Jawan from Barak Valley killed in J & K

SILCHAR, July 31: A jawan of the 62 Rashtriya Rifles stationed at Jammu and Kashmir was killed in an encounter with militants recently. The jawan, who hailed from Barak Valley, has been identified as Islamuddin Laskar.

He was a resident of Mokam Road at Kishanpur under Machimpur. His body was flown to his home town. Troops of the 11 Field Regiment camped at Labok received it at Koombhirgram Airport and later handed it over to the family members of the deceased with due honour. THE SENTINEL

Silchar voters defy inclement weather

SILCHAR, July 31: Despite heavy showers lashing the town for the last few days, about 1,23,522 people voted to elect 28 representatives for the Silchar Municipality Board today, the voter turnout being 65 per cent. People were seen waiting to cast votes in long queues in almost all the polling booths. Barring some fisticuffs, no major incidents were reported. The police administration had earlier identified eight centres as hyper sensitive and 59 as sensitive.

Although the rain did not dampen the spirit of the voters, it definitely played a spoilsport for the Congress, which had led the previous Board. Sources said incessant rains since Tuesday aggravated the water-logging problem in the town which might be a blessing for the independent candidates as the voters are seeking the removal of the Congress due to its failure.

Meanwhile, sources said senior leaders from both the Congress and BJP like Santosh Mohan Dev, Kabindra Purkayastha, Bithika Dev, Karnendu Bhattacharjee, Misbaul Islam Laskar and Ajit Singh were seen roaming around the town to heighten the spirit of their party cadres.

Moreover, the absence of Election Commission observers had created some doubt and apprehension about smooth and transparent electioneering in the area, but these doubts were soon put to rest after both the Congress and the BJP expressed confidence on the district administration. The administration divided the 28 wards in four zones and a senior police officer was in charge of every zone. Four special police vans were plying around the entire town to thwart any attempt to disrupt the poll process.

HAILAKANDI: The civic polls was peaceful at Hailakandi and Lala today. Altogether 103 candidates contested in 16 wards of the Hailakandi Municipal Board and 40 candidates contested in the nine wards of Lala Town Committee. A candidate, Hirendra Singha, was already declared elected in Lala Town Committee. The voter turnout was almost 55 per cent in Hailakandi and 70 per cent in Lala Town Committee.

Additional Deputy Commissioner and Magistrate in-charge of Hailakandi Municipal area P B Roy said there was no news of any untoward incidents in the town during the polls. Sources said paramilitary forces were deployed in all the booths. This prevented the miscreants from creating any trouble during the election. Deputy Commissioner Tapan Chandra Goswami thanked the people of Hailakandi and Lala Town Committees for their cooperation during the elections. THE SENTINEL

HPC gave Rs 50 lakh to Asom NGOs: Centre

NEW DELHI, July 31: Responding to a question, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises Arun Yadav revealed in Parliament that as many as 13 NGOs of Asom had received Rs 50,57,000 from Hindustan Paper Corporation during the last three years. These NGOs were Asom Madhyamik Sikshak aru Karmachari Santha, Silchar (Rs 50,000), Ashiyan , Silchar (Rs 10 lakh), Kristi Vivek Sangskritik Sangstha, Silchar (Rs 25,000), Silchar Friends Club (Rs 5,000), Secretary General of Asian Athletic Grand Prix (Rs 10 lakh), Nagaon Sports Association (Rs 1 lakh), Assam Badminton Association (Rs 2 lakh) Axom Xahitya Xabha, Nagaon (Rs 1 lakh), District Advocate Bar Association, Karimganj (Rs 10 lakh), Lala Town Committee, Hailakandi (Rs 10 lakh), Assam Hockey Association, Nagaon (Rs 1 lakh), Nagaon Sports Association (Rs 3 lakh) and Axom Xahitya Xabha, Dhemaji (Rs 1,77,000). The minister further said Bokajan Cement Factory, a unit of Cement Corporation of India, had also given Rs 2,47,725 to Ashiyan, Silchar in the fiscal 2007-08. Ashiyan is run by the daughter of former Union minister Santosh Mohan Dev. THE SENTINEL

1.24 lakh voters to decide fate of Silchar candidates

Correspondent
SILCHAR, July 30 – The campaigning of the candidates for the civic polls, stated for July 31, came to an end on Wednesday evening. About 1.24 lakh voters will decide the fate of the candidates on Friday.

The results will be declared on August 4. Sources said that the frequent showers have failed to dampen the spirit of the candidates and their supporters as they were noticed vigorously campaigning in their wards.

The Cachar administration assured that the list of votes, which was in force in the last Lok Sabha election, would be taken care of. But people of Baroghari area of Rongpur under ward no. 5 alleged that names of at least 2,500 voters, who cast their votes in the general elections four months back, were shocked to see their names missing from the new voters list.

As per the information received from the district administration, there will be dry days on July 30 and July 31 and again on August 4 in Silchar and Lakhipur subdivisions. Sources said that adequate security has been arranged for smooth and free polling. Silchar police has also opened a control room for the purpose.

Silchar MP Kabindra Purkayastha, ex-Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev, Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala, Bithika Dev, MLA of Silchar, Rumi Nath, MLA, Parimal Shuklabadya, MLA campaigned for their respective party candidates. SOURCE: ASSAM TRIBUNE

Sudip is a better candidate than Susmita: Dinesh Prasad Goala

SILCHAR, July 30: In an interview with The Sentinel, State Urban Development minister Dinesh Prasad Goala clearly said that he would not support former Union minister Santosh Mohan Dev’s daughter Susmita Dev in the Municipality election to be held tomorrow. Goala said that if the Congress forms the Board, he would not support Susmita as the chairperson.

Maintaining that APCC would finally decide the candidate for the post of the chairperson, Goala said: “Susmita is a debutante candidate and therefore lacks experience in municipality management.” On the other hand, he said that Sudip Dutta, who was the vice chairman of the Board for two terms, was a much better choice for the top post.

Earlier, the candidature of Sudip Dutta was opposed by Dev and his wife Bithika Dev. Bithika had even alleged in a selection committee meeting that Dutta was charged with financial mismanagement and she and her husband SM Dev wanted Gopal Bhattacharjee as the candidate in Ward No. 25 instead of Dutta. But, Goala had opposed the move and said that if Dutta was involved in momentary mismanagement, why the chairperson did not take any action against him at that time. Later, Dutta’s name was cleared by the APCC.

Sources said that the APCC has not yet projected anybody as the chairperson of the Congress. However, Dev cautiously highlighted his daughter saying there might be better candidates in the Congress party than his daughter.

It is to be noted that Satindra Mohan Dev, his son Sontosh Mohan Dev and lastly Bithika Dev stepped into the State and national politics from the post of SMB chairperson. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Silchar goes to poll today without election observers

SILCHAR, July 30: Although the Cachar Deputy Commissioner told The Sentinel that no complaints were received from anybody, party as well as independent candidates have evoked mixed reaction on the State Election Commission’s decision to observe the Silchar Municipality election without election observers.

He said: “Adequate security has been arranged for the election tomorrow and it would be free from any disturbance.”

But, BJP MLA Rumi Nath expressed doubts on the transparency of the administration and reportedly said that the Congress might resort to large-scale rigging and false-voting.

Similarly, independent candidate Sadhan Purkayastha, who was a member in the previous Board, said: “The absence of observers has left us in a dilemma as to whom will we complain to if any such situation arises.” District Congress general secretary Arun Dutta Majumdar, however, said that the absence of election observers was not a serious issue as their presence is not that important in civic body polls. He said the district administration was competent enough to run the election.

Meanwhile, Cachar SP Prashanta Kumar Bhuiya said that adequate security has been arranged for tomorrow.

About 300 police personnel would guard the 131 polling booths to avoid any untoward incident. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Employees’ Union meet on August 19

SILCHAR, July 30: The Cachar Employees’ Union said, the All Assam Employees’ Union is going to observe an employees’ protest meeting at Silchar on August 19, 2009, demanding the publication of the pay commission report and settling its deadline on the issue, in a press meet.
The press meet was held at the Silchar district Library and Auditorium and was coordinated by Cachar District Employees’ Union.

The union officials told mediapersons that the new pay commission report should satisfy the interest of the employees’ union fully, otherwise, a mass agitation will be taken out by them.
The Union also said that the convention would be attended by district secretary Sanjib Debnath. Central Committee organization secretary Sudip Bhattacharjee said: “It is to compel the government to publish the pay commission report for the interest of the employees that the meeting is scheduled to be held on August 19.”

The Union officials further informed pressmen that the convention would be participated by the employees’ union of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Karimganj admn gears up for civic polls

BADARPUR, July 29 – The Karimganj deputy commissioner, at an all party meeting, held at the Karimganj police super conference hall Saturday last, assured all political parties that the district administration of Karimganj is all geared up for the upcoming civic polls on July 31.

Dr M Angamuthu, DC, in his speech, stressed the need to follow the model code of conduct by the political parties and the contesting candidates. In order to hold a smooth and peaceful election in the various wards of Karimganj and Badarput town, all necessary steps had been taken.

The DC also added that the votes would be cast in the form of ballot paper instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs), from 8 am to 4 pm. The ballot papers would reach the polling stations on the day of election.

Angamuthu told that he would be actively involved in the inspection of the entire situation of Karimganj and Badarpur town polling stations alongwith the ADMs. The civic polling election officer (i/c), A Nandababu Singha, in his address, said that the counting of the votes would be done at the Karimganj Government Higher Secondary School from 8 am on August 4. The results would be declared on the same day itself.

