Pisciculture awareness camp organised at Badarpur

Correspondent
BADARPUR, May 13 – The State Bank of India, Industrial Estate (IE) branch, Badarpur organised an awareness camp on pisciculture on May 7 at Badarpur 1393 No. Chowrangi Nayagram LP School. Officials of Assam Fishery department discussed different aspects of pisciculture in the camp.

The camp was addressed by Mukul Kumar, the SBI Regional Manager, Santanu Poddar, the branch manager, Badarpur SBI, Pradeep Mazumdar, the marketing team leader, Bhupen Boro, the technical officer and Janmejoy Bhattacharya, the cashier. All the speakers in their speeches explained the significance of the camp and encouraged the fish sellers and producers to become self-reliant by creating a fish pond of their own. S Sinha, director of the Fishery department, A Ali, District Fishery Officer and Biswajit Dhar, official of fishery department also spoke on the same lines. Nasima Rahman, official of the fishery department spoke at length on various procedures of plantation of several fruit trees like lemon, banana pineapple and coconut. She said that for successful pisciculture, fruit trees must be planted on the banks of the pond. Also, a well needs to be dug and should be kept under strict supervision of the cultivators. Rahman added that this will ensure good harvest and many benefits. Several scientific procedures of pisciculture were also discussed at the camp.

At least 100 fish cultivators were present in the camp out of whom 63 cultivators were given loans by the SBI Badarpur branch to start fish-business. The SBI also donated two wide fishing nets on the occasion.

Finally, Santanu Poddar gave the vote of thanks. Badarpur SBI has won accolades from different section of the society especially the cultivators who were greatly satisfied by this awareness campaign for their effort to spread awareness on pisciculture. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Public schools to be set up at Badarpur, Silchar, Hailakandi

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Public schools to be set up at Badarpur, Silchar, Hailakandi

Correspondent KARIMGANJ, Jan 27 – The Education, Research and Development Foundation (ERDF), a trust which is presently running the Central IT College with 3,500 students, the first of its kind in Assam, central public schools at Patherkandi of Karimganj district and a package of academic institutions across the North-east, has planned 10 other CBSE schools to be set up in rural, backward and remote areas of the region.Speaking about this scheme of the foundation at a press meet, its chairman M Haque said the plans include setting up of central public schools in Badarpur, Silchar and Hailakandi.Haque pointed out that the Foundation would give particular preference to very poor meritorious students of Barak Valley in its scheme for BPL students during admission to its colleges established in Guwahati. Apart from this plan, the Foundation has on its agenda an employment generation drive in Barak Valley.Under this school of career guidance the Foundation is going to start on trial basis, short-term job-oriented diploma courses on computer application, communication skills in English, office management, cutting and embroidery, besides sales and marketing.To develop the entrepreneurial scenario of Barak Valley, the Foundation would provide local self-help groups of rural areas with necessary micro finance and entrepreneurial capacity build up.NI Laskar, chief consultant said, ERDF since its inception has been involved in various welfare activities through awareness programmes organised by the students of the institutes under its management.Other areas where the Foundation has involved itself are AIDS awareness, peace and justice, cancer awareness, etc.As a positive step in this direction, the Foundation of its Regional Institute of Science and Technology was laid by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya at Ninth Mile in the district of Ri Bhoi. The Bill in this regard was passed by the Meghalaya Assembly.Pro Vice-Chancellor of Assam University Professor G D Sharma lauded the academic packages of ERDF which he believed would contribute in its own way to create the desired milieu for teaching and learning in various faculties and build up the infrastructure of socio-economic development of the region. source: assam tribune

ERDF to set up school of career guidance

: Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Jan 13: Education, Research and Development Foundation (ERDF), a trust, which is presently running the Central IT College with 3,500 students, the first of its kind in Asom, Central Public School in Patharkandi of Karimganj district and a package of academic institutions across Northeast, has planned 10 other CBSE schools to be set up in rural, backward and remote areas of the region.

Speaking about this scheme of the Foundation at a press-meet in Borail View Hotel conference hall, its chairman M Hoque, said among the plans are, to establish central public school in Badarpur, Silchar and Hailakandi.

