BJP Yuva Morcha accuses police of partiality

SILCHAR, April 30: Breaking the silence over the recent incident of mob violence on the residence of district Congress general secretary, BJP Yuva Morcha today asked the police administration to take a neutral stance and not to harass the down-trodden people of Malini beel who had allegedly attacked the Congress leader and his brother.

Addressing a press meet here, Yuva Morcha district president Rupam Saha and vice president as well as ZPC member Subrata Chakraborty condemned the attack on the Congress leader but at the same time made it clear that they would not tolerate any excess by police administration or the cadres of the ruling party on the innocent people of Malini beel.

They further said, police had arrested a few persons on the basis of FIR lodged by Chakraborty’s family but no steps has been taken against the FIR lodged by the Malini beel people.

This kind of injustice and prejudice would not be tolerated, cautioned the Yuva Morcha leaders. They said, just after the election on April 16, all incidents of attack on some businessmen allegedly by Congress workers were mysteriously overlooked by police.

On the other hand, the youth wing of the BJP alleged that Partha Dhar, nominee of Union Minister Sontosh Mohan Dev as well as one of the general secretaries of the district Congress had tried to rig the poll in Katigorah LA segment pretending himself as the election agent of an independent candidate Nagendra Das.

Dhar was chased away by agents of other parties as he could not clarify his credentials. Dhar later lodged an FIR on April 25 with Katigorah police alleging that he was attacked by BJP Zilla Parishad member Subrata Chakraborty.

Talking to mediapersons today, Saha and Chakraborty asked how a nominee of an Union Minister becomes an election agent of an independent candidate.

They said Dhar wanted to rig the poll in guise of an election agent of independent candidate and while he was caught red handed he wanted to mislead the police by lodging an FIR with baseless allegations. THE SENTINEL

Congress politicizing Malini beel issue: BJP

SILCHAR, April 30: A group of congress workers had been trying to politicize the incident of mob violence that left Partha Ranjan Chakraborty, district Congress general secretary and his brother Sujay seriously injured. This had been alleged by Cachar unit of BJP.

In a press release, the opposition party maintained that BJP would keep close vigil on the law and order situation, as role played by some Congress workers as well as a section of media in tarnishing the image of BJP might complicate the situation.

BJP had simultaneously sought the intervention of the district administration. Further they had demanded central investigation in to the matter leading to mob violence.

BJP also asked the administration to ensure security to the residents of Malini beel who allegedly attacked the house of Chakraborty on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, a team of BJP leaders led by party candidate Kabindra Purkayastha yesterday visited Silchar Medical College and Hospital to enquire the condition of Partha Ranjan and his brother.

Partha Ranjan, who was also the chairman of Silchar Medical College and Hospital had been shifted to paying cabin from ICU along with his brother.

The BJP team also enquire about the health of Ratan Das who was also injured in the incident. THE SENTINEL

ABYSA asks CM to deploy force in hill section

SILCHAR April 30: Expressing concern over regular incidents of attack on trains in the hill sector of NF Railways that has created a scarcity of essential goods in Barak Valley, All Barak Youth-Students Association (ABYSA) has asked Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to deploy central forces in the trouble-torn NC Hills.

In a fax message to the Chief Minister, the ABYSA had categorically declared that if the State government fails to provide security in the Lumding-Badarpur line then the organization would launch mass agitation in the near future. ABYSA chief convenor Baharul Islam Barbhuiya said they would organize a sit-in-dharna in front of the office of Area Manger of Railway in Badarpur.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, ABYSA has also asked the State government to take stern action against the militants who have been playing havoc for two national projects like Silchar-Lumding broad gauge and East-west corridor leaving the lives of the common people of Barak Valley miserable as the price of essential commodities in Barak Valley escalated due to disruption of train services.

The association also asked the Chief Minister to make arrangements for immediate completion of the broadgauge project. Barbhuiya said if the State government this time does nor take any stern and permanent action, ABYSA would be forced to launch a mass agitation. They also accused the State government of a step-motherly attitude towards Barak Valley. THE SENTINEL

Driver and helper held for selling Army’s petrol

SILCHAR, April 30: The Army has nabbed one, Narayan Roy, driver of an oil tanker along with his helper Gopal Roy for illegally selling petrol and later mixing kerosene to hush up the offence.
A source said, Narayan, a resident of Dhubri and Gopal, a resident of Barpeta started from Guwahati with the tanker filled with 1,200 liters of petrol to be delivered to the Army’s Masimpur cantonment.

They reached their destination on Tuesday but the Army personnel sensed some foul play.
On the face of interrogation, Narayan and Gopal admitted that they had sold 500 litres of petrol to a filling station at Ramnagar in Silchar and were paid Rs 6,000.

Moreover, the filling station supplied them some quantity of kerosene which they later mixed with the remaining petrol.The Army later handed over Narayan and Gopal to the police. A source in police said that they had identified the filling station and proper action would be taken against them. THE SENTINEL

Tension runs high over mob attack on Congress leader

SILCHAR, April 29: Tension over Tuesday’s incident of mob attack on district Congress general secretary scaled a new height today as the local residents of Malini beel, who were accused of the mob violence, openly declared that they would not surrender to the land grabbers what may come.

On the other hand, a delegation of Congress workers and some residents of Tarapur led by district Congress president today asked the district administration to evacuate the illegal dwellers of Malini beel.

Meanwhile, police have arrested five miscreants yesterday morning but after that there has been no arrest. A police source said they had no instruction from the administration for making any raids to evacuate anybody from Malini beel.

Meanwhile, a Congress source said that some BJP workers were seen in Malini beel area and they were allegedly instigating the local residents.

It is to be noted that a mob of at least 300 people from Malini beel, a slum area, attacked the Tarapur residence of district Congress general secretary as well as the chairman of Silchar Development Authority Partha Ranjan Chakraborty and ransacked his entire house, beating him and his brother Sujay.

Both Partha Ranjan and Sujay had been admitted in the ICU of Silchar Medical College and Hospital with multiple injuries.

The mob attacked the house reportedly to release a youth allegedly held by Partha Ranjan on the pretext that he was a thief. But today the local residents of Malini beel area told the mediapersons that Partha Ranjan and his goons had been regularly harassing them and pressuring them to evacuate the land with a motive to sell it to some private builders.

Rasmani Das, mother of Aditya Das who was held by Partha Ranjan, accused that she was even beaten by the Congress leader.

They said, all the male members of the locality have been forced to flee as the followers of the Congress leaders were allegedly threatening them.

Meanwhile a group of local people of Tarapur area who yesterday blocked the road demanding immediate arrest of the culprits who attacked the house of one of their neighbours today charged district Congress president Karnendu Bhattacharjee with the allegation that the ruling party has completely failed to provide protection to its own general secretary. They even apprehend that slum dwellers might any time attack the other residents of Tarapur.

Bhattacharjee later took the local residents to the Deputy Commissioner as well as to the police officials and asked them to immediately evacuate the illegal dwellers of Malini beel.

District administration has reportedly not taken any decision in this regard. But a source informed that dwellers of Malini beel could not be branded as illegal.

The source said the epicenter of the entire episode was selling of vast land to builders and some Congress workers were pressurizing the slum dwellers, most of them were either rickshaw pullers or small time vendors, to evacuate the land.

Meanwhile a source said that seven bighas of khas land were allegedly sold to a travelling company by Partha Ranjan and at least 40 families were forcefully evacuated using bull-dozers six months back. But at least four families refused to leave the place.

A youth Congress leader as well as SC Board office bearers was given a hefty amount of money to persuade those four families. Tension started to brew since then.

However there had been no incident of fresh violence today. But interestingly police did not enter in to Malini beel area, only a picket of CRPF had been posted near the area.

A good number of rickshaw pullers and vegetable vendors were from this area and they could not be seen today in the town, indirectly affecting the normal life of the town. THE SENTINEL

Panchgram paper mill on the verge of closure

SILCHAR, April 29: Barak Valley’s one and only heavy industry, the Panchgram paper mill, is on the verge of closure as supply of bamboo from NC Hills has been stopped due to militant attacks on trains in Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section of the NF Railway.

Dimasa militants have been attacking the goods trains in this sector for the last fortnight creating scarcity of essential commodities in the Barak Valley. On the other hand, production in the paper mill has virtually come to a halt as the supply of bamboo has totally ceased due to the disruption in train service. A top level source in the mill said, at least two racks of bamboo have been lying abandoned in the hill sector as the NF Railway has stopped train service following regular attacks on running trains by suspected Black Widow militants.