The Karimganj additional deputy commissioner, HK Nath explained in detail about the election expenditure of contesting candidates, definite rules and regulations of the election campaign, election code of conduct, etc as per the Election Commission order.

The additional police superintendent, Hemanta Kumar Das, spoke about the security arrangements in his address. According to him, the entire Karimganj and Badarpur town would be kept under tight security to prevent any untoward incidents.

ASP, HK Das informed that special arrangements had already been made by the police in the ‘sensitive’ and ‘hyper-sensitive’ places of the two towns, for a smooth running of the July 31 election. SOURCE: ASSAM TRIBUNE

4.16 lakh Bishnupriya Manipuris in NE

SILCHAR, July 29: “A total of 2.95 lakh people constitute the Bishnupriya Manipuri population in Asom and 4.16 lakh Bishnupriya people live in the entire Northeast,” stated Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha principal secretary Uday Sinha at a local committee meet of the Mahasabha held at Tukagram, Katakhal on the outskirts of Silchar town.

Sinha said a statistical survey of Bishnupriya population began under the patronage of the Mahasabha in all over the Northeast in 2004, and it completed in 2008. He said: “The Mahasabha has produced evidence on the Bishnupriya Manipuri population census to the Asom Government.” The meeting was presided over by Motikanta Sinha. Mahasabha State president Bhupendra Sinha and Movement Committee’s president in-charge Ashish Sinha attended the meeting as chief guests. source: THE SENTINEL

BJP MLA Dr Rumi Nath's allegation

SILCHAR, July 29: Katigorah BJP MLA Dr Rumi Nath alleged that former Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev has fielded his daughter Susmita in the Silchar civic body poll with the motive to hush up his misdeeds and corruption during the previous Board. He was led by his wife Bithika Dev in the anomalies, alleged Nath.

Rumi Nath further alleged that the Bithika Dev-led Congress Board virtually institutionalized corruption. She said crores of funds had come from the Centre under various schemes but the actual beneficiaries were reportedly deprived as the Congress ward commissioners siphoned off the whole amount. She also said, the Dev family was now apprehensive that if the BJP forms the Board, records of the reported corruption and misdeeds would be exposed and the political entity of the Dev-duo would be damaged. Therefore, in a desperate move to cover up the anomalies, Dev has fielded his daughter Susmita. source: THE SENTINEL

Farmers want potash, urea
SILCHAR, July 29: Farmers from different places in Cachar district met Cachar DC Gautam Ganguly at a meeting to discuss the current problem of drought in the district.

The farmers informed the DC that the current situation was not that dangerous provided they get the required amount of potash and urea. They also requested him to distribute the Rabi seed on time. source: THE SENTINEL

Silchar Municipality Election

SILCHAR, July 29: The campaigning for the Silchar Municipality election, scheduled on July 31, came to an end this evening. Braving the inclement weather, about 124 candidates today gave finishing touches to their extensive campaigning. About 1.24 lakh voters will decide the fate of the candidates on Friday.

The results will be declared on August 4. Sources further said, incessant rain since yesterday night has failed to dampen the spirit of the candidates and their followers as they were seen roaming around the nook and corner of their wards since early morning.

Meanwhile, the Cachar district administration, in the backdrop of alleged large-scale anomalies in the recent voter lists, declared that the Lok Sabha voter list would be followed in the civic body poll.

People of Baroghari area of Rongpur under Ward No. 5 alleged that names of at least 2,500 voters who exercised their democratic rights in the general elections four months back were surprised to notice their names missing from the new voter list.

Silchar MP Kabindra Purkayastha, former Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev, Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala, Silchar MLAs Bithika Dev, Rumi Nath, Parimal Shuklabadya are working hard to ensure victory for their respective party candidates.

Meanwhile, State Excise Minister Gautam Roy, who has reportedly made it a habit to criticize Dev at every opportunity, surprised the Silchar Congress by campaigning for party candidate Gaurab Paul in Ward No. 23.

Meanwhile, the district administration has declared ‘dry day’ from today till July 31 and again on August 4 in Silchar and Lakhipur.

Administration sources said, for smooth and free electioneering, adequate security has been arranged. Silchar police has also opened up a control room where people can contact them over telephone (248744). SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

First Nano reaches Silchar

SILCHAR, July 28: It was a jubiliant moment for Narshing Higher School retired principal Shashi Bhushan Dhar when he received the first Nano car in Silchar. He received the much publicised car from Avishek Motors in Guwahati, recently. Dhar is a resident of Malugram. He was accomapnied by his wife Jyotsna Dhar and driver Sajuddin who drove the car to Silchar. The couple said the car is a L-X Model and it cost Rs 1.84 lakh. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

Candidates lash out at each other on the eve of civic polls

SILCHAR, July 28: The scorching heat and now, for last couple of days, heavy showers with regular intervals has failed to dampen the spirit of the candidates contesting in the civic body polls scheduled on July 31. About 1.28 lakh voters will exercise their democratic right to elect 28 representatives in the 125-year old Silchar Municipality Board.

But with the final day coming closer, the verbal dual and in some cases, mud-throwing among the candidates of the two main parties–Congress and BJP, seems to have touched its peak. BJP candidate contesting Ward No. 27 Aparna Chakraborty has alleged that her posters and banners have been damaged by Congress candidates Susmita Dev and MLA Bithika Dev’s supporters.
On the other hand, Congress district president Karnendu Bhattacharjee in a letter to the Deputy Commissioner has alleged that the contract of printing ballot papers was given to a printing press owned by an independent candidate in Ward No. 10, where Congress candidate Sampa Dhar who is a close confidante of Dev, has allegedly printed some leaflets with personal attacks on the Dev duo. He said these leaflets were distributed all over the district.

Deputy Commissioner Gautam Ganguly today met all the contesting candidates and asked them to abstain from personal attacks against their opponents as this might create tension. Meanwhile, senior leaders like Dev and BJP MP from Silchar Kabindra Purkayastha were seen attacking each other on personal grounds. Purkayastha said that Dev has crossed all limits as the latter had hinted that the former won the last general election with monetary help from a State minister. Dev, in a public meeting today, lambasted Purkayastha terming him as a ‘useless MP’ and predicted that the latter would fail to do any good work in the coming five years.

Verbal dual between these two senior leaders ignited the spirit of their followers as the contestant from both parties were seen attacking their concerned opponents on personal level. Naturally, the peace-loving citizens of the town were apprehensive of untoward incidents during the civic body poll. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

JNH says no to Cabinet’s proposal on nomenclature

SILCHAR, July 28: The Dimasa apex body, Jadike Naike Hasom (JNH), has expressed its resentment over the Cabinet subcommitee’s proposal for not changing the nomenclature of the district to Dima Hasao Raji. In the backdrop of population pattern in the NC Hills, the demand for the change of nomenclature of the district to Dima Hasao Raji was not justified, the concerned cabinet subcommittee suggested in its report to the Chief Minister.

State Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala who is also a member of the subcommittee reportedly said this.

He said NC Hills is a multi-ethnic district, hence, nomenclature suggesting a particular tribe as majority might lead to civil disturbances. Other two members of the subcommittee are Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmah and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain.

The Dimasa community in the NC Hills do not constitute to 50 per cent of the total population and hence they cannot be termed as a majority community, the document reportedly suggested.
JNH chief Jidung Naiding told The Sentinel that after the ASDC-BJP led alliance took charge of the Autonomous Council, the decision to change the nomenclature was democratically accepted.
All the ethnic tribes, except the Zeme Nagas, agreed to the suggestion and on the basis of consensus decision, a proposal was sent to the State government, though no definite new name for the district was not proposed, added Naiding.

He said, collective population of Zeme Nagas, Hrankhol, Hmar, Baite, Kuki, Karbi was at least 9,000 less than the total population of the Dimasa Community in the NC Hills.

Even Himanta Biswa Sarmah while visiting the district to review the proposal personally told the JNH chief that their demand was justified, added Naiding. He said that the government had, in 1976, changed the nomenclature of the district to Karbi Anglong though Karbies were not an absolute majority in the district.

Naiding did not rule out political motive behind the suggestion made by the cabinet subcommittee. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Corruption slur on Bithika Dev

SILCHAR, July 28: An allegation has been levelled against the Silchar Municipality and Bithika Dev for buying a plot of land on July 7, 2006, for Rs 2.30 lakh. It was reported that the land was a donated plot for relief fund. It has been alleged that documents regarding the purchase were not available and no records of purchase of any land has been registered against Silchar Municipality.
Sources said a municipality market complex with a library and auditorium was supposed to be built on the plot. Kanad Purkayastha, son of MP Kabindra Purkayastha, alleged that the proposal was tabled in the Assembly during the tenure of Rajendra Bhrammachari. But, one Uma Banik illegally purchased the plot after Bithika became the chairperson. It is alleged that the controversial purchase has violated Municipal Law No. 63. source:THE SENTINEL

Goala looks into plight of drought-hit farmers

SILCHAR, July 28: Asom Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala urged the farmers in Cachar district to contact field officers of Agriculture and Irrigation Department for any help required in this drought-like situation. Goala said this in a district-level meeting held recently to look into the problems of the drought-hit people.
He said the current situation should be settled with the cooperation of Agriculture and Irrigation Department and the people suffering due to water shortage. He also said the farmers will be supplied with pots in order to save standing crops and to boost production. Moreover, the Electricity Department assured that uninterrupted power supply will be provided between 5 am to 7.30 am to run all the lift irrigation schemes in the meeting. source:THE SENTINEL

Silchar Municipal election 2009

SILCHAR, July 27 – In Silchar Municipal election, for the chairperson’s seat, it has become evident that the contest would be triangular. The contestants in the race are Sushmita Dev, Sudip Dutta from Congress, Bireshwar Biswas and Dilip Paul from BJP and a new candidate in the race is Haridas Dutta from an NGO named Nagarilk Sartha Rakha Sangram Parisad.

