Back issues - May'2001'  

News on 31st May '2001

Drugs Seized From Pharmacy

Guwahati : Tracing a secret information, the narcotic branch of Assam police yesterday raided a pharmacy in the city and seized a number of tablets. Significantly, the pharmacy, Rose Medical, was selling these particular tablets in the form of narcotic drugs. One person named Toyab Ali was arrested in this connection. According to police sources investigations are on and more information is awaiting.

ULFA Apprehended

Guwahati : A hard-core United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) militant was apprehended by Boko police yesterday evening. According to police sources a group of police personnel led by Padma Kanta Saikia (ASI) of Boko police station apprehended the hard-core militant Manjit Das from his residence. Manjit joined the organisation in 1993 in the political wing. He was the former president of Pancharatna Anchalik Parishad and lastly was appointed as a central member of the organising wing of the banned outfit.

GMCH Doctor Assaulted, Arrested Jawans Released

Guwahati : In connection with the assault met on Dr Krishna Kanta Deka at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Dispur police arrested five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans and recorded their statement. All the arrested CRPF personnel were later released. The matter was resolved with the intervention of Kamrup District Commissioner and City Superintendent of police.

Hepatitis -C : Blood Screening Compulsory From Tomorrow

Guwahati : Blood screening for HIV, Hepatitis-B, Malaria and Syphilis is already made compulsory. Now government has decided to introduce compulsory screening of blood against Hepatitis-C virus also from tomorrow (June 1), 2001. It is stated in a Press Information Bureau release.

Anti-Malaria Measures

Guwahati : The Chairman of the Inter Media Publicity Coordination Committee (IMPCC), which met recently at the Doordarshan conference hall, Guwahati, has called upon media units to give wide publicity to measures taken to keep away malaria which is reaching alarming heights in the state. The chairman stated the need for creating awareness among the people through print, electronic and live media. Presiding the meeting, Deputy Director General, Doordarshan, Guwahati, reviewed the publicity related activities of the different members of the committee during the month of May, and their publicity requirement for the coming month. Representatives of various media units, central and state government departments and public sector undertakings attended the meeting. It is stated in a Press Information Bureau release.

High Court Orders Extension Of Service Of Supply Sub-Inspectors

Guwahati : The outgoing AGP led government had appointed a number of candidates as Supply Sub-Inspector, initially on temporary basis on March 30, 2001. The candidates approached Gauhati High Court appealing not to terminate their appointments till the final selection following appropriate selection procedure is not done. Notably, these candidates were appointed without any formal selection procedure including interview. The then Food

and Supply Minister Pradip Hazarika had conducted everything himself. Hearing both the counsels, the court of justice A K Patnaik in its interim order yesterday directed the state government to extend the service of the Supply Sub-Inspectors upto June 1,2001 and called for relevant documents from the government regarding their initial appointments.

News on 30th May '2001

AJS Merges With NCP

Guwahati : Former Home Minister of Assam and Asom Jatiya Sanmilan (AJS) leader Bhrigu Kumar Phukan has of late decided to merge the party with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on its foundation day on June 10. Addressing a press conference Mr. Phukan defined it as a concrete step for a fresh and better political party. He emphasised that 'No other political party in the state except NCP has the determination to work with full dedication'. Besides, another PDF leader Derhagra Mushahary also joined the NCP.

Mr. Phukan was defeated in the recent Assembly election by his nearest Congress rival Himanta Biswa Sarmah with a huge margin of votes.

APCC Refutes Allegations Of Collecting Donations, Hike In Price Is Not The Aftermaths

Guwahati : In a press release received here today, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) termed as false various news items published in several newspapers alleging Congress of collecting huge amounts of money as donations from various businessmen during the last Assembly polls. Refuting the allegation put by a section of the press that the recent hike in the price of essential commodities is the result of Congress' collecting donations to the tune of several crores of rupees from the business community of Fancy Bazar, the committee termed it to be totally baseless and said that let alone crores, the party had not collected even hundred rupees from the business community.

Assembly Session Going On

Guwahati : The 11th Assam state Assembly begins from today. Important to note that in this session 125 MLAs are going to be sworn in as the legislative members. The session will conclude on 2nd June. State Governor Lt. Gen.(Retd.) S. K. Sinha will deliver his Assembly speech tomorrow, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will also be sworn in in the session.

Tension In Nalbari

Nalbari : The deposition of the bullet-ridden body of 31 year old Boloram Nath, who was missing from his residence at Dhantola village near Nalbari since May 19 evening, by security personnel at the Ghagrapar police station this morning has created a great deal of tension in the area. According to the security sources Boloram was killed in an encounter with a team of police and security forces. Reportedly, Boloram went to the Nalbari town for shopping and he had never returned home.

CM Meets AGP Leader

Guwahati : Dipak Das, who was heavily injured in an attack by United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) activists during the recent election period, now has been under care of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. The Chief Minister of Assam Mr. Tarun Gogoi recently met him and assured him that the state government will bear the entire

expenditure of his treatment.

Bhupen Hazarika Performs In Guwahati

Guwahati : Dr Bhupen Hazarika performed among enthralling crowds in the Judge's field in Guwahati yesterday on the second day of the beginning of year long centenary celebration of Cotton college. The ex-Cottonian made the atmosphere lively by alluding to his times in the college. Mr Hazarika was introduced to the guests from abroad as 'perhaps the most celebrated ex-Cottonian' and the most famous son of 'this part of the world'. Professor Yashpal, and Mrs G White were among the distinguished personalities present during the programme.

Manmohan Singh RS Candidate From Assam

New Delhi : Congress has 70 MLAs in Assam and 42 votes are required for any candidate to win the Rajya Sabha election. On the other hand AGP-BJP-ASDC and ABSU have decided to stand their candidates jointly. Therefore to avoid any critical situation Congress High Command Sonia Gandhi has finalised that the party will put only one candidate from the state and that will be Monmohan Singh. It is notable that Mrs Jayshree Goswami Mahanta and Manmohan Singh had represented Assam during the last session. The Rajya Sabha election will be held on 11 June. All India Congress Committee General Secretary (special charge for Assam) and Member of Parliament, Kamal Nath would arrive tomorrow for the purpose of observing the entire process and would stay here till June 2. It is informed in a press release issued by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Akon Bora.

Malaria Gets Epidemic

Guwahati : Within the last couple of months Malaria has broken out in the state and has taken an epidemic form. Reportedly around 27 people have till now died in various parts of the state. According the official sources, 17 people have died in Tamulpur area of Nalbari district while 10 others have died in the Assam-Nagaland border area.

Ice-cream Banned : Beware of Jaundice

Tinsukia : In the context of increasing number of jaundice reports in the region, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia district has clamped prohibitory orders banning the sale of all types of ice-creams throughout the district. Significant that most of the ice-cream consumers are school students who are more vulnerable to diseases like jaundice and pneumonia. This order will be effective until further order.

According to the sources, the Tinsukia District Health Department has collected 25 samples of ice-creams in the Tinsukia town and sent them to the Micro-Biological department of Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh. Out of the 25 samples 21 sample has been found to have bacteria. The samples have been sent to Guwahati for further examination.

The products of five ice-cream manufacturers (two belonging to Tinsukia and other three outside of Tinsukia) have been detected to be contaminated by Bacteria. The Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia himself has found a local made ice-cream pack without date of manufacture mentioned. General public has appreciated the district authority's concern and has demanded a thorough inquiry into the matter.

Assam's economy in shambles, debt burden getting out of hand

From A Special Correspondent 

GUWAHATI: Assam is facing a serious financial crunch and at this moment, payment of salaries and wages to the State Government employees has become the main concern of the Government, not to speak of development works. The Minister of State for Finance, Mr Pradyut Bordoloi admitted that the state's economy is in shambles and the total debt burden now amounts to more than Rs ten thousand crore. He said that the Government has instructed the Finance Department to prepare a detailed report on the financial position and " we would soon publish a status report on the financial health of the State to inform the people where exactly we stand. The position that we inherited from the previous Government is much worse than what we had anticipated." The Government has decided to set up a small committee of experts involving people with fiscal and administrative experience to advice the Government on the steps to be taken to revive the economy. The Congress, on its own, had prepared an economic agenda and that would be the guiding spirit of the Government's efforts to revive the economy. However, Mr Bordoloi admitted that reviving the economy would be an uphill task as " we do not have any magic formula." The Minister said that payment of salaries and pension would be the immediate priority of the Government. He revealed that an amount of Rs 392 crore per month is required to pay the salaries and pension, of which Rs 362 crore is required for salaries and Rs 30 crore is needed for pension. He said that the Government would be able to pay the salaries for the current month on time. However, he refused to give any commitment on the regular payment of salaries and pension in the subsequent months. Mr Bordoloi pointed out that the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has already set an example in cutting down the expenses by forming a small Ministry and in his first meeting with the ministers and senior officials, the Chief Minister gave strict instruction to cut down all the unnecessary expenses. However, Mr Bordoloi said that some clauses of the financial memorandum of understanding signed with the Central Government during the regime of the AGP Government need to be reviewed. Though the Chief Minister has set an example by forming a small ministry, he would have to expand his ministry sooner or later to keep the dissidents at bay. The Gogoi Ministry took the oath of office only a week back and dissident activities have already surfaced as several senior Congress men have openly expressed their displeasure after they were denied the Ministerial berth and it is learnt that Mr Gogoi might expand his ministry immediately after the first session of the assembly, which begins on May 30. Meanwhile, the Federation of Industries and Commerce of the North Eastern Region (FINER) has advised the Government to constitute an economic development council comprising senior government officials, representatives of apex chamber of commerce and industry, professionals and academicians under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to monitor the economic health of the State. The FINER said that the Government should appoint a chief economic adviser . In a memorandum to the Chief Minister, the FINER said that efforts should be made to ensure fiscal discipline in all the departments and all the political parties must evolve a consensus for long term economic policies. The FINER also pointed out that the Government must set annual target of growth of the economy and non plan expenditure must be cut down to reasonable level. The FINER also urged upon the Government to undertake administrative reforms in revenue collection and said that accountability should be fixed on the officers from top to bottom. 

Malaria Took Around 700 Lives

Guwahati : Around seven hundred people have been killed due to Malaria which has broke out epidemic in various parts of the state. It is declared by an unofficial source. In the Tamulpur area of Nalbari district more than 100 people have died and 1000 other people have been affected. Some parts of Nagaon and Tinsukia districts have been seriously affected by these disease. State Health Minister Dr. Bhumidhar Barman said that precautionary measures have already been provided to the concern areas. Now it depends entirely upon the consciousness of the people of the concerned areas.

