North East - Developments & Debate

[RAM]

DoNER nod for road project across N-E

The ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has approved road projects of Rs 434 crore across the five states of Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Manipur and Mizoram.

The road projects have been approved as part of the ongoing 11th plan projects of the North Eastern Council (NEC),Quoting DoNER minister Bijoy Krishna Handique, the release said that the road projects would boost connectivity between the states as well as connectivity within the states.

"The NEC is committed towards channelising similar quantum of funds for improving the road sector in the region," said Handique.The projects include improvement of Jowai-Nartiang-Khanduli-Biathanlangsu road at an estimated cost of Rs 138.36 crore which will link Assam and Meghalaya.

The Assam portion is of 59.55 km and would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 71 crore. The Meghalaya portion, which is of 54.80 km, would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 67.36 crore. The date of completion for the project has been fixed as March, 2014.

Construction and improvement of Simchuthang-Pabong-Yangyang road, in Sikkim, at an estimated cost of Rs 62.84 crore too has been sanctioned by the ministry. The project, which is of 23 km in length, will be completed by March 2013.

The ministry has also sanctioned the improvement of Kangokpi-Tamei road, which is 70.25 kms in length and in Manipur, at an estimated cost of Rs 87 crore.The project is scheduled to be completed by March 2013.

Among others, upgradation of 115.20 km Sherkhan-Bhagabazar road, at an estimated cost of Rs 146.03 crore, too has been sanctioned by the DoNER ministry.The expenditure for the various road projects would be met from the plan funds of NEC to the extent of 90 per cent of the approved cost and the remaining 10 per cent would be borne by respective state governments. The projects will be implemented by the Public Works Department (PWD) of the respective state governments
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/doner-nod-for-road-project-across-n-e/424005/

 

[ajtr]

ULFA may stick to 'sovereignty'​

Even as there have been speculations over whether the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) had given up its demand for sovereignty following release of its leaders on bail, the outfit Thursday gave clear indications that there was no chance it would forgo its "basic" demand.
In fact, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa would probably ask the government to include the "sovereignty" issue in the first round of talks scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 9 and 10.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had three years ago agreed to discuss all "core issues" with the ULFA. For the outfit "sovereignty" is one of its core issues.

"We have not taken any decision for giving up the demand for sovereignty. Nothing of that sort had come up when our central executive council and general council met recently," a senior ULFA leader, who refused to be named, told The Indian Express.

The ULFA central executive council met in Nalbari last week despite the absence of commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, who has refused to join the peace process, and general secretary Anup Chetia.

The Union Home Ministry last week fixed February 9 and 10 as tentative dates for the first round of talks with the ULFA. The outfit on Thursday said that it would make a formal announcement on the proposed talks on Saturday.

Union Home Secretary G K Pillai is likely to head the government side and Home Minister P Chidambaram is likely to attend the opening round on day one. Former IB chief P C Haldar, who is the Centre's interlocutor, will also be present. Haldar has already held several meetings with Rajkhowa and other ULFA leaders in the past few weeks.

The Centre is understood to have convinced ULFA leaders to sit for the "preliminary" discussions without any preconditions from either side. Rajkhowa, who was released on bail on January 1, had written to Assam CM Tarun Gogoi, expressing willingness to sit for talks without preconditions.

 

[Oracle]

6 WWF volunteers abducted at Manas
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 7 - Security operations are under way in an area under Manas Tiger Reserve to extract six young volunteers abducted by an unidentified armed group on February 6. According to official sources, local people have joined efforts in seeking the release of the three women and three men who were volunteering for WWF-India near the Ultapani area of Kokrajhar district.
According to an WWF-India personnel, the six volunteers are Syed Naushad Zaman of Golaghat, Srabana Goswami of Guwahati, Gautam Kishore Sarma, Pallavi Chakravarty of Shillong, Pranjal Saikia of Nagaon and Tarali Goswami of Nalbari.