Hoque pointed out that the Foundation would give particular preference to very poor meritorious students of Barak Valley in its scheme for BPL students during admission to its colleges established in Guwahati. Apart from these plans, the Foundation has on its agenda an employment generation drive in Barak Valley.

Under this school of career guidance, the Foundation is going to start on trial basis, short term job oriented diploma courses on computer application, communication skills in English, office management, cutting and embroidery, sales and marketing.

Furthermore, to develop the entrepreneurial scenario of Barak Valley, the Foundation would provide local self–help groups of rural areas with necessary micro finance and entrepreneurial capacity build up.

N I Laskar, chief consultant, said ERDF since its inception has been involved in various welfare activities through awareness programmes organized by the students of the institutes under its management.

Other areas where the Foundation has involved itself are AIDS awareness, peace and justice, cancer awareness etc.

Chief technical advisor Prof S D Phukan revealed that the Foundation has envisaged concrete plans in making Asom and Meghalaya in particular and the entire Northeast in general, an educational hub in the near future.

As a positive step in this direction, the foundation of its Regional Institute of Science and Technology was laid by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya at Ninth Mile in the district of Rio Bhoi. The Bill in this regard was passed by the Meghalaya Assembly.

Pro vice-chancellor of Assam University Prof G D Sharma lauded the academic packages of ERDF which he believed would contribute in its own way to create the desired milieu for teaching and learning in various faculties and build up the infrastructure for socioeconomic development of the region. source: sentinel assam

Waterways to open new vista of development

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR, Dec 25: “With waterways becoming operational between Kolkata and Silchar, it will open a new vista of development not only for Barak Valley but also for the entire Northeast. It will, at the same time, bring about a surge in economic activities and create a climate conducive for investment,” said Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Secretary APVN Sarma while inaugurating a jetty at Badarpur and dedicating the Badarpur terminal located on the proposed National Waterways-VI to the nation.

Sarma said Barak and Kushiara rivers to the length of 121 km will soon be declared national highways, and a Bill to this effect was introduced in Parliament. He revealed the Bill enjoins upon Bangladesh to take up dredging of Meghna, Padma and other connected rivers. India, on its part, will also go for dredging of Barak and Kushiara. Once the waterways get the national status, navigational facilities on Barak and Kushiara round the year will be a reality.
Currently, he pointed out, the navigation of ships and vessels on the rivers is for six months only. The most positive development is that Bangladesh has agreed to extend all help and cooperation to make the waterways an effective means of transportation.

Sarma said both the countries will be benefited by this waterways as it will speed up economic development and attract investors for industrialization. Transportation of raw and finished goods between the two countries will be easier and cost effective, and that will lead to rapid development. Regular and round the year shipping of goods will also contribute towards the preservation of river vegetation and other creatures.

Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Chairman-cum-Managing Director Praful Tayal gave a brief history of the once booming waterways between Barak Valley and Kolkata. The revival of the waterways in all its pristine glory, he was confident, would create job opportunities and boost up economic development. The vessels were last operated by the CIWTC to Silchar in 1975. After a gap of over three decades, from 2006 the corporation has carrying cargo from Kolkata to Barak Valley. The corporation has an inland water terminal at Karimganj also on the river Kushiara. source: sentinel assam

River navigation along the Calcutta-Haldia and Karimganj river routes

Silchar, Dec. 25: The Bangladesh government has finally agreed to India’s demand for joint dredging by the two countries to facilitate river navigation along the Calcutta-Haldia and Karimganj river routes, clearing the decks for the exercise.

This was stated last evening by the secretary in the ministry of shipping, A.P.V.N. Sarma, while inaugurating a state-of-the-art Rs 3.68-crore jetty on the Barak river at Badarpur port in Karimganj district.

Sources in the Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Ltd said a blueprint of the dredging scheme, including the ticklish issue of cost sharing, would soon be prepared by both the governments under the aegis of the Indo-Bangladesh Joint River Commission (IBJRC).

