Sudhansu Das, who lost the last MP election, alleged that Roy was involved in siphoning off huge amount of money from various development schemes allotted to develop the backward areas of Hailakandi district.

The Congress high command had, time and again, asked all the ministers to furnish their assets but the order seem to have fallen to deaf ears as Gautam Roy has been distributing huge amount of money in cash and that too in public. THE SENTINEL

‘Maulanas and not Shariat kept women indoors’

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR, Nov 28: Participating for the first time in a mass prayer on the occasion of Id-ul-Zuha, 19-year-old Ramiza Begum said: “Shariat does not restrict women to come to the Masjid to pray. It is, but, the command of orthodox maulanas and moulvis which has kept women indoors.”

Tajun Nessha (42), a school teacher expressed her happiness to Maulana Md Udayur Rahman for showing a liberal attitude and allowing women to take part in the congregational prayer. Another woman, Fatima Bibi (36), who is a nurse said: “It is time women broke the shackles of the four walls and competed with men for  socio-economic rights for their own betterment and  society.”

Maulana Md Udayur Rahman who conducted the holy prayer in his massage on the occasion said: “Islam does not preach violence. It is lack of education which has been responsible for crime among the under-privileged  and deprived sections of Muslims people.”

He said that he was in favour of women to attend Mosques, not necessarily in a burqua, but with shawls or a chadar covering their head and chest.

Nearly 75 women participated in the mass prayer though they sat separately from the men today at Arcattipore A-Hula-Hadis Masjid, located 10 kms from here.

Muslims of Barak Valley around the world celebrated Eid with all allegiance, sincerity and devotion to Allah. Id-ul-Zuha or Bakr Eid is the greatest festival of Islam. It is known as the festival of sacrifices with deep spiritual significance, pointed out Shabbir Ahmed, a teacher.

Ahmed added, the Quran says that neither the flesh of animals sacrificed nor their blood reaches Allah. It is only the spirit of righteousness of the person that reaches Him.

The Quran also says that animal sacrifice would protect man from the fire of hell.

The festival continues for three days and congregational prayers are offered on the first day. Haj pilgrimage, Ahmed says, is undertaken on this occasion and Eid coincides with the last day of Haj when pilgrims offer animals sacrifices in the valley of Mina.

The annual Haj and Eid are associated with the memories of Prophet Ibrahim, the builder of Kabah and friend of Allah, Ahmed informed this correspondent. Prophet Ibrahim is the common ancestor of the Jews, Christians and the Muslims but, it is only Islam that has prescribed the ritual of sacrifice for its followers, Ahmed said. THE SENTINEL

All Bru Students’ Association (ABSA) demands repatriation of Reangs

SILCHAR, Nov 28: Hundreds of Bru students under the All Bru Students’ Association (ABSA) led by their president Dolly Reang staged a protest demonstration infront of the Cachar Deputy Commissioner’s office and Mizoram House demanding, among others, protection of their tribesmen and rehabilitation package for them. The Association members and supporters, after submitting a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, marched down through the main road of the town and reached Mizoram House at Sonai Road, located three kms away.

In their identical memorandum to liasion officer of Mizoram House Purelian Chinzah, ABSA narrated the sequences of events leading to the assault and killing of Reangs in different parts of Mamit and Kolasib districts by Mizo miscreants and sought their safe return to their native villages. The memorandum rued at the fact that more than 5,000 Reangs had been displaced from their hearths and homes during this orgy of violence and 35,000 of them had to flee Mizoram on the same ground who continue to languish in six camps at Kanchanpur in Tripura.

The memorandum also appended a detailed list of the villages, the number of families and the exact population affected in the disturbances and in view of the contradictory statements by the Mizoram Government and the NGOs, ABSA pressed for investigation into the entire gamut of violence and its fallout by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), besides immediate central intervention. It also demanded repatriation of all the Reang refugees with adequate security cover to them.

The memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner was to exert pressure on the Centre for its intervention and also for the restoration of democratic rights and human justice. In their representation to the liaison officer, it sought positive action by the Mizoram Government in order to create a congenial atmosphere for the return of the refugees. THE SENTINEL

DHD(J) fears arrest of Hojai

SILCHAR, Nov 27: The militant group DHD (Jewel faction), 305 cadres of which laid down arms on October 2 to join the mainstream, is apprehensive of DHD(J) “commander-in-chief” Niranjan Hojai being arrested soon. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing the alleged diversion of funds of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) to the DHD (J) has framed charge-sheet against former NCHAC chief Mohet Hojai and 13 others, including DHD(J) chief Jewel Gorlosa and Niranjan Hojai.

The militant group, which laid down arms after being assured by the government that their demands would be met soon, is disappointed at the inclusion of Hojai’s name in the NIA charge-sheet.

DHD (J) publicity secretary Semson Dimasa has reportedly warned the government that if any of the surrendered leaders are arrested, it will be a breach of trust by the government. He said that the group did not respond to the government’s call to surrender only to be arrested later.

Semson said the surrendered cadres, who are currently living in designated camps, are already facing a tough life as the government has not yet taken any positive steps even after two months of their surrender. He further warned that if the government failed to keep its promise, the situation might turn worse.

On the other hand, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during his recent visit to Silchar, said that Central Government emissary PC Halder would hold talks with the DHD (J) soon. THE SENTINEL

SEJAC for publication of Sixth Pay Commission’s full report

SILCHAR, Nov 27: The State Employees’ Joint Action Committee (SEJAC) of Assam today submitted a memorandum to the Cachar Deputy Commissioner addressed to the Assam Chief Minister pressing for fulfillment of their demands for which it has been agitating for a long time. The demands outlined include parity in pay and other allowances of the State employees with that of the Centre which was to be effective since July 1, 2006.

The memorandum further demanded publication of the full report of the Sixth Pay Commission and to furnish copies of the same to the State employees’ bodies. Besides, it called for effective steps to curb price rise, provincialization of recognized educational institutions, regularization of the services of casual muster roll and all the employees on fixed pay and enhancement of the  services of fourth grade employees by two years.

The JAC, taking umbrage at the partial and inconsistent report of the Pay Commission, termed it as an exercise of the State Government to create confusion among the employees and to divide them in order to sabotage their democratic movement.

The committee, in the memorandum, also reminded the Chief Minister of his assurance to publish the full report and to bring about parity in the pay structure of the State employees with that of the Centre. It warned the government not to take any arbitrary decision on the matter, but to adopt judicious steps for conceding to the just demands of the employees. The Joint Employees’ Action Committee is a conglomerate of 55 organizations. THE SENTINEL

Asom Xahitya Xabha for better ties with Barak Valley

SILCHAR, Nov 26: “Asom Xahitya Xabha (AXX) will fight for the greater interest of Barak Valley and further strengthen the bond of friendship with Brahmaputra,” observed AXX president Rang Bang Teron, while he was on a four-day visit to Barak Valley. Teron along with other AXX members was visiting Barak Valley covering the three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi. He was invited by Silchar Press Club as a guest of honour and his visit has been titled “Sadhbhavana Yatra.”