Cong no longer untouchable for AASU From A Special Correspondent GUWAHATI:

There was a time when the All Assam Students' union (AASU) ,the most powerful students' organisation in Assam, considered the Congress as untouchable but the situation has now changed and the students' organisation has changed its attitude towards the political party and expects the party to do the same. The AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya, who is also the chairman of the North East Students' Organisation (NESO) said that the new Congress Government in Assam should change its attitude towards the problems facing the indigenous people of the State and the party should remember the fact that a major section of indigenous people voted for them in the recently concluded State Assembly polls. Mr Bhattacharya said that the AASU is ready to hold talks with anyone on the issues concerning the people of Assam and " we had talks with the leaders of all the political parties including the Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the interest of solving the problems of the state." He asserted that the AASU is ready to play a positive role for the solution of the problems facing the state and asked the Congress government to follow suit.He said that the AASU did not want any conflict with the new Government in the State, " but we will be forced to go against the Government if it works against the interest of the indigenous people of Assam." Mr Bhattacharya said that the new Government should work for the solution of the foreigners problem, implementation of the Assam Accord, sealing the international border and repealing of the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act. He reminded the Congress that the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was a signatory to the Assam Accord and it is the moral duty of the Congress to ensure proper implementation of all the clauses of the Accord within a specific time frame. However, the Congress is opposed to the repeal of the the IMDT Act and that was a major election issue of the party and Mr Bhattacharya asserted that the AASU would never compromise with any Government or party on the demand for scrapping of the IMDT Act. The ASSU also called upon the Congress Government to ensure Constitutional Safeguard to the indigenous people of Assam under the provisions of clause 6 of the Assam Accord. The AASU reiterated its demand for removing political interference from education and said that no political leader should be appointed in the management committees of the educational institutions. Corruption in appointment of teachers must be stopped and merit should be the only criteria in selection of teachers, the AASU demanded. The students' organisation also called upon the new Government to take steps to provide text books, laboratory equipment etc to all educational institutions. The AASU further demanded that the Government should try to provide Information Technology education facilities to all students and steps should be initiated to improve the condition of the school buildings. The curriculum should be changed to keep pace with times and efforts for proper manpower planning should be taken up, Mr Bhattacharya added. The AASU adviser pointed out that unemployment is a major issue and hoped that the new Government would lift the ban on Government appointments. He also pointed out that immediately after assuming office, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi assured to take steps for the economic development of the State but, " the matter is already mentioned in the Clause 7 of the Assam Accord and the proposals given by the AASU and the recommendations of the LC Jain Committee and Shukla Commission in this regard should be implemented." The State Government should put pressure on the Central Government to consider flood and erosion in Assam as a national problem, he added. On the problem of insurgency, Mr Bhattacharya pointed out that the previous Government failed to solve the problem and it is now clear that Army operation is not a solution to the problem. The new Government should suspend the operation against the militant outfit as an experimental basis to create a congenial atmosphere for talks for a political solution of the problem. The militants should also reciprocate and come forward for talks, he added. He called upon the new Government to stop all the 'secret killings' and demanded a judicial probe into all the incidents of secret killings. The AASU adviser further said that the new Government should try its best to solve the problems of the ethnic groups and efforts should be made to improve the condition of the roads and bridges and to improve the health care facilities. 

Ramanuj Dutta Choudhury

Challenges before the new Government in Assam 

From A Special Correspondent GUWAHATI: The Congress is on a high after its thumping victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections in Assam, but the Tarun Gogoi led Ministry in the state would come face to face with reality immediately after the euphoria of the victory dies down. After taking over the charge as the Chief Minister of Assam, Mr Gogoi said that economic development of the State would be the main thrust of his Government. However, it is easier said than done as the State is facing a severe financial crisis and has entered into a debt trap. Mr Gogoi said that he would appoint a committee of experts to advice the Government on financial matters and it remains to be seen whether the experts would be able to help the Government in boosting the economy of the fund starved state. There is very little scope for enhancing the revenue of the state without inviting the wrath of the people and with the Panchayat polls scheduled later in the year, the Congress Government is not in a position to increase taxes on consumer items . The only way out to increase the revenue is to plug the loopholes in the tax collection system and it remains to be seen whether the Government manages to achieve that goal. In his first meeting with the council of Ministers, Mr Gogoi asked his colleagues to cut down the expenditure as far as possible and to reduce the tours as a part of the austerity drive. May be downsizing the Ministry was a step in that direction but Mr Gogoi would have to expand his Ministry sooner or later to keep the dissidents of the party at bay. Moreover, a major portion of the Government funds are utilized in providing salaries to the employees and the AGP led Government had faced the ire of the employees for its failure to pay the Central scale of pay. Mr Gogoi assured the employees that all possible steps would be taken by his Government to ensure payment of the salaries on time, but he remained non-committal on the demand for Central scale of pay. Mr Gogoi also assured that his Government would draw up a comprehensive plan to solve the problem of insurgency. But after years of Army operations, it is clear that the problem cannot be solved till the militants are brought to the negotiation table. The Chief Minister has appealed to the militants to come to the negotiation table for a political solution to their problems but it remains to be seen whether his appeal yield the desired results as over the years, successive State and the Central Governments had time and again appealed to the militants to come to the negotiation table without any desired result. However, the silver lining is that the talks between the Central Government and Bodo militant outfit Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) is in the final stage and if an accord is signed soon, it might encourage the other militant groups operating in the State to come to the negotiation table. The solution to the problem would also depend on the relationship between the State and the Central Governments as both the Governments must draw up a clear cut plan to encourage the militants to come to the negotiation table. Another problem that need immediate attention is the problem of unemployment as the problem has assumed alarming proportion and according to Government records alone, the State now has more than sixteen lakh educated unemployed youths. The Chief Minister said that efforts to create job opportunities would be one of the main priorities of his Government but under the present circumstances, the Government is not in a position to go for fresh appointments as all the Government departments are overstuffed and the private entrepreneurs are not too keen to invest in the state because of the law and order situation. Mr Gogoi also appealed to the investors and the Non Resident Indians to invest in Assam but his appeal would not bring the desired results till the problem of insurgency is solved as over the years appeals by the successive Governments as well as the new industrial policy announced by the Central Government to attract investors to the North eastern region of the country failed to attract the investors, who always want to play safe. 

Ramanuj Dutta Choudhury

News on 29th May '2001

Militant Shot Dead One

Kokrajhar : Singha Brahma a villages of Salguri under Serfanguri police station, was is shot dead by banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) ultras on Sunday. According to the sources, Brahma was going for colecting of fire wood and at the time a

group of ultras come and shot in a short range. After shooting the militant group escaped in jungle.

Militant Killed

Imphal (UNI) : A member of one of the underground outfits operating in Manipur was shot dead by commandos in civil dress at Thangal Bazar in Imphal yesterday. According to the security sources the ultras had arrived at a hardware shop to extort money. The body of the slain already handover to the police.

Road Accident Took 2 Lives

Nalbari : In a road accident in Nalbari 2 people died and 37 were heavily injured when a public bus hurled down to a roadside drain when it tried to give way to a overtaking motorcycle yesterday. According to the source two persons died on the spot. Out of the 37 persons heavily injured 9 were shifted to Gauhati Medical College among which condition of 2 is reported to be highly serious. Public claim that overcrowding of the bus and the high speed of the bus were the cause behind the mishap.

NEEPCO Facing Difficulties

Shillong : Owing to the absence of a Chairman-cum-Managing Director in its headquarters, the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) is facing a lot of difficulties in carrying out its projects in the region. At present the Joint Secretary in the Union Power Ministry, Mr. Razdan has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NEEPCO.

News on 28th May '2001

ULFA, NSCN Cadres Jointly Take Shelter

Bokakhat : A group of around 20 members of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) has reportedly taken shelter in Kalajan area under D sector along the Assam-Nagaland border in Golaghat district. A six-member ULFA action group has also reportedly returned from their operations in various parts of the state during the last election. It is known from an intelligence source that a joint group of ULFA, NSCN and UPDS members is taking shelter in Karbi Anglong district. It is also known from an unofficial source that the state police lately has information about it and has alarmed the security forces to keep a strict watch in view of the possible operations by the militants in the area.

Centre's Decision Appreciated By State Govt.

Guwahati : The state government fully supports the latest decision the Central government to form peoples' committee to identify infiltrators, which has been the long standing burning problem of Assam. The state government stated that the previous Congress government had proposed such a step. The state government expressed that Congress has always been and would always be trying to solve the burning problem.

Appointment Canceled

Guwahati : Dr. Bhumidhar Barman, Health and Rural Development Minister said that all the illegal appointments in Nalbari District made by the outgoing Asom Gana Parishad led government would be canceled and firm steps would be taken against those responsible for them. Dr. Barman also said that AGP government had made more appointments than the sanctioned posts available. There are only 266 primary school and 105 MV, ME

sanctioned posts for teachers, but the AGP-led government has appointed over 5,000 teacher, all of whom would be canceled, Dr. Barman added.

Militants Surrendered

Agartala : 18 ultras of Borok National Council of Tripura (BNCT) surrendered to 23rd Battalion of Assam Rifles in South Tripura district. 12 country-made guns, one pistol and large quantity of ammunition were handed over by them. According to sources the surrendered cadres would be brought under a Central government's scheme of rehabilitation.

SPs And DCs Meeting Postponed

Guwahati : The conference of Superintendent of Police and Deputy Commissioner of the districts of the state, which was scheduled to be held on May 26, 2001 has been postponed and will now be held on May 29, 2001 at the Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara, Guwahati, an Janasanyog press release stated here.

News on 26th May '2001

CM, Tarun Gogoi in an exclusive video interview with vedanti.com, urges NRIs worldwide for investment in Assam.

The Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in an exclusive video interview with www.vedanti.com, the web portal of pioneer dotcom company, SM Computer Consultants Pvt. Ltd., says "The NRIs specially those belonging to Assam should exchange know-how in various fields and invest, to bring about all-round development in Assam". CM further adds that the Assamese staying in more developed countries having better working environment with improved technologies and better economic conditions can contribute by bringing about reformations in fields like education, agriculture and Industries. While welcoming investors from abroad, Mr. Gogoi adds that more industrialization in Assam would increase employment as well as self-employment and this would reduce youth unrest which would indirectly bring peace in the state of Assam.

In this exclusive video interview of the portal, now available on the web-site www.vedanti.com, Mr. Gogoi agrees that the economic condition in Assam is in a very bad shape, and so the top priority of the his new government would be to bring forth a sustainable economic growth to Assam. The new government will boost Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Farming, Horticulture, Bamboo and Cottage Industry and inspire youth to take up self-employment schemes in these areas . When asked what steps will he take to develop economic crisis including long pending salaries, Mr. Gogoi asserted that a committee of experts will soon be formed to suggest steps to locate and raise resources. With the coming of the Right to Information Bill he said that government officers will stand much responsible and accountable to reduce administrative loop holes. He spoke about better educational facilities and infrastructure to upgrade educational system in view of changing demands for which a committee of experts will be commissioned. Lastly, Mr. Gogoi calls to the worldwide Assamese community to cooperate with his government and help in giving a new shape to Assam. Concluding the video session Mr. Gogoi, thanks the people of Assam for giving him support and says that without their help it will be difficult to bring economic development in Assam.