Sarma pointed out that if dredging was undertaken, navigation on the rivers between Haldia and South Assam river ports and between Calcutta and South Assam river ports would improve.
This will facilitate transportation of key items between the Northeast and the mainland as well as between Bangladesh and Northeast India.

The main impediment to river traffic all year round between West Bengal and South Assam (through Bangladesh) is poor river conservancy on the Meghna and Surma in the neighbouring country and heavy boulders on the Meghna at Ashuganj in Comilla district of Bangladesh.

At present, cargo vessels from Calcutta and Haldia ports are diverted through Bangladesh to enter the Barak and offload goods at Karimganj. But that is done only from May and October as lack of proper river maintenance and conservancy chores in Bangladesh rivers pose navigation hazards during the winter and early summer seasons.

With the inauguration of the river jetty in Badarpur, 25km west of here, steamers from the Calcutta-Haldia end, which after negotiating the Bangladesh territorial waterways, now move to Karimganj port for offloading, can now sail downstream on the Barak, the second biggest river in the Northeast, to Badarpur. source: the telegraph india

Azad Hind Volunteers’ mission successful

Azad Hind Volunteers’ mission successful
Correspondent
KARIMGANJ, Dec 8 – With a view to creating pressure on the Union Government to unravel the mystery that shrouds the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the Azad Hind Volunteers, an organisation of Netaji followers set out on a two-month mission from Silchar to Delhi recently.

Group leader Paritosh Paul Chaudhury termed the mission as a tremendous success and said love and respect for the great leader is still vibrant in the minds of the common people.

Paritosh Paul Choudhury started the mission on September 23 from Silchar alongwith 15 volunteers and travelled 6500 km crossing over nine states. They addressed public gathering at 112 places which were attended by prominent leaders like BJP leader VK Malhotra, BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary and former MP from Meghalaya BB Dutta. He said, the journey was an adventure as one of their members was picked up by Naga militants in Manipur. But when the militants were conveyed the exact identity of the boy they had picked up they unhesitatingly returned him next morning.

In Shillong the team met JN Bawri who escorted Netaji by his taxi when the great fighter visited Meghalyaa in 1938. Paul Chaudhury and his team was given a warm reception in Imphal, Tezpur, Guwahati, Mangaldoi, Patna, Ranchi, Allahabad etc.

But unfortunately people of Left-ruled Bengal are still hesitant to express their respect for Netaji fearing that this might anger the rulers, said Paritosh Paul Choudhury.

In Delhi, the team met Somnath Chatterjee, Lok Sabha Speaker who assured them of cooperation, placing the demands they have been pursuing in the proper place. Paul Choudhury expressed gratefulness to Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev who helped them immensely. SM Dev spoke to the Prime Minister and informed about their mission.

Azad Hind Volunteers had placed four demands in front of the government. These are firstly, to place the report of the Mukherjee Commission in Parliament and allow the members to take part in the debate. Secondly, to declare that the ashes preserved in the Rankoji Temple of Japan are not the ashes of Netaji, and thirdly to declare Netaji as the first President of India as the Azad Hind Govt was legally formed and was a recognised govt and finally to name the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Shahi and Swaraj islands. source: assam tribune

Karimganj IM(DT) tribunals working at snail’s pace
Correspondent
KARIMGANJ, Dec 11 – Neither the Centre nor the State government seems to be serious about the functioning of foreigners’ tribunals in Barak Valley. With the annulment of IM(DT) Act of 1983 it was expected that foreigners’ tribunals would be revamped to deal with the cases of aliens or D-voters, but the ground reality is different.

The classic example is of Karimganj foreigners’ tribunal. 85,000 cases under D-voters lying with the foreigners tribunal could not be disposed of due to acute shortage of staff. Notices could not be sent to all the persons listed as D-voters by the election wing of Karimganj district administration. Notices till date could be sent to 1200 persons only. 90 per cent of them who appeared before the tribunal have been declared bonafide citizens. But, they could not obtain citizenship certificates on the ground that there is no staff to issued them.

Interviews have been held for appointments to fill in the vacancies but it has so far remained on paper only. Those declared bonafide citizens are being harassed by the police as they can not produce certified copies of their citizenship.