Sushmita Dev, 34, granddaughter of Satindra Mohan Dev and daughter of Santosh Mohan Dev, ex-Union minister and Bithika Dev, present MLA of Silchar town. Sushmita’s family starting from grandfather started their political career from the Silchar Municipal Board. Sushmita has been assumed to take the lead from the municipal board as her father declared retirement from politics after the defeat in the last LS election.

Being a practising lawyer in the Supreme Court she said she will not shrug off responsibilities if she as elected. She in a press meet recently said she will devote maximum efforts to Silchar. Sushmita, who runs an NGO called Ashinyan, had masterminded her father’s election strategy for the last two terms. She thus knows the subtle points of winning polls.

Sudip Dutta, ex-vice-chairman of Silchar Municipal Board, is another contestant from the Congress party. Dutta, aged 55, has remarkable contribution and experience in the field of politics from a long time. But during the regime of Bithika Dev he was questioned for misutilization of funds. This has created a demarcation among the party workers in the board. Somebody opposed the statement of Bithika Dev. That incident added a new feather in this municipal polls because at present Dutta has got his own coterie of supporters in politics.

From BJP, the strong contestants are Dilip Paul and Bireshwar Biswas. Dilip Paul is a reputed businessman. Besides this, he is actively involved in many social organizations. Due to his popularity, the party may offer him post of chairman. On the other hand Bireshwar Biswas, husband of late Amya Biswas is another contestant for the post of chairman. Late Amiya Biswas created a landmark in the political existence of Cachar BJP. Late Biswas was once ward commissioner from BJP in the year 1996. But her sudden demise, put paid to her political career. Bireshwar Biswas, retired employee of LIC, joined politics with a hope that party members and public in general may like him on sympathetic ground.

Last but not the least, Haridas Dutta, a brilliant entrepreneur and chemical engineer who own his industry in the town is the general secretary of an NGO, Nagarik Sartha Rakha Sangram Parisad. His analytical view and innovative ideas always render good services to the citizen on behalf of his NGO. SOURCe: ASSAM TRIBUNE

Sontosh Mohan Dev next Governor of West Bengal?

SILCHAR, July 27: Amid a media report published in a Kolkata-based vernacular daily yesterday that former Union Minister Sontosh Mohan Dev would be the next Governor of West Bengal, Dev said if the party high command as well as the Central Government desire the same, he would be ready to accept the officer.

Nevertheless, after his defeat in the last Lok Sabha polls, Dev had announced his retirement from electoral politics. Further he had, just a few days back, reiterated that he would like to take a long rest. But, the media report of Dev becoming the West Bengal Governor, created much ripple in Silchar politics. Dev had neither confirmed nor denied the report. His simple reaction was that being a Congressman he was ready to abide by high command’s instruction.

However, a source close to Dev hinted that his name had already been enlisted for the panel. Sources said, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, with whom Dev had a close relation since long, wanted Dev as the next Governor of West Bengal. Dev meanwhile had reportedly told that he had cordial relation with Congress and CPM leaders of the neighbouring State.

He said, on personal level he had a good relation with West Bengal Chief Minister Budhadev Bhattacharjee and Transport Minister Subhash Chakraborty. Sources hinted that Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee proposed Dev’s name for Governor of the State which would go to the Assembly election 2011, and Dev’s presence in the State would rejuvenate the party as well as the alliance between Congress and Trinamool Congress.

It is to be noted Dev, being the Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister in the erstwhile UPA Government, built up cordial relation with left leaders. But at the same time, Leftists used to be allergic to Dev after his role in defeating the CPM-led government in Tripura in the 80s. He was once elected to Lok Sabha from Tripura and earned the title ‘Santrash’ (Terror) Mohan.

Sources close to Dev hinted that though his name had not yet been confirmed. He had scheduled his campaign for the ensuing civic body poll and might leave for Delhi within a few days. It is to be noted that another senior Congress leader from Asom Debananda Konwar had recently been appointed as Governor of Bihar.

Meanwhile, another reliable source hinted that Dev’s name was being considered for the Governor of Punjab or Andhra Pradesh. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

ASEB to receive Rs 1.75 crore from departments

SILCHAR, July 27: Various government departments including Silchar Municipality Board have not cleared electricity bill amounting Rs 1 crore 75 lakh 11 thousand and 180 for long time. A source of the Central Assam Electricity Distribution Company Limited said that the Silchar Medical College and Hospital had not paid its electricity bill amounting Rs 2 lakh 87 thousand. Similarly, ASEB was yet to receive Rs 25 lakh from Silchar Polytechnic College and Srikona ITI, Rs 52 lakh from SMB, Rs 5 lakh from Silchar Circuit House, Rs 5 lakh 34 thousand from Silchar Jail, Rs 36 lakh 33 thousand from Irrigation Department, Rs 89 lakh 75 thousand from PHE. The ASEB has already disconnected power supply to the street lights in Silchar town. Sources said non-realization of the huge amount of bills was one of the reasons for massive power-cut in the district.

Meanwhile, All Barak Youth Students’ Association demanded that the ASEB should adopt stringent action against the departments which have to pay the electricity bills. Because the common people have been suffering because of their lapses. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

Land scam at Indragarh: Probe demanded

SILCHAR, July 27: Algapur MLA Rahul Roy today led at least two people representing Indragarh Mandal Congress and Naba Samaj Bandhu Club to the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar to demand an on-the-spot inquiry into the land scam in Indragarh GP and Indragarh Grant as well as for preparation of a new list of land holders.

It is to be noted that a major scam in handing over 3,750 bighas of land to the Army had recently been unearthed. It is alleged that a syndicate of land mafia in connivance with some government employees had prepared a list of land holders, and in the process, genuine land owners were deprived.

The district administration had already stalled the process and ordered an inquiry by an Additional Deputy Commissioner. The area in Tapang Block falls under Rahul Roy’s Algapur constituency. Roy today told Cachar DC Gautam Ganguly that he had been offered a hefty amount of money by some caller over telephone if he withdraws himself from the incident.

Roy demanded the administration of a probe into the scam in question. Further, it should be ensured that no genuine land owner was deprived. It is alleged that the syndicate had prepared a list comprising people who actually had no land in that area. Further, false plantation had also been shown. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

Railway lines in NE under construction

GUWAHATI, July 27: The Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed stated in the Rajya Sabha recently that altogether 292 kms of Railway construction have been completed in the entire Norteastern region during the last five years. These includes Manu-Agartala of Kumarghat-Agartala New Line (89kms), Samuktala-New Bongaigaon of New Jalpaiguri-New Bongaigaon Gauge Conversion (61kms), Senchoa-Silghat Gauge Conversion- (62kms) and Alipurduar-Bamanhat Gauge Conversion (80kms). Construction of 10 new lines in progress are the Jiribam-Imphal, Azra-Byrnihat, Dimapur-Zubza (Kohima), Bogibeel Bridge, Dudhnoi-Depa, Harmuti-Itanagar, New Maynaguri-Jogighopa, Agartala-Sabroom, Bhairabi-Sairang and Sivok-Rangpo projects. The five gauge conversion projects under these are— Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam and Badarpur to Kumarghat, Rangiya-Murkongselek, Kathakal-Bhairabi, Haibargaon-Mairabari and New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri-New Bongaigaon. Besides, the New Guwahati-Digaru project is in progress. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

VHP leader Arabindra Bhattacharjee passes away

SILCHAR, July 27: Arabindra Bhattacharjee, assistant secretary of the Central Committee of Vishwas Hindu Parishad breathed his last on Sunday at a private nursing home here. He was 78. Bhattacharjee had been staying in Guwahati for a long period for organizational works. He fell ill and returned to his home town following which he was immediately admitted to a private nursing home where he breathed his last. He was bachelor and sacrificed his life to the cause of VHP. Arabindu Bahttacharjee earned fame as a teacher. He was associated with Cachar High School, Nursing Higher Secondary School, Public Higher Secondary School and Adharchand Higher Secondary School. He retired from Adharchand Higher Secondary School in early 90s. In 2002, he was made assistant general secretary of the Central Committee of VHP. Bhattacharjee was associated with RSS also. Sources said, VHP Central Committee leader Pravin Togadia is expected to visit Silchar on August 3 to participate the last rite of Bhattacharjee. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

War of words between Sontosh Mohan Dev and Purkayastha

SILCHAR, July 26: Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Sontosh Mohan Dev, who lost in the recently-held general election to BJP’s Kabindra Purkayastha, alleged that somebody from the State Congress government had helped Purkayastha with a hefty amount of money prior to the election. Dev further alleged that Purkayastha was engaged in corrupt practices and his newly built house, which is the current hot topic of discussion, is the proof.

Purkayastha bounced back at Dev within 24 hours advising him to bid adieu to active politics as he has emotionally broken down after his dismal defeat. He also challenged Dev to prove the allegation. Purkayastha, picking up the most avid point from Dev’s allegation, said that even the party members were eager to get rid of Dev and must have therefore helped Purkayatha with money.