The source also said, daily requirement of bamboo in the mill is 300-350 tonnes. From local sources, the mill can only get less than 150 tonnes per day. Not only the production has been hampered, the labourers who worked on daily basis also are facing immense problems. The source indicated that the mill authorities have planned to invite tender from local bamboo supplies for additional 50,000 tonnes of bamboo. THE SENTINEL

Gautam Roy playing communal trick: Anwarul Haque

SILCHAR, April 29: AUDF MLA form Badarpur Anwarul Haque accused State’s Excise Minister Gautam Roy of playing communal game with a motive to create law and order situation in Karimganj and Hailakandi as he realized that the Congress was going to lose the Karimganj seat to the AUDF.

Reacting sharply to Roy’s recent remark that he played the Hindu card to counter AUDF’S Muslim vote bank politics, Haque said, such a communal statement from a responsible minister was not only unfortunate but also very dangerous for the law and order situation in the sensitive constituency.

He further said, stupendous support from all communities for the AUDF candidate Rajesh Mallah had frustrated the evil design of Roy, who had expertise on winning election by out and out foul play. Haque alleged that the ruling party in a desperate attempt wanted to ignite communal passion prior to the counting on May 16. Roy’s comment on playing Hindu card was a clear evidence of this evil design.

Meanwhile, Hailakandi unit of AUDF had also condemned Roy’s statement where he branded AUDF as Allah’s outfit. The AUDF alleged that the Excise Minister has insulted the religions sentiment of the Muslims and asked him to seek an open apology for making such a derogatory remark. THE SENTINEL

Sahidul Alom Chowdhury a rigging master, says Gautam Roy

SILCHAR, April 29: State’s Excise Minister Gautam Roy hit back at his arch-rival Sahidul Alom Chowdhury branding him as a rigging master. Earlier, the AGP leader and former minister in erstwhile Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Chowdhury branded Roy as the rigging master and demanded shifting of EVMs from Hailakandi’s SS College to some safer place in Karimganj.

It is to be noted that both these leaders from Hailakandi district are known for their open rivalry. In the last Assembly election, Sahidul Alom lost his Algapur seat to Roy’s son Rahul.Sahidul Alom maintained a low-profile stature during electioneering in the just concluded LS election. He was not seen in a single meeting to promote his party ally BJP in either of the two seats in Barak valley.

But interestingly Sahidul Alom started raising fingers at Roy once the election was over. He branded Roy as a ‘rigging master’ and apprehended that the latter would manipulate the EVMS stored in SS College.

Roy was the last person to seat idle to this allegation and hence he hit back at Sahidul Alom branding him as the father of rigging. Roy said, in the past Sahidul Alom was charged with the allegation of manhandling an SP as he was caught red-handed while rigging during an Assembly election. The case was registered in the court too and Sahidul later begged his pardon to the police officer. Roy further said, if he had any plan to rig the election, Sahidul would have found himself in jail. The Excise Minister said, sensing defeat Sahidul Alom now planned to provoke the common Muslim people of the district create law and order Situation. THE SENTINEL

Cachar Paper Mill in dire straits

Correspondent
HAILAKANDI, April 29 – The sudden sacking of 1,200 contract labourers and the closure of Cachar Paper Mill (CPM) of Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC) in Panchgram area of Hailakandi district has created deep resentment throughout Barak Valley. The authorities of the mill have also stopped the production of the mill from Monday and the same will be continued till next one week, the sources said. The sources also said that the decision had to be taken due to the extreme scarcity of the supply of raw material bamboo.

The supply of bamboo has remarkably been decreased from the last one week as the NF Railways have suspended the plying of trains in the Lumding-Silchar route due to the series of militant attacks on both passenger and goods trains.

The bamboo coming through truck is not sufficient to run the mill, the sources said. And if this continues the future of the mill seems to be bleak, the sources lamented.

It may be mentioned here that the Cachar Paper Mill (CPM) is the only major industrial undertaking in south Assam and the adjoining states of Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura. Despite lack of infrastructural facilities in a remote location, CPM has a continuous record of steady improvement. During 2006-07, the mill recorded the highest annual production of 1,03,155 MT registering over 103 per cent capacity utilisation, which was 100 per cent during the previous year. The annual capacity of production of mill is 1,00,000 tonnes.

After the sacking of the labourers and the closure of the mill, the recognised trade unions of HPC have reacted strongly and threatened to start massive movement against the decision of the authorities. The General Secretary of the mill unit of INTUC, Manabendra Chakraborty informed that they will discuss the present situation of the mill in a joint meeting of all the trade unions on April 30 and will decide the next course of action.

On the other hand, the Vice-President of Paper Mill Contractual Labourers Union, Gautam Tarafdar alleged that due to the sudden sacking of 1200 contractual labourers of the mill on the pretext of the suspension of the production is very inhuman. He said that due to this these labourers are now passing their days without food with the children and they also don’t have any alternative sources of income. He demanded immediate engagement of these labourers on humanitarian ground.

Senior Manager of the mill, Arabinda Chakraborty informed that the production will resume immediately if the rail communication resumes in Silchar-Lumding track. The Manager (Legal), S Ramji also has the similar version. They informed that the mill requires 300-350 tonnes of bamboo daily for the production of papers but now they are only getting 150 tonnes daily. They, however, informed that the tender will be given soon for the supply of 50,000 tonnes of bamboo. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Silchar tense, Mob attacks house of Congress leader

SILCHAR, April 28: In a daredevil early morning attack, a mob of nearly 250 people including women from a slum area ransacked the house of district Congress general secretary Partha Ranjan Chakraborty, beat him and his brother Sujay mercilessly, broke his cars and even tried to unknob the LPG cylinder to burn the entire house before fleeing as the police made a delayed entry.

The incident created much tension in the entire town as people blocked the road at two points in Tarapur area, some schools were packed off and terror-struck parents were seen busy collecting their children. Both Partha and his brother Sujay have been admitted in the intensive care unit of the Silchar Medical College and Hospital with injury on heads.

However, they had been declared out of danger by the attending doctors. It is to be noted that Chaktaborty is the chairman of Silchar Development Authority and known as a close confidante of Union Minister SM Dev.

In an FIR with the police, Bithika Chakraborty, wife of Partha Ranjan , alleged that at least 250 people including a good number of women from nearby Malini bill area attacked their house at Ramkrishna Lane in Tarapur area, a few minute walking distance from the house of Union Minister Sontosh Mohan Dev as well as of MLA Bithika Dev. The mob was well prepared with swords and lathis. She said yesterday night, at least five thieves from Malini bill area intruded in to one of the house of nearby Jogesh Road.

Partha Ranjan and others nabbed two thieves and handed them over to the police. Meanwhile, another thief was found hiding in the residence of Partha Ranjan and when he was picked up by the family members, a mob with swords and lathis attacked the house.

Sujay locked Partha Ranjan at a room in the second floor. Sensing this the mob first beat Sujay and later dragged Partha Ranjan from the room and attacked him with swords on his head and ransacked the entire house damaging one Bolero car and a Wagon R. In the incident, one Jay Ram Dutta, neighbour of the Chakrabortys was also injured though the terror-struck neighbours could do nothing to resist the mob.

Meanwhile local residents of Malini bill had a completely opposite version of the entire episode. Krishna Kumar Das and Bimal Das of the locality said that three of their boys namely Aditya Das, Suren Das and Hirendra Das were returning home yesterday night after performing kirtan at Barman Lane when Partha Ranjan thrashed them. Aditya Das, an active BJP worker, was beaten by Partha Ranjan who later locked him in his house.

On hearing the incident, Aditya’s mother Rakhamoni Das reached Partha Ranjan’s house at the wee hours and pleaded to release her son but Partha allegedly beat her too.

Local residents however claimed that they did not attack the house of Partha Ranjan. But they admitted that they are being regularly harassed by Partha Ranjan, Khokan Roy and Dipak Chakraborty for grabbing the land.

It is to be noted that, Partha Ranjan as the chairman of the Silchar Development Authority had allowed a private builder to make a market complex in Malini bill. He had reportedly assured the local residents that they would be compensated accordingly but in reality the local residents did not receive as they were assured of.

This created a atmosphere of mass grievance against Partha Ranjan. Some local residents even alleged that Partha used to regularly harass them with a motive to grab the land. Cachar Deputy Commissioner Gautam Ganguly, informed The Sentinel that ADC BC Nath has been instructed by him to make an investigation of the incident.