Teran, during his visit to Barak Valley, said AXX is aware of the various problems and issues of Barak Valley and would strive for their resolution. The stalemate over the construction of Silchar-Lumding Broad Gauge and the East-West Corridor projects has to be removed for socioeconomic development of Barak Valley, he said and added that AXX would take both the issues along with other problems of the area with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi soon.

Teron further pointed out that AXX would stage a dharna in front of the Maligaon Railway Headquarters demanding early completion of the broad gauge. The AXX would also seek the intervention of Railway Minister Mamata Benerjee, he said.

While interacting with the representatives of various social, literary and cultural bodies, Teron said, “Language can no more be a hindrance to improve ties between the two valleys.” He also advised literary bodies to submit scripts of poetry, fiction and other forms of literature to the AXX and ensured them that it would make arrangements for the publication of the materials into Assamese and other regional languages. Teron further added that AXX was against all sorts of injustice and discrimination to any community or tribe in the State.

He was accompanied by AXX chief secretary Dr Parmanada Rajbongshi, Upen Rabha, Parinita Buzarboruah, Jadav Sarma, Anupam Kumar, Manasi Barua and Sanhita Rajkhowa on the four-day visit to Barak Valley. Also present on the occasion were Silchar Asom Xahitya Xabha president Sanjib Medhi and general secretary Rekha Rani Barua. THE SENTINEL

‘Gautam Roy desperate to win minority votes in 2011 election’

SILCHAR, Nov 26: Excise Minister Gautam Roy has decided to depute Salim Uddin, the only Muslim ward commissioner in Hailakandi, as the Vice-President of the Hailakandi Municipality Board. The decision was taken by Roy as a last bid to win minority votes in the 2011 Assembly election and to remove the “anti-Muslim” tag from his name, observers said.

The recent ego clash between Roy and South Karimganj MLA Siddique Ahmed and Karimganj Zila Parishad Chairman Mantaj Ali sparked communal strife between the Hindus and the Muslims. Roy, during the clash, almost lost his grip in electoral politics as minority votes happen to be the deciding factor in his home district Hailakandi.

It was also revealed in a press meet held recently that Ahmed was being backed by Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Sarma stated that the State Government was unhappy with the recent clashes between the party members and wanted all the political parties of Barak Valley to work in unison for the development of the region.

Roy, who was also present in the press meet, was intelligent enough to realize that his powerful cabinet colleague would not stand for him in his ego clash with Siddique Ahmed. Sources said Gogoi was annoyed at the whole affair as this would result into an erosion in the party’s Muslim vote bank. THE SENTINEL

Rotary Club Silchar organizes free heart check-up camp

SILCHAR, Nov 26: A free heart check-up camp was organized by the Silchar Rotary Club recently. The medical camp was attended by cardiologist Dr Nirmal Kumar Bhattacharjee and Dr Swapan Kumar Dey from Apollo Hospital. The free heart check-up camp was presided over by Silchar Rotary Club president N Kar Purkayastha and Silchar Municipality Borad chairperson Susmita Dev attended the camp as guest.

Dr Bhattacharjee, while talking to The Sentinel, said though earlier it was believed that people living in rural areas were free from tension but there has been a significant rise in heart and high blood pressure patients. He said this a matter of grave concern as the number of patients suffering from diabetes, hyper tension etc. have increased.

Dr Bhattacharjee also said that the patients who attended the free medical camp were mainly from the lower economic classes and almost all of them were suffering from cardiac problems. Another reason for cardiac ailment is smoking, Dr Bhattacharjee asserted.

Rotary Club organized the health camp free of cost for all. Altogether 48 patients were given free check-up by the two cardiologists. Rotarians Benulal Barman, Fakhrul Alom Majumdar and Dr Kushal Kar were in charge of the camp and other Rotarians like Shibu Dutta, Ranadhir Bose, Shankar Deb and Chandana Purkayastha took the lead in running the camp smoothly. THE SENTINEL

Memo to DC by BKM on underdevelopment

SILCHAR, Nov 25: Even after 63 years of Independence, remote villages like Kalinagar, Naitheng, Bijung, Tulpi, Digli, Shonpur, Ladibasti, Brain Nagar, Mahalthal, Phaizel etc. are still leading isolated lives due to lack of proper implementation of welfare schemes. This was stated in a memorandum submitted to the Cachar Deputy Commissioner by the members and supporters of the Bharatiya Krishak Mahasamiti (BKM) today.

BKM activists also staged a dharna in front of the Cachar Deputy Commissioner’s office demanding road connectivity for the remote villages, elimination of irregularities in the implementation of National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (NREGS) and others.

The BKM leaders pointed out in the memorandum that the people living in the rural areas were deprived of the benefits of various welfare schemes and that their socioeconomic condition was very bad. This is due to rampant corruption going on at the implementation stage of various welfare schemes formulated by the government, the memorandum stated.

The BKM further said in the memorandum that the tribal-dominated villages have a lot of potential to produce cash crops by cultivating rubber, pineapple, betel nut as well as orange instead of going for the traditional jhum cultivation which damages the ecology. The areas falling under Jaipur-Rajabazar block have no road links till date, the memorandum stated. Moreover, the public distribution system in the remote areas is in a pathetic state and absence of ration cards and job cards during this situation of price rise is worsening the living condition of the rural masses, the memorandum added.

BKM activists have, therefore, demanded immediate construction of roads, provisions for drinking water facility, a 30-bedded hospital, incentives for horticulture, free distribution of fertilizers, seeds, agriculture inputs, irrigation arrangements, enhancement of daily wages for man-days and issue of ration cards as well as job cards to all eligible persons of target groups.

The memorandum was signed by Birendra Burman, Jeevan Burman, Manilal Burman, Remling Hmar and others. THE SENTINEL

Four arrested in duplicate mobile SIM card racket

SILCHAR, Nov 25: Rajendra Bucha, proprietor of Hiltake, a franchisee of BSNL was arrested by Haflong police along with his three accomplices. Bucha was allegedly running a duplicate mobile SIM card racket.

The other three accomplices of Bucha were arrested by Haflong police includes Rupak Dey, owner of Pradip Enterprise, Raju Roy Phonglo, a sub-dealer and Newton Langthasa, an employee of Raju. All the three are from Haflong.

Sources said a team of Haflong Police picked up Bucha on Sunday from Silchar and on the basis of his confession, the other three were nabbed on Monday. They were produced at the Haflong Court and were sent to three-day police custody. Sources said the racket has been in operation for the last two and a half years. THE SENTINEL

Bhakti Madhab Chatterjee passes away

SILCHAR, Nov 24: Eminent educationist and editor of Janokantha, a local Bengali daily Bhakti Madhab Chatterjee breathed his last today. He was 78.