News on 25th May '2001

Illegal Check-gates Demolished, SULFA's House Raided

Guwahati : There are a large number of illegal check-gates in Guwahati. All the check-gates have been mainly operated by the Surrendered ULFAs for last couple of year. But now Congress government in a bold move started removing all the illegal check-gates.

The city police after receiving a letter from the Gauhati Municipal Cooperation Commissioner, has already started the operation of removing the illegal check-gates from yesterday. Within this period about 19 illegal check-gates and parking places have been demolished. The check-gates of Truck Workers' Association, North East Truck Workers' Association, Greater Guwahati Truck Drivers' Association and coal syndicate in Beltola in the city were demolished yesterday. Check-gates to Truck Workers' Union in Jorabat, Meghalaya Timber Merchants Association and Sodamoni Transport Syndicate, Road Carriers Syndicates and Registered Transport Association in Beltola have already been removed. Loading and unloading gates in Lokhra were also removed by the police. However no one has been arrested in this regard. All these check-gates and parking places were in the hands of some SULFA leaders. Regarding the operation by the city police SULFA leader Sunil Nath said that the removal of illegal check-gates is appreciable. But he is puzzled that 'These illegal check-gates were functioning till the recent past and the same police officials were still there; then why did they allow it to continue for so long?' It is also reported that yesterday the city police raided the residence of some SULFA leaders including Jugal Krishore Mahanta, Kalpajyoti Neog, Sunil Nath, Moon Ali, Pahar, Bhaskar Saikia and Agni Narzari.

BJP Leader Assaulted

Baihata Chariali : Khagen Deka, a state Bharatiya Janata Partu (BJP) central executive committee member, and his wife were badly beaten up by Satyabrata Kalita and two associates at his own residence last week. It may be noted that an Asom Gana Sangram Parishad candidate Satyabrata Kalita was defeated in the recently concluded Assembly election from Kamalpur constituency. Reported that Mr Deka has filed a case against Kalita and the two others at Baihata Chariali police station the next day.

Faith on Mahanta's Leadership

Guwahati : After the Assembly election, the first meeting of the central executive committee and the presidents and secretaries of district committee's of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) was held at the party head office here. The meeting expressed full faith on the leadership of president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta.

Assam Bandh Called

Guwahati : In protest against the Centre's proposal for the Bodo Territorial Council, the All Assam Koch Rajbanshi Sanmilani(AAKRS) has called for a 12 hour Assam bandh from 5 am to 5 pm on June 2, 2001, an Sanmilani press release stated here thus.

No Compromise With Tax Collection: Konwar

Guwahti : Finance Minister of Assam Mr Devananda Konwar has given a target of 100% increase on various tax collections to the tax officials of the state. In a meeting held at Janata Bhawan yesterday evening the Finance Minister has placed the aforesaid target of tax collection to the officials. He demands that at any cost the collection should not be below 85% during the first quarter ending of the current fiscal year on June 30. He clearly said that no compromise would be made with regards to the tax collection.

Appointment Cancelled

Guwahati : After cancellation of the 68 appointments in the Secretariat and 56 appointments in the Excise department which were made by the previous government, recently the new state government has cancelled 91 such ad-hoc appointments for the post of sub-inspector in the Food and Civil Supplies department. These 91 appointments were made by the then Food and Civil Supplies Minister Mr. Pradip Hazarika 'illegally'

without following any constitutional procedures like advertisement, interviews etc.

Annual Conference

Guwahati : Srimanta Sankardev Sangha, a prominent cultural and religious organisation of 'Sankari Darshan', will organise its 71st Annual Conference in February, 2002. For the purpose a reception committee will be constituted at a public meeting to be held on May 27 at Sankari Sanskriti Kendra premises in the city, a Sangha press release stated here.

Yoga Classes

Guwahati : An eleven-day Yogasana class will be organised by Vivekananda Kendra, Guwahati from June 1 to June 11 at the Rukmininagar Bihutoli in the city. The classes will be held from 5.45 am to 7.15 am for both males and females. Interested persons may contact Abani Bhattacharjee at the Rukmininagar Bihutoli or call at 221335 and 269371, a press release stated.

Law Seminar

Guwahati : The Faculty of Law, Gauhati University has organised a one day seminar on 'North Eastern States and the Constitutional Review' recently. More than hundred participants from various fields like Jurists, Advocates, media-men, university teachers and NGOs participated in the seminar. The seminar was held under the president-ship of the prominent journalist Mr. Satish Kakati. A GU press release stated here.

Dena Paona At Rabindra Bhawan

Guwahati : The Hindi version of Dena Paona , dramatization of Robindra Nath Tagore's same titled story, will be staged by the theatre group, 'Katha' at Rabindra Bhawan here on May 27 at 6.30 pm. The play is about atrocities on woman and the dowry-related death of a young woman Nirupama. The play has been produced by Abinash Sarma.

Legislative Party Meeting

Guwahati : A press release from Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) stated that a legislative party meeting of the Congress will be held in the conference hall of the New MLA Hostel from 4 pm on May 28. The main purpose of the meeting is to discuss about the party strategy in the ensuing Assembly session.

Painting Competition For Children

Guwahati : Dispur Jonaki Mahila Sangha of Devadaru Path will organise a painting competition for children in the age group of 6 to 14 years on May 27 from 10 am in the Rajdhani LP School premises, Dispur, a Sangha press release stated here.

Deptt Of Assamese Forms A New Wing

Guwahati : Asomiya Sahitya Sora, a body of the Department of Assamese, Gauhati University has constituted a new committee with Dr. Lilabati Saikia Bora as the president. The main objective of the Sora is to promote Assamese literature, a Sora press release stated here.

News on 24th May '2001

Illegal Appointments Into The Secretariat, Govt. is likely to cancel these appointments

Guwahati : Illegal appointments made by the outgoing Asom Gana Parishad led government after the announcement of the date of Assembly polls, appointments into 70 different posts of the Assam Secretariat, are likely to be sacked out very soon. 'The newly formed Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government is likely to dismiss all the fresh appointments soon'- a highly placed source at the Secretariat said thus. The source added that high level meetings are being held by the new government to jump to a specific conclusion. The new regime is not in favour of the illegally-employed staff and hence they are bound to quite. In this regard, the Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) secretary general, Mr. Charan Deka alleged that the appointments of LDAs in the state secretariat were made by the former P.K. Mahanta ministry by violating of all the rules and regulations. The appointments were total violations of the code of conduct as the previous government recruited the LDAs just after the announcement of the date of Assembly polls. Deka also expressed that 'though holding competitive exams is mandatory for appointment into such standard posts at the Secretariat, the then government simply dumped this rule and resorted to ad-hoc appointments.'

Attack On 'Pratidin' Proprietor: SULFA Leader Arrested

Guwahati : SULFA leader Kajol Khan who was arrested in charge of hurling a grenade to the residence of Mr Jayanta Baruah, proprietor of the vernacular newspaper 'Asomiya Pratidin', was produced in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate. Police has picked-up seven SULFA men in this connection, but only Kajol Khan was kept in custody while other six were released yesterday.

Police Officer Killed by ULFA

Dibrugarh : Bolin Sonowal, the Officer-in-Charge of Tingari Chariali police out-post was killed by suspected United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) militants. Five other persons were also injured in the attack. According to sources, a group of suspected ULFA cadres came to Gadhuli Bazar area and fired at him at around 7 pm yesterday. Mr Sonowal died on the spot and other five persons were shifted to the nearby hospital.

AASU Condemns Attack on Jayanta Baruah's House

Guwahati : All Assam Students' Union (AASU) president Probin Boro and General Secretary Amiya Kumar Bhuyan in a press release received here today condemned the grenade attack on the 'Asomiya Pratidin' proprietor Jayanta Baruah's residence. Expressing concern over the attack, Mr. Bodo and Bhuyan said that the incident of attacking the house of the proprietor of a newspaper at the heart of the city shows the insecurity of life and property of the general people. AASU demanded arrest and punishment of the miscreants at any cost.

Gogoi Wants Central Forces to Remain in Assam

New Delhi (UNI): Chief Minister of Assam Mr. Tarun Gogoi yesterday urged the central paramilitary force companies sent to the state during the recent election to stay back in the state for some time. In a short time meeting with the Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani, which he describes as a courtesy call, Mr Gogoi said that he had made a request to the Home Minister in this regard. It is notable that 28 CPMF companies have been stationed in the North East states to maintain law and order during the recent election to the state Assembly.

Congress Activists Expelled

Tezpur : For canvassing against the Congress candidate in Barchal LAC during the recently held Assembly election, at least 12 Congress activists including former MLA Rudra Parajuli, and Borsolla Block Congress chairperson Ganga Devi have been expelled from the party primary membership for six years. The decision was taken on the basis of allegations raised by a group of Congress workers in Barchala. 

Jahnu Baruah Provided Compensation

Guwahati : On hearing of a defamation case put by the well-known film-maker Mr. Jahnu Baruah, the Civil Judge (senior division) No.3, Guwahati has awarded suitable compensations to Mr. Baruah. Mr. Baruah filed a defamation case against 'Amar Asom', a sister concern of GLP publication. The compensation is worth of Rs. 1 crore. It has been reported that the management has decided to appeal against that hearing.

NDFB Militant Killed

Darrang : Anivan Daimary alias D Akhal, a self styled sergeant of the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) was killed by the Army on the outskirts of Bargaon village here yesterday evening. An Ak-56 rifle, a magazine and huge amount of ammunition were recovered from the killed ultra.

Summer Vacation Finalised

Guwahati : The state government has fixed the summer vacation for all educational institutions from June 15 to July 14. Educational institutions will reopen on July 15, an official release stated.

56 Appointments Canceled

Guwahati : Mr. Sarat Borkotaki, Excise Minister of the state, canceled the alleged illegal appointment of 56 constables in Excise Department made recently by the outgoing Asom Gana Parishad-led government.

Mahanta Selected as Leader

Guwahati : Outgoing Chief Minister and sitting MLA from Barhampur constituency Mr. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has unanimously elected as the leader of the newly elect Asom Gana Parishad legislative party here on Tuesday. The meeting which was held under the chairmanship of Mr. P.K. Mahanta also elected Mr. Phanibhusan Choudhary as deputy leader Mr. Hitendra Nath Goswami as chief whip and Mr. Dilip Saikia as secretary. It is notable that Asom Gana Parishad has 20 MLA in Assam Legislative Assembly.