On the other hand, district Congress president Karnendu Bhattacharjee today squarely blamed the police for the bizarre incident of mob violence on the house of party general secretary Partha Ranjan Chakraborty which left him and his brother seriously injured. Bhattacharjee was irritant with the police lapses. He even declared that if the things go like this, the Congress would be forced to form a separate force for their own security.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Kabindra Purkayastha apprehended that this kind of incident might again happen as the Congress would want to create law and order situation as the ruling party had already understood that they were going to loose the Silchar seat. Purkayastha today met the SP and asked him to tighten security arrangement to foil any attempt by evil-doers for creating disturbances before the counting on May 16.

Bhattacharjee said he had immediately brought the matter under the notice of the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Union Minister Sontosh Mohan Dev. THE SENTINEL

BJP will win Silchar seat, claims AGP

SILCHAR, April 28: BJP candidate Kabindra Purkayastha would definitely win the Silchar LS seat with a thumping majority, claimed AGP’S central committee joint secretary Bimalendu Singh. Singh argued that the entire votes of AGP had been cast in favour of Purkayastha, which would pave his way for an easy victory.

Singh further claimed that the main fight in Silchar would be in between the BJP and the AUDF and Congress candidate Sontosh Mohan Dev would be how here in the picture.
Singh was so much confident about Purkayastha’s victory that he even claimed that if the latter does not win he would resign from AGP’s central committee.

Commenting on the state scenario, Singh claimed that the AGP would win in Dibrugarh, Lakimpur, Tezpur and Barpeta whereas, in Kaliabor, chances of AGP’S winning was also very bright, though Congress might pose a tough challenge for the regional party.

In Mangoldoi also, BJP and Congress would be in one-to one fight. Singh further maintained that AUDF chief Badrauddin Ajmal had a bright chance of winning the Barpeta seat. THE SENTINEL

MMS scandal in Cachar village

SILCHAR, April 28: How the lure for glam-world and greed for easy bucks spread its irresistible net even over a village house-hold could be seen in a recent incident of Panibhora, a hamlet under Dholai in Cachar district. Wife of a postal employee, in her early 40s was told by some unidentified persons that she possessed an attractive figure and she might earn both fame and money in the glamour world.

A police source informed, the next thing the woman did was get herself photographed, almost in nude, in a local studio. But in her utter disbelief and shock, the naked photographs were made available on cell phone screens through MMS.

The women who is a mother of three children, registered a case in Dholai PS alleging that she was forced by three youths including the owner of a local studio to pose nude in front of camera. She was even threatened with dire consequences if she opened her mouth, she alleged in the FIR. Police had already arrested Arup Paul (25), owner of the Radharaman Studio and his camera, computer and hard disk has been seized.

Search is on for nabbing the other two accused. Meanwhile Paul had reportedly confessed that he had snapped photographs of the woman, who had allegedly asked him to do so and even paid him money for the same.

A police source said, photographs were later developed in a studio at Silchar and suspectedly that studio played foul in sending the nude photographs via MMS. Police might make a raid in that studio, the source hinted.

The source further indicated that the woman actually asked Paul to snap her photographs in order to earn some easy money. But whom she would have sold the photographs to, the Police was now zeroing on in this question. THE SENTINEL

Huge quantity of ganja seized
From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, April 28: Police arrested one, Kali Mohan Singh (75) with a huge quantity of ganja in his possesion. Singh was arrested from his residence at Saptagram under Dholai bordering Mizoram.

A police source said, Singh had been purchasing ganja from Manipur for a long time and allegedly been supplying to Mizoram. Acting on a tip off, Dhalai OC Azizur Rahman raided the house of Singh and recovered 75 kg of ganja from his possession. Singh had been sent to police custody by a local court yesterday. THE SENTINEL

Mob attacks Partha Ranjan Chakraborty, presently in the ICU

Correspondent
SILCHAR, April 28 – Partha Ranjan Chakraborty, chairman of Silchar Development Authority and general secretary of District Congress Committee was attacked by miscreants this morning. Chakraborty along with his brother Sujoay Chakraborty is presently in the ICU of Silchar Medical College.

Sources said that Partha Chakraborty and his brother were out for their morning walk. They had an altercation with three persons on the road. Chakraborty caught one Aditya Das and beat him severely in his garage.

As the news spread, a mob of about 150 villagers came to Chakraborty’s house and attacked and ransacked the entire premises. They also attacked Chakraborty and his brother and injured them seriously. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Resumption of trains in Hill sector uncertain

SILCHAR, April 27: Stalemate over running trains in the Lumding-Badarpur section still continued as an NF Railway source indicated that the authorities had not yet taken any decision in this regard.

N F Railway general manager Ashutosh Swamy who had gone to Delhi today, would discuss the matter with the Railway Ministry, a source from Maligaon HQ of the N F Railway informed The Sentinel.

The source said, in the present situation, railway authorities could not afford to risk the lives of their employees who were virtually holed up in various stations in the sector.

It is to be noted that on Sunday two goods trains carrying relief materials for the railway employees were attacked by the suspected Black Widow militants. The source said, in the present backdrop, the possibility of running even goods trains in the hill sector was very bleak.

The source further hinted that the State government had failed miserably in providing security in the hill section as in the last fortnight at least seven incidents of attack on trains had happened leaving one dead and several injured. On the other hand, Barak Valley and N C Hills Commissioner MC Jauhari recently blamed the railway authority for the stalemate. He said, the railway authority lacked the willingness to run trains in the sector. THE SENTINEL

Computer cell inaugurated; medical camp held in Malong

: From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, April 27: In pursuance of an ongoing civic effort of 72 Field Regiment, under the aegis of Red Shield Division, a Computer Cell was inaugurated on April 24 at village Malong Dipuchara. It was visualized that Malong Dipuchara is not only a remote village but also underdeveloped with respect to the development taking place in the out side world where the younger generation was unknown with the latest development in the IT world. A medical camp was also organized under the aegis of HQ 57 Mountain Artillery Brigade involving an Army Doctor and his team from 72 Field Regiment on April 25 at Malong Dipuchara.

This effort was a profound and continuing part of military civic action programmes of 72 Field Regiment for winning the ‘hearts and minds’ of the local populace.

The onset of the monsoons and the current heat wave has camp was therefore planned and organized by 72 Field Regiment under the stewardship of their Commanding Officer Colonel SBK Singh to provide a healing touch as also to mitigate the problems of the civil administration in reaching out to the people of the village.

This camp was dedicated towards winning the hearts and minds of the local residents as also to synergize the efforts of the civil administration and the Security Forces thereby reassuring the people that the army of the nation will always stand by them in their hour of need. THE SENTINEL

Karimganj Election, Karimganj BJP alleges failure in enforcement of election code of conduct

Karimganj Election
KARIMGANJ, April 27: Absolute failure on part of the Karimganj District Administration in maintaining law and order in and around the polling booths under HP-1 Karimganj (SC) constituency caused serious damage to BJP-candidate of the said constituency as regards his poll prospects, alleged election agent of BJP candidate of HP-1 Karimganj (SC) constituency Sudhangshu Das, Sudip Chakravarty.

In a memorandum sent to the chief election commissioner on Friday last, he alleged that on the day of election, April 16, it was seen that only home guards and police constable with lathi were deployed in the sensitive and super sensitive polling booths while he had been assured by both the district magistrate of Karimganj and Hailakandi that central paramilitary force would be deployed in the sensitive and super sensitive polling booths of the HP-1.

Chakravarty also said that since only home guards and police constables were deployed in such polling booths with lathis the supporters of the Congress and the AUDF became fearless and took advantage of the situation.

He further alleged that the supporters of Congress and the AUDF captured most of the booths, forced out my agents and rigged the poll.

According to him the rural areas were free zone for the Congress and the AUDF miscreants during the poll. Inviting the CEC’s attention to the matter, Chakravarty referred supreme court’s judgement in which certain suggestions and directions were given by the Supreme Court as regards conducting of free and fair election relating to posting of Central Paramilitary Force personnel.

Further, the commission wanted the CPF to keep watch on unauthorised persons present inside polling station and other related matters. But CPF were not deployed.