Chatterjee was suffering from multiple age related diseases and died of a massive cardiac arrest at a city hospital of Srikona where he had been staying for the last seven months. Chatterjee, a famed Tagore expert, was the former principle of Cachar College. He leaves behind his wife Sabita Chatterjee.

Bhakti Madhab Chatterjee, originally hailed from West Bengal and joined as a teacher in Cachar College. Chatterjee was actively involved with the cultural movement of the Barak Valley. He was also the president of Rupam, a cultural organization as well as the president of Sammilito Samskritik Mancha, a joint platform of various cultural organizations.

Chatterjee’s last rites would be performed tomorrow morning at samshanghat. His bodily remains would be brought to Gandhibag tomorrow morning and a procession would be brought out. THE SENTINEL

Abnormal rise in Muslim population in Bangladesh border areas

SILCHAR, Nov 24: The increasing Muslim population along the areas bordering India and Bangladesh is a matter of grave concern. Long stretches of border in Assam still remain porous, on grounds inexplicable, leading to unabated infiltration from Bangladesh.

According to the border survey reports of the Union Home Ministry, the five border districts of Assam –– Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Dhubri and Goalpara –– have registered an abnormal rise in the Muslim population and a considerable decline in the non-Muslim population.

It was also reported that the Muslim population in Cachar district during the last decade rose by 24.6 per cent as against 16 per cent growth of the Hindu population. In Karimganj, the growth of Muslim population is 29.4 per cent as against 14.5 per cent of the Hindu population.

The demographic change is more glaring in Dhubri district which has recorded a 29.5 per cent rise in the Muslim population as against 7.1 per cent in the Hindu population. In Goalpara district, the upswing in the Muslim population is 31.7 per cent and that in the Hindu population is 14.4 per cent.

Sources said that indications available from intelligence sources about  reports on the decadal growth of population for 2001-2010 would be more alarming. Intelligence agencies monitoring developments in the border areas have also noted an unusual increase in the number of mosques and madrassas along the border with Bangladesh, which, according to them, are an index of growth of the Muslim population, the sources said, and added that most of the mosques and madrassas in the border areas were under the surveillance of intelligence agencies.

On the other hand, the census report of Bangladesh (2001) records a decline in its projected population. The question is: Where has the missing population gone? THE SENTINEL

Silchar Storm Water Drainage Scheme to be completed in three years

NEW DELHI, Nov 22: In reply to a question put by Silchar MP Kabindra Purkayastha, Union Minister for Urban Development Saugata Roy said that the Assam Government would complete the Silchar Storm Water Drainage Scheme within three years. Roy informed the Lok Sabha recently that the Centre had already sanctioned funds for the Storm Water Drainage scheme but the work could not progress due to obstacles in operation.

The Union Minister further said, “The first term of the UPA Government sanctioned Rs 176 crore for the construction of the project in 2007 and according to our sources, Rs 17 crore was released for the first phase of the work.” THE SENTINEL

Air Marshal presented Guard of Honour

SILCHAR, Nov 22: Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Bhan, IAF, accompanied by Air Force Wives’ Welfare Association (Regional) president, Eastern Air Command, Veena Bhan  arrived at Air Force Station Kumbhirgram as a part of his farewell visit recently. They were received by VSM station commander group captain TS Venkatesh and Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Local) Air Force Station Kumbhirgram president Shuba Venkatesh.

The Air Marshal visited the Air Force unit at Lunglei in Mizoram and inspected the living condition of the air warriors in the area. The Air Marshal also was presented with a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the Air Force Guard Contingent yesterday on his departure for Shillong. THE SENTINEL

Tibetans arrive with winter wears

SILCHAR, Nov 22: With the winter season round the corner, a sea of Tibetan faces can be seen descending down the towns to sell winter garments for all ages. This time, the Tibetan vendors have put up their stores on the grounds of the Dak Bunglow in Club road.

“As winter advances, we expect to draw more and more customers,” said Norma Sherpa. This is their annual sojourn to keep people warm with a variety of woollen wears at affordable prices. In fact, middle class and the poor eagerly wait for their arrival. THE SENTINEL

Dinesh Prasad Goala lays foundation stones of three roads

SILCHAR, Nov 22: State Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala laid the foundation stones of three roads –– Dilkhush Ferry to Narayandahar via Monkoosh, Pabdi Tilka road and Alicherra and Shasthitala road –– in Lakhipur under the Prime Minister Gramin Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) on Saturday.

 A simple function was organized on the occasion at Ganga Dayal Community Hall. The function was presided over by SDO (civil) Baranya Das. Goala said, in the meeting, the roads when completed would provide better connectivity to the people of this remote and economically backward area and will help to improve their socio-economic condition.

He also pointed out that all the three roads would be completed by 2011 and sought cooperation of the people for early and smooth completion of the roads. The residents of the area, on the other hand, while expressing their gratitude to the Minister for taking the initiative to sanction funds for these roads for the development of the area, also submittd a memorandum to him demanding a police outpost, a fire brigade station and an ambulance in order to meet the long felt needs of the people.

The Minister assured the people that their demands would be meet soon. Others who were present on the function included PWD executive engineer Imran Hussain Chowdhury, SDO M Nath, and APCC members Shibu Kanungo and Chandra Shekhar Koiri. THE SENTINEL

Government won’t bow down to JDA demands: Himanta Biswa Sarma

SILCHAR, Nov 22: Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today laid the foundation stone of the Mother and Child Hospital in the Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) campus today. The health centre will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore, the minister stated.

Later he visited all the wards of the SMCH and personally talked to some of the patients. Dr Sarma was accompanied by Excise Minister as well as Chairman of SMCH governing body Gautam Roy, parliament secretary Ajit Singh, College superintendent Dr SS Dhar.

Later talking to the media, the Health Minister clearified that the government would not bow down to the agitating Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA). Sarma said if necessary, the government will close the SMCH although the hopital will operate for patients.

Claiming the demands of the junior doctors as unjustified, Dr Sarmah said the JDA is demanding Rs 30,000 per month as salary which is even higher than the salary of the teaching staff. THE SENTINEL

Silchar Doordarshan Kendra on the verge of closure

SILCHAR, Nov 20: The Doordarshan Kendra (DDK) Silchar lies on the verge of closure owing to its depleting viewership due to lack of good performance. Since its inception, Silchar DDK has been reportedly mired in nepotism and favouritism. Controversies and reports of scams on commissioned programmes in Silchar DDK have ceased to leave it.

In this regard, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (media cell) member and secretary Pradip Dutta Roy sent a memorandum to Information and Broadcasting Minister, New Delhi, Ambica Soni outlining in brief the various problems of Silchar DDK and sought her intervention for a solution in order to make it worthy of existence. The matter was also taken up by former Union minister Sanatosh Mohan Dev, district Congress Committee president Karnendu Bhattacharjee and Cabinet Minister Gautom Roy to Delhi and to the Guwahati authorities but nothing has materialized so far, sources said. All the concerned people are now keeping their fingers crossed over Ambica Soni’s decision to give due and serious thought to the problem of Silchar DDK.