On the other hand, parliamentary Affairs Minister Bharat Ch. Narah informed here on Tuesday that veteran legislature and Trinamool Gana Parishad MLA Premadhar Borah will be the pro-term speaker.

Marksheet Forged - Teacher to Jail

Karimganj : For joining service on the basic of forged H.S.L.C. marksheets, four school teacher including one head master have been sentenced to four years imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,000 each, if they have failed to pay the fine then undergo further imprisonment for 15 days. The name of the teachers are- Arit Kumar Chutiya, headmaster, Mazargol LP School, Prathiba Hazarika of Badarpur Tumsti ME School, Gitarani Hazarika,

Nahajagrata ME School, Badarpur and Brihalal Chutiya of Borthall Adorkona LP School. A case under the Indian Panel Code was registered in this regard.

Result Declared

Guwahati : The result of the LL.B part-3 (final) examination 2000 and the Library and Information Science (Second Semester) examination has declared by the Gauhati University yesterday. There are 995 candidates in LL.B finals, out of which 439 came out successful with the pass percentage of 44.12. Nandini Baruah student of J.B. Law College, Guwahati has got the first class. In the Library Science examinations, out of 12 students 11 were successful.

ASTC - Govt. to probe 

Guwahti : 'Government would soon order a probe to understand why the ASTC was in such poor health resulting in non-payment of salary to employees for years' Transport Minister Anjan Dutta, told media person here yesterday. Regarding the condition of the Assam State Transport Cooperation Mr. Dutta said that while the monthly expenditure was about Rs. 2 crore revenue to the tune of only 25 lakh was collected from the running of ASTC buses. It may be mentioned that Mr. Dutta already declared that ASTC will be made strengthen within one year.

Dr. U.P. Sarma passes away

Guwahati : Due to cardiac arrest, the prominent physician and Chief Medical Officer of Gauhati University, Dr. Upendra Nath Sarma breathed last at 1pm. Yesterday. He was 60. He retired from the post on March 31 last but was rendering service to the Gauhati University fraternity on extension. He was attended his daily duty till 12 noon yesterday before becoming seriously ill due to his heart ailment. Six years back Dr. Sarma lost his wife and is now survived by a son and a married daughter.

Ultras Nabbed

Guwahati : In the last two days, the security forces apprehended seven ultras from various part of the lower Assam. The ultras were acting as linkman to immigrant outfit and were also providing acting help to them. The apprehended militants are Md Sirajul Haque and Md Ali Hussain of Adhiarapara village in Nalbari District. Bariq Ali and Abdul Latif Ali of Maorita village in Darrang District, Kalicharan Deka and Montu Deka of Charmar Kuchi village in Kamrup district and one ULFA arms dealer Talib Ali of Khongra.

Govt Hailed

Guwahati : In a press release received here today, the Bharat Vikas Parishad of Assam congratulated New Chief Minister Mr. Tarun Gogoi and his cabinet colleagues. In the release the parishad hope that the government headed by Mr. Gogoi will be a government for the people in its true sense and a long way to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of all sections of people. The parishad also hoped that the new government would make all-out efforts to solve the burning problems of the Assam.

Congratulated

Guwahati : Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee president Dipika Talukdar has congratulated the people of Assam for voting the congress to power, stated in a press release, the release also stated that Congress region will be able to deliver the good.

Grenade Attack - AGP Demands Judicial Enquiry

Guwahati : Attack on the residence of the proprietor of 'Asomiya Pratidin', a vernacular newspaper, Mr. Jayanta Baruah in the heart of the city is not a matter to be easily taken. It is a threatening to the press and is therefore essential to set up an enquiry committee and analysis the incident and find out the culprit immediately - Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) expressed the party's view regarding the attack on Mr. Baruah's residence thus. It is notable that on Sunday night unidentified miscreants threw a grenade at Mr. Baruah's house but fortunately he was not present then. The blast broke the window panes of his house and a Matiz car parked inside the compound was badly damaged.

Bordoloi's First Instruction To Police

Guwahati : Mr. Pradyut Bordoloi, the newly elected Minister of State for Home, has directed the state police to deal with all unlawful activities. Addressing a meeting held here yesterday, Mr. Bordoloi also directed the police authority to ensure that nobody takes the law into his or her own hands. Home Commissioner Mr. Mrinal Kumar Baruah and Director General of Police of Assam Hare Krishna Deka were also present in the meeting.

AASU Opposed

Guwahati : All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has criticised the new CM of Assam Mr Tarun Gogoi for his remark that Assamese people in the state don't need any 'constitutional security cover'. The AASU claims that the illegal migrants in the state have been increasing in an alarming rate which is posing a serious threat to native people and that the coverage has become inevitable.

Appeal to Chief Minister

Jorhat : Ms Aideo Handique, the heroine of the first Assamese film Jaymoti, in a message sent to the new Chief Minister of State, Mr.Tarun Gogoi, hopes that the new government will be a clean one free from corruption and nepotism. She also conveyed her best wishes to Mr. Tarun Gogoi and other newly elected MLAs. She has further appealed to the new government to follow the path of peace, unity and progress maintaining historical tradition of the Indian National Congress as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi. It is notable that Ms. Aideo Handique has been confined to the sick-bed for a long time.

New Advocate General

Guwahati : Tarun Gogoi-led state government has decided to appoint senior and prominent advocates of the Gauhati High Court Mr. Amrit Phukan and Mr. Niloy Dutta respectively as the new Advocate General and Additional Advocate General of Assam. Although the official notification in this regard is yet to be signed by the state governor Lt. Gen. (retd.) S K Sinha, but Chief Minister has intimated Mr. Amrit Phukan about the government's proposal.

Welcome New Govt.

Guwahati : Bodo Sahitya Sabha of Guwahati district committee has welcomed the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government in the state and hoped that it would be able to restore peace in the state, plagued by violence. In a press release the Sabha appealed the new government to take concrete steps to solve the burning problems faced by the Bodo people for a long time.

KCP Militant Killed by Public

Imphal : Three ultras of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) were killed by the people of Ekou and Saikul areas under Manipur's Imphal East district on Saturday, Inspector General of Police (IGP, Law and Order), A Romenkumar Singh said day before yesterday. In a statement Singh said that KCP cadres had been creating troubles and torturing villagers by extorting money for some time under the gun point. General people resented the activities of the militants and that led to a confrontation between both the parties in which villagers killed three KCP cadres. One carbine and several round of ammunitions were recovered from the spot.

Soorar Deul

Guwahati : 'Soorar-Deul', a programme by upcoming musicians organised by Vivekananda Kendra, Guwahati, in its 45th sitting will be held in the Kendra auditorium on Friday, May 25, at 6 pm. This sitting will have an exclusive programme on Borgeet and Rabindra Sangeet, a Kendra press release stated here.

Borgeet Competition

Guwahati : The All Assam Borgeet competition in the memory of noted Borgeet exponent Late Narendra Nath Das will be held at the premises of the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra on May 26 from 10 am. The Chaturanga Kalakendra and the Srimanta Samaj have asked the interested persons to contact the secretary of the Kalakhetra at phone number 337382 or the secretary of Chaturanga Kalakendra at its office in R.G. Baruah Road, a press releases stated here.

News on 23rd May '2001

Ending all speculations Portfolios Ultimately Announced by Gogoi

Guwahati : For two long days all the Cabinet and state ministers were in dilemma, what portfolios would they have. But after 48 hours the Chief Minister Mr Tarun Gogoi distributed the portfolios among the already sworn colleagues. Mr. Gogoi has finally been able to allocate portfolios of his council of Ministers after getting approval from State Governor Lt. Gen (Retd.) Srinivas Kumar Sinha. As has been announced, the Cabinet Ministers are- Mr. Sarat Borkataky (PWD and Excise), Dr. Bhumidhar Barman (Health and Rural Development), Dr. Ardhendu Kumar Dey (Agriculture), Mr. Devananda Konwar (Finance and Law), Dr. Hema Prabha Saikia (Social Welfare, Handloom and Textiles), Mr. Bharat Ch. Narah (Parliamentary Affairs and Co-operation), Mr. Gautam Roy (Food and Civil Supplies, Sports and Youth welfare), Mr. Gobinda Chandra Langthasa (Hill Area Development, Welfare for plain Tribal and Backward Classes), Mr. Rameswar Dhanwar (Employment and Labour), Mr. Ismil Hussain (Irrigation), Mr. Hemprakash Narayan (Education and Assam Accord Implemantation), Mr. Dinesh Prashad Gowala (Public Health Engineering). There are four Ministers of State with Independent charges as Mr. Pradyut Bordoloi (Finance and Home), Mr. Anjan Dutta (Transport and Municipal Administration), Ms. Rupam Kurmi (Tea labour welfare), Nazibul Omar (Char Area Development).

Mr. Gogoi himself would look after the other portfolios that were not allocated to any of the minister. It is notable that Mr. Gogoi has not included the senior Congress leader and former MP Bhubeneswar Kalita name in his ministry. Mr. Kalita was a strong aspirant for the post of Chief Minister of the state. From an unofficial source it is known that Mr. Gogoi is yet to take Mr Kalita's motives into confidence.

APCC Media Chief Appointed

Guwahati : Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Election Campaign Committee Chairman Mr. Bhagaban Lahkar has been newly appointed as the chairman of the media cell of the party. On the other hand, Mr. Phani Sarmah has been appointed as the vice-president of the APCC.

144 CrPC Clamped

Guwahati : The District Magistrate of Karbi Anglong district has imposed 144 CrPC prohibiting movement of any persons from dusk to dawn inside Karbi Anglong district along the Assam-Nagaland border, for Anticipating breach of peace and tranquility by some extremists using the border area of Assam and Nagaland in the Karbi Anglong District as their hideouts. This prohibition which has come into force with immediate effect will not be applicable to the police, Army, Para-military forces, public servants on duty, it is informed in a press release here.

Robbers Arrested

Tezpur : Officer-in-Charge of Chariduar police station Mr. Aniruz Zaman led police team was able to arrest 4 hard-core robbers on May 18 evening. According to the police sources, the gang of robbers looted a truck carrying tea chests (AS-01 A/9705) from North Lakhimpur to Guwahati on that day. The robbers snatched away Rs. 3000 from the truck driver. The gang is also reported to loot Rs.2,500 from the driver of a truck (AS-014/7329) coming from Siliguri to North Lakhimpur on the same day. The police recovered the looted goods and cash from the robbers.

SAKP Felicitates The CM

Guwahati : 'State employees are an essential part of the government. Therefore, it is our duty to pay the salary on time', addressing a felicitation function organised by Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP), Assam Chief Minister Mr. Tarun Gogoi said thus. He also expressed that there is no difference between the employees of Chief Secretary-category or Peon category. Both have duty and responsibility to the government and are equally accountable. Therefore it is essential to set up a good relation among the employees. Mr. Sarat Borkataky, Mr. Bhumidhar Barman and Mr.Ardhendu Dey were also present in the occasion. SAKP president Bhaben Baishya presided the meeting.