As such, agents of the BJP candidate requested the commission to set up an enquiry and to repair the damages caused to his candidate. THE SENTINEL

Silchar Election, Triangular contest among BJP, Congress and AUDF

Silchar Election

SILCHAR, April 27: Capitalizing on the division in Muslim votes, the BJP is hoping for victory in Silchar LS seat, though the margin might not be very wide, stated BJP state vice president Bimolangshu Roy. Talking to The Sentinel, Roy said, as expected, AUDF candidate Badrauddin Ajmal had been able to snatch away a lion’s share of Muslim votes and this would play fatal for Congress candidate Sontosh Mohan Dev.

He however, maintained that apart from Muslim votes division, people in Silchar in general were in favour of change as the ruling Congress has miserably failed in addressing the basic demands of the masses. Citing the instance of pathetic condition of roads in the main town of Silchar, Roy said, Congress MP as well as his MLA wife Bithika Dev who was also the chairperson of Silchar Municipatty Board he alleged that she could not even force the concerned department to complete a three km road in three years.

Roy said, in previous elections too, BJP used to maintain a lead over the Congress in Silchar Assembly segment. Last year, Dev somehow managed to win the seat by a mere margin of 22,000 votes mainly because of tea garden votes in Lakhipur segment. But this year the opposition had been able to make a convincing entry in to the garden butt, Roy claimed.

Bimalangshu Roy, who was the former MLA from Silchar, hinted that this time too the main fight in Silchar LS seat would be between Congress and BJP, while Ajmal would finish third. Admitting that Ajmal’s entry in Barak valley had polarized the politics in communal lines, Roy said, Hindus now should realize the worth of a single vote. Making an oblique dig at the indifferent attitude of the urban Hindus in exercising their voting right. Roy hoped, from now onwards Hindus would also come forward to cast their votes. THE SENTINEL

Foundation day of Silchar Collegiate School

Correspondent
SILCHAR, April 27 – Silchar Collegiate School recently celebrated its 36th anniversary with a two-day programme. Professor Tapodhar Bhattacharjee, VC, Assam University was present on the occasion as the chief guest. Other dignitaries like eminent journalist DN Bezboruah and the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Gautam Ganguli was also present.

In his inaugural speech, Samar Kanti Choudhury said that this school started functioning on April 24, 1974. Since the last 36 years, this school has contributed a lot in the field of education. But its goal is yet to be completed. Chief guest Tapodhar Bhattacharjee, recalled his school days. He began his career as a school teacher. He said that one should realised the importance of his mother tongue, as it is the heart and soul of human beings. Partha Sarathi Chanda, principal, GC College, said that parents are primary teachers to every child, they should remember that the primary aspect of education was not to get a well-paid job but to become a good human being.

Others who spoke in the inaugural function which was presided over by Sujan Dutta, chairman of the governing body included DSA president Badal Kr Dey, Partha Sarathi Chakraborty, secretary of the guardians body, TK Dutta Chouwdhury and Subrata Paul. The school magazine Vanguard was also released on the occasion. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Silchar Karimganj Election, AUDF alleges EVM manipulation bid in Barak Valley

Silchar Karimganj Election
Correspondent
SILCHAR, April 27 – The Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) has expressed fears about EVM manipulation both in Silchar and Karimganj constituency. The party is worried about the security arrangement of the strong room as well as in SS College, Hailakandi. This has already been brought to the notice of the Election Commission by Hafiz Rasid Choudhury, working president of AUDF.

Choudhury alleged that in SS College there may be some manipulation of the EVM as Gautam Roy, State Minister has already confirmed the win of Lalit Mohan Suklaibaidya, the Congress candidate from Karimganj constituency. Choudhury assumed that Roy might have chalked out a blue print to manipulate the EVMs.

Choudhury further said that people have noticed a dramatic change in the political scenario of Barak Valley after the arrival of AUDF. AUDF is placed in a very strong position in Silchar and Karimganj constituencies where the Congress has no chance of winning, he said.

Choudhury urged the EC to shift all EVMs to Karimganj which are presently at Hailakandi for better security.

On the other hand, Gautam Ganguly, returning officer, said that there has been no security lapse in the strong room. The security personnel have been keeping a close watch on the strong room and, even he himself was not allowed to enter the strong room. Videography of the entire process from sealing and depositing the EVMs in the strong room has been done, he maintained.

Ganguly denied the allegations put forward by the AUDF and the local media about the negligence in the security arrangement in the strong room. He said that it is nothing but rumour.

But AUDF is worried that a desperate Congress might attempt to manipulate the EVMs as the party supremo Badaruddin Ajmal will definitely win from this constituency defeating the Congress candidate Santosh Mohan Deb. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) attacks relief trains

Silchar, April 26: The Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) struck again today, this time showering bullets on two relief trains carrying food, medicines and other essential commodities for employees posted in remote stations on the metre gauge hill section of the Northeast Frontier Railway.

Three security personnel on one of the trains were injured while those guarding the other train escaped unhurt.

In the first attack, at least a dozen Jewel rebels, hiding atop the Barail range pumped bullets into the engine and brake-van of the relief train between Mahur and Migrengdisa railway stations in North Cachar Hills around noon.

Startled at first, the 20 security personnel on board soon retaliated, forcing the rebels to flee.

Three security men were injured in the gun battle.

Omprakash Jha, from the 12 Assam Police Battalion, was hit in the right leg and had to be rushed to Haflong Civil Hospital.

Two others, Railway Protection Security Force employee Sourav Kumar and a Government Railway Police man Shudangshu Nath received bullet injuries in their hands.

The site of the ambush is about 92km from Lumding.

Migrengdisa, in fact, is a favourite ambush spot for DHD (J) leader Jewel Gorlosa.

Police sources in Haflong later confirmed that the attack was indeed the handiwork of the DHD (J) and that AK series of rifles had been used.

The other relief train, which steamed off from Badarpur station around 9.35am today, was attacked at Bagetar, 74km from the station around 1pm today.

There were no casualties in this firing though.

“The trains were carrying relief for our employees and security personnel. The situation is bad,” said Northeast Frontier Railway CPRO S. Hajong.

On April 15, the Dimasa rebels rained bullets on a goods train at Migrengdisa, 19km from Haflong.

On April 10, the outfit attacked the only passenger train which had been running in the district, killing one CRPF constable and injuring 17 others near Wadrengdisha.

On April 11, two special police officers of the railways were killed and another injured when the rebels attacked a goods train carrying rice at Diajobra station under Langting police station.

A month earlier, the Northeast Frontier Railway withdrew train services from the Lumding-Silchar section for a day after an unsuccessful attempt by militants to blow up tracks.

Nearly a week ago, two dozen railway staff vacated their stations in North Cachar Hills and moved to Badarpur following the recurrent terror strikes on trains and tracks.

The employees, working at the 23 stations across the hill section, intimated the Northeast Frontier Railway authorities in both their primary headquarters in Maligoan and divisional headquarters in Lumding that they could no longer risk working under the shadow of rebels’ gun.

Over 250 railway employees are still on duty, trying to keep operations going in the railway section that was opened in 1904.

Movement of night trains, both passenger and goods, has been put on hold in this section since last January.

A skeletal service works during the day but that, too, is under threat following the recent attacks, despite the trains being armed with personnel carrying AK assault rifles, carbines, grenades and rocket launchers. Police’s assurances of a foolproof security plan, however, have failed to cut much ice with railway employees in the troubled zone. THE TELEGRAPH

NC Hills tense over train attacks

GUWAHATI, April 26: Entire NC Hills remained tense today following sporadic incidents of encounter between suspected DHD(J) militants and security forces. The first encounter occurred when militants attacked a goods train near Maibongdisa, leaving three security force personnel injured.

Train movement had been suspended in NC Hills following frequent attacks by suspected DHD(J) militants. The goods train was on a test run from Lumding to Haflong. The train was attacked by the militants, who were hiding on top of the surrounding hills, in between Mahur and Maibongdisa. While two of the injured belong to the Railway Protection Force, the other injured is an Assam Police commando. The train was later taken to Lower Haflong Railway Station and the injured were admitted in the Haflong Civil Hospital. The militants later attacked another goods train in the evening. The train was on a test run from Lumding to Haflong. There are no reports of any injury in the attack.