The volunteers were working as a team in a WWF-India survey on Tiger Occupancy in the Manas Tiger Reserve and were collaborating with a local NGO. Yesterday two others who were also abducted were released, but the six WWF volunteers were held back, he added.

Ultapani range, where the abduction took place, lies in the western part of Manas Tiger Reserve close to the border with Bhutan. The area contains difficult terrain as it is situated in the foothills of Eastern Himalaya.

A senior BTC official, who is presently in Bhutan, told The Assam Tribune over phone that all possible efforts were being made to secure the release of the young volunteers. "We have held meetings with local people, who have also demanded the safe return of the innocent volunteers," he mentioned.

He revealed that a meeting has taken place in which senior district officials were present, and added that a strategy to resolve the issue has been discussed.

Several non-governmental scientific and conservation organisations working in North East India, including WWF-India, Wildlife Trust of India, Aaranyak, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Dolphin Foundation, EcoSystems-India today appealed for the safe and immediate release of six conservation volunteers suspected to have been abducted on Sunday afternoon from the Ultapani forests in Chirang.

The NGOs hoped, "good sense will prevail and the abducted conservation volunteers will be immediately released unharmed in order to enable the civil society organisations and their workers to contribute towards nature conservation". This will ensure environmental security as well as better quality of life for all, especially for the communities living in and around the forested areas.

Our Correspondent adds: An FIR has been lodged at Bismuri OP under Kokrajhar PS in this connection. The group of WWF-India volunteers came to the area for wildlife census on January 31 and started work in collaboration with local NGOs. Police have suspected the involvement of anti-talk NDFB faction. Personnel from BSF, SSB and Army have intensified combing operations for the rescue of those abducted.

Source

 

[Oracle]

Paresh Barua rejects ULFA talks with Govt
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 7 – The split with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has widened with the hardline faction of the outfit hitting out against the pro-talk group. The hardliners headed by commander-in-chief Paresh Barua also made it clear that they would not be a part of the process of talks.
In a statement to the media, publicity wing in charge of the ULFA, Arunodoi Dohotiya said that a meeting of the ULFA was held in the general headquarters of the outfit on February 5 and 6 to discuss the present situation. The meeting was attended among others, by Paresh Barua and Jiban Moran, the statement said.

The meeting declared the general council meeting organized by ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and other leaders, who were released from jail recently as unconstitutional. The meeting further said that they would not be involved in the proposed peace talks with the Government of India as it would be against the aims and objectives of the ULFA.

It may be mentioned here that the first round of talks between the Government and the ULFA is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 10 and the pro-talk group has already announced its decision to sit in talks without any pre-condition.

Source

 

[Oracle]

Hunger strike by displaced people continues

AGARTALA, Feb 7 – The relay hunger strike launched by the displaced people due to erection of barbed wire fencing along 856-km-long Indo-Bangla border completed the sixth day today.
Subal Bhowmick, president of Simanta Bhumi Suraksha Committee, said, "The internally displaced people would continue their movement unless they are given written assurance by the govt that they will be properly rehabilitated."

Tripura's 856-km-long border with Bangladesh has been fenced along 675 km to check infiltration of illegal migrants and stop Indian insurgents from fleeing to Bangladesh.

The major demands of these people include publication of names of 8,500 families, construction of fencing along zero-point to save Indian soil, government job for each affected family and allotment of alternative land for them.

He said displaced people from all parts of the State plan to assemble in Agartala for a rally on February 14. – PTI

Source

 

[Oracle]

Nagas burn down Disoi reserve forest area
CORRESPONDENT
JORHAT, Feb 7 – The thick forest of the vast land at Ao Sungthia of the Disoi Valley Reserve Forest beside the rivulet Chirakhati under Sonowal forest beat has been burnt down by Naga miscreants during the last few days. The forests on about seven hills in the disputed Assam-Nagaland border area were cleared by the miscreants for jhum cultivation.
Though the spot is only six kilometres away from the Mariani town and the Mariani Range Office, the Forest Department officials pitiably failed to stop the devastation of forest by the miscreants.