Cotton College Centenary Celebration

 Guwahati : The Cotton College Centenary Celebration Committee has appealed to the people of the state as well as the present and former Cottonians, teachers and employees of the college to extend cooperation to the Centenary Celebration of the college to be held with a three-day long programme from May 27. Meanwhile, the association of the past and present office bearers of Cotton College Union Society has appealed to the former office bearers, who have received invitation letters for a get-together on May 25 but have not sent confirmation letters yet, to contact Jagadish Dutta, General Secretary, Cotton College Students' Union. It is informed in a press release received here today. 

GDSA Programme Guwahati : 

Guwahati District Swimming Association (GDSA) will hold the Kamrup District Swimming Championship at Bimala Prasad Swimming Pool here from May 27 and 28. For the occasion, a organising committee has been formed with of Bolin Bordoloi as president, DR. Utpal Sarmah as general secretary, Manas Deka as the convenor, Rabindra Modok and Dr. R.A. Khadim as the convenors, Samad Rore Ali as the cashier, and Dr. Sazid Subhan as the co-ordinator. The championship will be held among the swimming clubs and players of the Kamrup (Guwahati) district for the following groups- Open Groups (15-17 years), Group II

(13-14 years), Group III (11-12 years), Group IV (9-10 years) and Group V (9 years and below) for both male and female sections. Interested players may submit their entries and other documents and fees to either Rabindra Modok or R.A. Khadim on or before May 25, stated in a GDSA press release here. 

ABSU apprehensive of fate of proposed Bodo accord 

From A Special Correspondent GUWAHATI: With the change of Government in Assam, the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) is apprehensive of the fate of the proposed Bodo accord to form a Bodoland Territorial Council. A broad consensus was arrived for the Bodo accord following a series of tripartite meetings between the Central Government, Assam Government and Bodo militant outfit Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) but the signing of the accord was delayed because of the polls. But the ABSU adviser U G Brahma expressed apprehension that the accord might be in jeopardy after the change in Government in the State. Talking to this correspondent, Mr Brahma said that the accord would now depend on the Centre-State relation and the sincerity of both the Governments. "We all know that the relation between the Congress and the BJP is not at all cordial. But we sincerely hope that the BJP Government at the Centre and the Congress Government in Assam would set aside their political differences and work for the interest of the Bodo community in Assam," he said. He said that the ABSU has no problem in holding talks with the Congress Government in Assam for the solution of the Bodo problem. But the initiative for talks should come from the Government, he asserted. The ABSU contested the recently concluded State assembly polls by forging an alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the BJP and though the alliance was routed in the polls, the ABSU managed to salvage some prestige. The ABSU fielded candidates in 12 constituencies and managed to bag ten. Mr Brahma said that the support of the ABSU to the AGP-BJP alliance was issue based as " we extended support to the alliance in the interest of solving the Bodo problem. We sincerely hoped that the alliance would come back to power but the big brothers of the alliance failed miserably. Now the alliance cannot do anything except for extending moral support for the solution of the Bodo problem. But we have decided to remain a part of the alliance for the time being and our future plan would be decided later considering the situation." Mr Brahma said that they were satisfied with the performance of their candidates and said that the verdict proved that the people have faith on the ABSU and its allied organisations. The other Bodo political party Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) was routed in the polls as the party failed to win even a single seat and Mr Brahma said that the PDF has lost its mass base and it was reflected in the poll results. Strongly reacting to allegations that the BLT activists rigged the polls in favour of the ABSU candidates, Mr Brahma said that whenever there were complaints of rigging or unfair practices, repolls were ordered by the Election Commission and there is no point in underplaying the support of the people for the ABSU by making such allegations. It may be mentioned here that the ABSU fielded candidates for the first time in the 1991 polls and managed to win eight seats. However, the ABSU managed to win only two seats in the 1996 polls as the emergence of the PDF affected the ABSU in the Bodo dominated areas of the State. But this time, with the support base of the PDF on the wane, the ABSU managed to show impressive performance by winning ten seats. Mr Brahma said that the ten ABSU legislators would have a big say in the state assembly and they would work for the solution of the Bodo problem and the overall development of the Bodo people living in Assam. He said that the legislators would also try their best to put pressure on the Government to take effective steps for the rehabilitation of the relief camp inmates in Kokrajhar district. More than one lakh people affected in the ethnic riots in 1996 are still living in relief camps in Kokrajhar district and according to Mr Brahma , rehabilitation of the affected people is a must for restoration of peace in the trouble-torn district. 

Ramanuj Dutta Choudhury

Economic Challenges Before The New Government -  What Agenda Does Congress Have And Have To Have

It will be a real high time for Tarun Gogoi-led Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), since the APCC has to transcribe its massive 'economic agenda' which was harped upon before the Assembly election into action. Congress has came back to power and the new government has to implement the long list of promises for the economic development of the state in order to 'restore peace'.

While the economists, investors, traders, entrepreneurs and business barons for more than a decade feel that 'peace is the precondition' for development in Assam, the APCC has decided to shift the paradigm to 'Peace through development'. Congress has laid stress on the economic advancement as the presupposition for ushering an era of permanent peace into Assam. Noteworthy that PK Mahanta-led Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) government also had uttered many 'tall-talks' to create congenial air in the state for peace before the Assembly election. Its motto, however, emphasised peace first and then development. This was the difference between AGP and Congress in their agenda issues. While Congress advocates 'peace through development', AGP seeks 'peace for development' in the state. In other words, Congress has to promote the developmental scene to curb insurgency and to balance 'law-and-order situation'. Hence Gogoi has to initiate a few commendable steps. The downfall of AGP ministers in charge of key departments like education, transport, agriculture, flood and health, indicates that the electorate expects Congrees to set things right in their sectors.

Fiscal imbalance, large-scale corruption, backwardness of the rural sector, low private investment and the sinking fortunes of public sector units are just a few of the issues Congress will have to look into. In fact, the state is reeling under virtual debt trap situation. In order to rescue it, the new government must move for translating its party promises in addition to a few more strategies and tactics.

The fiscal health of Assam has drifted from 'bad' to 'worse' as the AGP- led government failed to check the ever-increasing mismatch. The situation has become precarious as the various indicators of fiscal disciplines - revenue deficit, primary deficit, growing interest burden - have all soared up to alarming levels. Though the underlying factors for the dismal economic situation in the state are largely structural in nature which cannot be wished away by waving a magic wand, Congress believes that the party will be able to achieve a turn around in the state economy by pursuing a correct set of policies with a proper ground plan for the economic re-engineering. It was a vision of the party before polls. And now the Congress leaders and economic analysts would have to take utmost care in implementing the following agenda too. That is, the new government has to adopt certain policies towards salvaging the economy of Assam today. They are-

(a) Reduction of revenue deficit : There is no gimmick by which the state government can better the fiscal health. Fiscal responsibility involves hard decisions and as such the revenue deficit is sought to be reduced to the level of 3 per cent of the State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP) by 2003. One important constraints for reduction of revenue deficit in the state is the progressively mounting interest expenditure, and the public representatives would have to be educated to the imperativeness of taking steps to reduce revenue deficit.

(b) Expenditure reforms : The government is to review all non-plan expenditure and initiate effective expenditure reforms slashing avoidable public expenditure i.e., expenditure by government itself.

(c) Zero-based budgeting : The state has to introduce the concept of Zero-based budgeting for the development financing, so that cost-effective and proper resource allocation is made at the desired areas. A human development resort for the state has to be prepared for mapping the gap in attainments and thereby help make decisions on rational resource allocation.

(d) Adding new dimensions to resource mobilisation : The resource potential of the state has to be re-assessed covering all directions for a 'thorough' rationalisation and expansion of the revenue base.

(e) Administrative reforms in revenue collection departments : The government departments involved in collection of various forms of revenue will be reviewed for affecting reforms towards more efficient collection of revenue as well plugging all possible leakages. There should be no room for complacency while dealing with the fact that large proportion of the sales within Assam are not accounted for. Even by conservative estimates assuming the per capita expenditure of Rs 2500 per annum, the turnover should be Rs 5625 crores for a population of 2.5 crore in the state. Assuming that 50 per cent of the expenditure is on non-taxable items, the taxable turnover should approach the figure of Rs 2812 crore. However, figures of total sales-tax revenue collection taken from the Commissioner of Taxes, Assam, for the financial year 1999-2000 put it at Rs 950 crore.

(f) Reforms in PSUs : Government has to revive the management policy of the weak Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to encourage professionalism. It will also review the functioning of all PSUs and affect reforms whenever necessary to make them commercially viable.

(g) Development appraisal and monitoring : All government expenditure on development projects will be brought under an effective system of appraisal and monitoring with the onus of accountability fixed on the executives as per written 'Delegation of Authority'.

(h) Paradigm shift to trade and commerce : Major contributions to the State exchequer have always been through Sales-Tax. In 1999-2000, total sales tax revenues have been calculated at Rs 950 crore. This bears testimony that state economic strength is trade and commerce. The government must adopt perspective policy to induce consumers' propensity to spend, making Assam the club of trade and commercial activities of the Northeast. At the same time there is a huge gap of tax realisation vis a vis potential. Tax rates are different in different Northeastern states. The consignments from outside the region are booked for the state where tax rates are low. Most of the consignments are off-loaded and sold off in Assam. Moreover, consignments are booked to other Northeastern states charging Central Sales Tax which is much lower than the Assam Sales Tax rates. These consignments are also off-loaded and sold within Assam and for which traders do not maintain records. This modus operandi causes huge revenue loss to Assam.

Apart from the above economic agenda tasks, the new state government has to chalk out a comprehensive plan for tackling large-scale corruption and malpractice by police officials at the Bauxirhat and Srirampur gates. A truck driver has to pay over Rs 10,000 to reach Guwahati from Srirampur or Bauxirhat as he has to pay the amount both to the police and goons on the national highways.

Whatsoever, the new government must create congenial air for the business barons and other entrepreneurs in order to give a 'boost' and impetus to grow from economic point of view. Mounting pressure of educated employment should also be reduced to the minimum level by relevant ways and means. Drinking water supply schemes should also be revived.

To sum up, underdevelopment and unemployment situation are the root causes of militancy menace in the state. Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government has to pour adequate water in this sphere. Meanwhile, Gogoi has announced that a comprehensive plan would be drawn and implemented to cope with insurgency problem of the state. In one word, until and unless the government minimises graft elements with the departmental authority and ministers, all agenda issues will remain on paper.

A K PAUL

Assam: Gateway To The East & South-East Asia

Visual Dream Of Tarun Gogoi-Led Govt.