It was reported that Silchar DDK lacks, of all things, a director and a camera man to look after it and to shoot programmes. Also the weekly Bengali bulletin has become a mere capsule of stale happenings around the town. According to sources, viewership of Silchar DDK has declined even in rural areas as the daily programmes are being telecast repeatedly.

Looking at the state of affairs of Silchar DDK, the North East Region (NER) Doordarshan deputy director general said that the problem of camera person could be solved by utilizing the services of video assistants or a casual camera man from the Guwahati Kendra could be taken in on assignment basis.

Sources further said Silchar DDK’s failure to grab viewership is only because of acute shortage of technical staff, lack of direction, innovative ideas and most important, sincerity and seriousness on the part of those entrusted with the administration and programme management. THE SENTINEL

Bithika inaugurates classroom-cum-hall

SILCHAR, Nov 20: Silchar MLA Bithika Dev inaugurated a class room at DNNK Girls’ School here today. The room has been named after Kamini Kumar Chanda, who donated the land of the school as well as the founder president of the governing body of the school. Sources said DNNK Girls’ School is the first institution for girls in Silchar.

School principal Swastika Das, while inaugurating the programme, said that Bithika Dev took special initiatives to sanction Rs 6 lakh in the 12th Finance Commission. She said Rs 5 lakh out of the sanctioned money has been spent on the huge classroom-cum-hall and with the remaining Rs 1 lakh, a girls common room would be constructed.

The meeting was presided over by president of the governing body of the school Badal Dey and Deputy Commissioner Gautam Ganguli. Renowned academician as well as former student of the DNNK school Anurupa Biswas also spoke on the occasion. THE SENTINEL

Firing in Karimganj by miscreants from Mizoram

SILCHAR, Nov 20: Close on the heels of Mizoram Government’s alleged encroachment of Assam land in Cachar district, a group of Mizo youths created a great deal of sensation in the Katamoni area in Karimganj district which shares its border with both Mizoram and Tripura.  According to sources, at least seven Mizo youths came in a Bolero car to Katamoni, consumed liquor and started firing near the shop of one Chayum Ghose late last night. The dog of the shopkeeper sustained injuries in the firing. Katamoni police soon alarmed the Nagara and Rangamati police stations where the police personnel erected barricades to stop the fleeing miscreants who rushed towards Kanmun along the Assam-Mizoram border breaking the barricades. According to sources, Chayum Ghose had received demand notes from suspected Bru militants a few years back. THE SENTINEL

NOC to renaming Silchar Railway Station

NEW DELHI, Nov 19: The Assam Government, after a long standing demand, finally gave its consent for renaming Silchar Railway Station as Bhasha Shahid Sation. Silchar Railway Station is one of the oldest railway stations in the region.

The reason for change in nomenclature of the railway station dates back to May 19, 1961, when police opened fire on protesters fighting for their mother language and 11 people died in the firing.

After the agitation, the State Government withdrew the circular passed earlier by it and gave official status to the Bengali language in the three districts of Barak Valley.

Union Home Ministry sources said for changing the nomenclature of Silchar railway station, a NOC was issued by the Assam Government yesterday. Political (A) Department joint secretary SK Roy in the letter no PLA 618/2008/29-A informed that the State Government has no objection in renaming the Silchar Railway Station as Bhasha Shahid Station.

It was reported that the Union Home Ministry had earlier written at least eight letters to the Assam Government for its consent or a no objection certificate for renaming the railway station. But the State Government was not giving any response to the matter.

Union Railway Ministry had already approved for renaming the railway station and the Barak Upatyaka Sanmilita Sanskritik Mancha, an umbrella of 52 social organizations, claimed that Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee had assured them about it.

Moreover, State Excise and Boder Management Minister Gautam Roy also took the initiative on the issue and put pressure on the State Cabinet meeting.

The Assam-Bengal Railway brought Silchar into the Indian railway map in 1899 and the station is considered as one of the oldest in the Northeast.

The Tripura Government has also consented to rename the Silchar-Agartala Link Express as Language Martyrs’ Express, sources added. THE SENTINEL

Bru Students’ Association threatens agitation

SILCHAR, Nov 19: The Bru Students’ Association (BSA) has threatened mass agitation with the support of the All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU), All Assam Rongmei Naga Students’ Union (AARNSU), Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the All Assam Tribal Sangha (AATS) if the Central Government and the Mizoram Government fail to take effective steps to contain violence and atrocities on the Reangs by the Mizos. It has also demanded measures for the rehabilitation of the affected tribesmen of 13 villages in the districts of Mamit and Kolasib.

At a press meet held in the premises of Dimasa Sanskrit Parishad here today, jointly addressed by the five organizations, BSA leaders Dolly Reang and Bidyajoy Reang along with others expressed serious concern over the torture and harassment on the Brus and indiscriminate burning of their houses by Mizo miscreants. They warned that they would not remain mute spectators to such tragedy if there was no check on it.

The leaders claimed that a Mizo youth was killed by unidentified miscreants on November 13 at Bungthun village along the Mizoram-Tripura border. Following this incident, Mizos living in the area without definite proof about the assailant swooped down on Reang villages and caused widespread arson. They blamed the Mizo Zirlai Pawl and the Young Mizo Association for instigating violence.

According to the five organizations, 232 Reang families have taken shelter in Hailakandi district while 191 have taken shelter in Karimganj district. The Brus who have been living for centuries in Mizoram could not be dubbed as nomads and are very much a part of that territory, they said. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the Mizoram Government to give protection to all its people, regardless of tribes and faiths, they added. They also sought the intervention of the Central Government for the safety and security of the Brus and for proper implementation of the peace accord signed between the Bru National Liberation Front and the Government of Mizoram. THE SENTINEL

IB inspector succumbs to injury

SILCHAR, Nov 19: Silchar Police Intelligence Branch Inspector Nilotpal Sarmah succumbed to his injuries and died on Tuesday night. He was 55.

Sarmah was admitted to the Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) after he was knocked off by a speeding vehicle near SP office on Friday. He had gone out of his office to buy paan when the incident took place.

SMCH doctors had suggested Sarmah’s family members to take him to Guwahati but owing to his critical condition, he was not allowed to move. The last rites of Sarmah were performed yesterday. THE SENTINEL

Susmita to continue eviction at any cost

SILCHAR, Nov 17: Silchar Municipality Board (SMB) Chairperson Susmita Dev made it clear that she would start eviction of illegal occupants on government land with the help of the district administration and police.

“Even if this eviction drive results in erosion of my party’s vote-bank, I will go ahead with the drive as this is the only way out to save Silchar,” Susmita said in a seminar that was organized by the SMB on Sunday. She cited the example of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit who, in spite severe criticism, had carried out a massive eviction drive, and come out with flying colours in the election that followed.