Moreover, Purkayastha, in a scathing attack, said Dev has broken all records of corruption. In 1980, Dev sold all his properties to contest elections. But after that, he bought properties worth crores. Purkayastha said Dev has a number of palatial bungalows in Kolkata and Delhi.

Meanwhile MLA Bithika Dev, wife of Santosh Mohan Dev, said the house of Kiriti Purkayastha, younger brother of Kabindra Purkayastha, did not even have an electricity connection. But, after Kabindra Purkayastha was made a minister in the Vajpayee-led government, electricity was provided to his house immediately.

Reacting sharply to this allegation, Purkayastha said that his brother was financially stable to maintain electricity in his house. Supporting this, Kiriti Purkayastha said that he had applied for power connection in 1998 and also deposited the required affidavit and money to ASEB. He said the issue of electricity connection has nothing to do with his brother’s status as a Union minister.
On the other hand, Dev alleged that Purkayastha was keen on establishing family rule in the party as he made his son Kanad, a casual worker of Akashbani, his MPLAD nominee. In reply to this statement, Kanad said, Dev has virtually insulted all the casual workers of Akashbani and Door Darshan. He said, he stood first in the interview as a news reader in Akashbani, Silchar. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

We are set to win in Karimganj civic polls: BJP

BADARPUR, July 26: With various parties gearing up preparations for the ensuing civic body polls in Karimganj and Badarpur, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a safe election. BJP’s Karimganj district president Biswaroop Bhattacharjee said the BJP is all set to win in the municipality election to be held shortly. Bhattacharjee told this to mediapersons in a press meet held recently.

The BJP has also submitted a memorandum to the Karimganj district magistrate to make necessary arrangements for ensuring free-and-fair elections in Karimganj and Badarpur. The BJP has also urged the district administration to declare 30 polling stations as sensitive and hyper sensitive. BJP accused Congress of indulging in unfair means to create disturbance in the coming election and is therefore is taking extra measures to avert any untoward incident in the election. The press meet was, among others, was attended by top BJP leaders like Dipak Dev, Rathindra Bhattacharya, Subroto Bhattacharya, Jyotirmoy Das and Krishna Das. They appealed to the people to vote for those candidates whom they consider as fit.

Meanwhile, election campaigning is going on in full swing among the BJP, Congress and independent candidates along with their leaders. The candidates are approaching the people with door-to-door campaigning. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

‘Congress set to win in Hailakandi municipality election’

HAILAKANDI, July 26: Electioneering in two civic bodies of the district is going on in full swing here. Altogether, 148 candidates are in the fray for 16 wards in the Hailakandi Municipal Board and 10 wards for Lala Town Committee. The Congress has not put up their official candidates, while BJP-AGP alliance is contesting in 23 seats. In most of the wards, there are two to three candidates from the Congress contesting as independent candidates.

However, the district Congress president Ashok Duttagupta said that both the boards would be formed by the Congress. Meanwhile, Hirendra Singha of the Congress contesting as an independent candidates has been declared elected uncontested from Ward No. 4 of Lala Town Committee.

Problems of sanitation, improper roads, electricity, water supply are the most prominent ones in both the towns and the Congress is bound to face these issues as the AGP-BJP alliance party is using these issues as a weapon. Meanwhile, Gautom Roy said there are no chances of AGP-BJP alliance to come to power in Karimganj and Hailakandi district to form any Board, yesterday. BJP president Gobinda Lal Chattarjee and the AGP president Jalanta Sengupta lodged a complaint to the State Election Commission to ensure free and fair polls. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

No possibility of peace talks with ULFA: Srivastava

SILCHAR, July 26: State DGP GM Srivastava virtually ruled out the possibility of ULFA coming out for discussion in the near future. He, however, claimed that the backbones of maximum militant outfits in the State have virtually been broken down as police, in the recent times, successfully arrested militants of the Black Widow and liquidated a good number of hard core ultras belonging to various militant outfits. Srivastava, who visited Silchar where he was accorded a warm reception by the police of three districts informally spoke to the media. He said, ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah is at present busy expanding his business domain in Bangladesh while another top rank leader Shasha Choudhury is completely under control of the Pak intelligence wing ISI. It is through Choudhury that the ISI was targeting Asom, Srivastava hinted. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

Naga-Dimasa peace pact signed in Cachar district

SILCHAR, July 26: Efforts for restoration of peace in the Shonpur area in Lakhipur subdivision in Cachar district that witnessed an ethnic clash between the Nagas and Dimasas recently seem to have yielded positive results in the form of a peace agreement signed between the two communities.

In order to restore peace in the area, Cachar district and Lakhipur subdivision administrations held a meeting between the leading citizens of both the communities who signed a peace agreement on Saturday. The peace meeting that was presided over Lakhipur SDO Madhumita Choudhury was attended by people from both the communities and the Commanding Officer of 11 Field Regiment (Red Shield Division) of Army Col Ranjit Singh and Khasi Students’ Union of Barak Valley advisor Sebastine Pakyntein and the vice-president of the All Assam Tribal Sangha, Cachar district unit. On July 18, a group of at least 60 Naga militants, armed with lethal weapons, attacked Shonpur, a hamlet in Lakhipur in Cachar district, and torched at least 26 houses belonging to the Dimasas. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

Humanity Foundation, Silchar feted meritorious students

SILCHAR, July 25 – An NGO of Silchar named Humanity Foundation recently feted meritorious students who secured positions in the HSLC and HSSLC examination of the current year.

The felicitation programme was presided over by the ex-principal of Karimganj College, Dr Kamaluddin Ahmed. The DC of Cachar, Gautam Ganguly was the chief guest and the VC of Assam University, Professor GD Sharma was the guest of honour at the programme.

The dignitaries wished the students success in life and the chief guest added that these felicitation programmes were basically meant to encourage the students in their endeavour. Prof GD Sharma advised the students to utilise their education in the best possible way and not just as a tool for making money. Dr Kamaluddin Ahmed stressed on the importance of education in his presidential address.

The students who were felicitated were Kishen Sen Laskar, 8th position holder HSLC examination, 1st position holder, Jamal Islam, 2nd position Kazi M Saleh, 4th position, Bardur Ahmed and 5th position holder Dilwan Hussain in the Madrassa examination. The HSSLC examination awardees included 4th position holder, Chandima Paul, 5th position Shaolee Choudhury, 6th position Ramayam Chakraborty and 9th position holder Pritam Chakraborty respectively. SOURCE: ASSAM TRIBUNE

AGP-BJP alliance receives a jolt

Correspondent

SILCHAR, July 25 – For the forthcoming Silchar municipal election, the AGP-BJP alliance received a jolt here on seat sharing as the AGP had demanded atleast eight seats from its senior partner BJP, but in the end BJP agreed to leave only one seat.

Naba Gopal Das, district president of AGP said that BJP had worked against the alliance and angered the AGP leadership. The latter said that the party’s candidates would contest the poll as Independents.

Nitya Bhushan Dey, organising secretary of BJP who in charge of the entire Barak Valley argued that since the Silchar AGP had no experience in the civic body poll, they did not feel it necessary to discuss the matter with the AGP. However, BJP district president Uday Shankar Goswami said that due importance was given to AGP. SOURCE: ASSAM TRIBUNE


Hailakandi admn ready for civic polls
GUWAHATI, July 25 – With the urban local body elections round the corner in Assam, the Hailakandi district administration has geared up to ensure free and fair elections in the district, a press release stated.

The deputy commissioner of the district Tapan Chandra Goswami held a meeting with all the 146 candidates of Hailakandi Municipal Board and Lala Town Committee at his conference hall here on Thursday. In the meeting Goswami assured all possible steps to hold free and fair elections in the district. He also informed the contesting candidates that the district administration is on its toes to put in place sufficient security arrangements to thwart any nefarious design. He also sought cooperation from the contesting candidates for a smooth election.

Earlier, the additional deputy commissioner of the district, Debashish Chakraborty apprised the candidates of the code and conduct of the election.

Hailakandi district has got two urban local bodies i.e. Hailakandi Municipal Board and Lala Town Committee. The district will go to poll on July 31, for 16 wards of Hailakandi Municipal Board and 10 for Lala Town Committee. SOURCE: ASSAM TRIBUNE

Srirampur-Silchar Corridor to finish by December 2010

GUWAHATI, July 25: Construction of the ongoing Srirampur-Silchar Corridor is likely to be completed by December, 2010, official sources said. The contract of construction work of the Balachera-Harangajo stretch is likely to given by March, 2010, after getting clearance from the Borail Wild Life Sanctuary. The construction period for it is 30 months.

The entire stretch of the East-West Corridor in Asom having a length of 678 km has been divided into 28 packages out of which the Guwahati Bypass (18 km) has already been completed. Construction on 26 packages of 622 km in length is currently in progress. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Santosh Mohan Dev tried to malign me: Gautam Roy

SILCHAR, July 25: Just prior to the Municipality election in Silchar, State Excise Minister Gautam Roy today virtually made a veiled attack on former Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev. Showing a clipping of The Sentinel, Roy in a press meet said, Dev had produced the paper clipping to party president Sonia Gandhi and raised some serious allegation against Roy. Citing this, Roy said he never tried to malign the image of Dev, but the latter is always trying to undermine him.