"The Naga miscreants are now preparing to burn down the forest on other hillocks of the nearby area of Ao Sungthia," an eyewitness from the area told this correspondent.

It is pertinent to mention here that a vast forest land of the Tiru Hills Reserve Forest had been turned to ashes last year, but then too the Forest Department failed to conduct an inquiry into it.

According to a source, tea plantations are done on the vast cleared forest area in the Tiru Hills Reserve Forest. The owners of the plantation are forced to pay a certain amount of 'tax' to the Nagas.

As per Naga custom, it is learnt, the chairman of the village council and head of the village (gaonburha) can determine the process the taxation. So, ultimately, these areas are bound to come within the revenue areas of the neighbouring State in course of time.

As many as 18 villages have been set up inside the two reserve forests of Assam – Disoi Valley and Tiru Hills Reserve Forest – by the Naga people till date. As the State Forest Department failed to stop the encroachment inside the reserve forest, the vast forest land gradually turned into populous Naga villages.

Source

 

[Rage]

6 WWF volunteers abducted at Manas
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 7 - Security operations are under way in an area under Manas Tiger Reserve to extract six young volunteers abducted by an unidentified armed group on February 6. According to official sources, local people have joined efforts in seeking the release of the three women and three men who were volunteering for WWF-India near the Ultapani area of Kokrajhar district.
According to an WWF-India personnel, the six volunteers are Syed Naushad Zaman of Golaghat, Srabana Goswami of Guwahati, Gautam Kishore Sarma, Pallavi Chakravarty of Shillong, Pranjal Saikia of Nagaon and Tarali Goswami of Nalbari.

The volunteers were working as a team in a WWF-India survey on Tiger Occupancy in the Manas Tiger Reserve and were collaborating with a local NGO. Yesterday two others who were also abducted were released, but the six WWF volunteers were held back, he added.

They had better the heck do something about this soon.

Paresh Barua rejects ULFA talks with Govt

Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 7 – The split with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has widened with the hardline faction of the outfit hitting out against the pro-talk group. The hardliners headed by commander-in-chief Paresh Barua also made it clear that they would not be a part of the process of talks.
In a statement to the media, publicity wing in charge of the ULFA, Arunodoi Dohotiya said that a meeting of the ULFA was held in the general headquarters of the outfit on February 5 and 6 to discuss the present situation. The meeting was attended among others, by Paresh Barua and Jiban Moran, the statement said.

Paresh Barua's colors exposed. Any faction, negotiating from a point of weakness and refusing to engage in pro-peace talks with the stronger, is an agent of a foreign hand.


Paresh Baruah with his Money and Gun supreme struggle

: Priyanuj Gohain, February 08, 2011


While entire Assam is holding its breath for the peace talks between Government and ULFA leaders to officially commence in few days, the most debated question have been whether the talks would be fruitful without ULFA C-in-C Paresh Baruah faction participating in the same. There is no doubt that Paresh Baruah's actual involvement in the talks was important, – but the avid question is why exactly he has kept himself away from the process although there was scope of discussing Sovereignty of Assam in the name of unconditional talks.

One the best footballers that Assam had produced, Paresh Baruah himself had opposed the decision to held the National games in Assam, an event which would have promoted not only sports but also tourism and a chance for economic growth. So much so that the several retired and current sportsmen had to request Baruah publicly for lifting the ban on the games.

Paresh Baruah has been quoted as a hard nut, a merciless rebel highly esteemed in the International spree and he has been able to hide himself from every intelligence agency of the world inspite of being a World's Most Wanted. At one end when hardcore rebel leaders like Prabhakaran of LTTE, could not escape from Intelligence and was traced, when even Bin Laden was traced on occasions, Baruah has been living in complete secrecy. A trait which has bewildered Government, Intelligence agencies of the world throughout years and decade. He had successfully positioned himself as a mystery man, an enigma. But to do this, he had cut himself off completely from his organization's grass root and middle leadership level, the most important section for driving a tight organization. Due to his self created mysterious image, Baruah has unknowingly created only a Frankenstein.