In the wake of the revision of voters lists for the Lok Sabha polls there is apprehensions that their names might be deleted from the electoral rolls. Political parties have been insisting on adding more staff to the tribunal in order to deal with the large volume of pending cases.

GP office site: GP members and people in general of Nutan Ramnagar Part-3 in Lakhipur subdivision in a memorandum to the chief executive officer, Cachar Zila Parishad demanded settlement of a site for the GP office and sought permission to set up temporarily the working office in the complex of Ranu Singh Memorial Club. Their demand is backed by the fact that the geographical area of Nutan Ramnagar GP is contiguous to several villages scattered around but without connectivity problem.

One GP office building was constructed in the village of Nutan Ramnagar Part-4, popularly known as Gorokandi which is quite isolated. Most of the villagers and its residents are far away distanced from the office. The GP office at Gorokandi they alleged was constructed at the behest of GP president Lal Nehar Begum Laskar without taking the consent of the members and residents of the area.

Even the residence of the GP president and majority of its members are located in Nutan Ramnagar Part-1, 2 and 3 which justifies the establishment of GP office at Part-3 Nutan Ramnagar with easy accessibility. Their representation states that since the present GP president and most of the members have also agreed to shift the office to Part-3 area, it may be allowed to function from the complex of Ranu Singh Memorial Club till the new office comes up.

Foundation stone laid: Dr Rumi Nath, BJP MLA, recently laid foundation stone of Hiyairbond sub-centre under National Rural Health Mission under Sonapur GP. On the occasion, a simple function was organised which was presided over by Paritosh Roy.

Narayan Chandra Das, headmaster of Hiyairbond LP School speaking on the occasion praised the efforts of Dr Rumi Nath for the socio-economic and academic improvement as well as uplift of masses in the rural areas, besides making sincere move to provide better health services.

MLA Dr Rumi Nath said that this sub-centre would be equipped with necessary medical tools and implements. She also added to say that basic medicines would be made available to the poor and needy people of the area. She will also make efforts for the appointment of auxiliary midwife and nurse. She at the same time spoke of the need of health sub-centres at Boulbasti, Shantinagar, Subhang, Kandigram, Narayancherra and Anandarkul.

The MLA also laid foundation stone of several LP Schools which included Mukaltal ME School, Rabali ME Madrasa, Rajnagar ME School, Patharigram LP School, Algapur LP School, Manikpur LP School and Nishintapur LP School, Phulendra Kalita Inspector of Schools was present during the foundation stone laying ceremony. source: assam tribune

World Disabled Day observed at Badarpur
CORRESPONDENT
BADARPUR, Dec 11 – The World Disabled Day was observed at Badarpur, by the Handicapped Society of Badarpur.

On the occasion, various functions were held alongwith ‘disabled-meet’ at Badarpur Nabin Chandra College on December 3. Principal of Badarpur Nabin Chandra College, Alpana Paul, a huge gathering of several sections of disabled people, leading citizens, intellectuals, educationists, members of various social organisations, NGOs etc. participated. The Karimganj deputy commissioner, Dr Bhupendra Nath Sarmah in his valuable speech explained the significance of the day. Dr Sarmah also informed the meet of various steps, taken by the government for the welfare of the disabled people.

Besides the DC, Karimganj several distinguished speakers discussed the various problems of the disabled people and earnestly appealed to the government to solve their problems immediately. The speakers also stated that – for the welfare of these disabled people, the government should extend their help to them as they can live in the society in proper way.

In this connection, the Badarpur Handicapped Society also submitted a seven-point charter of demands to the deputy commissioner of Karimganj on the occasion. These demands include immediate arrangement to set up a permanent rehabilitation centre at Badarpur Ghat Industrial Centre, to give the disabled all sorts of facilities of Indira Awas Yojana and other schemes, to legally reserve seats in government and non-government vehicles for all handicapped people positively, and proper implementation of the principle of job recruitment of the disabled people at all levels etc.