Maintaining that Silchar Congress has not invited him to campaign for party candidates for the ensuing civic body poll, Roy, however, said he would visit Ward No. 27 where Dev’s daughter Susmita is contesting and would seek votes from the public. He, however, did not turn up till the filing of the news in the evening. Roy evaded a direct answer to the question about the chances of Congress in the ensuing poll but claimed that the opposition in Karimganj, Hailakandi, Lala and Badarpur would just be washed out and that the Congress would sweep in the election. Making a dig at the selection of candidates in Silchar, Roy said Trisha Nandy, widow of Pradip Nandy, once a close confidante of Dev, should have been given party nomination as that would have sent a good message to the party workers. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Bithika Dev lambasts BJP before civic body polls

SILCHAR, July 25: Outgoing chairperson of Silchar Municipality Board (SMB) Bithika Dev today challenged the BJP to prove its allegation that she has amassed Rs 1.20 crore from the Goldighi Shopping Mall project. Bithika addressing a press meet here detailed the various development schemes she had brought during her tenure and on the other hand, attacked the three and half year BJP Board with a volley of allegations about utter mismanagement and rampant corruption.

Bithika alleged, the erstwhile BJP Board led by Rajendra Brahmachari had ‘sold the SMB office at Fatak Bazar’ and even planned to sell a portion of the samshanghat to a group.

She also alleged that Brahmachari used to withdraw Rs 40-50 thousand from the SMB exchequer in each of his trips to Guwahati, but she being the chairperson did not take a single paise from SMB. She said she had even refused the official car, telephone and a peon.

Bithika said that even after she was elected as the MLA, she was allowed to continue as the SMB chief as office of profit could not be applied to her.

Bithika also claimed that not even an inch of the Municipality land was disposed during her tenure. Rather, Goldighi Shopping Mall would have enable SMB to earn Rs 5 crore annually from the rent of the shops and parking place. But instead, "The next Board would reap the harvest", she added.

Bithika Dev along with her husband and former Union Minister Sontosh Mohan Dev and Town Congress President Sajal Acharjee alleged that the BJP has started the rumour before campaigns to ruin their reputation.

Meanwhile, Dev, in an open attack to his arch-rival Kabindra Purkayastha, the newly elected BJP MP alleged, Purkayastha during his stint of 13 months as the Union minister built a palace of 13,000 square feet. This time he had made his son, who is a casual worker of Prasar Bharati, the nominee for his MPLAD fund.

Dev further said the UPA government has announced a scheme named Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana for the slum areas for every town. The slum dwellers would receive a house and they would also come under the Security for Food Act. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Snatch-and-run cases on the rise in Silchar

SILCHAR, July 25: In what can be said as another incident of snatch-and-run case, Rs 50,000 was taken away from a person while he was on his way to the Central Bank to prepare a draft amount. The victim is a volunteer of the Ramakrishna Mission.

The incident occurred when the person was going to the Central Bank after withdrawing the amount from the United Bank to prepare a draft of the money. But he was intercepted in the middle by two lads who were riding a motorcycle. Sources said the motorcycle borne youths snatched the bag containing the cash from the victims and sped away.

The incident is a fresh addition to the already long list of many such snatch-and-run cases which are on the rise in Silchar. Many people are falling easy prey to the miscreants’ unprecedented move.

Sources said the victims report the loss of their cash between their way from the bank and their destination. They said the snatchers are probably professionals.

Moreover, these cases are not new in Silchar as many cases have taken places here. But, the police have not been able to take any proper action on the case. The people here reported that the police were neglecting their duties and, therefore, their existence is in question.

However, police officials said that strategies are being implemented to arrest the criminals red-handed and they are expecting some good results shortly.

Sadar Thana OC SK Chauhan claimed that the criminals cannot be outsiders, but some local people are engaged in unlawful activities who are trying to save the miscreants from being caught. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

Electric post in Panchgram area on the verge of capsizing

From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, July 25: Sources said the electric post carrying 11 KV wires of power supply between Panchgram and Shalchapra is on the brink of sinking due to the river banks being washed away by the river water. The post is currently supported by bamboos which obstruct it from falling into the river. But, as the river bank is continuously being washed by the water, the electric post might drown at any moment. Sources further said, greater Panchgram, Katakhal and Shalchapra areas are dependant on this 11 KV power line for electric supply. source: THE SENTINEL

Army nabs miscreant

From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, July 25: Troops of the 11 Field Regiment Red Shield Division along with the jawans of the 5th Assam Riffle raided Chhatraidayal village under Joypur Police out post on July 23 midnight and apprehended one Md Hussain Ahmed (23) from his residence. Explosives like four detonators, 100 gm gun powder and 13 pieces of charge wires were recovered from his residence. He was later handed over to Joypur Police out post by the combined forces. source: THE SENTINEL

Preparation on for civic polls in Hailakandi

CORRESPONDENT
HAILAKANDI, July 24 – The district administration of Hailakandi has taken all measures to hold the civic polls for Hailakandi Municipality Board and Lala Town Committee on July 31.

The Deputy Commissioner of Hilakandi, Tapan Chandra Goswami said that the preparations are in full swing in Hailakandi for the polls and the officials have already been appointed for the purpose.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Hailakandi, Debashis Chakraborty, who is in-charge of the civic poll in Hailakandi, said that the Hailakandi Municipal Board has 16 wards and the Lala Town Committee has 10 wards this time. Both have been reorganised in Hailakandi district and due to this the number of wards in Hailakandi has increased up to 16 from the earlier 10 while Lala wards has also increased up to 10 from the earlier 4. The post of the chairman in Lala Town Committee has been reserved for Scheduled Caste woman but in Hailakandi no reservation has been made.

This time there are 146 candidates in the fray for both bodies. In Hailakandi, there are 103 candidates in the fray for the 16 wards while in Lala, there are 43 candidates in the fray for the 10 wards. Total number of town voters is 33,822. Of them, 25,577 voters are in Hailakandi and 8245 are in Lala. The total polling booths are 40. Of them, 28 are in Hailakandi and 12 in Lala. For conducting the polls, a total of 160 polling officials are required, while there will be 30 sector officers for the polls.

The Deputy Commissioner, Goswami has appealed to the people of both Hailakandi and Lala to exercise their franchise freely.

On the otherhand, all the political parties have started hectic campaign to woo the voters and mainly concentrating on the door to door campaigns. The Excise and Border Areas Development Minister, Gautam Roy said that to avoid controversy, the DCC-I has decided not to field any candidate. In Hailakandi, the Congress supported candidates are contesting as Independent candidate. The BJP-AGP alliance has fielded candidates in all the wards. The AUDF has also fielded their candidates in two wards in Hailakandi. SOURCE: ASSAM TRIBUNE

Personnel deployed to ensure smooth construction works

Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, July 24: To ensure speedy progress in the NC Hills which has been affected by the ongoing onslaught of the ultras on the construction site, the Asom Government has deployed special police personnel in the district. Police officers appointed on the job are 1,712 in number. Out of them 929 will work for Mahashark and 783 officers will safeguard the interest of broad gauge line in the NC Hills district. Among the special police officers appointed for Mahasharak security, 392 comprise ex-army officials and 537 comprises armed home guards. On the other hand, special police officials engaged for broad gauge construction works comprise 490 ex-army officials and 293 armed home guards. Answering to a question of MLA Uddhab Burman, Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said this on the floor of the House. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

Mason Zeliang blames Dimasa militant chiefs for recent massacres
Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, July 24: In a press release issued by Mason Zeliang, chief co-ordinator of the Citizen Rights Protection Volunteers (CRPV) yesterday strongly condemned Dilip Nunisa, chairman of the pro-talk faction of Dimasa militant outfit DHD for his baseless allegation that the Naga militant outfit NSCN (K) is involved in the recent ethnic clash in NC Hills. Sources claimed that Mason Zeliang made this statement during his visit to 3 make-shift refugee camps of the Dimasas at Kumarcherra, Doloicherra and Joipur Shibasthan in Cachar recently. Mason made it clear that the CRPV received no help from any of the NSCN factions. According to him, it was the DHD factions one led by Dilip Nunisa and his rival faction led by Jewel Garlosa which led to the Dimasa massacre, sources informed. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

Training programme for poll workers
SILCHAR, July 24: Sources informed that a workshop is being organized on July 25 in Silchar to ensue successful municipality election. The workshop is being organized to train the poll workers for smooth functioning of the electioneering process on July 31 at Silchar. The venue of workshop is Silchar District Library Auditorium. The district administration on behalf of the DC Cachar requested persons involved in the electioneering process to remain present at the training programme. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

Cachar gears up to tackle drought-like situation

SILCHAR, July 24: State Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala has urged upon the farmers of Cachar district to seek assistance from the Agriculture and Irrigation Department during the current drought-like situation.

The minister while participating in a district-level meeting at Silchar today for taking measures in this drought-like situation, said that the Agriculture and Irrigation Department should jointly fight the situation and mitigate the suffering of people by boosting up agricultural production. The meeting decided to supply potash to farmers to save standing Ahu and other crops and to boost up production.

The Power Department has assured that they will give unlimited power to four lift irrigation schemes in the district. Moreover, they have agreed to supply power between 5 to 7.30 AM for running all the lift irrigation schemes. The PHE Department informed that they will install 197 Tara Pump and 20 wells in the drought-hit areas.

Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Gautom Ganguly, has urged upon the departments to identify priority areas. Parliamentary Secretary Ajit Singh and three MLAs - Bethika Deb, AR Mazumdar and Dr Rumi Nath representing ASEB, Irrigation Department, Agriculture Department and Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department were also present in the meeting. This was stated in a press release. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

AGP demands Health Minister’s arrest

SILCHAR, July 24: Following Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's unparliamentary remarks against the AGP, the Silchar District Committee of the party staged a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and handed over a memorandum today.
In their memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the party has demanded the immediate arrest of the Health Minister and his removal from the Council of Ministers.