Baruah's extra-merciless attitude, his bashing of Assamese Intellectuals at various periods of time (example the recent media conflict with Dr Hiren Gohain) has only set him back with regards to public relations. In fact he has never been able to explain the killing his own nephew who was also a cadre of the outfit, carried at Baruah's orders for yet unknown reasons. The question is if his own elder sister cannot have a reason for her son's killing, what stand does others, – the common people stand for an explanation or atleast a condolence all the killings that has ripped Assam due to violence's carried out at his orders. This very Mercenary character of Baruah has hit him badly and his public appeal has suffered a huge unrecoverable loss.

However he seems to have understood this of late and is now trying hard to make amends by publishing his own photos and videos of Bihu dancing (an appeal to showcase himself as a common Assamese).

Few years back, when Prabhakaran and LTTE were wiped away, there was an article published in a vernacular newspaper of Assam. The article depicted and illustrated how and why the LTTE had failed and it was written none other than by Paresh Baruah himself. And now when ULFA struggle itself is on the edge, can the same man analyze his own acts and organization in not only constitutional terms, but also in terms of future strategy, diplomatic and political policy.

At this critical situation when suffering of the population has reached its heights, – lack of employment, lack of democracy, peaks of corruption, sky rocketing cost of living, ethnic clashes and lack of justice, the common people is only looking with hopeful eyes at the pro-talk ULFA leadership to gain & bring some conclusive peace and rights to the cause of Assam. Whether this last hope washes away or succeeds, it depends on the actions of the Paresh Baruah Fraction as well. Although Baruah keeps on making big claims, whether he truly represents the blood of those 12,000 martyrs of Assam who has sacrificed their lives in this armed struggle will be proved only when he comes together with the current Assamese aspiration for peace and conclusion. But if he chooses to continue with more bloodshed, violence and stray away from public aspirations once again, it will prove that he has only been blinded and deluded by power, not love for his motherland. This is what Late Parag Kumar Das alerted ULFA about long time back, – the abuse of Power gained through Money and Gun.


Times of Assam- Paresh-baruah-with-his-money-and-gun-.....

 

[Oracle]

3 abducted WWF-India volunteers released
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 8 – Three young women who were part of a group of six persons abducted by armed men on Sunday from Manas Tiger Reserve were released this evening, according to Kokrajhar SP, PK Dutta. Sources in WWF – India have also confirmed the news.
The three women Srabana Goswami, Tarali Goswami, and Pallavi Chakravarty, were released around 6.15 pm at Bengtol close to the India-Bhutan border, the police said and added that they would get to meet their guardians tonight itself.

Police are hopeful that the three male hostages would be released unharmed very soon.

Negotiations between the abductors and those seeking release of six WWF-India volunteers had started after a channel of communication was established. A source in WWF-India confirmed that a senior personal of the organisation based in Assam was able to talk with two male hostages this morning. He was told that all of them were unharmed.

He added that the WWF was seeking the support of all peace-loving people and conservation workers who have been distraught over the highly unfortunate incident.

Meanwhile, the police and paramilitary forces are also monitoring the situation, and it is believed that they have already gathered some information about those behind the abduction. However, the police continued to be tightlipped about the strategy that would be adopted if the release did not take place soon.

It may be mentioned that six young researchers were abducted by an armed group on the afternoon of February 6 from Ultapani area of Manas Tiger Reserve. The three young women and three men were engaged in carrying out a survey on Tiger Occupancy when they were taken away.

Source

 

[Oracle]

WWF-India call to free abducted volunteers
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 8 – Expressing serious concern over the well-being of their volunteers who were abducted on February 6 by an armed group and three of which were yet to be set free, WWF-India today made an urgent appeal for their immediate release.
In a statement released to the media, it mentioned that the volunteers were abducted from an area near Ultapani in Chirang Reserve Forest on Sunday the afternoon. They were part of the WWF team carrying out tiger habitat occupancy surveys in the area.