Earlier, a long procession of Badarpur Handicapped Society was also brought out in the town. A cultural function wa also held on this occasion, where different sections of disabled people participated . The entire programme was conducted by the general secretary of the Badarpur Handicapped Society, Samar Bijoy Acharjee. The meeting was also addressed by the DC of Karimganj Dr BN Sarma, principal of Badarpur NC College, Alpana Paul, ex-vice principal of the NC College, Kiran Sankar Roy, Dr Shib Tapan Basu, Mahadev Roy Karmakar among others.
source: assam tribune

Hailakandi gets instant money order system
CORRESPONDENT
HAILAKANDI, Dec 14 – Eminent poet and the editor of Sahitya, Bijit Kumar Bhattacharjee recently inaugurated the instant money order system at the head post office of Hailakandi. In his inaugural address, Bhattacharjee expressed his hope that the people of Hailakandi district will largely be benefited after the introduction of this instant money order system. He expressed serious concern over the poor telephone link in Hailakandi district particularly internet services and said that this will definitely hamper the entire system of instant money order. He urged the telephone authorities to develop the entire network in the district.

Explaining the purpose of the meeting, senior superintendent of post pffices, Cachar division, Silchar, Atul Bora said that it was a long pending demand of the people of Hailakandi to introduce instant money order system as the people are still largely dependent on it. He urged the staff of post office to maintain this service properly.

The postmaster of Hailakandi head post office, AR Talukdar offered vote of thanks in the inaugural meeting.

AIDS Day: Under the auspices of district administration and Health department, the World AIDS Day was observed recently in Hailakandi . A rally was brought out on the main thoroughfares of Hailakandi town in the morning. Members of NGOs, officials, mediapersons, band party and the local citizens participated in the rally with placards and banners. The rally was flagged off by the deputy commissioner Tapan Chandra Goswami.
source: assam tribune

Silchar-Lumding broadgauge line by 2010

CORRESPONDENT BADARPUR, Nov 28 – The construction of the broadgauge line from Silchar-Badarpur-Lumding hill section is on in full swing. Although there are still many obstacles prevailing, but the NF Railway authority recently assured that work on the 76-km railway line from Silchar to New Harangajao, via Badarpur junction is progressing very swiftly and if this speed of work is maintained then the line will be completed by March 2010 positively.

Railway sources said in the 64-km stretch earth-filling work has already been completed. In this route, there will be 12 railway stations. Among these 12 railway stations, the construction works of five railway stations, viz Salchapra, Arunachal, Katakhal, Sukritipur and Chandranathpur have already been completed. In Silchar-Badarpur-New Harangajao section there will be four tunnels, among which one tunnel between Bandarkhal and Ditekchara, and another tunnel between Damchara and Bandarkhal have already been completed. The remaining two tunnels in this route will be completed within March 2009. Sources also said that in Silchar-Badarpur-New Harangajao BG section there will be a total of 46 bridges, out of which, two bridges will be constructed on the road. Out of the 46 bridges, the construction works of sub-structure of 13 girders have been completed speeding the construction work of Barak bridge of Badarpur. Sources informed that the work has made substantial progress. In this connection, the steel fabrication work of the bridge is going on in full swing in Kolkata, at present.

The NF Railway authority has also informed that in the 17 km railway route between Silchar and Badarpur, works have been fully completed. The railway authority also stated under the BG project, a goods terminus at Salchapra and a diesel shed at Badarpur, alongwith arrangements of supervising the railway coaches at Silchar will be set up. Sources said that in Silchar-Badarpur-Harangajao route, ten kilometres are under North Cachar district, and remaining 66 Karimganj district. It is to be noted here that although the railway authority has given information of the progress of BG project in Barak Valley, but they could not give any information of the position and condition of the works in North Cachar hill which is vitally essential for the speedy completion of Lumding-Badarpur hill section.

Meanwhile, an urgent official meeting was held at Silchar on Thursday, under the presidentship of the deputy commissioner of Cachar, Gautam Ganguly, regarding the progress of Lumding-Badarpur-Silchar BG project. The meeting was attended by deputy chief engineer (construction) SP Desmukh, two ADCs of Cachar. Bhannisikha Dutta, and HA Laskar, DIPRO, deputy director of Barak Valley zone, Haran Dey, CRPF and RPF officials and other high railway officials. The meeting stressed upon the speedy implementation of BG construction works as early as possible. In the meeting, the Cachar district administration has also strongly urged the railway authority for immediate resumption of passenger train service of night section, in the Lumding-Badarpur hill section, without any delay in the greater interest of the people.