Taking part in the seminar that lasted for at least seven hours, Parliamentary Secretary (Finance) Ajit Singh and Silchar MLA Bithika Dev said that they would persuade the State Government to resume the stalled Storm Water Drainage Project in the town. MP Kabindra Purkayastha, on the other hand, said that NBCC left the project halfway as the State Government had wanted to do the Rs 158-crore project itself. He expressed astonishment as to why the State Government did not take any step to resume the work of the stalled project. He assured the SMB of full support and cooperation in this regard.

From the deliberation of the marathon interaction among representatives of various business organizations, vehicle associations, government officials, public representatives, social workers, educationists and journalists, two prime issues came up prominently. Firstly, the district administration had failed to evict the illegal settlers on government land for which the roads in the town could not be widened. ADC HA Laskar, representing the district administration, could not provide a satisfactory reply as to why they failed to continue the eviction drive.

Secondly, the speakers reached a consensus that the people in general lack civic sense. The speakers laid stress on revamping the traffic network in the town. Traffic in-charge Swapan Dev said though the SMB had issued licences to 4,000 rickshaws, Silchar town has as many as 15,000 rickshaws that create traffic snarls in the town. Dev, however, evaded a reply when asked as to how 11,000 rickshaws without licences are allowed to paddle in the town under the very nose of the SMB.

Susmita Dev said she will formulate an action plan from the suggestions generated at the seminar. Deepan Dewanjee, Arijit Aditya, Debasree Dutta and Himashish Bhattacharjee conducted the seminar and question answer session. THE SENTINEL

Kolkata: Safe sanctuary for NE terrorists?

SILCHAR, Nov 17: With heavy snowfall in Jammu & Kashmir during winter, terrorists from across the border find it difficult to infiltrate and indulge in subversive activities in the valley and beyond. Their preferred route, according to intelligence agencies, becomes Karachi-Dhaka-Kolkata for access to target destinations. Alerted by the Central Intelligence Wings, the Special Task Force (STF) is keeping close watch on the possibility of Pakistani terrorists crossing Indo-Bangla border for moving to Jammu & Kashmir through Kolkata and other vulnerable areas of West Bengal.

The alert comes in the wake of the recent warning by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) following its grilling of David Headley, an American, and his associates Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian born Pakistani, for their suspect role in Lashkar-e Toiba’s 26/11 Mumbai mayhem. The FBI probe came out with the information that some Pakistan-based terrorists had entered the country to plan and execute deadly strikes.

Two members of a terrorist outfits were arrested in Pune, details about them have not been shared by the security agencies with the media on tactical grounds.

Adverse climatic conditions and heavy security presence in Jammu & Kashmir have prompted the terrorists to skip PoK route, the intelligence inputs suggested, and added that despite pro-Indian stance of the Awami League land Government in Dhaka, there still exists emotional support bases for terrorists and logistic help from a section of opposition political and fundamental forces in Bangladesh as well as from the jihadi and fundamentalist forces, the sources pointed out.

STF in close coordination with the Central and the State intelligence agencies has activated their network across the border areas with Bangladesh and probable refuges of disruptive elements in towns and cities to keep tab on their movement. Some are already on the scanner of STF, the sources added. The BSF all along Bangladesh border has been put on maximum vigilance.

Sensitive and potential trouble areas of Kolkata which include New Market, Park Street, Tiljala, Topsia and Kidderpore are constantly under surveillance. Besides, hotels and guest houses are also under watch. Since the possibility of terrorists sneaking through Nepal border cannot be ruled out, agencies concerned are kept on alert.

Nepal has emerged as the cockpit of anti-Indian activities mainly instigated by ISI which has its presence in every terrorist group as revealed recently by the former president of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf while replying to questions by the American officials in Washington on the contacts of the secret agencies with terrorists as telecast by CNN.

Of concern is the fact that the capital of West Bengal has been a safe sanctuary for several terrorists in the past for carrying out blasts elsewhere. Northeast insurgents too have been tracked down from different parts of the city. Security and intelligence agencies have been able to trace a fake passport issuing centre in Kalyani to facilitate movement of cross-border terrorists. David Headley and Hussain Rana ran, FBI investigation revealed, illegal visa centre and First World Immigration Services with offices in Chicago, New York and Toronto at Tardeo in South Mumbai. THE SENTINEL

Mrintyunjoy service flagged off by Rumi Nath

SILCHAR, Nov 17: The people of Borkhola constituency in Cachar district have a reason to smile as BJP MLA Rumi Nath flagged off the 108 Mrintyunjoy Ambulance service on Monday. The ambulance service was flagged off from the community health centre amidst a modest assembly.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Nath said it is the result of her persistent efforts and rapport with Health Minister Dr Himanta Bishwa Sarma that the ambulance could be made available for the backward people of the area. She was hopeful that it would meet their long felt emergency as well as regular medical care and needs.

Dr W Debashis Singh, health officer in charge of the community centre, appreciated the initiative of Dr Rumi Nath and said with her endeavour that more such ambulances would be put into service in the near future. The services of doctors, nurses and other medical staff would now be at the door step of the people of Borkhola from this mobile medical unit. THE SENTINEL

Congress district committee demands new list of flood beneficiaries

KARIMGANJ, Nov 16: The Trinamool Congress Karimganj district committee submitted a memorandum to the special adviser to Chief Minister, CK Das, and to State Rural Development Department additional commissioner Sumeeth Jarath alleging serious anomalies in the list of flood-hit victims during the 2007 flood. The Congress party alleged that the list of flood victims prepared by the Karimganj district administration was anomalous.

The list prepared by the Karimganj district administration showed an amount of Rs 6.50 crore as relief fund for flood-hit victims of 2007. But, the Trinamool Congress district committee demanded cancellation of the list and stated that the names listed were not the actual beneficiaries and that many irregularities were intact with it. The district committee alleged that the names of original flood victims were not listed and names of three to four people from the same family were enlisted.

Moreover, people living in pucca houses were included in the list and those living in mud houses were shown as partially affected. Also, names of some people were included in both the flood-hit and the cyclone-affected lists, the Congress party alleged.

The district committee of the Trinamool Congress, therefore, demanded a new list with the names of actual  beneficiaries or else it would resort to agitational programmes and hunger strike.

The memorandum was signed by Barak Upatyaka Trinamool Congress observer Nilotpal Das, Karimganj district president Dulal Chandra Paul, Karimganj district general secretary Kamalkanti Roy Choudhury and others. THE SENTINEL

“Career CliniQ” at Silchar Press Club

SILCHAR, Nov 15: A press conference was organized by the career counselling unit “Career CliniQ” at Silchar Press Club, today. The agenda of the conference was “Fraudulent Practices by Educational Establishments”.