"These committed individuals were working towards helping to conserve the important biodiversity of the area for the larger benefit of the local community, the state and the region. Conservation is an apolitical activity that contributes to the well-being of people, society and nature".

The official statement mentioned, "We are deeply distressed that our innocent volunteers, while carrying out field work which has no bearing on any political agenda, have been made the target of an armed group."

Along with the families of the volunteers, WWF-India have appealed to the group and individuals involved in the abduction for the safe and immediate release of all those innocent individuals. "We also thank the Bodoland Territorial Council, local administration, civil society groups, the media and others for their continued support in trying to resolve this crisis, it said.

We are hopeful that this appeal will be heard and responded to," the statement added.

Source

 

[Oracle]

CAG finds flaw in PDS beneficiary list
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 8 – The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has found that the Food and Civil Supplies Department of the State neither conducted any survey for identification of beneficiaries nor followed the survey conducted by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department in 1998-99, to select the beneficiaries of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) for the Public Distribution System (PDS).
The status as of September 2007, as per the BPL census of 2002, was also not taken into consideration while selecting the beneficiaries for the purpose, said the CAG in its report (No. 7) on the performance of the State's PDS for the period that ended on March 31, 2010.The eligible families were denied and ineligible families received benefits under the scheme due to old and inaccurate data of identified beneficiaries, the report said.

It has further stated that the consumers were overburdened owing to higher selling price of PDS items. The retail prices of the items were found to be higher by Rs 0.12 to Rs 0.41 per kg for the plain areas and by Rs 0.23 to Rs 0.52 per kg for hill areas compared to the prices approved by the Government, said the report.

In this report, the CAG has also stated that the allocation and lifting of PDS commodities were not done on the basis of actual position of authorised ration card holders. Moreover, it has stated, food items were provided to Above Poverty Line (APL) beneficiaries without ration cards.

The CAG has stated in the said report that implementation of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the State suffered due to the non-finalisation of the beneficiaries' lists after proper survey to ascertain the actual number of households or beneficiaries.

Further, it has stated that the unauthorised ration cards in the system, short-allocation and lifting of foodgrain, delayed distribution of foodgrain, charging of higher retail price, undue benefit to flour mills etc., are also afflicting the PDS in the State.

There were inadequate or improper storage facilities causing storage loss of foodgrain and affecting the chain and timeliness of distribution and quality of foodgrain.

Considering the distribution of PDS items at the end level, shortallocation and lifting of foodgrain at different levels had the cascading effect of reducing the scale of distribution to the beneficiaries.

The Department (Food and Civil Supplies) failed to optimally utilise financial assistance for construction of storage godowns, purchase of mobile vans and establishment of village grain banks. Quality of foodgrain distributed remained questionable due to absence of quality control mechanism.

Monitoring was lax leading to improper documentation at fair price shops, gaon panchayat samabay samittees, sub-divisional level and absence of mandatory checks by vigilance committee, departmental officers and special area officers, said the CAG in its report.

Source

 

[Oracle]

Rail project completion in Nagaland by 2015
Correspondent
DIMAPUR, Feb 8 – The Central Government wants to complete the Dimapur-Zuba rail project by 2015 while the new Greenfield Airport at Chiethu in Kohima is under plan but the date of completion is yet to be fixed.
An official bulletin stated that the Central Government has accorded priority to linking the capitals of Northeastern States to mainlines by rail, road and air routes.

Up to date, Kohima, the capital town of the State, is connected only by National Highways. The much anticipated railway link connecting Dimapur to Zubza continues to be embroiled in delays with the Railway Ministry still at the negotiating stage through Northeast Frontier Railways and the State Government over the 'exorbitant' demands of affected landowners.

However, despite all obstacles, the Central Government is reported to be contemplating the completion of the project by March 2015.