Tarun Gogoi seems not to be a practical dreamer. He is, indeed, an ambitious man. He and his party's economic affairs department vowed to make the state the 'gateway to the East and South-East Asia'. To fulfill this ambition, Gogoi must maintain stability both in party politics and state politics since there are a few loop-holes within his party leadership itself. In fact, able leadership and stable government are the two integral parts of rapid economic development. For instance, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh could manage to get able leaders and stable governments and, hence, they have been successful in developing software 'hubs' in their respective state capitals. Now, Assam's new CM is all set to develop Guwahati city as 'hub' of all trade and commerce in active connection with the neighbouring countries.

But what is the ambition about? Gogoi and his party unveiled an ambitious strategy to promote Guwahati on the line of Hyderabad and Bangalore. A party document puts : 'History testifies that the undivided Assam was the gateway of commerce and culture that linked India overland to East and South-East Asia. It was a great meeting place where various ethnic groups came from all sides and assimilated, political frontiers converged and overlapped here. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's impression of Assam, after his visit in December 1945, rightly reflects Assam's potential as the gateway to the South East Asia. He said 'Assam has the look of great reserves of strength and potential ... I have no doubt that great highways by road, air and rail will go across her connecting China with India, and ultimately connecting East Asia with Europe. Assam will then no longer be an isolated far-away province but an important link between the East and the West."

Assam has the unique geographical advantage of being situated close to Myanmar, which is the gateway to the ASEAN countries. It is also close to China in the North. Today, South East Asia is a continuously growing formidable region having the best potentially emerging markets with 220 million households. Due to the high rate of growth, the ASEAN country markets are exploding and there is massive rise in consumer demand.

Thus, the state has the potential to emerge as the strategic base for foreign and domestic investors to tap the vast potential of contiguous markets of Myanmar, China including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Laos, Combodia, Indonesia and other East and South East Asia countries, which constitute nearly half of the world population.

The Indian Government has, meanwhile, constructed a 165 km long Tamu-Kalayeva-Kalameyo Road connecting North East to Myanmar and South East Asia. Moreover, border points between Myanmar and the North East have been opened at Moreh (Manipur) and Champai (Mizoram). The third border point at Pangsau Pass (Arunachal Pradesh) is a distinct possibility. Besides Assam's internal waterway network connects it to Bangladesh, giving it access to the parts of Chitagaon (Bangladesh), Calcutta and Haldia. Also Assam's proximity to the SAARC countries including Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan gives rise to the hope of being included as a supporting player in the regional trade cooperation agreements such as the SAPTA (South Asian Preferential Trading Agreement). Likewise, Assam can prominently feature in the periphery of the BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, SriLanka and Thailand) agreement, which says about the possibility of economic cooperation linking the littoral states of the Bay of Bengal.

Unfortunately it is a reversal of history that what Assam considered a bridge in the distant past, has in recent times in the aftermath of Independence been looked upon almost as a divide. So, Gogoi-led government seems firm to give better presentation for selling Assam

in the changed scenario of the 21st century.

Importantly, the geographical and socio-economic distance of the North East from the Indian mainland has slowly been bridged with the growing awareness about the region. However, public disaffection, unemployment and insurgency cannot be overcome merely by pouring in financial resources into the region. A greater emphasis has to be placed on the region raising its own resources and enhancing productive employment by encouraging tourism, trade, transit and foreign investment. In today's liberalized and global environment, our approach will be to rediscover opportunities and find strength in integrating more closely with the national economy and opening out to the dynamic economies of the East and South East Asia and beyond. With the gradual removal of trade barriers, Assam holds the promise of being an important center of trade and commerce. Therefore, the state government should work out a perspective plan for developing one of the best support infrastructures in and around Guwahati to facilitate large volume of trade within the North East and beyond. The capital city of Guwahati will be projected as the hub of all trade and commerce activities in South East Asia.

With the emerging opportunities of economic liberalization, the passage of North East to the future will require shifting to a high gear. Collectively, the North East has the great latent wealth which can enhance both local and national prosperity. There is an equal promise in realizing its potential as an economic and cultural bridge to East Central Asia. But this potential has to be converted into wealth through labour and enterprise. Resources per se are useless unless exploited and marketed. While much has been spoken over the past decade about a new momentum being imported to the 'Look East' policies of the state, these policies will serve as national interest best only if they are integrally linked to the promotion of the economic progress and welfare of the people of North East.

The government is keen to initiate measures for opening up border trade. These will be really positive steps towards greater regional economic cooperation among the countries of South Asia in the light of the new globalised economic environment. With China set to join the WTO, its cheap goods are largely regulated from flooding Indian markets. In this context, important arrangements are to be chalked out with China soon so that trade across land borders is concluded on the Most Favoured Nation basis with an appropriate tariff structure. This arrangement could extend to the Indo-Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan borders also with the progressive opening up of an increasing number of border check-posts to promote trade. Such cooperation for border trades was featured in the discussion popularly known as Kunming initiative. Opening up of the border will bring about a sea change in the region's economic environment.

Expansion of trading activities along the border will have spin off benefits for related sectors of transport, storage, communication, hotels and restaurants etc. In the long run this may facilitate economic integration of the region with the newly industrialized economies of South East Asia.

From the economic point of view, the Stilwell road underscores the importance of the North East India as possible center of economic resurgence. Re-opening of the Stilwell road will go a long way in opening up trans border trade, though there is little doubt that it will need serious concerted efforts by all concerned. The Stilwell road which was constructed by the allied army during the World War II connects Ledo in Assam with Kunming of the Yunan province of China. Along with the transit point at Moreh, the Stilwell road could well be connected to the Asian Highway project through the Hukwang valley of Myanmar forming a network of radial roads for the future. Even if there is a skeptical view about the immediate commercial viability of the Stilwell road, re-opening of this road will revive the close cultural, emotional and spiritual relations of a large number of ethnic groups living in India, Myanmar and South East China triggering a new era of travel, pilgrimage and tourism.

That is, the Gogoi government is firm to pursue the Central government to conclude free trade agreements with Myanmar and Bangladesh at the earliest. This way is to be paved for the BIMSTEC to move towards becoming a 'Free Trade Association'.

To conclude, in view of market-led open economic set up, nothing is close and highly rigid trade deal. As per the norms of WTO, all market deals have been opened up from April 1,2001. This means that all states of the country are embracing market-friendly economies now-a-days. Reasonably, Assam should shape itself with the major market-restructuring move too. This will put an end to a few unproductive issues like regionalism and insurgency in the course of times as the state is to go global with rapid socio-economic development.

A.K. PAUL

An alliance that did not click 

From A Special Correspondent GUWAHATI: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in Assam was totally routed in the State Assembly polls as the Congress came back to power with a thumping majority by winning 71 of the 125 seats. The AGP managed to win only 19 seats, while, its alliance partner BJP managed only eight, which proved that the people of Assam totally rejected the alliance. A number of AGP Ministers had to bite the dust and Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta , who is also the president of the AGP, himself finished poor third in the prestigious Dispur constituency. However, Mahanta was elected to the State Assembly from the Barhampur constituency. Several factors can be attributed for the debacle of the alliance. First and foremost, the anti-incumbency factor worked against the AGP as the AGP Government failed to live up to the expectations of the people of Assam . The AGP was formed as a fall out of the six year long Assam agitation for the detection and deportation of foreigners living in the State, which culminated in the signing of the Assam accord in 1985. But in its two terms, the AGP failed to take effective steps for the solution of the problem of infiltration of foreigners into Assam and for this failure the party was strongly criticised by organisations like the All Assam Students' Union (AASU). The unemployment problem in Assam has assumed menacing proportion as there are more than 16 lakh educated unemployed youths in the State and during its tenure the AGP Government failed to do anything to solve the problem, which angered the younger generation and they voted in favour of the Congress in the recently concluded polls. The signing of the financial memorandum of understanding with the Central Government also resulted in a ban on Government appointments and though just months before the elections, the AGP Government appointed seven thousand school teachers under the operation Black Board scheme, that did more harm to the AGP as no norms were followed and appointments were given whimsically. The controversy over the appointment of teachers seriously affected the poll prospects of the AGP. Moreover, the failure of the Government to solve the problems of the State Government employees, school and college teachers also resulted in agitation by these groups and these groups, in turn, went against the AGP. All these factors and allegations of corruption against several senior ministers were primarily responsible for the down fall of the AGP. Much was expected from the BJP after its impressive performance in the last two general elections, but the party also faltered after its alliance with the AGP. Till the last moment, the leaders of both the AGP and the BJP went on criticising each other and despite the opposition of the state unit leaders of the BJP, the Central leaders of the party finalised the deal with the AGP just before the elections, giving very little time for the leaders of both the parties to inform the workers and supporters of both the parties about the need for forging the alliance and the alliance did not click at the grass root level. A section of BJP leaders went to the extent of resigning from the party and formed the Assam BJP and though the new party did not win any seat, it created confusion in the minds of the party supporters. Now the future of the alliance hangs in balance as a section of the state unit leaders of the BJP are calling for rethinking on the alliance. Militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) also played a part in the defeat of the alliance as the outfit targeted the leaders and cadres of both the parties

and at least 40 persons including the BJP candidate for the Dibrugarh Assembly constituency Jayanta Dutta were killed and the AGP candidate for the Barpeta constituency Kumar Dipak Das was seriously wounded in an ULFA attack. This affected the campaigning by the candidates of the alliance. Meanwhile, the AGP president Prafulla Kumat Mahanta was gracious in defeat. Talking to this correspondent, he said, "we accept the verdict of the people and would continue to work as a constructive opposition for the development of the State." He said that the tough stand taken by the AGP Government against the militants gave a chance to some parties and organisations to launch a negative campaign against the AGP in the grass root level. He said that development was not the main issue as " we tried our best for the development of the State. Just compare the development works done during our time with that of the Congress regime before us." He also said that a number of development schemes like a drainage system, flyovers etc were taken up in Guwahati city during the tenure of the AGP Government but the AGP lost all the four seats in the city. 

Ramanuj Dutta Choudhury

News on 21st May '2001

New Assembly Session

Guwahati : Assam Governor Lt. Gen (retd) Srinivas Kumar Sinha has summoned the newly elected Assam Legislative Assembly on May 30 next. A notification in this regard has already issued by the Governor. It will be the first Assembly session for the newly elected Tarun Gogoi led Congress government.

Congress To Hold Panchayat Election Which AGP Could Not

Guwahati : The last Panchayat election of Assam was to be held in 1997, but the outgoing AGP government could not conduct the election due to their shortcomings. The newly formed Congress government likes to have decentralisation of power and wants to hold the Panchayat elections within December in the current year. Chief Minister Mr Tarun Gogoi said thus in a press conference here on the second day of his attending office, yesterday.