AGP President of Silchar unit, Nabagopal Das said that the Health Minister's comment on the party has damaged the sobriety of the State. Maintaining that such derogatory remark amounts to a legal charge, the party has demanded his arrest within three days. Das stated that such comments against a party which came into being on the sacrifice of 853 martyrs is totally unjustified.

Himanta has come under flak following his unparliamentary comment against the AGP in a TV programme recently. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Manisena report cannot prevent BJP to win in Silchar: Purkayastha

SILCHAR, July 23: Silchar MP Kabindra Purkayastha today categorically stated that the BJP would seek investigation from higher authorities into the allegation levelled against BJP-ASDC alliance in NC Hills in the Manisena Commission report.

Talking to The Sentinel from Silchar, Purkayastha said he has not gone through the report, but whatever was reflected in the media was not at all acceptable, not only for the party but also for the common people. He said, just after the ASDC-BJP alliance took reign in the NC Autonomous District Council, the Congress was desperate to topple the council and from the very beginning, they started to hatch political conspiracy against the party.

The Congress government earlier failed miserably to contain militancy in the hills and hence they tried to politicalize the issue, stated Purkayastha.

But, he said, the people had complete faith on BJP and the allegation that ASDC-BJP paid a hefty amount to the militant group Black Widow to win the council election in 2007, was baseless.
Purkayastha refuted the impression that the Manisena Commission report would hamper BJP’s prospect in the ensuing civic body poll and maintained that BJP would definitely win from the Silchar Municipality Board. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Assam University pays homage to language martyrs

SILCHAR, July 23: Assam University has undertaken a unique measure to pay real tribute to the lives of the language martyrs who died for the cause of their mother language.

The venture is not confined to only offering flowers at the altar but preserving the language from the strains of globalization and also trying to protect the interest of other languages and culture in the provided infrastructure currently, University authorities stated.

To protect indigenous culture and check corrupt influence over languages, Assam University is shortly coming up with a centre for endangered languages.

The proposed centre will enable scholars to study ancient books and literature. Thus, the University will cultivate the spirit of sacrifice at its heart by remembering the martyrs on July 21, May 19 and August 17 and also in preserving the language and culture of the land.

The Martyrs’ day meeting was held on Tuesday in the Bipin Chandra Paul Auditorium of the University. Vice chancellor Dr Tapodhir Bhattacharjee informed the audience about the importance of the meeting and the sacrifice of the language martyrs.

Bhattacharjee presided over the meeting. Journalist Shyamalendu Chakraborty attended the meeting as the chief guest.

The meeting was also attended by assistant vice chancellors Gautam Biswas and GD Sharma, owner of Akshar Publication Subhabrata Dev and National Book Trust of India (Northeast) director Subir Dutta. Shyamalendu Chakraborty appreciated the endeavour of the University to preserve indegenous language and culture in the meeting.

Books written by prof Tapodhir Bhattacharjee Chitrokalar dui Kingbadanti Gaugh and Piccaso and a book written by Dr Ramakanta Das Barak Uppottokar Sthan were unveiled by Gautam Biswas and Prof Tapodhir Bhattacharjee himself.

Also, books written by Bikash Bhattacharjee Sankalan Onubad Grantha and Nana Desher Golpa were unveiled by Subir Dutta.

A monthly magazine of AU Biswabarta and a journal by the Bengali Department were also released on the same day.

The programme was concluded with some songs sung by Shelly Arjun and Chittaranjan Burman. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

CPM fears foul play in SMB poll

SILCHAR, July 23: The CPM has alleged that the involvement of the Silchar Municipality employees in the election process for the forthcoming Municipality election is a clear violation of civic body election rule.

Dulal Mitra of CPM in a letter to the Cachar Deputy Commissioner apprehended that the engagement of Municipality employees would definitely influence the election process.

Meanwhile, Nagarik Swartha Raksha Sangram Parishad, a non political platform of leading citizens which had fielded eight candidates in the election, also raised the same allegation. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Army intensifies patrolling in NC Hills

SILCHAR, July 23: Troops of the 11 Field Regiment (Zojila) of Red Shield Division have started intesified patrolling in all Dimasa villages including Kumarcherra, Malong, Dephucherra, Laelong, Kalinagar, Sonpur, Joypur, Sibsthan. Sources said the villagers are feeling some sense of relief as 03x columns of this unit have started their patrolling in the various violence-hit villages. Commanding officers of the 11 Field Regiment have already visited many villages mentioned above.

The 11 Field Regiment in conjunction with the civil administration also organized a medical camp at Dholaicherra village at 288 No. LP School recently. The camp was organized to provide medical relief to the victims of Sonpur village which was badly burnt on July 18 by unknown militants. 145 patients were attended and free medicines were distributed by the Harinagar Primary Health Centre in the camp.

A meeting was also organized during the camp in which the local youths were motivated to co-operate in the activities of the 11 Field Regiment camp at Dholaicherra.

The Dimasa youths have also volunteered to raise a Village Defence Party (VDP) with assistance of the civil administration. The Commanding officer of the Regiment ensured security to all villagers. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Congress, BJP facing similar hurdles ahead of civic body polls

SILCHAR, July 23: In the recently held general elections, BJP maintained a considerable lead in 23 out of the 28 wards in Silchar municipality area. The Congress could manage to lead only three wards and the Muslim dominated Ward No. 8 presented victory to AUDF chief Badrauddin Ajmal who surpassed his two main rivals.

The general election trend is the source of strength for BJP in the ensuing Municipality Board election scheduled on July 31. But the Congress pooh-poohed the claim maintaining that civic body poll is a different ball game where the image of the concerned candidates is a vital determining factor.

However, from this viewpoint, both the Congress and BJP are in the same position as none of the party could even project their respective chairperson candidates, only because of the fact that the issue of projecting chairperson candidates is the root of all decadence in both the parties.

BJP’s Dilip Paul is the forerunner for the top post as he is known for his close intimacy with newly-elected MP Kabindra Purkayastha. Paul, a leading businessman, has a clean image as well as popularity. But he was suspended by BJP on charges of sabotage against party candidate Bimangshu Roy in 2006 Assembly election. Sources said Paul along with some of his businessmen as well as party colleagues even wanted to float a new party and Roy, after being defeated, took up the issue with party’s State committee which suspended six active members along with Paul for the uproar, though eventually the suspension was withdrawn.

Congress is also facing similar problems, though in a different way. Former Union Minister Sontosh Mohan Dev was cautious enough to make it clear that his daughter Susmita, a Congress candidate contesting from Ward No. 27, is not projected as the chairperson. But, it is almost evident that if the party wins, Susmita would be the automatic choice as other party candidates are no match against her, both in stature and status.

Sudip Dutta, former vice chairman of the Board, is being projected as the chairman by the anti-lobby of Dev, but Dutta, once a close comrade of Dev, would not pose as a hurdle in Susmita’s path. Further, Dutta’s chance of winning is bleak this time as he is facing anti-incumbancy wave for the last two terms for his lack of performance. Apart from Susmita and Dutta, the other veteran Congress candidate is Ranjit Roy, but certain allegations about his image have surfaced which is a big hurdle for him. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Karimganj gears up for Municipal election

KARIMGANJ, July 23: A total of 83 candidates including 26 females are in fray for the coming Municipal election for a total of 27 wards in Karimganj to be held on July 31, 2009.

While the BJP has decided to contest all the wards, Congress is eyeing 24 key seats. The remaining 32 will be contesting as independent candidates.

The Congress had swept the last term (2004-2009) with Debarshi Bhattacharjee as the chairman and Sukhendu Bikash Paul as the vice chairman.

Performance of the Karimganj Municipal Board (KMB) during 2004-2009 is likely to play a vital role in the ensuing election.

According to sources, the current municipal board under the Chairmanship of Debarshi Bhattacharjee has failed on many counts.

Residents are unhappy with the unfinished Rs 24 crore Storm Water Drainage Plan undertaken by KMB. The low cost Housing Project has also been criticized.

However, most of the electorates appear to be indifferent about the ensuing election.
As a result money and muscle power may play an important role this time.

Alpana Das, daughter of former MLA Ramendramohan Das, and Nilatpol Das, son of former chairman Late Nalinikanta Das are also contesting this election. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

India to share info on Tipaimukh with Bangladesh

NEW DELHI, July 23: Responding to requests from Bangladesh, the Indian government has decided to share information on the Tipaimukh hydel power project with Bangladesh and has invited a parliamentary delegation from the neighbouring country to visit India and discuss the issues. This was revealed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur on the floor of the Rajya Sabha today.

Kaur further said that the centre was aware of conflicting opinions regarding the project in Bangladesh and assured to clarify issues whenever necessary.

Meanwhile, New Delhi assured Dhaka that it would not do anything to harm the latter’s interests. The issue figured in the hour-long discussion between visiting Bangladeshi Foriegn Minister Dipu Moni and External Affairs Minister SM Krishna here today. Moni also had discussions with Finance Minister Pranab Muherjee on the issue. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Bishnupriya Manipuri Union calls 501 hour road blockade from October 21

SILCHAR, July 22: In order to make their 501-hour road blockade program a success, the Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Students’ Union and the Bishnupiya Manipuri Gana Sangram Parishad have intensified their activities in Cachar district.