On the other hand, sources said the proposed Chiethu Airport to air connect the State capital is slipping into a distant dream. As per the project report, a runway of about 2.2 kilometres in length is being proposed at a cost of about Rs 1,231 crore which includes other aspects of the complete project.

Official sources revealed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has plans for the new Greenfield airport at Chiethu but said no dates have been given for likely completion.

Mention may be made here that the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2006 earmarked three proposed Greenfield airports for the North East – Itanagar, Gangtok and Kohima. While Itanagar Airport in Arunachal Pradesh is reportedly completed, Gangtok Pakyong Airport in Sikkim is likely to be completed by 2012. However, no progress is yet observed with regard to the Chiethu Airport in Kohima.

Source

 

[Oracle]

ULFA peace talks begin today
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 9 – Eight members of the ULFA's central committee including chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi, foreign secretary Sasha Chaudhury, finance secretary Chitraban Hazarika, 'deputy c-in-c' Raju Baruah, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, cultural secretary Pranati Deka and adviser Bhimkanta (Mama) Burhagohain today called on Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at his official residence at Koinadhara near Khanapara ahead of the start of the outfit's formal peace process in New Delhi tomorrow.
The Chief Minister termed the interaction as positive, saying that for the first time the ULFA leadership sat face to face with him and apprised him of the outfit's desire for a fruitful dialogue with the Centre.

"This is the first time I had direct interaction with the ULFA leadership. Earlier, I got intimation from third party or the media"¦they seem keen for the peace dialogue and we are hopeful that it would pave the way for a honourable solution of the vexed issue," Gogoi told newsmen after the meeting.

Gogoi said that no particular issue came up during his interaction with the ULFA leaders, which was more of a courtesy call ahead of their departure to New Delhi for the beginning of a formal dialogue.

On the prospects of the peace talks, Gogoi said that things would depend on "how far we both can agree on the issues discussed."

The Chief Minister also appreciated the role played by Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan in facilitating the peace talk.

ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, while terming the meeting as positive, declined from divulging the agenda for the peace dialogue saying that it was yet to be finalized. "We had a cordial discussion with the Chief Minister and are confident of an honourable solution to our issues," he said.

Source

 

[Oracle]

PCG flays Arabinda's remark on its role
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 9 – A day before the first round of ULFA-Centre peace talks is scheduled to begin in New Delhi, the People's Consultative Group (PCG) today flayed the outfit's chairperson Arabinda Rajkhowa and company for terming PCG's formation as 'unconstitutional'.
The PCG members, while speaking to media persons, have also alleged that the comment came in the wake of 'greater conspiracy', though they refrained from substantiating it.

The PCG, comprising nine persons from diverse fields, was formed by the ULFA in 2005 to facilitate peace talks with the Centre.

"They had termed PCG's formation as unconstitutional, which is very unfortunate and we are miffed at this. The PCG was formed not by any individual but by the ULFA, the top leadership of which including its chief Rajkhowa and commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah were in constant touch with us during the tripartite talks with the Centre. How can such a comment came from the same outfit?" questioned PCG member Arup Borbora.

ULFA publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary had recently commented that the formation of PCG was 'unconstitutional'.

The senior advocate also read out e-mails signed by Rajkhowa and excerpts from the outfit's mouthpiece Freedom where the outfit had time and again acknowledged the role of PCG in its efforts to bring permanent peace in the State.

Borbora also reiterated that after Government of India did not reciprocate to PCG's demand to free five jailed leaders of ULFA, the group asked the outfit to dissolve PCG but the latter refrained from doing so.

Another PCG member Ajit Bhuyan, while flaying the Rajkhowa-led ULFA group on the issue said, "If PCG has been tagged as unconstitutional just because the decision was not approved by the central executive and general council of the outfit, one must also ask the ULFA as to in which central executive or general council meeting was the decision to form Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan was approved."

Senior journalist and PCG member Haider Hussain, said: "By questioning the PCG's formation, the outfit is also questioning the peace talks that took place at the Prime Minister level, which is unfortunate."

"The elusive Rajkhowa and the Rajkhowa out on bail appear two different personalities. We became a part of PCG for the greater interest of the State and such uncalled for comments has hurt our self-esteem," Hussain commented.

The PCG members, however, hoped that the peace talk, which begins tomorrow, fetches desired result.

Source

 

[Oracle]

'Project Tiger will not harm tourism business'
Correspondent
KOHORA, Feb 9 – "The Project Tiger in Kaziranga is not going to have any harmful effect on tourism-related business," said the Director of Kaziranga National Park, Surajit Dutta, while addressing mediapersons in his official chamber today.
Dutta said there is no plan as such on the part of authorities concerned with regard to shifting of the existing residences, except those in the additional areas where the preliminary notification had been issued between 1984 and 1985.

He said that compensation has already been extended to the local administration at the rate fixed by the revenue department, to be paid to the affected families.

The Director further said that the growth of responsible tourism in Kaziranga is welcome as long as it does not disturb animal corridors and habitats.

But a section of senior citizens at Kohora feel that the fear-psychosis that still prevails in the minds of common people living in and around Kaziranga National Park must be removed by the forest department by explaining its position on the ground.

It is also important for NGOs working in the field of tiger census to explain the facts to the people so that any misunderstanding can be cleared.

Source

 

[Oracle]

Rs 33 cr for deporting 219 foreigners
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 10 – Colossal amounts are being spent on deporting foreigners, which once again proved that the process of detection and deportation of foreigners remained a farce even after scrapping of the controversial Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act.
As per information provided by the Minister in charge of Assam Accord Implementation, Dr Bhumidhar Barman, in the recently concluded session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, only 219 foreigners were deported in the last ten years , while more than Rs 33 crore was spent on maintaining the tribunals set up for the process of detection of foreigners alone.

The Minister said that during the period from 2001 to November last year, 15,835 persons were declared as foreigners by the Tribunals and only 219 of them could be physically deported from India. Only 97 persons declared as foreigners are kept in the detention camps set up by the Government and as many as 12,702 persons declared as foreigners are "missing".

Barman informed the House that from 2001 to October last year, the Government had spent an amount of Rs 19.60 crore on the Tribunals set up under the provisions of the Foreigners' Act, while an amount of Rs 13.82 crore was spent on the IMDT Tribunals. The Government does not have the records of the amounts spent by the police force on detection and deportation of foreigners. At present, 36 Tribunals are functioning in the State and on an average an amount of Rs 1.50 lakh per month is being spent on each Tribunal.

Interestingly, the Assam Government still does not have information about the progress of construction of border roads and fencing by the Central Government agencies. Dr Barman said that the State Government sought information from the Central Government agencies involved in the process and the State PWD would complete the work entrusted to it by March this year.

Source

 

[Oracle]

Corruption in Assam is so rampant that I do not understand how mainstream media misses it. There is this friend of mine who lives in Bangalore. His Mom is in the Voter's list of Assam(his father passed away long back), and he was declared a Bangladeshi, which he is not. Everybody knows him in his hometown. He had to go back, bribe the officials and get his name off the record.

 

[Oracle]

Anti-talk NDFB behind abduction
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 10 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today confirmed that a splinter group of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) is behind the abduction of six members of World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
While three of women members of the WWF were released by the abductors, the other three still remain untraced.

Gogoi quoting intelligence inputs during a press conference here today, said, "Intelligence agencies have stated that the anti-talk cadres of the NDFB were behind the abduction and I have directed the security forces to ensure safe release of the remaining three WWF members,"

The abduction took place on Saturday from Ultapani forest range under Manas National Park.

On the ULFA-Centre peace talks, which got under way at New Delhi today, the Chief Minister said that he would take all necessary steps to ensure that peace process is expedited.

Source

 

[Oracle]

Appeal to restrict use of college premises
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Feb 10 – A group of former and current students of Cotton College has written to the Chief Election Commissioner and Commissioner and Secretary, Education Department urging them to take immediate steps to restrict use of the college premises for election purposes.
The group suggested that the authority concerned should opt for places like Sarusajai sports complex and other stadium premises for election purposes instead of educational institutes, including the Cotton College.

Samiran Baishya, ex- general secretary of the Cotton College Union Society (CCUS) speaking to media persons, said, "The authority takes over class rooms in view of the elections and use them as strong room, training centre and distribution centre, which affects the functioning of the college for almost two months. The worst affected is the Geology department. Last time, the practical exams of the Postgraduate students had to be postponed due to election, which is very unfortunate."

"The State has enough infrastructures to accommodate election-related activities and not compromise with the education system at the same time," Baishya stated, ruing that even movement of students during the election are affected within the college campus.

"We have written to the authorities concerned and hope they would look into it seriously," he said, referring to a directive of Election Commission where it stated that the authorities should explore the possibilities for the availability of other suitable alternatives so that educational institutes are least affected.

Vice president of the CCUS Pradyut Bikas Gogoi said that the move has been initiated in the interest of all the educational institutes.

Source

 

[Oracle]

One killed in grenade attack
CORRESPONDENT
IMPHAL, Feb 10 – One escort commander of 7 battalion Manipur Rifles was killed while two of his riflemen colleagues and two carpenters were injured when suspected militants attacked an engineer's residence with a hand grenade here today.
Police said, the incident took place when some suspected militants exploded a hand grenade at the Singjamei Chongtham Leikai residence of Executive Engineer Chongtham Ranabir Singh of Irrigation and Flood Control Department under Imphal West district at around 4 pm.

The attackers also fired some rounds towards the security guards before they escaped from the scene, it added.

Though the engineer and his family members escaped unhurt as they were taking rest in the upper floor, three out of six security men who guard the engineer's building sustained injuries along with two other carpenters.

But Havildar Kh Muhi(50) of Sugunu Bazar who was the escort commander succumbed to his injuries on his way to JNIMS hospital in Imphal. The other injured riflemen M Guno(36) of Kongba Khunou village, M Ingocha(45) of Tentha Khunou village ,carpenters Md Amusana(25) of Hapta and Sahjanha(22) of Thoubal Khekman village have been hospitalized for further treatment.

Engineer Ranabir said he has been facing threat to his life from militant organizations since he has not met their monetary demands. Today's grenade attack was fourth of its kind at his residence.

Speaker of Manipur Assembly and local MLA I Hemochandra and IFCD minister N Biren also visited the engineer's residence soon after the incident.

A case has been registered and investigation is on. None of the militant organizations operating here claimed responsibility for the incident till the filing of this report.

Source

 

[Oracle]

Violence is against our ideology: ULFA

Singing a new tune, the banned United Liberation Front of Assam on Friday said violence was against its ideology and all these years it indulged in violent acts as 'there was a threat' to the state and its people.

Interacting with a group of Assamese students studying in the national capital, ULFA 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa said the existing political setup poses a threat to Assam and its people that led to the formation of the group and its 31 years of insurgency movement.

"Even though we indulged in violence, we are for peace. Violence is against our ideology," he said while briefing the students about ULFA and its movement.

Perhaps, this is for the first time the top ULFA leader declared that the group was against violence though he has been apologising for the violent acts it had committed.

Since its inception in 1979, ULFA has been continuing a bloody insurgent movement in the northeast, which has claimed several thousand lives.

Referring to the peace process which began on Thursday formally, Rajkhowa said dialogue with the government could not be held in the past as there was no conducive atmosphere and both ULFA and the government was stuck with pre-conditions.

"Following a call by Assam's civil society, we have agreed for the unconditional talks. We are now looking for sincere and meaningful talks to find out a just and honourable solution," he said.

Welcoming the peace initiative, he said government's "behaviour and attitude are positive".

Rajkhowa also sought to remind the May 25, 2005 announcement made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when he had said that the government was ready to discuss "all core issues" of ULFA.

"We hope that the government of India will keep its promise," he said.

Source