BJP Created A New Political History Of Assam : Gogoi

Guwahati : Mr Tarun Gogoi, the new Chief Minister of Assam, has claimed that Congress came to power in Assam not because of negative voting against the AGP-BJP alliance as a section of people believe and claim. He said that the Assemese people are politically conscious and have voted for Congress since they were fed up with the previous government. He further said that it was the first time in Assam's political history that such a large number of Central ministers came to the state for canvassing in favour of the ruling party against the opponent. But the history has failed.

Seva Dal Chairman Appointed

Guwahati : The Chief Organiser of All India Congress Seva Dal, Mr Prahlad Yadav has appointed Mr Prafulla Chandra Bhuyan as Chairman of Guwahati city Congress Seva Dal, a Seva Dal press release stated here.

New Party Constituted

Guwahati : Bodoland Demand Legislative Party(BDLP), a new party was constituted by the All Bodo Students' Union(ABSU) in cooperation of BPAC with the 10 ABSU supported MLAs who were elected in the recently held Assembly election. ABSU supported these

candidates on the condition that they would fight for the separate Bodoland issue because it is the primary demand of the ABSU. Pramila Rani Brahma has been selected as the newly constituted BDLP leader. But it is notable that Brahma wants ABSU's demand to have flexibility. All the 10 Bodo MLAs were present in the meeting and supported the objectives of the party.

SAKP's Congratulations

Guwahati : In a press release, the Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) congratulates the employees and general public for voting the Prafulla Mahanta led AGP government out of power and termed its defeat as the 'ideal punishment' to a 'corrupt' government. The Parishad also hoped that all employees will work with the new government with full cooperation.

News on 20th May '2001

Portfolios Likely To Be Finalised

Prithivi Majhi Will Be The Speaker

Guwahati : The portfolios of the 12 Cabinet and 4 State Ministers of the new ministry headed by Mr. Tarun Gogoi are likely to finalised. According to an unofficial source, as Jiba Kanta Gogoi, who earlier was to be the Speaker of the Assembly, expressed his unwillingness to take the chair, the party leaders selected veteran Congress leader and Lahowal MLA, Mr. Prithivi Majhi as the speaker of the 11th Assam Assembly. It has been declared by Majhi himself. According to the source, former Chief Minister late Hiteshwar Saikia's wife Hemoprabha Saikia will be the Social Welfare Minister, Dr. Bhumidhar Barman will be the new Health Minister, Mr. Debananda Konwar will hold the Revenue Department, Sarat Borkataki will be the PWD Minister. The other ministers are Dr. Ardhendu Kumar Dey (Food and Civil Supplies), Bharat Chandra Narah (Forest), Rameswar Dhanwar (Labour and Employment), Gobinda Chandra Langthasa (Hill Areas Development), Gautam Roy (Panchayat and Rural Development), Ismail Hussain (Char Area Development), Dinesh Prasad Gowala (PHE) and Hem Prakash Narayan (Fisheries). Chief Minister Gogoi is likely to hold Home and Finance Department in his hand.

CM Met Surabala Bordoloi

Guwahati : On the first day of his office Chief Minister Mr. Tarun Gogoi yesterday met Ms. Surabala Bordoloi, wife of former Chief Minister of Assam late Gopinath Bordoloi, at her residence at Ulubari in the city. Mr. Gogoi was accompanied by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (in charge of Assam) Mr. Kamal Nath.

Thunder-Bolt Killed Four

Nagaon : Five persons were killed in different parts of Nagaon yesterday. According to the sources four farmers were killed by thunderbolt Friday morning at Gathoria under Nagaon police station. On the other hand, one Promod Gogoi (55) was killed in a road mishap in Barbari on the same day.

ABSU Meeting

Guwahati : The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) today organised a special public meeting along with its executive meeting at Kokrajhar where all the newly elected ABSU supported MLAs were present. This meeting was specially organised for the purpose of forming Bodo

Legislative party.

ACA Cricket Academy

Guwahati : Following the BCCI's proposal to set up a cricket academy in all the states of the country, the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) has scheduled to set up a cricket academy at the Nehru Stadium here from 1st June. The academy, to be partly financed by the BCCI which will provide Rs. 50,000 annually, is going to function in three phases, each phase being of 21 days. The chief coach Kamal Das will be assisted by Manoj Bhagabati, R. Rajbanshi and Mukul Kalita. All together 25 to 30 players will be selected and each district can send two players. The final selection would be done by the chief coach Kamal Das. It has been informed by Mr. Nandan Bezbaruah, secretary of ACA.

News on 19th May '2001

Tarun Gogoi Sworn In As Chief Minister of the State

Guwahati : Today in a prestigious function held in the Raj Bhawan at 1.55 pm Asom Pradesh Congress Committee president and Congress Legislative Party Leader Mr. Tarun Gogoi was sworn in as the 11th Chief Minister of Assam. Governor of Assam Lt. Gen.(Rtd.) S.K. Sinha sworn Gogoi of secrecy responsibility. Along with Mr. Gogoi other 12 Cabinet Ministers and 4 state level ministers were also sworn in by the Governor.

Mr.Gogoi included 16 colleagues in his Cabinet but has not distributed portfolios. The members of Legislative Assembly who were sworn today include Dr. Bhumidhar Barman(from Barkhetri), Govinda Ch. Langthasa(from Haflong), Dr. Hemoprabha Saikia(from Nazira), Hem Prakash Narayan(from Dergaon), Ardhendu Kr. Dey(from Hojai), Rameswar Dhanuwar(from Digboi), Bharat Narah(from Dhakuakhana), Sarat Borkataki(from Sonari), Gautam Roy(from Katlisara), Devananda Konwar(from Thowra), Ismile Hussain, Binod Gowala, and the 4 state ministers are Praydut Bordoloi(from Margherita), Anjan Dutta(from Amguri), Rupam Kurmi(from Morioni), and Nazibul Omar(from Dhubri). Among them Chief Minister Mr. Gogoi, Dr. Barman, Dr. Saikia, Mr. Narayan, Mr. Dhanuwar, Mr. Narah, Mr. Borkataky and all the 4 state ministers were sworn in Assamese while Mr. Langthasa, Mr. Dey, Mr. Hussain and Mr. Konwar were sworn in English, Mr. Roy sworn in Bengali and Mr. Gowala sworn in Hindi.

The sworn in ceremony began at 1.55 pm and concluded at 2.55 pm which was conducted by Chief Secretary of Assam. Most of the prominent persons of Congress were present in the ceremony. With this Chief Minister's sworn in ceremony the election procedure of 11th LAC have ended.

SULFA Men Arrested 

Rangia : With the change in the government the attitude and motive of the state police has changed altogether. It is perhaps the only major case in which 12 Surrendered ULFA members were arrested at a time in Rangia. According to the sources, Rangia Sub Divisional police officer Binod Kumar recently arrested 12 SULFA men from an illegal parking gate on the National Highway No 31. The source said that two truck drivers from Punjab were beaten up by the SULFA men. The police arrested the SULFA men on the basis of the complaint lodged by the truck drivers. The arrested SULFA men were later sent to the judicial custody. 

Rajya Sabha Poll 

Guwahati :Election Commission today announced that the election for five members of the Rajya Sabha will be held in the second week of June. Rajya Sabha members from Assam,

Dr. Manmohan Singh and the former CM's wife Jayahree Goswami Mahanta's terms will finish this month. It is notable that with the end of the term of Jayshree Goswami Mahanta, one member of the Rajya Sabha in favour of NDA government will get decreased, because now the member to Rajya Sabha from Assam will go from Congress since Congress has absolute majority in the Legislative Assembly. Now Mr. Kirip Chaliha and I.P. Hazarika have most chances of getting selected to the Rajya Sabha. 

University Examination Exam Dates Announced 

Guwahati :The 1st and 3rd Semester Examination, 2001 of the Gauhati University for the subjects mentioned below will be held in the month of June 2001. The last dates for submission of forms and fees of the Semester Examination is 21 May, and with fine 24 May, 2001. Subjects are Chemistry, Physics, Geological Science, Botany, Zoology, Statistics, Mathematics, Bio-technology, Anthropology, Geography and Sanskrit. It has been stated here in a Gauhati University press release. 

Welcome to Mr. Gogoi 

Guwahati : Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) vice-chairman, state planning board, Assam and president of United Bodo Nationalist Front (UBNF) and leader of the Indo-Mongolian Youth Front, Mr. Kanakeswar Narzary has expressed his warm welcome to Mr. Tarun Gogoi as the new leader of the Congress (I) legislative party, a press release stated here.

News on 18th May '2001

Kalita And Saikia Ultimately Bowed Down To Party Decision

18 MLAs To Be Sworn In 

Guwahati : Within 24 hours Mr Tarun Gogoi is likely to be sworn in as the 11th Assam Chief Minister. Mr Gogoi has been to New Delhi to discuss with the party high command about the constitution of the cabinet ministry. Tomorrow Mr Gogoi will distribute portfolios of his cabinet and after a few days will distribute other portfolios to the MLAs.

For the first time former MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita and the former CM late Hiteswar Saikia's wife Hemaprabha Saikia opposed the leadership of Tarun Gogoi but later they changed their voice and ultimately bowed down to the Congress high command's decision. It is notable that the All India Congress Committee has already proposed Mr Gogoi as the CM. According to an unofficial source, 18 MLAs will first be sworn in tomorrow as ministers. Among them are Sarat Borkotoki, Bhumidhar Barman, Jiba Kanta Gogoi, Debananda Konwar, Dr Hemaprabha Saikia, Gobinda Ch Langthasa, Dr Ardhendu Kr Dey, Pankaj Bora, Dileshwar Tanti, Rameshwar Dhanowal, Anjan Dutta, Bharat Ch Narah, Gautom Roy, Rekibul Hussain, Pradyout Bordoloi, Sarifa Begum, Pranati Phukan and Ripun Bora. According to the sources, though Bhubaneshwar Kalita was an aspirant for the CM chair, Mr Gogoi is not so interested to include Mr Kalita in his cabinet. On the other hand Dr Saikia may not get an important portfolio in the ministry. In a question regarding this Mr Kalita said, 'I had to respect the unanimous decision of the party'. He also said, ' I was an aspirant but after Mrs Gandhi announced Tarun Gogoi as her choice, I accept it. I had to bow down to the choice of the party president Sonia Gandhi.'

Re-counting Demanded

North Lakhimpur : Over 1000 Congress workers staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here recently and submitted a memorandum demanding re-counting of votes in 111th Lakhimpur LAC. But the DC said that it is not possible to order

re-counting at this stage after the declaration of the result, unless order from the competent authority to this effect is obtained.

Assam Bandh Called

Guwahati : The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and the Bodo People Action Committee (BPAC) have jointly called for a 12 hour Assam bandh on May 19 from 5 am. ABSU president Rabiram Narzary informed that the bandh has been called to protest against the killing of two Bodo persons allegedly by the Santhals activists during the election. The ABSU has demanded immediate arrest of the culprit involved in the incident.