The Pradesh Yuva Congress Committee, Karimganj district committee has also expressed deep concern over suspension of the night service in the hill section. In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister and Union Railway Minister the YCC has strongly urged them for immediate resumption of the passenger train service.source: assam tribune

River terminal inaugurated

Karimganj (Assam), Dec 25 A river terminal was inaugurated at Badarpur ghat in Assam&aposs Karimganj district to facilitate the resumption of Haldia to Silchar waterways service via Bangladesh.Inland Water Transport Corporation Secretary V N Sharma, inaugurating the terminal last night, said that the revival of this water route would go a long way in the all round development of the region.
&apos&aposThe prices of essential commodities will come due to low cost of fuel consumption and will also help in tackling the flood problem of the area&apos&apos, he said.
The waterway services would resume soon after the passing the necessary bill in this connection in Parliament and would initially be for a period of six months though the possibility of making it a year-round service was under active consideration, he said.
The proposal of dredging the rivers Meghna and Padma in Bangladesh would also taken up soon and its expenses borne by the Indian government, Sharma added. PTI

Durga Puja at Badarpur

Durga Puja preparations under way at Badarpur
Correspondent
BADARPUR, Sept 30 - With the annual Autumn festival just around the corner, members of over a hundred community puja committees at the railway township here are presently on an overdrive to get their act together so that the five-day festivities from October 5 may be accomplished without any hiccups.

With the traditional drummers, popularly known as ‘dhakis’, already flooding the township, their presence has added to the overall festive ambience. One can already hear the rhythmic beats of their ‘dhaks’. Braving occasional inclement weather and steep prices, citizens representing every strata of society are witnessed making a beeline to the heavily stocked bazaars for making festive purchases.

A few rituals that go with the pujas are inauguration by distinguished personality, Sasthi puja, ‘Kala Bou - aanayan’, ‘pratima sthapan’, ‘nave patrika prabesh’, ‘anjali pradan’, ‘anno-bhog seva’, ‘aarati’ competition, ‘Chandi paath’, ‘Sandhi puja’, Kumari puja, ‘mahayagya’, various saradiya cultural functions, Dasami puja, women’s ‘sindoor khela’, ‘Vijaya sovayatra’, ‘santir-jal-sparsha’, ‘Vijaya mistimukh’, among others.

Significant puja pandals here this season include RailwayAnandadham Kalibari Puja Committee, Jangla Kalibari Puja Committee, Railway Traffic Colony Puja Committee, GRP Colony Sarbajanin Puja Committee and Badarpur ST Road Durga Puja Committee, to name only a few. The last-named puja committe is credited with stepping into its 35th year of celebration. Noteworthy too is the fact that the Badarpur Ghat Devendra Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja will be an all-women affair.

The Badarpur Town Committee has in the meantime made special arrangements to enhance civic amenities throughout the festive days. It has resolved to supply drinking water twice a day, provide sufficient lighting arrangement, and maintain cleanliness. The police administration too has gone the extra mile to ensure peace and tranquility in the entire Karimganj district, SP Mihir Goswami informed this newspaper. Besides Badarpur, Silchar, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Lakhipur and several other places of Barak Valley too are preparing to celebrate Durga Puja. source: assam tribune

Durga Puja Barak Valley Silchar Badarpur Lakhipur Karimganj Hailakandi Cachar Guwahati Assam Durga Puja

Road repairs demanded in Badarpur

Correspondent
BADARPUR, Sept 27 – In view of the dilapidated condition of Badarpur National Highway and the roads of other places under Badarpur PS, the Badarpur unit Bharatiya Janata Party submitted a memorandum recently to the Karimganj Deputy Commissioner, demanding to make all arrangements for repairing the damaged roads and National Highway immediately.