The event was organized to flag off the month-long awareness campaign initiated by Career CliniQ for the interest of the management aspirants in Cachar district. Every year thousands of students move out of the region and enrol themselves in various management institutes of the country. Misleading information about placement and infrastructure facilities lure the management aspirants to be trapped by the unscrupulous management institutes. Sometimes, it is seen that institutes set up their temporary admission offices in the city at some hotels and guest houses and disappear after admissions. Some institutes even ask candidates to submit their original certificates. Such fraudulent practices are currently common.

Recently, on November 9, the UGC has come out with a list of around 44 private State universities which cannot affiliate an institution or college. Such universities like Sikkim Manipal University and ICFAI with several study centres are being run across the Northeastern region. The UGC also published a list of fake universities and institutes in their official website. Career ClinQ, whose sole objective is to guide students towards better career decisions, is executing a month-long career awareness programme at various government colleges of the State.

In the press conference today, counsellor Navmita Bhattacharjee requested the students to consult career doctors of Career CliniQ located across the State. These career doctors are also available on select dates at government colleges of various district across the State. The colleges with the support of UGC run the career counselling cells and quite often conduct seminars and workshops on career-related issues. The career doctors render their services to the colleges in this regard. Students have been requested to remain in touch careerline of the Career CliniQ at 9207011653 and seek basic information about various colleges and institutes.

In another development, Career CliniQ officials in the second half of the meeting today declared its joint venture with JC CAT. Today’s press conference was attended by Navmita Bhattacharjee, Prasenjit Chowdhury and others on behalf of Career CliniQ. THE SENTINEL

Educomp: An effective teaching procedure

SILCHAR, Nov 13: Educomp smart class organized a press conference in Silchar explaining the various positive affects of imparting education to school students using computers. Educomp is affiliated to NCERT and has numerous course modules from kindergarten to class 12 which is commonly known as K12 technology in school education.

Teaching is supposed to be more effective with the Educomp smart class tool, informed Chandrajit Mitra, assistant VP and Sarita Upadhyay, senior manager of Educomp during the press conference. THE SENTINEL

Move to regularize jobs of SMCH casual workers

SILCHAR, Nov 12: Ashikur Rahman Laskar, secretary, Casual Workers’ Union, Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH), said in a press release that the jobs of 3rd and 4th grade casual employees of the SMCH would be regularized soon.

State Excise Minister Gautam Roy, in a letter recently, asked the SMCH Principal to take necessary steps to regularize the jobs of the casual workers. The minister’s letter also made mention of an instruction issued from the office of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in this connection. The press release further said the SMCH Principal is expected to start the official processes for creating of new job opportunities and regularization of the jobs of casual employees soon. The Casual Workers’ Union of the SMCH has expressed its satisfaction on the initiative taken by the government. THE SENTINEL

Rahul Roy allegedly assaulted Debabrata Paul with his leather belt

SILCHAR, Nov 11: A Hailakandi Munsif court today issued a warrant against Algapur MLA Rahul Roy for allegedly assaulting a youth Debabrata Paul, a student of SK Dey College, Katakhal. Paul recently lodged a complaint against Roy alleging that Roy had mercilessly beaten him at his house.

Based on this allegation, the Munsif court issued the warrant against the Algapur MLA, who is the son of State Excise Minister Gautam Roy.

It was reported that Rahul Roy along with Dhananjoy Deb, manager of Sarashpur TE and father of a girl with whom Debabrata reportedly had a love affair, Hemendra Deb and Gourango Das were summoned by the Court to be physically present at the Court on November 30.

Sources said Rahul Roy had called Debabrata at his Hailakandi residence on October 26 and cautioned him not to harass the daughter of Dhananjoy Deb. After that Roy allegedly started whipping Debabrata with his leather belt. Debabrata later, on November 6, lodged a written complaint with the Court against Roy. THE SENTINEL 

Fair prices for potato and onion sold at Rs 27.50 in rural and Rs 27 in urban areas

SILCHAR, Nov 10: People in Cachar district had a reason to smile today as the Cachar district administration passed an order to supply potatoes and onions to fair price shops from government stocks. Therefore, potatoes and onions were available at Rs 22.50 in the rural areas and Rs 22 in the urban areas from today.

Similarly, onions from Patna were sold at Rs 27.50 in rural and Rs 27 in urban areas. The district administration had earlier said that two fair price shops in a ward would receive government supply in Cachar district currently. THE SENTINEL

Army recruitment rally under way

SILCHAR, Nov 10: Army recruitment rally began in Silchar from yesterday. The rally for recruiting soldiers will continue till November 12. Red Shield Division (11 Field Regiment) is in charge and responsibility, this recruitment rally. Currently the rally is being conducted at the Police Parade ground in Silchar. THE SENTINEL

Lecturer Misbahur Rahman Laskar dies of cardiac arrest

SILCHAR, Nov 10: Misbahur Rahman Laskar, a popular college teacher and social worker, died en route to Guwahati after he suffered from a massive cardiac attack inside the night super bus he was travelling in.

He was rushed to a city hospital from Jorabat in a 108 Mritunjoy ambulance but was declared brought dead in the hospital. He was 47.

Laskar was the working president of the Hailakandi district Jamiat Ulema as well as the former general secretary of district AUDF. Laskar contested unsuccessfully in the 2011 Assembly election in Katlicherra constituency. Laskar, who was also the head of the department of Political Science in Lala Rural College, was the general secretary of Zame Masjid of Lala. THE SENTINEL

‘Publish full Pay Commission report by Nov 22’

SILCHAR, Nov 10: The State executive body meeting of the Sadou Asom Zila Prasashan Karmachari Sanstha (SAZPKS) expressed its dissatisfaction over the partly published Sixth Assam Pay Commission report and demanded a full report within November 22 in a press meet held recently in Tezpur. The Silchar branch of the SAZPKS was informed about the press meet last evening.

According to the SAZPKS apex body, the partial report of the Pay Commission does not reflect the Central scale and, therefore, it has demanded a separate pay structure for the administrative employees considering the importance of their official duties and applications. The Assam Government, realizing the gravity and merit of the administrative employees, had earlier proposed a separate pay structure for them though this was not reflected in the Pay Commission report published recently, SAZPKS members said.

The SAZPKS also demanded three per cent annual increment in their income instead of the one per cent, as mentioned in the Central Government’s decision, and to pay all the State employees the Central pay scale since January 1, 2006.

The apex body further said at the press meet that if the State Government did not publish the complete Pay Commission report within November 22 next, it would be forced to stage a non-cooperation movement. If the administrative employees are not given a separate pay structure, then SAZPKS will stage a seven-day non-cooperation movement against the government in the first week of December, the body added. THE SENTINEL

Mizoram Government opposes BOP construction

SILCHAR, Nov 7: The Hailakandi district administration reacted sharply to the refusal to upgrade and modernize the Assam-Mizoram border out post (BOP) by the Mizoram Government. The matter was brought to light by Gharmura range officer Akhil Dutta in a report submitted by him to Hailakandi Deputy Commissioner Tapan Chandra Goswami.