A public meeting was organized by both the organizations at Chincoorie High School in Silchar on Saturday. Sources said, Bishnupriya Manipuri Youths have decided to call a 501-hour bandh from October 21 demanding telecast and broadcasting of Bishnupriya Manipuri programmes from Guwahati Doordarshan and Silchar radio station respectively, to introduce a separate cultural programme division for the linguistic minority community from Guwahati Doordarshan and Silchar AIR.

Manipuri Sahitya Sabha general secretary Manikanta Sinha, Women’s Organization president Rita Sinha, Ram Gopal Junior College principal Manash Sinha, Director of North Eastern Development Council prof Debasish Purkayastha, secretary of a monthly magazine Abhijan, Narendra Sinha and many other dignitaries were present in the meeting.

Manipuri Students’ Union general secretary Dipu Sinha and Ganasangram Parishad chairman Subal Sinha solicited co-operation from all and sundry in the meeting for the success of their venture.

Bishnupriya Manipuri Students’ Union president Rajkumar Anilkrishna Sinha in his message said, like Sudeshna Sinha who was a martyr in the last movement, many are prepared to become martyrs in the present agitation. Students’ Union general secretary Purnendu Sinha, vice president Tashkasena Sinha, advisor Gurudas Sinha and Tambaksena Sinha were the other leaders present in the meeting held on Saturday. This was informed in a press briefing by Dipu Sinha.

On the other hand, Bishnupriya Manipuri census Asom 2009 was commenced ceremoniously which was announced in the headquarters of Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Students’ Union and Bishnupriya Ganasangram Parishad by Rajkumar Anilkrishna Sinha. Since the Bishnupriya Manipuri population could not be figured out from the government census, both the organizations have taken up the giant task of counting the Bishnupriya Manipuri population in every district of Asom by informing the respective Deputy Commissioners of the districts.

In Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi, 149 language teachers will do the counting work. Sources said the counting work would be done in the next 15 days and the correct data would be sent to both the Centre and the State government. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Prodeep Dutta Roy lashes out at NBCC for non completion of storm water project

NEW DELHI, July 22: In a recent development, Asom Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Prodeep Dutta Roy has filed a written complaint to Union Minister for Urban Development Jaipal Reddy for looking into the matter of non completion of the Storm Water Drainage Project in Silchar by NBC.

In his letter, Roy said that an amount of Rs 176 crore was sanctioned for the project by the Centre of which Rs 7 crore was directly given to NBCC through the State government. Later, NBCC gave the subcontract of the project to M/s Double Dee Construction of Guwahati without any tender flouting all norms which are to be followed in such type of important projects. But, NBCC has left the job incomplete now.

He also said that an inquiry should be made into the matter and measures should be undertaken to bring into light the reasons of non-completion of the work and also the misappropriation of money. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

DC Gautam Ganguly asked ASEB officers power situation in Barak

SILCHAR, July 22: Cachar Deputy Commissioner Gautam Ganguly asked the Central Assam Electricity Distribution Company Limited (ASEB) officers to take up the issue of insufficient power supply to Barak Valley with the higher authorities at Bijulee Bhavan, the head office of the ASEB in Guwahati yesterday.

ASEB officers in a meeting with the DC informed him that insufficient power supply from Guwahati has led to massive power cuts in Cachar as well as in Barak Valley. Reviewing the current drought in the district with the officers from agriculture, irrigation, veterinary and PHE, Ganguly asked them to prepare a plan to overcome the crisis which would be sent to the Government for approval.

Responding to the demand from various quarters to extend the summer vacation, Ganguly asked the district Education Department to take proper action. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Silchar court mourns Prasun Dev’s demise

SILCHAR, July 22: Silchar Court was adjourned after a condolence meeting was held on the death of former High Court judge Prasun Dev. Dev died of cardiac attack in the Guwahati Airport on July 20.

Dev hailed from Silchar and he started his career in the Silchar Court in 1967. He was 68. After his retirement in 2003, he settled in Kolkata. Dev had gone to Guwahati to impart training to Legal Department officers but tragically died of a heart attack at the airport.

Dev had assumed the chair of justice at the Gauhati High Court on January 10, 1994. Later, he was transferred to Patna High Court from where he eventually retired in 2003. For the next three years, he was the chairman of the Appeliate Tribunal in Allahabad. He reached Guwahati Airport to participate in the training camp arranged for the Legal officials of the Northeast but just after reaching Guwahati, he died.Dev’s father, Priyanath Dev, was also an eminent lawyer at Silchar court. Prasun Dev’s younger brother Prasenjit Dev is also a practising lawyer in the Silchar court. SOURCE: ASSAM TRIBUNE

125 candidates in fray in Hailakandi
From our Correspondent
HAILAKANDI, July 22: Altogether 125 candidates are in fray in the Municipality election in both the civic bodies of Hailakandi and Lala for 26 wards. After the last date of withdrawal of nominations against the 16 wards of Municipal Board, 42 candidates are in fray against 10 wards in the Lala Town committee. SOURCE: ASSAM TRIBUNE

Campaigning for civic poll in Karimganj, Badarpur on

Correspondent
BADARPUR, July 20 – While the Karimganj district administration has completed all the formalities in connection with the July 31 civic polls to be held at Karimganj and Badarpur towns, campaigning by the political parties has reached a crescendo.

Civic poll candidates and members of political parties are using all the tricks of the trade to lure voters in a bid to capture power in the municipal bodies. Obviously, each and every corner of Badarpur town is busy with political activity.

Not surprisingly, both the Congress and BJP candidates are hopeful of winning the civic polls by comfortable margins. Dipak Dev (BJP) of Badarpur exuded confidence that the voters were aware of his party’s immense contributions. Hence, the four BJP candidates were sure to register convincing wins.

He claimed that the local citizens were highly satisfied with the functioning of the BJP-led Badarpur Town Committee insofar as overall development was concerned. No major achievement was possible during the BTC tenure, he clarified. Rs 96 lakh sanctioned by the Government for undertaking welfare works in Badarpur town had not reached the proper authority on time, he claimed.

The BJP was therefore duty-bound to complete all the unfinished welfare works after being returned this time, Dipak Dev stated. It may be mentioned that the BJP had retained power for 15 long years, i.e., by winning three times.

On the other hand, the general secretary of Badarpur Town Mandal Congress Committee, Paritosh Chandra Ghosh justified that the local residents were disgusted with the activities of the BJP-led Badarpur Town Committee, which he claimed had done nothing for the taxpayers over the years.

In the meantime, the police and district administration were leaving no stone un-turned to ensure a free and fair civic poll on July 31. In order to avoid any untoward incident, additional security forces had already been deployed, both in Karimganj and Badarpur towns. Source: Assam Tribune

Non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Bithika Dev

SILCHAR, July 19: A non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued by the Silchar Court against Bithika Dev in connection with a lawsuit (Under Tribes Protection from Persecution Act) as she remained absent from the court when the trial was on. However after explaining the reason for her absence, she got conditional relief from the issued warrant.

The sensational judgement passed by the subdivision judicial Magistrate of Silchar caused excitement amongst the public in the town.
Other ascused in the case after Bithika Dev are, two employees of Silchar Municipality– Hiranyabijoy Bhattacharjee and Sashi Dutta, ADC BC Nath and settlement officer NK Dev Nath.

All the four got bail after initial recognizance and submitting a fine of Rs 5,000 in the Court.

Sources said, on November 28, 2007, the Silchar Municipality damaged three-bigha of the graveyard belonging to the Rongmai Nagas and seized its properties in Meherpur area of Silchar in presence of a district Magistrate.
An allegation, as such, was brought against Bithika Dev, the then chairperson of Silchar Municipality, ADC BC Nath, the two employees of Municipality and settlement officer NK Dev Nath.

The case was registered on December 14, 2007, by the Court. ADC, BC Nath and Settlement officer N K Dev Nath appeared in the court on the dates fixed by the court but Bithika remained absent and on this ground, a non-bailable warrant was issued against her. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Human rights violation slur on AR jawans

SILCHAR, July 19: A small-time con man Raju Das alias Raju Saha was caught red handed by the public while he was trying to snatch Rs 30,000 from a jawan of the Assam Rifles on Friday. Later, a group of Assam Rifles jawans picked up the teen aged miscreant and took him to AR’s Jhalupara workshop No. 2 and tied him with a post and allegedly beat him mercilessly. On Saturday, AR jawans handed over Raju who was reportedly bleeding profusely to the Silchar Police, but did not file any complaint against him.

Sources said the jawan had come to Silchar from Mizoram for purchasing some itms for his camp. He withdrew Rs 30,000 from a bank and kept the money in a black folio bag. Raju, who was watching the jawan, in plain dress, snatched the bag and tried to flee. But the jawan chased him. The miscreant threw the bag in his desperation to flee from the scene. On hearing the commotion, the local people caught the culprit.

Meanwhile, a group jawans from the nearby Jhalupara workshop appeared in the scene and took away Raju. Later, they tied him to a post and allegedly beat him mercilessly. Local residents who saw the incident said AR jawans have violated human rights as they could have handed over the miscreant to police. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Dimasas staging fast in Cachar district

SILCHAR, July 19: In a major development today, a colonel from 11 Field Regiment Army (Red Shield Division) went to visit Kumacherra village in Harinagar area under Lakhipur Police Station inhabited by the Dimasas, where for the past few days, large scale atrocities, killing and arson by Naga militants lashed the innocent villager. Currently, 70-75 Dimasa people in Kumacherra village are on hunger strike. Our sources said the Dimasas are staging fast in Kumacherra because they want immediate compensation from the government–– to reinstate law and order in the area and to take legal action against the Naga outfits carrying out violence there. The Dimasa villagers also demanded implementation of the Indira Awas Yojna for them as the recent violence have rendered many among them homeless. The Dimasas have threatened to intensify their agitation if their demands remain unfulfilled.