In the memorandum, it was also mentioned that the number of accidents are going increasing day-by-day due to the horrible condition of National Highway at Badarpur and the roads of Chargola, Ghoramara and Kaliganj, but the PWD and BRTF are yet indifferent to the issue. In the circumstances, BJP has demanded immediate action. The memorandum was submitted to DC through the Circle Officer of Badarpur, by eminent BJP leader Dipak Dev among others. source: assam tribune

Contractors not keen to resume work Lumding-Silchar BG Project

Lumding-Silchar BG Project
By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Sept 12: Despite suspension of operations against the outlawed DHD (J), work at the NF Railway’s Lumding-Silchar Broad-gauge project is yet to resume.

In the past, work of the Lumding-Silchar BG project has come to a halt on many occasions, primarily due to insurgency problems. The project work has been worst hit in North Cachar Hills.

It should be noted that the BG work has remained suspended since May 15 this year. A semblance of peace seems to have returned to hill district with the DHD (J) offering an unilateral ceasefire. However, the Government is yet to take a decision. As per sources, both the Centre and the State Government are busy pushing the ball into each other’s courts.

Though the people feel that the BG project work would resume after the end of the monsoon season, the contractors are refraining from voicing their assent.

In a meeting with a delegation of the NF Railway Contractors’ Association last week, DGP RN Mathur requested the contractors to resume work after the end of the monsoon season. IGP (law and order) Chandra Nathan was also present at the meeting.

The contractors, however, are still afraid of resuming work. The contractors alleged that extortion is still going on, albeit, on a lower scale. A source said, “People feel that peace has come back. But how long will it last? Once we resume our work, extortion will start again.”

Quoting police sources, the source said, “The suspension of operations against the DHD(J) is entirely a political decision.” He added, “We don’t want to lose any more lives.”

The source further said the fear psychosis amongst the workers has become so strong that it has become very difficult to persuade them to start work again. He added that the NFRCA would hold a meeting soon to discuss its future stand. source: sentinel assam

Bullet-proof engines flagged off

Applause, crackers mark resumption of south Assam train service

Silchar, July 31: Nearly 75 days ago, locomotive driver N.N. Bora lost his life to rebel bullets as he was driving a special patrol train between Mupa and Kalachand stations in the militancy-ridden North Cachar Hills district.

Stalled ever since, trains began running only today, pulled by bullet-proof engines. Two-and-a-half months ago, they could have saved Bora’s life.

Tumultuous applause broke out across the Badarpur railway junction, 28km from this town, as the first two scheduled trains along the 104-year-old hill section in the Barail hills were flagged off from the junction in Karimganj district and Lumding station at 10am today.

The train journeys along this 185-km-long serpentine metre gauge track, famous for its scenic beauty, was stalled from May 15 after the attack on the railway staff by the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel).

The railway staff struck work after the attack and left their postings at 27 railway stations and establishments along this vital section which is linked to the metre gauge lines of Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.

A total of six trains were flagged off from Lumding, Lower Haflong, Badarpur and Silchar terminus stations between 9.20am and 3.30pm.

Some of the people gathered at the stations burst crackers to express their happiness about the resumption of the passenger trains.

The morning train, which slowly started its journey from Badarpur junction, had about 200 passengers in 10 coaches.

There was as many as 19 security personnel drawn from the army, Assam police and the Railway Protection Security Force to escort the train from Badarpur.

Nupur Malakar was the driver of the train which steamed off this morning from Badarpur station.

However, the operating staff, including the drivers and guards, refused to wear the bullet-proof jackets, weighing nearly 15.5kg, saying they were cumbersome.