Dutta had stated in the report that district administration officials from the neighbouring State had verbally objected on the construction of the two BOPs at Gollacherra and Kachurthol in Hailakandi district. It was reported that the Border Development Ministry had recently sanctioned Rs 10.93 lakh for each of these two BOPs following regular incidents of kidnapping and extortion.

Goswami had also discussed the issue with the DFO as the Forest Department was entrusted with the construction work. Sources said range officer Dutta had suggested Goswami to take up the issue with the Mizoram Government.

On the other hand, DFO Dilip Das said that for the last 15 days, Mizo State police had been creating problems for construction works of the BOPs. The district administration has so far alerted Jamira police out post and CRPF to intensify vigil along the border and assured that in case of necessity, additional forces would be deployed in the area to resist intrusion by Mizo police. THE SENTINEL

Shailendra Chanda Das set free on bail

SILCHAR, Nov 7: Shailendra Chandra Das, who was arrested on September 20, 2009 by the Army from Dungripar gaon panchayat in Cachar was set free last evening on bail. He was charged under the Indian Panel code 120 (B)/121/122 (A) 25 (IB) (A).

Hundreds of men and women came out on the street protesting the arrest of Das. Some organizations also submitted memos to the DC demanding wise judgement and to liberate Das from the charges and set him free.

Public sentiment went against his arrest as Das was widely known as an honest person and a sincere social worker. On Friday evening when Shailendra Chandra Das walked out of Silchar Central Jail on bail, he was greeted by a large number of people. His bail application was accepted in the Guwahati High Court on November 4 after a petition was field on October 19.
THE SENTINEL

Purkayastha sibling clash puts BJP in discomfort

SILCHAR, Nov 7: With the newly formed district unit of BJP in Cachar, ground for ego clash between Silchar MP Kabindra Purkayastha and his brother and district vice president of BJP, Kirit Bhushan Purkayastha, seems to be getting ready.

Although Kirit Bhushan was the forerunner for the post of district president, his elder brother is hoping to see his political “disciple” Partha Sarathi Chanda, who was the former principal of GC College, on the post. On the other hand, Kirit Bhushan is reportedly eyeing for party nomination in Silchar for the 2011 Assembly Polls while Kabindra Purkayastha wanted to project his son, Kanad, for the candidature.

According to sources, the anti-Kabindra Purkayastha lobby of the district committee is now backing Kirit Bhushan for the post of president in order to avoid any chances of Kabindra Purkayastha making his son Kanad the president of the unit.

Moreover, Kirit Bhushan allegedly did not allow Kanad Purkayastha to attend a meeting held recently for selecting assistant returning officers for various posts of the district committee election. The meeting was presided over by Kirit Bhushan.

Meanwhile two more names for the post of district president were cropping up. One was Niharendra Thakur, a senior advocate with a long association with the party. Sources said he might get the support of a strong section. The second man is Gitesh Dev, practically backed by Dr Rumi Nath and his entrepreneur father Tailakya Bhushan Nath, who is reportedly eyeing an electoral berth in the next Assembly election from Silchar. THE SENTINEL

B-School of Tezpur University (TU) gets ‘A’ rank

GUWAHATI, Nov 6: The Department of Business Administration of Tezpur University (TU) has been ranked "A" in the Business India B-School Survey 2009. The university is the only institution of the North-eastern region to feature in the Business India B-School survey 2009, stated a press release.

The Tezpur University is the only non-IIM institution of this region to have adopted the CAT for selection of students to its MBA programme along with MAT to bring in not only qualified students but also to attract more recruiting organizations. THE SENTINEL

Amol Muzumdar dedicates his record to family

Amol Muzumdar dedicates his record to family

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 6: Assam Ranji team captain Amol Muzumdar today became the highest run getter in the Ranji Trophy Cricket Tournament. He reached this milestone on the last day of the four-day match against Rajasthan which was concluded at the NFRSA Stadium today. However, the match possibly would not be memorable for Muzumdar as his side today lost the game by 95 runs.

The veteran Mumbaikar, playing for Assam this year, required nine runs in the second innings to achieve the milestone and he did it without facing too much problem. Earlier, the record was on the name of Amarjit Kaypee who scored 7,623 runs in Ranji Trophy.

Talking to the mediapersons after the match Muzumdar in a brief reaction said, "It is always nice to achieve something through performance. It is definitely one of my best moment of my cricket career and I would like to dedicate this achievement to my family".

It may be mentioned here that, the 34-year-old right-hander is considered as very close to little master Sachin Tendulkar. Just last night, Tendulkar became the only cricketer in the world to score 17,000 runs in ODI and in the very next day, Muzumdar achieved the highest run scorer record in the Ranji Trophy. When asked about his reaction, Muzumdar preferred to speak on Tendulkar’s achievement only. "He is a fantastic batsman. Just remember, he is now 36-years-old and the innings he played last night was simply superb. Hat’s off to him".

Muzumdar also said, he had no regret for not being able to achieve the record playing for Mumbai, even though he played for the team for 16 years. He remembered all the teammates of the former team who time to time helped him during his long 16-years career.

Meanwhile, talking about the performance of his team against Rajasthan, Muzumdar today said that departure of him and Bahutule were the turning point in the game. "We should stick on the wicket but unfortunately that has not happened. It is our first game and I am very hopeful that the team would regroup in the next match against Goa. THE SENTINEL

JCB India Ltd. opened a dealer outlet in Silchar

Training centre for unemployed youths to be opened by JCB

SILCHAR, Nov 6: India’s largest construction equipment company JCB India Ltd. opened a dealer outlet in collaboration with its dealer Poddar and Poddar Equipment Private limited at Ramnagar (Chirukandi) in Silchar yesterday. The company announced its expansion in a press conference.

Members of JCB informed mediapersons present in the press conference that the dealership facility will be fully equipped with international standard of servicing for all JCB customers.

It was further stated in the press conference that an operator training centre was on the charts which would provide world-class integrated facility workshop. The training centre will also provide facility to unemployed local youths to train themselves for earning in the international standard of living.

During the last floods, the company had provided its machineries to clean the city and would come up with a bus stand in the Chirukandi area shortly, the officials said.

The press conference was attended by MD and CEO of JCB Vipin Soudi, executive vice-president, sales and marketing of JCB India, Arjun Mirdha, JCB regional manager Neeraj Chabra and Vivek Poddar. THE SENTINEL

Barak Valley Tea Youth Welfare Society (BVTYWS) demands patta land for tea tribe

BVTYWS demands patta land for tea tribe

SILCHAR, Nov 6: The Barak Valley Tea Youth Welfare Society (BVTYWS), in a press release, expressed its concern over land allotment to the landless ex-tea garden people of Chincoorie area. The BVTYWS also sought to bring to light the sensitive issue of the Indragarh land scam in the Chincoorie Tea Estate.