Our sources also said that SDO Madhumita Chowdhury and Circle officer Ruthlingthang of Lakhipur visited the troubled areas on July 15 and distributed relief among the victims.

However Cachar DC Gautam Ganguly today held a meeting with the police and military personnel and asked them to maintain constant vigil in Harinagar area where disturbance broke out between the communities. Our sources further said a medical camp has been organized there and 243 Dimasa villagers are currently undergoing free medical check up in the camp. Source: THE SENTINEL

Training programme for Haj pilgrims organized

SILCHAR, July 18: The training programme for Haj Pilgrims of Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi and Mizoram has been organized from July 25 to 30 in different places of Barak Valley. This was published in a public notification today.
The training programme for the pilgrims of Cachar and Mizoram will be conducted on July 25 at the Idgah field in Silchar, Itkhola. Haj pilgrims of Badarpur will be given the training at Deorail Title Madrasa on the same day. Haj pilgrims of Karimganj will be given the training on July 27 at Kanishail Morkoj. Pilgrims from Hailakandi and Patherkandi will receive the training at Kachari masjid of Hafijia Madrasa and Public school in Patharkandi on July 28. On July 29, Haj pilgrims from Sonai will receive training at the Sonai Senior Madrasa. Lastly, Borkhola Haj pilgrims in Cachar district will receive training at Borjatrapur Bazaar masjid on July 30 at 10 am. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Police busts car-lifting racket

SILCHAR, July 18: Silchar police have arrested two kingpins of an inter-state car-lifting racket along with their accomplice. One of them has been identified as Baharul Islam Choudhury from Madhurband area.

Baharul, who hails from Jiribam bordering Manipur, has reportedly confessed his involvement in the racket. He further added that the kingpins of the racket have been staying in a hotel in Silchar.

Police later picked up Sanatomba Singh (42) and Nandalal Singh (40) from the hotel. They were both from East Imphal area.

Sources said both Sanatomba and Nandalal have built up a network covering the entire Barak valley, Mizoram and Tripura. Stolen cars were being dispatched to Manipur with the help of Choudhury.

The racket has been active in Barak Valley for the last four months and during this period, a good number of cars were dispatched to Manipur. Sources further said that the network of the racket was expanded throughout the Northeast. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Civic body polls: a fight between Sontosh Mohan Dev and Purkayastha

SILCHAR, July 18: Although the ensuing civic body poll is an election, in reality, it is a fight between two septuagenarian arch-rivals—Sontosh Mohan Dev and Kabindra Purkayastha in Silchar. Or to be more precise, it is their fight to place their offsprings into the orbit of electoral politics.

Both the veteran players have already announced that they would not contest in election in future, but what they did not express was that they chose the civic body election as the launching pad for their daughter and son respectively.

Dev’s younger daughter Susmita, who is a practising lawyer in the Supreme Court, is the Congress candidate in Ward No. 27—the ward which had seen the rise of her grandfather Satindra Mohan Dev, father Sontosh Mohan Dev and mother Bithika Dev in the national and State politics.

After losing the recent Lok Sobha election, Dev announced that he had taken retirement from electoral politics and maintained that his daughter Susmita would join politics.
Initially, the Dev couple were not serious to field Susmita this time —just after Dev’s debacle in the Lok Sobha elction only two months back.

But, after a closed-door meeting with Tarun Gogoi at the latter’s bunglow in Guwahati Dev resented for Susmita’s candidature, though he had been taking extra care to make it clear that Susmita, at least as of now, is not the projected chairperson of the Board.

On the other hand, Kabindra Purakayastha’s son Kanad, who had maintained a low profile a few days back, now monitors the entire municipality election strategy of BJP. Though he is not a candidate, Kanad, an energetic youth, faces the media, addressing public rally and steers the campaigning.

Sources said Purkayastha is aiming to project his only son as an MLA candidate for either Katigorah or Silchar. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Gautam Roy for regularization of casual workers

SILCHAR, July 18: State Excise Minister as well as the chairman of the Governing Body of Silchar Medical College Gautam Roy assured the SMCH Casual Workers Union that their service would be regularized soon.

A team of the Union today met Roy at his Hailakandi residence and handed over a memorandum. Ashiqur Rahman Laskar said State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had already ordered the SMCH authority to regularize the services of the casual workers who had been working in the hospital since 1991.

But, SMCH principal Dr SS Dhar had overlooked the order of the government earlier said Laskar. He alleged that Dhar had recently appointed some fresh candidates.

He also claimed that after hearing their resentment, Roy immediately talked to Dr Dhar over telephone and ordered him to take prompt action into the matter. At present, 246 casual workers are engaged in the SMCH as casual workers. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Man along with car missing

SILCHAR, July 18: Khanen Langthasa, a driver, was reportedly missing along with his vehicle, a Tata Sumo (No. AS-11B-2420) since yesterday. Langthasa, a resident of Harangajao, started for Silchar with passengers in his car here yesterday. Police sources said, Langthasa talked to his family over mobile phone and intimated them that some miscreants had kidnapped him at gunpoint. He had reportedly told his family that he had reached Silchar. Later, his family tried to contact him over phone but his cell phone was switched off. Police sources suspect that Langthasa might have been kidnapped by car-lifters. Langthasa was the owner of the vehicle. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Merchant Union condemns extortion bid in Jiribum

From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, July 18: The All Jiribum Merchants’ Union strongly condemned the extension bid undertaken by some unknown miscreants on last Monday at Jiribum market, the border town of Manipur, in a press release on Friday. The release stated that the local apex body has appealed to all to refrain from such acts in the future. It asserted that such unwanted acts create fear psychosis among the business community both from within and outside the State. Such acts also restrain traders from investing, which is detrimental to the development of the border town. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL

Grahak Suraksha Samiti voices over price hike in Silchar

SILCHAR, July 17: The Grahak Suraksha Samiti clearly voiced its concern against the sugar scandal in Cachar district. In a recently held press conference, the members of the samiti launched a scathing attack against the Food and Civil supplies Minister of the State.

The members alleged that the minister is not only ignorant but corrupt also. President Atin Das, vice president Sourindra Kumar Bhattacharjee and general secretary Biplob Goswami produced many facts in support of the statement.

In Silchar subdivision, since December last, sugar has not been in supply under the public distribution system. Taking advantage of the situation, the unscrupulous traders hiked sugar prices to draw maximum profit out of the situation.

The PDS of Silchar subdivision is allotted 8,000 quintals of sugar per month.

The Central government on March 3, in a letter to the State government, instructed it to keep sugar under the PDS for four months compulsorily.

The State government did not comply with the Centre’s instruction but issued notification after four months on July 4 due to which the consumers had to avail sugar at Rs 30 per kg.

The businessmen earned profits by selling 56,700 quintals of sugar in Cachar district; the traders earned Rs 5.60 crore by selling sugar. The Samiti members expressed astonishment over the matter and said if the situation in Cachar is this, what would be the situation in the whole State. They also said the price hike is not only with sugar but with all other commodities as well.

The Samiti further said that the situation is only worsening and they held the government responsible for it. They alleged political parties do not approach the public generally in times of need except in times of election; under such circumstances the Grahak Suraksha Samiti emphasized on the need of mass consciousness and public movement in the State. SOURCe: THE SENTINEL

Goldighi shopping mall issue to crop up in Silchar civic polls

SILCHAR, July 17: Goldighi Shopping Mall, once touted as a ‘dream project’ of Silchar Municipality Board’s outgoing Chairperson Bithika Dev, has become the obvious target of the opposition BJP for the forthcoming civic body polls.

BJP’s Cachar district president Uday Shankar Goswami today reiterated that a huge amount of money was laundered by the previous civic body led by Dev in the name of allotting stalls in the mall at Premtola point in Silchar town. Goswami said controversial Market Inspector of Silchar Municipality Abhinash Bhattacharjee was instrumental in the entire scam and he was shielded by Dev and other outgoing Congress ward commissioners. Maintaining that an employees’ union of the municipality had raised a allegation against Bhattacharjee. Goswami today demanded criminal case against Bhattacharjee alleging that the erstwhile board had collected security money from the willing shop-keepers but did not deposit the money in Municipality’s bank account. Earlier, former Union Minister Sontosh Mohan Dev, State’s Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala as well as Bithika Dev, in a joint press meet, refuted the allegation with the argument that the money collected against allotment of stalls in the mall had been deposited in SBI’s New Silchar branch and account number was 30684202964. At present Rs 59.6 lakh was in the account, Dev said, and added that anybody could check it with the bank. Goala, on the other hand, claimed that Supriya Dutta, administrator of the Municipality Board, had informed him that there was no mismanagement of fund in the shopping mall episode.

BJP today nullified the claims made by the Congress leaders. Goswami said till now no investigation has been started, then how come Congress leaders give a clean chit to Abinash Bhattacharjee.

Meanwhile, Bithika Dev said Goldighi Shopping Mall would not only graduate the town to a modern city, but at the same time would also solve the traffic problem. Further, the Municipality would have a steady source of income, and thus the Board would have financial ability of its own to take care of the civic services of the people. She said the mall would have an underground water tank with a capacity of two lakh litres, and in case of any major fire incidents, fire brigade would not have to run here and there for water.

The BJP today made it clear that it would make Goldighi Shopping Mall a major issue in the forthcoming Municipality Board elections. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL