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

News on Barak Valley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rumi Nath set for Silchar fight

By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Nov 20: Borkhola BJP MLA Rumi Nath has emerged as the favourite to get the party ticket for the Lok Sabha polls for the Silchar constituency.
This came to light after sources in the BJP disclosed that in all probability, after the AGP-BJP alliance, the BJP will get hold of the Silchar and the Karimganj seats and with Rumi Nath camping in Silchar, indications are strong that the party leadership have given her the informal nod to fight the elections.

Rumi Nath, who is the only BJP woman candidate in the Northeast is busy doing the spadework in Silchar for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

She along with party grassroot workers were seen touring various areas of Silchar town and meeting the cross-section of the citizens.

There are other two contenders for the Silchar seat. One is Kabin Purkayastha and the other one is ex-DSP Ajit Bhattacharjee. But sources say that these two stand a minimal chance of getting the party ticket.

Many see Purkayastha to have a secret understanding with Congress heavyweight Santosh Mohan Dev and Bhattacharjee is not popular among the grassroot workers. Moreover, with the no other women candidates in the BJP eyeing poll tickets, Nath is seen as the winner in the situation. Rumi Nath herself admitted that she will try for the party ticket and will always work in the interest of the party. source: sentinel assam

1 lakh job cards issued in Cachar district

Karimganj , Aug 8 – Aabout one lakh job cards have been issued under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). This was revealed at a review meeting held at the conference hall of the deputy commissioner, Cachar which was attended by Santosh Mohan Deb, Union Minister, Dinesh Prasad Goala, Minister, Town and Country Development, besides, Ajit Singh, parliamentary secretary and MLAs Bithika Deb, Parimal Suklabaidya, Kutub Ahmed Mazumdar, Ataur Rahman Majarbhuiya and Dr Rumi Nath.It was informed at the meeting that till date Rs 31,34,34,000 has been spent and 131 projects have been implemented. The progress so far achieved under the scheme is 53.75%.Earlier, a meeting of the vigilance and monitoring cell presided over by Santosh Mohan Deb resolved to blacklist those contractors who were delaying construction of the Prime Minister’s Gramin Sadak Yojana. Progress can be seen in respect of implementation of Indira Gandhi National Pension Scheme, total sanitation campaign, sarva siksha abhiyan and backward area development fund.Emphasis was laid an involvement of panchayat raj elected members in the implementation of the schemes. Instructions are to be issued to the authorities concerned for completion of school building under SSA.For implementation, 22 projects under swarna jayanti saharia rojgar yojana (SJSRY) in the municipal area of Silchar town, Rs 64 lakh has been sanctioned, besides Rs 16 lakh has been allocated for SHGs.This was discussed at a meeting in the conference hall of the DC, Cachar which was presided over by DC Gautam Ganguli.According to Silchar Municipal Board, 22 spots have been identified in the town for improvement of road and drainage by engaging labour force for which Rs 64 lakh will be spent. Rs 42 lakh will be utilised for improvement of the RDI hall, out of which Rs 33 lakh will be given to Silchar development authority.For Lakhimpur subdivision, Rs 80 lakh has been earmarked for various development works, including a community hall near Lakhimpur town committee. source: assam tribune