Meanwhile, a fierce encounter took place between Assam Police commandoes and suspected DHD(J) militants at Madoadisa, around 8 kms from Umrangso. The encounter was still on till the filing of this report. THE SENTINEL

Acute power cut in Barak Valley

SILCHAR, April 26: Come summer, the Barak Valley sweats out in extreme heat, punctuated by regular dose of power-cut, this year acute power crisis has already left an indication about what hard days are coming. Hours after hours of load shedding has not only made the lives of common people miserable, but also has affected the business community. A Central Assam Electricity Distribution Company Limited (erstwhile ASEB) source has informed that Barak Valley at present is getting 29 MW in day time and 41 MW in pick-hour, that is, in the evening till night against a daily requirement of 80 MW. Out of these, Panchgram feeder receives 18 MW, Pailapool feeder and Dullabcherra feeder gets 8 MW and 3 MW respectively daily. It is almost impossible to provide satisfactory service to the consumers if the gap between demand and supply is so vast, the source admits in a surrendering tone. Local ASEB officials are however optimistic that the situation will improve once the company starts purchasing power from various sources.

Meanwhile, steps are afoot to build up a sub-station at Mokamtilla near Saraspur, just five km away from Hailakandi town. An ASEB source informs that, this will lessen the burden of Panchgram sub-station and power supply to Hailakandi will be more hassle-free. Dipankar Nath, DGM (TNT), Bidyut Goswami, Deputy Manager of ASEB, Hailakandi and Subrata Biswas, Feeder Manager had made an on the-spot verification of the land for the proposed sub-station measuring 20 bighas. However, the process could only start if the Saraspur Tea Estate authority allows their land to be occupied by the ASEB.

ASEB officials had discussed the issue with garden Manager Gurpreet Singh who had reportedly assured that he would place the matter in Company’s governing body meet in Kolkata in the first week of May. THE SENTINEL

Silchar Collegiate School celebrates 36th anniversary

SILCHAR, April 26: Silchar Collegiate School celebrated its 36th Annual function in a befitting manner with a two-day long colourful programmes. Samar Kanti Roy Chowdhury, Principal of the school, in his inaugural speech on Friday said, Collegiate School began its sojourn on April 24, 1974. For the last 36 years, the institution had travelled a lot, but the aim was yet to be achieved.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Tapodhir Bhattacharjee, Vice-Chancellor of Assam University, recalled his school days as well as those days in Narsingh School where he first joined as a teacher. Bhattacharjee, who spoke in Bengali, explained that it might sound improper for many that he was not speaking in English in a function of an English medium school. But students should realize the importance and respect their mother tongue deserves, he added. Swami Satsadanandaji Maharaj of Silchar Ramkrishna Mission Sevasram, in his brief speech, stressed on building up of moral character of the budding students. He said spiritual education should be incorporated in the syllabus.

Partha Sarathi Chanda, Principal of GC College said, parents are the primary teacher to every child and parents should remember that the primary aim of education was not to get a lucrative job, but to become a good human being. Others who spoke in the inaugural function, presided over by Sujan Dutta, chairman of the governing body included DSA president Badal Dey, Partha Sarathi Chakraborty, secretary of Society of Guardians, TK Dutta Chowdhury and Subrata Paul. School magazine ‘Vanguard’ was unveiled by Swami Satsadanandaji Maharaj.

On Saturday, the function had an element of surprise as Deputy Commissioner donned the mantle of quiz master. Eminent journalist and former editor of The Sentinel DN Bezboruah’s presence added additional pleasant surprise in the function. THE SENTINEL

Silchar Hailakandi Election, Gautam Roy admits playing Hindu card in Karimganj

Silchar Hailakandi Election

SILCHAR, April 26: When Badruddin Ajmal’s AUDF started playing Muslim card nakedly, some truly secular Muslim people advised State’s Excise Minister Gautam Roy to make an endeavour to consolidate the Hindu votes. Roy did the same and now he was confident that in Karimganj, Congress candidate Lalit Mohan Shuklavaidya would win the seat with thumping majority. Today, this was disclosed by none other than Gautam Roy himself who indirectly maintained that Sontosh Mohan Dev should have adopted the same in Silchar. Roy, who is known as Dev-baiter, avoided a direct answer when asked whether Dev would win. Roy’s simple answer was– there would be a tough fight in Silchar though Ajmal would not be able to win. He however openly maintained that Muslims in Silchar should have voted for Dev as he had done a lot for the minority community.

Roy in a press meet held at his Silchar residence said, in his long political career he had never seen so much communal polarization in Barak Valley. “It was injected in the mindset of the common Muslims that AUDF is a party blessed by Allah. On the other hand, BJP tried to convince the Hindus that our day to day life miseries are because of Muslims”, maintaining this Roy hoped that this trend would be a temporary phenomenon, but if it lasts for long, the very secular fabric of the nation would be in great danger. A visibly frustrated Roy said, development seemed to have no impact on the voters as religion rules the entire process.

Roy did not even pretend to conceal the fact that in Silchar some mistakes committed by Dev and his MLA wife Bithika Dev had angered the common voters, particularly in Silchar town. He said, the pathetic road condition had made the people of the town impatient with the Dev duo. Roy said, he would now personally take up the matter as instructed by the Chief Minister.

Roy said if Shuklavaidya is elected, he would definitely raise the broadgauge issue in the Parliament, otherwise he would be forced to resign. Roy further claimed that the State government was committed in providing security to the trouble-torn NC Hills so that works for broadgauge conversion completes in an early date.

Roy openly admitted that the religion-based politics, as played by Ajmal, was a dangerous trend, particularly for a region like Barak Valley which shares border with Bangladesh. But he was optimistic that the design of the AUDF would never succeed as common Muslim people would not allow the AUDF to play this game again. A confident Roy said, in Karimganj, the main fight would be confined between Congress and AUDF, whereas BJP would not be in the picture even. Roy said, this time he did not even come to Silchar during the campaigning as he was not invited by Dev. Even when party president Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi visited Silchar, Roy was not present in the meeting. Roy today said clarifying that, he felt it wise to concentrate on his turf than to attend the meeting. THE SENTINEL

Road blocked after youth killed in accident

SILCHAR, April 26: Irate mob blocked the Silchar-Lakhipur Road for at least nine hours protesting the death of a youth who was killed in an accident on Saturday morning. One Botoi Ree (25), was killed when a Sumo (AS-11-E-0910) hit him near DLF power station at Tarapur Tea Estate at 9.30 am on Saturday. Ree succumbed to his injuries while he was taken to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital.

People of the locality blocked the road till night. Later officers from the administration assured them of providing Jeevan Jyoti Prakalpa to the bereaved family. An ex-gratia amount of Rs five thousand was handed over to Ree’s mother. Meanwhile, the driver of the killer Sumo Sonu Bhar, was picked up by police. Later, the local residents lifted the blocked. THE SENTINEL

Terrorism becoming a heavy industry: Bezboruah

SILCHAR, April 25: Terrorism has evolved as an industry in the North-eastern part of the country and in the near future, it would turn out to be a ‘heavy industry’ as the government has miserably failed to fight the militants, stated Dhirendra Nath Bezboruah, former editor of The Sentinel here in a get together with the journalist fraternity.

Bezboruah, who once headed the Editors Guild of India, said, unrestricted militancy has pushed back Asom to such a state that human life has no value and security. For the last couple of decades, no big industry has been established in Asom and hence the number of unemployed youths had grown massively. Government has failed both in containing militancy as well as providing job security to the youth, he added.

Bezboruah, in his brief speech at the get together, organized by the Cachar District Journalists Association, also criticized the present trend of journalism where some times, publishing a news was less profitable than not publishing it as the scribe or his employer was given more money to conceal the actual facts. However, he expressed optimism by maintaining that even in spite of gradual degradation of the journalistic moral, it was the fourth pillar of the democracy that could only save the nation as the two out of the three pillars had failed us already.

"But journalists should first ask themselves what they want. If they wish to mint money only, then please leave this profession", Bezbaruah maintained. He said, in no other country journalists did ever play so vital role in making the nation free from colonial rule. Traditionally in India, journalism had a missionary zeal as its epicenter. Bezbaruah openly said that democracy in our country had failed to reach the actual idealism of what it should have been as the elected representatives behave more as feudal lord than democrats.

"And here comes the role of journalists who could uphold the real picture in front of the common people. But unfortunately a section of journalists had also failed to take up the challenge", he lamented. Bezbaruah said, today city-based journalists were well-paid, but their morality seems to stoop.Cachar Deputy Commissioner Gautam Ganguly introduced Bezbaruah to the journalists of Silchar. Local Brngali daily Samayik Prasanga editor Taimur Raja Choudhury said Bezbaruah, as the editor of The Sentinel ushered in a renaissance in the field of journalism in this part of the country. Cachar District Journalists Association president Paritosh Paul Choudhury also spoke in the occasion. Later, Silchar chapter of Asom Xahitya Xabha accorded a warm reception to Bezbaruah in the evening. THE SENTINEL

Assam’s first hospital for women in Silchar

Shiva Sundari Narisikshasram hospital in Silchar
April 24: Assam’s first and only hospital for women, sprawled over six bighas of prime land in downtown Silchar, is turning over a new leaf.

Christened the Shiva Sundari Narisikshasram and Anti-Natal Clinic in 1934, the healthcare facility for women and children in this backward district is now well equipped, thanks to a handful of MPs and some charitable institutions.

The grants have come from the MP’s local area development fund of parliamentarians Arun Kumar Sarma, U.G. Brahma and Indramoni Borah.

Secretary of the hospital M. Syam, who is also a reputed doctor, said: “The cost of treatment is unbelievably cheaper compared to the present cost of hospitalisation.”

The initiative to serve the poor and the downtrodden came from its president Bimolangshu Roy, a Silchar-based lawyer and a former BJP legislator for two terms.

“I knew this old hospital had the potential to serve the poor in this neglected district and started mobilising necessary funds to turn this healthcare utility for women and children, the only one of its kind in Assam, into a modern one. It is now equipped with state-of-the-art gadgets that have so far remained out of bounds for the poor in this area,” Roy said.

As donations swelled, plans were drawn up for adding at least two multi-storey buildings and procuring the much-needed healthcare ancillaries to fulfil the wishes of its governing body to upgrade the hospital into a full-fledged entity.

Syam said within a short period a neonatal ICU, medicine, cardiology and paediatric outpatient departments, an immunisation programme under the guidelines of the World Health Organisation and a modern operation theatre with air-conditioning facility had been opened.

From a modest 12-bed hospital stagnating for many years in the pre-Independence era and even later, it is now a growing hospital with 60 beds in 38 cabins.

Not a speck of dust is to be found on the premises, thanks to the stringent cleanliness programme launched by the authorities. An incinerator has also been installed.

On an average, nearly 200 new patients throng this newly refurbished hospital, either for getting themselves admitted into or checked at the OPDs.

The hospital sprang to life in 1934 when a few social workers banded together to fulfil their dream of providing succour to deprived women by providing them with education, a source of livelihood and healthcare facilities.

The British administrators extended help. The Good Samaritans included former Assam governor Michael Keane, former director of the Delhi-based Maternity and Child Welfare Bureau, Ruth Young, and Cachar’s former civil surgeon Capt. R.A. Haythornwaite.

Local residents who contributed their mite included tea planters Bipul Chandra Gupta and Dinanath Das, lawyer and freedom fighter Arun Kumar Chanda and lawyer Hem Chandra Dutta. THE TELEGRAPH

SILCHAR Election, AUDF fears EVM manipulation

SILCHAR, April 24: Expressing confidence to win both the seats in Barak Valley, the AUDF however was apprehensive about the security of the strong-room, particularly one in Hailakandi’s SS College where they feared that state’s Minister Gautom Roy might manipulate the EVM’s.

AUDF working presided Hafiz Rashid Chowdhury had already brought the issue to the notice of the Election Commission.

It is to be noted that Roy had confidently announced that the Congress Candidate Lalit Mohan Shuklabaidya would with the Karimganj constituency by a thumping majority.
Chowdhury apprehended that Roy might have chalked out a blue-print to manipulate the EVM’s, particularly those kept in his home.

Chowdhury further said, people have observed an unbelievable AUDF wave in both the constituencies in Silchar and Karimganj and in the both the centres Congress stands no chance of wining.

Apprehending this Congress would now resort to foul play. Chowdhury hinted that AUDF had already urged upon the Election Commission to shift all the EVM’s from Hailakandi to Karimganj. Chowdhury, however admitted that in Karimganj, the security arrangement was comparatively better.

Chowdhury had also reportedly expressed apprehension about the security of the strong-room in Silchar. He said, AUDF Chief Badaruddin Ajmal would definitely win the Silchar seat and the reign of Santosh Mohan Dev would end this time.

A desperate Congress might attempt to manipulate the EVMS, he apprehended. THE SENTINEL

Karimganj Bar Association comes down heavily on Municipality

KARIMGANJ, April 24: The Karimganj district Bar Association came down heavily on the Karimganj Municipalty on the Master Drainage Project being constructed now. The Municipality is now being run by the State Government appointed administrator Debarshi Bhattacharjee who happens to be the elected chairman of the Karimganj Municipal Board which completed its full term recently this year.

But, the work of the project as being progressed seems to have disgusted not only the people of Karmganj but also the District Bar Association of Karimganj.

In a memorandum to the Karimganj Deputy Commissioner M Anghamuthu, the Bar Association was constrained to say, “We have no hesitation to say that all these works conducted at the instance of the Karimganj Municpality are of such a low and inferior grade that not only huge amount of public money have been mis-utilised and misappropriated, but it is causing and will cause inconvenience to the people in general.”

When contacted, president of the Bar Association Malikur Rahaman Choudhury told this correspondent of The Sentinel that the Municipality had narrowed down the width of some of the existing drains having 15 feet or so to a merely three feet. It is to be mentioned that with this act, the two main drains, namely Gait Khal and Boalmara Khasl were reduced drastically.

Karimganj district Bar Association secretary Subrato Kumar Paul pointed out that some of the RCC guard walls of the drainage project –near Ramkrishna Mission Road and Redcross Road collapsed within 15 days of construction.

Under these circumstances, he said, we have requested the Deputy Commissioner to stop further progress of the work. Instead of solving the water logging problem of the town, he apprehended, the citizens of the town may face more water logging problem.

In the memorandum submitted on Tuesday last, the Bar Association demanded spot enquiry and to take steps to make all the drains free from encroachment first and then to construct the drains as per the original width of the drains. THE SENTINEL

Railway employees plea for better security

: From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, April 24: Although militant attacks on trains running on the Lumding-Badarpur route by suspected DHD (J) militants have been on the rise in the recent times, Railway employees and staff have categorically informed the Deputy Railway Manager and local area Manager that they could not afford to risk their lives as the government has miserably failed in providing security to them.

In a letter to the concerned authorities, the railway staff alleged that the government had not made any security arrangements for the 27 station in Lumding-Badarpur route. They further said that Dimasa militants had strong base at areas like Bandarkhal, Damcherra, Ditekcherra, Diyamukh, Dijabra, Wadrengdisa, Phiding and Kalachand. Meanwhile, area manager Debashis Dhar Chowdhury had reportedly stated that rail transportation in the trouble-torn Lumding-Badarpur route has been stopped as at least four incidents of attack on running trains within a span of nine days had occurred killing a security personnel and injuring at least 15 passengers.
Meanwhile, Barak Valley has been facing scarcity of essential commodities. On the other hand, a bridge near Maruah at Doloo Tea Estate in Silchar-Haflong road had been washed away following massive rain today morning. THE SENTINEL

Tarun Gogoi hopeful of Cong victory

Assam Election

JORHAT, April 23 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said the Congress would definitely win more than the nine seats it had won in the State in 2004 due to the development work undertaken by his government, reports PTI. “Never before so much development work had been done in the state as it was done by my government. We have been successful in bringing in central funds for development. People will vote for development and we will increase our seats from last time”, a confident Chief Minister told newsmen after casting his vote for the the prestigious Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency in Jorhat town.

Gogoi exercised his franchise at polling booth number 83 set up in Debi Charan High School here. ASSAM TRIBUNE

Train service stalled in Lumding – Badarpur

Silchar, April 23: In the backdrop of renewed attacks on train in Lumding-Badarpur route by suspected DHD (J) militants, Railway employee and staff had categorically informed the Deputy Railway Manager and local area manager that they could not afford to risk their lives as the government had miserably failed in providing security to them.

In a letter to the concerned authorities, the railway staff alleged that the government had not made any security arrangement for the 27 station in Lumding-Badarpur route. They further said that Dimasa militants had strong base at area like Bandarkhal, Damcherra, Ditekcherra, Diyamukh, Dijabra, Wadrengdisa, Phiding and Kalachand. Meanwhile Area Manager Debashis Dhar Chowdhury had reportedly stated that rail transportation in the trouble-torn Lumding- Badarpur route had been stopped as at least four incidents of attack on running trains within a spam of nine days had occurred leaving a security personnel killed and at least 15 passengers injured.

Meanwhile, Barak Valley had been facing scarcity of essential commodities. On the other hand a bridge near Maruah at Doloo tea estate in Silchar – Haflong road had been washed away following massive on this morning. THE SENTINEL

Jauhari blames NFR for broad-gauge problem

SILCHAR, April 23: What is Black Widow? Manisha Chandra Jauhari asked Gautam Gangly to the utter disbelief of one of the journalist who asked the former, Commissioner for Barak Valley and NC Hills, about the fate of the Lumding-Silchar Broad-gauge and East-West Corridor, two jinxed national projects stalled halfway due to the terror unleashed by Black Widow, a Dimasa militant outfit.

It was no surprise for the journalists when Jauhari, who had been staying at Silchar Circuit House since Mach 29 argued that the violence by Dimasa militants was nothing in comparison to the Maoists in Andhra Pradesh. Jauhari’s argument was simple. Maoists blow up the whole train whereas in NC Hills, militants just pump bullets into the goods trains. He further went to add that the NF Railway authority lacks courage and will-power to run trains in the Lumding- Badarpur route. And finally, the commission ended up with the advice to the common people to launch agitation for broad-gauge.

But agitation against whom? Jauhari, had a readymade answer to this, too. “Against the NF Railways,” he quipped in. He said NF Railway officers were to be blamed for the problems in the Lumding- Badarpur route.

Jauhari, surprised everyone by asking the mediapersons to build up public agitation for the broad-gauge. However, he tried to sell dreams by predicting that one day people of Barak Valley could reach Guwahati by Satapdi Express. But when? Jauhari, again pointed his fingers to the ‘erring’ NF Railways.

Meanwhile, Cachar Deputy Commissioner Gautam Ganguly tried to tackle the situation at the press-meet by informing that Army’s 44 Mountain Brigade had been closely monitoring the situation in the Lumding-Badarpur route.

He further assured that there would not be any scarcity of essential commodities in case disruption in rail service as the district had essential commodities in stock sufficient for at least two months. THE SENTINEL

The AUDF in Assam

Assam Election

There seems to considerable speculation not only about how the Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) is going to fare in the on-going Lok Sabha elections, but also about what the emergence of the AUDF as a major factor in the polity of Asom is going to do to the political equations in the State. The first point that needs to be made about the AUDF is that it is a communal political party and that its raison d’être is to strengthen the Bangladeshi element in the polity of the State and to work for the creation of an Islamic state in the region through another partition of the country. As such, if the Congress relies a great deal on the partially illegal Bangladeshi vote-bank to win elections in Asom, the AUDF depends exclusively on the same vote-bank. In a sense, therefore, the AUDF exists and is in a position to pose a major threat to the existence of Asom in its present form largely because of what the Congress has done to encourage illegal immigration from former East Pakistan and present Bangladesh. In a word, therefore, the AUDF has had its genesis in this single misdeed of the Congress.

Given this scenario and given the pretence that the Congress has had to sustain over the years that all Bangladeshis in Asom are Indian citizens, it would seem that non-Congress political parties should keep the AUDF at arms length while the Congress could afford to think of an alliance with this communal party. However, news reports would indicate that the very opposite of this is happening. There are hotly contested reports about the BJP-AGP combine extending the proverbial olive branch to the AUDF while the Congress has kept its distance from the party despite the Congress high command’s inclination to forge some kind of a link with it. For once, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is right in not wanting to have anything to do with the AUDF. Quite obviously, he would like to see the AUDF merge with the Congress one of these days so that the AUDF has no separate existence in the days to come. This is something that the Congress has always been good at. Be that as it may, Tarun Gogoi was able to reap a rich harvest of non-Bangladeshi indigenous votes in the Assembly elections of 2006 when he wanted to know who Badaruddin Ajmal was at a time when the dyed-in-wool regional party, the AGP, even wanted to forge an alliance with it. True, he cannot say that any more, but he can still refuse to have an alliance with the AUDF. This political party, which has united only the East Pakistanis and Bangladeshis in the State, has nothing democratic about it and it is not a party that the indigenous population of Asom wants to have anything to do with. And regardless of the fact that the Congress depends heavily on the same vote-bank that the AUDF relies on exclusively, there are many in the State who feel that an AUDF majority is very different from a Congress majority. In fact, there are people who even feel that the heavens will indeed fall if there is an AUDF majority but that nothing of the sort will happen as long as the Congress is in power. This may not be a very accurate assessment of our political future because the dependence of the Congress on the Bangladeshis was quite evident even in the days of the late Hiteswar Saikia who had to retract his statement in the Legislative Assembly that there were about three million Bangladeshis in the State almost immediately after making it. Today, the situation is a lot worse if anything with the State government having to dissociate itself from the killing of the seven HuJI activists in Dhubri a few months before the serial blasts of October 30, 2008. Quite a lot of people in the know of things are convinced that the culprits of the serial blasts have gone undetected because the Bangladeshi lobby does not want them to be apprehended. Even so, the major difference between the Congress in power in the State and an AUDF-led government will be that even the fig leaf of ‘secularism’ that the Congress is able to flaunt today will have to be dropped once the AUDF is in power around 2011. That it has very intense and serious ambitions of being in the corridors of power should be evident from the fact that it has already told the people of the State how they must all dress in lungis and caps. At least that is something the Congress is unlikely to do. It will keep up a pretence of things being hunky-dory in Asom until the leaders who flee this State have the time to get their houses in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Bangalore, Mumbai or Pune vacated and to move in. The difference will be only marginal, but the pretence will make it seem vital. THE SENTINEL

Dead Aburam finds it difficult to remain alive officially !

KARIMGANJ, April 22: Aburam Das, son of late Joychand Das cast his vote in the Lok Sabha poll of Karimganj (SC) constituency on April 16 this year at a polling booth under Ratabari (SC) LA constituency. As per the certified copy of the electoral roll of 2005, the name of Aburam Das (56) and his wife appeared against serial number 759 and 760 of house no. 198 under part 54, covering Amarkhal and Rajarampur areas of Ratabari (SC) constituency.

But as per a government document, Aburam expired in the year 1995. The case in brief was that, Chargola branch of the United Bank of India under Ratabari PS area had lodged an FIR on October 21, 2000 on the basis of which police arrested him and subsequently released on bail. A GR case (no. 1044/2000) had been lodged and in the year 2003 and the case was dropped by the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) on the ground that ‘the report of police in the backside of summon of accused Aburam Das which reveals that the accused expired in the year 1995’. Accordingly, the case was dropped by the SDJM due to the death of the accused. Now the question arises as to how a person, who expired in the year 1995 according to government document, can cast his vote in the year 2009.

Aburam while talking to this correspondent, expressed his anguish over the entire matter and sought justice from the government. During the last six years, he said, he had written several registered letters to the President of India, Prime Minister, Chairman of Human Rights Commission, Chief Minister of Asom, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi, BJP leader LK Advani, Union Minister SM Deb, Deputy Commissioner of Karimganj, Superintendent of Police, Karimganj, etc but the matter had not been given due importance though the President of India and the Chief Minister among others received his letter. Dead Aburam is unable to remain alive officially despite his efforts over the years since 2003. THE SENTINEL

No security loopholes in strong room: Gautom Ganguly

SILCHAR, April 22: Rumours are running over in Silchar over the security of EVMs kept in the ISBT at Ramnagar in Silchar. Barring the AUDF, all the major political parties in Silchar had expressed doubts about the security arrangements in the ISBT. But a section of media had been found publishing some reports about the security at ISBT, indirectly erecting a clout over the transparency of the district administration. Gautom Ganguly, the Returning Officer had reacted sharply against them and claimed that security arrangement in the ISBT was foolproof. He pooh-poohed the reports that the Election Commissioner had show caused him for not returning the additional as well as defective EVMs in due time. Ganguly said, no such show cause notice had been served to him as no irregularities had been committed. He said, security personnel had been maintaining close vigil on the strong room from the make-shift bunkers and even he had not been allowed to enter into the rooms. Entire process starting from sealing the EVM to depositing then in the strong room had been videographed. Ganguly said with confidence that the election on April 16 was peaceful, so would be the counting on May 16. THE SENTINEL

Train service stopped in Lumding-Badarpur route

SILCHAR, April 22: In the backdrop of renewed attacks on train in Lumding-Badarpur route by suspected DHD (J) militants, Railway employees and staffs had categorically informed the Deputy Railway Manager and local Area Manager that they could not afford to risk their lives as the government had miserably failed in providing security to them.