At least eight bullet-proof trains are now stationed at Badarpur railway station. Source: telegraph india

Lumding-Badarpur rail service soon

GUWAHATI, July 28 – The NF Railway is making efforts to start the metre gauge passenger train services very shortly on Lumding-Badarpur-Silchar section which had been cancelled from May 15 due to frequent ‘law-and-order’ incidents resulting in death of Railway staff, including the driver of a train. This was stated in a press release.It is now proposed to run a day service between Lumding and Haflong and back and Silchar and Haflong and back. For the convenience of large numbers of long-distance passengers, the night service of Cachar Express is also planned to be restored. This, however, will be done with some change in timings and the train will leave around 3 pm or so from either side so that short-distance passengers can travel.Since night patrolling of track is not possible for security reasons, the train is planned to be run at restricted speed of about 15 kmph, duly stopping at all stations.Detailed timings and the date of restoration of services are being finalized.In the meantime, all other necessary inputs are being put in place. The night train will be run with a bullet proof engine, the release added.More coaches: The North East Frontier Railway has informed that additional AC 3-tier coach was attached to South-bound 2510/2509 Guwahati-Bangalore Express. The 2508/2507 Guwahati-Ernakulum Express and 2516/2515 Guwahati-Trivandrum Express will be continued up to August 31. source: assam tribune

Suspension of trains hits Lumding-Badarpur route passengers

HAFLONG, July 28 – The people of entire southern Assam, Tripura, Manipur, etc., have been facing untold sufferings due to suspension of passenger trains between Lumding-Badarpur hill section of NF Railway following militants attack on Railwaymen during May last.The running of passengers train in this section was suspended from May 15 last, when the DHD(J) killed few railway men including driver of a train. Employees from most of the stations were also shifted to safer places. Several union bodies of the Railway personnel have opposed to work in hill section without proper security.Following the demands from neighboring states the railway began to run few goods trains to meet the supply of grains and buffer stock for these states. But the railway authority is still not in a mood to run passengers trains through this violence hit district of NC Hills.Talking to this correspondent, Sri Rakhal Dasguta , General Secretary, Mazdur Union, NF Railway, said “We are also concerned for the sufferings of the people but we cannot push our people to the jaws of death. Our people are always ready to work but at the same time we want proper security to our people.”It is learnt that the employees who were shifted from this section have returned to their respective place of posting except Phiding, Kalachand and Wadrengdisa station. source: assam tribune

Barak Valley has done extremely well in the HS examination

The entire Barak Valley including Badarpur has done extremely well in the HS examination 2008, setting a record in the process. Most ofthe HS Schools and Colleges of Barak valley showed excellent resultseclipsing previous years performance.Arpita Gang of Karimganj College and Saugat Dasgupta of Ramanuj GuptaJunior College, Cachar bagged the third and tenth positions respectivelyin the science stream, bringing glory for the entire Barak Valley. Talkingto The Assam Tribune the two toppers said that apart from their hard workand determination, guidance and inspiration from their teachers, parentsand well wishers had been instrumental in their success.

8 labourers killed in Lumding-Badarpur hill section

Assam: Militants kill 8 labourers
K Anurag in GuwahatiMay 11, 2008 20:17 IST Source: rediff.com

Suspected Black Widow militants gunned down eight construction workers of the Indian Railways at Phaidang under Mahur police station of North Cachar Hill district of Assam at around 2 pm on Sunday as a fresh bout of violence rocked the hill district since Saturday.

The police informed that a group of armed militants suspected to be from Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel Garlosa) or Black Widow opened indiscrimate fire at the construction workers killing eight of them on the spot.

The labourers were engaged by a contractor working in the multi-crore gauge conversion project of the Indian Railways in Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section under Northeast Frontier Railway. The railway project is already under severe threat from the marauding Black Widow militants.
The police and army launched a combing operation in the area following the massacre of the labourers.

A source in the Railways said that such killings by militants would not augur well for the gauge conversion project as well as railway services in Lumding-Badarpur hill section.
The Black Widow militants have posed serious threat to the project.

Incensed by fresh killings of its workers, the NFR might resort to cancellation of passenger train services in Lumding-Badarpur hill section in protest against continuing attacks by the militants and the failure of Assam government to provide adequate security to the contractors and workers engaged in the gauge-conversion project that is vital for expansion of the railway in the hill section of the north-east region.

Sunday's killing could be a retaliation by the DHD-J militants to the killing of 12 of its cadres by the army in the hill district on Saturday.
Three other persons were killed when Black Widow militants attacked a remote railway station in the hill district on Saturday night.