It was reported that the Chincoorie Tea Estate had been lying closed due to the mismanagement of the government.

The tea tribe has been living on this land for the last six generations and was responsible for making the tea industry the economic backbone of this place. But, sources said, the community has only been used by various political parties as vote banks. Despite repeated promises made by politicians, the community is still living without identity and land for habitation.

Many mega projects have been implemented by the relentless efforts of the tea community, but it is still living at the mercy of garden managements with little laws to safeguard their interests, the BVTYWS said. The people of the community are more vulnerable to exploitation once they are evicted from tea garden lands, the youth welfare society added.

The BVTYWS has, therefore, sought justice from the government demanding patta land for the landless tea and ex-tea garden people of Chincoorie. THE SENTINEL

Corruption slur on Silchar Medical College and Hospital

Corruption slur on SMCH anasthesist

SILCHAR, Nov 6: The Silchar Medical College and Hospital authorities have decided to constitute a team to probe into an allegation levelled by Cachar district Congress general secretary Jalal Ahmed Majumdar against an anasthesist BJ Shyam of Silchar Medical College and Hospital. Majumder alleged that BJ Shyam had demanded money from him just before conducting a surgical operation on Majumdar’s son by a visiting ENT surgeon from Chennai.

Sources said a delegate of the district Congress met SMCH principal Dr Sandip Swapan Dhar and informed him about the matter.

The delegation also alleged that one of Shyam’s accomplice had even warned Majumdar that if he did not turn up with the money demanded by Shyam, he would lose his son’s life due to an overdose of anasthesia. THE SENTINEL

CBI enquiry demanded against Siddeque Ahmed

KARIMGANJ, Nov 5: The Trinamul Congress has demanded a CBI enquiry into the corruption allegations against south Karimganj MLA Siddeque Ahmed. A memorandum signed by Trinamul Congress party president Dulal Paul and working president of the party was submitted to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi through the Karimganj deputy commissioner.

The Trinamul Congress stated in the memorandum that Ahmed has allegedly siphoned off huge amount of money meant for the development of the district and amassed huge movable and immovable property. It has also been alleged that Siddeque Ahmed along with Karimganj Zila Parishad (KZP) Mantaj Ali had been playing around with the religious sentiments of the people of the district in order to divert attention of the administration from their corruption related issue.

Moreover, in view of the Ainakhal incident that took place in Hailakandi district on November 1 following the call of a rally by the Progressive Students Youth Forum, the Trinamul Congress apprehended participation of more than a hundred Bangladeshis along with Siddeque Ahmed and Mantaj Ali. The Trinamul Congress, in the memorandum, stated that the supporters of Ahmed and Ali were shouting anti-government slogans and were deliberately using abusive language. Communal slogans were also being shouted, alleged the memorandum.

The Trinamul Congress has, therefore, sought intervention of the Chief Minister into the matter in order to maintain peace and order in the district. The Karimganj District Committee of the Trinamul Congress also expressed its concern over the present scenario in the district as well as in Barak Valley in view of the irresponsible attitude of a section of political elements. THE SENTINEL

Mud slinging between Dinesh Prasad Goala and Parimal Suklabaidya continues

Mud slinging between Goala and Suklabaidya continues

SILCHAR, Nov 5: Mud slinging between BJP MLA from Dholai Parimal Suklabaidya and State Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala continues as the former today branded Goala as a "worthless politician" and "king of corruption." Goala had earlier lambasted Suklabaidya of doing nothing for the development of his constituency in a press conference held recently.

Sources said Suklabaidya alleged that although Goala had been in the State Cabinet for two consecutive years yet he could not manage to provide ration cards to the people of Karimganj district. The State Supply Department had issued ration cards for the three Bengali-dominated districts but the cards were rejected as they were in Assamese and Goala being a cabinet minister had done nothing till date to issue ration cards in Bengali, Suklabaidya alleged.

Suklabaidya further said that Goala’s constituency–– Lakhipur–– was promoted to a subdivision in 1992 but Goala had done nothing to uplift the infrastructure of the subdivision in the last two decades. Moreover, Goala’s ignorance on the development of the Storm Water Drainage Project in his own district is shameful, said Suklabaidya.

The BJP MLA further alleged that two of the younger brothers of Goala –– Gunesh Prasad Goala and Ramesh Prasad Goala–– were working as teachers and regularly withdrew their salaries although both of them never attended to their duties. Moreover, Gunesh Prasad Goala has been inducted in the interview board of the Anganwadi workers and helpers which cannot be possible, he said.

SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Much Ado over Vande

Much Ado over Vande

The national convention of the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind held at the Darul Uloom Deoband on Tuesday adopted a resolution supporting an earlier decree against the national song "Vande Mataram" on the grounds that some of its lines were "against the religious principles of Islam". The resolution asked Muslims not to sing "Vande Mataram". In effect, the resolution was in support of the fatwa or decree issued against "Vande Mataram" in 2006. The clerics had contended that "Vande Mataram" means "Mother (India) I bow to thee!". The BJP has termed the fatwa against the singing of the national song as "anti-national" and urged Islamic organizations to desist from issuing such fatwas that are against the nation’s interest. The BJP also strongly criticized Congress ministers for participating in the Deoband convention.

There are a few important points that need to be made here. The first is that the word vande does not mean worship alone. It means saluting, singing in adoration, extolment in addition to worship. In fact, the words vande mataram have been often translated as "I salute thee, Mother." We are not aware that there is anything in Islam against saluting anyone. Maulana Muizuddin of the Jamiay, however, is of the view that bowing before anyone is ruled out in Islam. "We cannot bow before anyone other than the Allah. It is un-Islamic… We love our mothers. Islam doesn’t even permit bowing before (our) mother. We love the Prophet; but we cannot even bow before him," he said. What would he have to say about saluting? Does Islam not even permit the saluting of anyone? If that be so, how are Muslim officers of the Indian armed forces supposed to survive? They are obliged to salute their superior officers several times a day. Obviously, there cannot be a separate rule for Muslim officers alone in a secular country.

But this apart, when our Muslim citizens decided to continue living in India after the country was partitioned on the basis of religion, they knew that the republic of India formed in 1950 chose "Vande Mataram" as its national song. They did not object to it then on grounds of religion. They did not object to "Vande Mataram" remaining the national song even after India was made a "secular democratic republic" in 1976. The first fatwa of the Muslim clerics came only in 2006. At that time, they should have been told that they had missed boats in both 1950 and in 1976, and would have to put up with what they had accepted as part of their homeland. How can the clerics wake up like Rip Van Winkles and object to Vande Mataram only in 2006 after all these years? The obvious thing for Muslims of India to do now is to take the meaning of vande as salute and leave things at that. As for Muslims not bowing before anyone, we have all witnessed a fair amount of bowing before elders at any gathering of Muslims. THE SENTINEL