In a letter to the concerned authorities, the railway staff alleged that the government had not made any security arrangement for the 27 station in Lumding-Badarpur route. They further said that, Dimasa militants had strong base at areas like– Bandarkhal, Damcherra, Ditekcherra, Diyamukh, Dijabra, Wadrengdisa, Phiding and Kalachand. Meanwhile, Area Manager Debashis Dhar Chowdhury had reportedly stated that rail transportation in the trouble-torn Lumding- Badarpur route had been stopped at least at four incidents of attacks on running trains within a span of nine days, leaving a security personal killed and at least 15 passengers injured.

Meanwhile, Barak Valley had been facing scarcity of essential commodities. On the other hand, a bridge near Maruah at Doloo tea estate in Silchar – Haflong road had been washed away following massive rain today morning. THE SENTINEL

AUDF fears EVM manipulation

Silchar Lok Sabha Election
SILCHAR, April 22: Expressing confidence of winning both the seats in Barak Valley, the AUDF however was apprehensive about the security of the strong room, particularly one in Hailakandi’s SS College where, they feared that, State’s Minister Gautom Roy might manipulate the EVM’s. AUDF working president Hafiz Rashid Chowdhury had already reportedly brought the issue to the notice of the Election Commission. It is to be noted that Roy had confidently announced that the Congress candidate Lalit Mohan Shuklabaidya would win the Karimganj constituency by a thumping majority. Chowdhury apprehended that Roy might have chalked out a blue-print to manipulate the EVM’s, particularly those kept in his home town, Hailakandi. Chowdhury further said, people had observed an unbelievable AUDF wave in both the constituencies in Silchar and Karimganj and in the both the centres, Congress stands no chance of winning. Apprehending this, Congress would now resort to foul play. Chowdhury hinted that AUDF had already urged upon the Election Commission to shift all the EVM’s from Hailakandi to Karimganj. Chowdhury, however admitted that in Karimganj, the security arrangement was comparatively better. Chowdhury had also reportedly expressed apprehension about the security of the strong room in Silchar. He said, AUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal would definitely win the Silchar seat and the reign of Sontosh Mohan Dev would end this time. A desperate Congress might attempt to manipulate the EVMS, he apprehended. THE SENTINEL

Tea Estate votes to decide Sontosh Mohan Dev’s fate

Silchar Election

SILCHAR, April 21: Not the usual Muslim vote-bank, this time in Silchar, 1,85,244 tea garden labour votes would play the decisive role. Indicating this, a reliable source in the Congress party said that like previous years, Sontosh Mohan Dev would not be able to maintain a decisive local in Lakhipur and Udharbond Legislative Assembly segments.

In 2004, Dev who won the battle by a narrow margin of 20,000 votes trailed in Silchar and Dholai LA segments. Dev got 35,112 votes in Silchar against 49,032 got by BJP’s Kabindra Purkayastha who got 36,811 votes. But, Dev covered the gap mainly in Lakhipur where he got 41,282 votes and Purkayastha polled with 26,042. In Udharbond too, Dev maintained a local of almost 2,000 votes which ultimately sealed the fate of the BJP candidate.

But this time, the picture is different. AUDF boss Badarulddin Ajmal has snatched away the lions share of Muslim votes, even the Congress also admitted of this. Ajmal’s strategy to field a tea tribe candidate in Karimganj would also play as dividend in Silchar. Lakshmi Orang, the Beltola tragedy girl failed to impress her fellow labourers in Silchar but in some gardens, AUDF would definitely make an entry for the first time.

State Urban Development Minister Dinesh Prasad Goala, who respects Lakhipur is the Asom Assembly confidently claimed that this time too Dev would get decisive majority in this LA segment where the garden votes constitute 33.98 per cent. Goala who is also the general secretary of powerful Cachar Cha Sramik Union, however admitted that the BJP would this time got some votes in certain pockets. Even, Goala who sought nomination for party ticket, had reportedly did not shed much sweat this time. Relation between Dev and Goala started to sour since 2004 and it was worst in 2006 when Dev allegedly put pressure on party high command not to include Goala in Gogois cabine. For the last couple of years, cold war between these two powerful leaders has divided the entire party. But Dev did not seem to realize it. Even in Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s last election rally in Silchar in the last part of March, Dev embarrassed party workers by demanding clarification from Goala about his achievements. Some die-hard Dev fans had reportedly suggested him to make a truce with Goala, who had a considerable influence over the garden votes but Dev did not accept the suggestion. However, on the day of the Sonia Gandhi rally, Gogoi and PCC president Bhubaneswar Kalita had reportedly asked Goala to ensure maximum votes in Lakhipur. Goala in his close circuit had admitted that he was expecting a call from Dev. Talking to The Sentinel, Goala however claimed that in spite of Ajmal factor, Dev would surely win the seat. But in the backdrop of apparent arithmetic, Goala’s claim lacked much substantial. Dev used to win the Silchar seat mainly viding on Muslim and garden votes. So, the question remains what the garden votes would do? THE SENTINEL

Demands for opening of LLM course in Assam University (AU)

HAILAKANDI, April 20: Students of Law faculty (5 years integrated LLB course) and their guardians demanded opening of LLM course in Assam University (AU).

In a memorandum submitted to the Vice-Chancellor by the guardians, requested for opening of the course from the academic session 2009-10 for the interest of the students, as the students intending to undergo studies in LLB will have to face so many hazards including financial losses, as most of the guardians are not capable of it, rather they are agreed to pay the extra fees for the development of infrastructure of the Law faculty, copies of which were sent to the President of India, Chairman, UGC, HRD Ministry and other concerned authorities.

The Vice-Chancellor assured the guardians’ delegation that the matter would be considered. In a press release issued here today, the guardians’ spokesman told that they cannot send their students outside the state as because they would be always in tension due to law and order situation, moreover, financial problems are another factor for them. THE SENTINEL

Health infrastructure to be improved under NRHM scheme
HAILAKANDI, April 20: Under NRHM scheme, the health infrastructure in the district is going to be improved in all aspects. Pharmacies in all health centres in Block level in this district have been opened by deputing Pharmacists. Lala, Katlicherra, Algapur and Hailakandi Pharmacies are supplying medicines free of cost. District Drug Manager Chandra Shekhar Mohan informed that, under NRHM Yojna, in every health centre will get pharmacy in phased manner and adequate medicines would be provided free of cost. Every Block pharmacy would be connected under on-line network within six months– added the Drug Manager. THE SENTINEL

Army traps kidnapper-cum-extortionist duo
SILCHAR, April 20: On April 18, in yet another incident, a team of 72 Field Regiment trapped Dilwas Hussain, (25) and Abdul Zalil (65) father of Dilwar Hussain, both resident of Borthol under PS Badarpur, a kidnapper-cum-extortionist duo in Algapur market area, from Hailakandi district.

The duo had kidnapped a minor Sayamuddin Talikdar (15), resident of Labharputa-I, Bihara, who used to earn his bread by working in stone qauarries and construction site near Shillong. After interrogation, the kidnappers were identified to be operating in Indo-Bangladesh border affiliated areas. It was also learnt that the culprit’s son and father duo had held the minor captive for the last 15 days. Reliable sources also confirmed that, the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of Rs 20,000 from the minor’s guardians.

A trap was laid by the Army in Algapur area to nab the criminals red-handed, while they would be executing the deal. A foolproof and a stealth oriented operation led to the release of the kidnapped minor and successful apprehension of the kidnappers-cum-extortionist duo, who were later handed over to the police. THE SENTINEL

Lumding-Badarpur Gauge conversion to finish by 2010

SILCHAR, April 20: Gauge conversion works in the Silchar-Badarpur-Harangajae rail track are going on in full swing and the Broad Guage line on this 76 kilometre long portion will be completed in August 2010, stated a press release.This information was revealed in a meeting held at the Commissioner Hills and Barak Valley Divisions. This meeting was called by Jauhari to review the progress of gauge conversion in South Asom.

The meeting also informed that the target for gauge conversion in Lumding-Badarpur will be completed before the target date. NF Railway Deputy Chief engineer SP Deshmukh said in the meeting that 95 per cent of earth work, 80 per cent of minor bridge work 70 per cent of major bridge work and 100 per cent of four tunnels have been completed. This was stated in a press release. THE SENTINEL