ULFA Warns The Coming Government

Guwahati : 'Different governments have taken their places at Dispur but the people of Assam have received nothing till date. The burning problems of the state like ever increasing unemployment figures, illegal migration, flood, problems relating to education, health and formation of national economy of Assam, were never addressed properly by any government.'. The latest edition of Freedom, the mouth-piece of the banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), claims thus. The mouth-piece warns the coming Congress government not to repeat its 'history of betrayal and fratricide'. The banned outfit also stated that the people of Assam have nothing to cherish Congress' win in the Assembly election. ULFA termed it as 'Old wine in a new bottle'. The outfit hopes that Congress will read the graffiti and will not repeat its former doings.

ULFA claimed that Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) came to power by deceiving the people of Assam. It accused the outgoing government of 'performing its due responsibility as a cell operator in Indian occupation without any reservation in the garb of a regional flag bearer'. It also charged the party of 'staining the present history of Assam by enlisting the services of the notorious secret killers and forming extra-institutional armed gang under the supervision of a Unified Command structure against the people of Assam.'

News on 17th May '2001

Why Sipajhar Is To Go Re-Polling

Sipajhar : According to intelligence sources, while only around 200 votes were to be counted yesterday night, there was a sudden failure of power in the counting room. Reported that before the power went off, Congress candidate Binanda Saikia was leading by a margin of around 700 votes. Surprisingly after power was resumed AGP candidate Joynath Sharma was declared the winner. When the power failed, the polling agents were put out of the room and the Deputy Commissioner along with the security personnel entered the room. It took a fairly long time to make arrangment for the power generator. When the power resumed the AGP candidate was declared to win the seat.

Congress candidate Mr Saikia has filed a case in the High Court in view of the abrupt change of results and has demanded re-polling. It is for this reason that re-polling has been announced for the constituency.

BJP Wins One More Seat

Silchar : After re-polling in Silchar LAC, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Mr Bimalanshu Roy has defeated his nearest Congress (I) candidate Kamalendu Bhattacharyee only by 71 votes. With this, total number of seats occupied by BJP in the recent Assembly election went up to 8. It is notable that BJP had alleged Congress of trying to rig in the original election and actual result has come out only after the re-polling

and the attempt of Congress has failed.

Mahanta Adds One More Prominent AGP Leader 

Sipajhar : Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader and former Revenue Minister of the state Dr Joynath Sharma has defeated his nearest Congress (I) candidate Binanda Saikia in a margin of 213 votes in Sipajhar. Dr Sharma won 49,978 votes against Saikia's 45,765 votes. After P K Mahanta, he is the only prominent AGP leader to win the Assembly election this time. Notably,  Mr Sharma has been continuously occupying the Sipajhar seat since 1985.

Accident In The City, One Died On Spot

Guwahati : An accident that the city witnessed today at around 3.25 pm cost one life. A heavily loaded truck carrying gunny bags of salt, trampled over a Maruti car in which two persons, including one lady (45) who was killed on the spot, were traveling in Jonali of the city. The car was heading towards Chandmari from Ganeshguri. The driver of the car has been heavily injured. It is reported that the truck collided directly to a road-divider and after trampling an auto-rickshaw standing nearby finally turned upside down over the car. The auto-rickshaw driver and the truck driver have also got injured. The witnessing public held the traffic police responsible for the mishap. They expressed that the traffic police had allowed the heavily loaded truck to enter the city during office time against money. It is also claimed by the public that the new government will take necessary steps to reduce this kind of malpractices.

Inter-Media Tourneys

Guwahati : Assam Sports Journalists Associations (ASJA) will be held its annual inter-media tournies here from May 26. The first day will see the Badaruddin Ahmed Memorial Inter-Media Table Tennis Tournament while the Arabinda Buragohain Memorial Inter-Media Badminton Tournament will be held on May 27. The ninth edition of RKB Cements Inter-Media Soccer Tournament will be held from June 4. The tournament will be confined among the working journalists. Interested participants for Table Tennis and Badminton may confirm their participation before May 20 while the last date of joining in media soccer tourney is May 26. It is informed by ASJA sources.

Pro-Congress Officials Have Started Crowding The Capital

Guwahati : All the creamy-level government personalities in favour of Congress, who were distributed in various parts of the state and the nation during the last five years, have started accumulating in the capital, Guwahati. They have started contacting party high commands to have good placements in the new government. Reported that even Gandhi, the defamed coal mafia of the erstwhile Congress government, has already located himself in the city. High official of the former Congress government Mr Ashim Roy has already arrived in the city and has started suing Tarun Gogoi to have power during this government too.

Known from intelligence sources that a group of former members of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) have already gone to New Delhi to arrange a set-up for themselves in the time to come, and are scheduled to see Tarun Gogoi when the latter will arrive at Delhi day after tomorrow. It is also reported by intelligence sources that IPS officer Kuladhar Saikia and Dr Sarat Phukan are about to get high positions in the police department.

Tarun Gogoi To Be Sworn In

Guwahati : Getting absolute majority in the Assembly election, Member of Parliament and president of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Mr Tarun Gogoi will be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Assam. Secretary of All India Congress Committee Mr Kamal Nath was in Guwahati from Delhi to be present in the party's leader selection meeting as the observer from the Central Committee. The Central Committee has already proposed Mr Tarun Gogoi as the CM of the state. 

After sworning in, Mr Gogoi is scheduled to leave for New Delhi where he will meet party high command and discuss the distribution of portfolios. He will also meet other Central Congress leaders. Returning home after two days, he will constitute his ministry. As has been known from the party sources, he will first constitute a small cabinet and will extend it in due course of time. Mr Gogoi will keep the charge of the Home and Finance Ministry with himself.

Tarun Gogoi Does Not Want To Take Risk Of Contesting From Dibrugarh

Titabor : Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Tarun Gogoi, against the wish of the partymen, will contest from Titabor constituency. Dibrugarh district Congress committee is trying heart and soul to make him contest from Dibrugarh. But Gogoi is adamant to do justice to Titabor only. Noteworthy that Mr Gogoi is not an MLA, he is the MP from Koliabor Parliamentary constituency. In order to be the CM he would have to be elected from any one LAC of the state as an MLA within the next six months. Mr Gogoi's brother Deep Gogoi is the elected MLA from Titabor LAC. Significant that Mr Gogoi gave party ticket to his brother only having the pact that if Congress gets absolute majority, his brother will withdraw from membership of the Legislative Assembly and vacate the seat for him to contest. In the fear that people in Dibrugarh might be sentimental for the killing of the BJP candidate Mr Jayanta Dutta, Mr Gogoi does not want to take the risk of contesting the election in Dibrugarh which is to be held after a forth-night. Better will it be for him to contest from Titabor where his Congress has already won and he will have six month time at hand. Any way, Mr Gogoi would have be elected to be the CM, if and only if he succeeds he becomes the next CM.

News on 15th May '2001

R K Narayan Is No More

Chennai : Eminent Indian novelist of international repute and the 'architect' of Malgudi passed away yesterday morning at 3 am. He was suffering from cardio-vascular problems from April 27 and died in a private hospital following cardio-respiratory failure. He was 95 . The President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister has expressed profound grief at the death of the pen wizard who projected a serene and faithful picture of India in his novels and stories. The President hoped that the currency and readership of the immortal personality will only increase with the passage of time.

Congress Is All Set To Form The New Government

Guwahati :  Out of the 126 LACs of the state, 125 went for election this time. According to information available, till now 123 seats have been declared in which Congress is leading the fray by already occupying 71 seats, while the AGP-BJP alliance is trailing with 26 seats (AGP-19, BJP-7) and all other parties including the Independence candidates has occupied 26 seats. The break-up of other parties is as such : Independent candidate including ABSU-16, NCP-3, TGP-2, ASBCU-2, Samata-1, Samajwadi-1 and ASDC-1. Two constituencies, Sipajhar and Silchar are having recounting in which Congress is leading.

The result, however, is not contrary to what was expected. The poll-opinion conducted by our portal (www.vedanti.com) forecast Mr. Tarun Gogoi of Congress as the next Chief Minister of Assam. BJP perhaps would have occupied more seats if they were not in

alliance with AGP. Besides, the conflicting remarks put forth by the BJP and AGP candidates against each other in their campaigns have smeared the image of the alliance.

Congress is all set to form the next government in the state as the party is heading towards a clear majority. Significantly all the four LACs in Guwahati, namely Jalukabari, Dispur, Guwahati East and Guwahati West, have been clean-sweeped by Congress. The prestigious Dispur seat has been won by Robin Bordoloi. The erstwhile CM Mr Prafulla K Mahanta, who contested from Dispur and Barhampur, has won in the Barhampur constituency. Hemaprabha Saikia, wife of the former Congress CM Mr Hiteswar Saikia has won the Nazira seat. AGP candidate Sarbananda Sonowal, who occupied the headlines recently for his attempts to repeal the IM(DT) act, has won in Moran constituency. Several senior AGP leaders including Speaker of Assam Assembly Mr Ganesh Kutum, minister Ramendra N Kalita, Biraj K Sharma, Nurul Hussain, Pradip Hazarika, Chandra Mohan Patowary were defeated. The only prominent Congress looser was Silvious Condopan. BJP, inspite of its good performance in the last two general elections, could manage to win only seven seats, as far as news till the time is available.

We Are Sure To Secure 80 Percent Seats : Rajen Gohain

Rajen Gohain, the president of Assam state committee of BJP is optimistic of securing at least 80 percent seats in the ensuing Assembly polls in the state on May 10. In an exclusive interview with this writer, Mr. Gohain said that the poll alliance between AGP and BJP will usher in a new era in the political history of the state. Regarding dissident BJP workers, including Hiranya Bhattacharya (president of the newly-formed Assam BJP), Mr Gohain said that he had urged the latter not to depart and they have already been served expulsion notices with immediate effect. Besides, Mr. Gohain highlighted a number of burning issues during the interview. Excerpts:

Q: What was the role of BJP state unit in Assam politics during the last five years ?

A: The state BJP played a very vital role in the development aspects of Assam in the last five years. It has taken up the problems of Koch Rajbanshi and Tea-tribes of the state with the Central government for amicable solution to them. As is well-known, we have been successful in establishing a stable government at the Centre, their problems have been examined by it in a decent manner. With a view to solve the vexed flood havoc of the state, we have convinced the Centre to release a huge sum of fund. Though I cannot not remember the exact amount right now, the quantity of grant was quite substantial. We have been hailed by different quarters for bringing various capital grants to the state, specially in the last one and half years.

Q: What according to you is the main problem of Assam today?

A: I think industrial backwardness is the main problem of Assam today. If voted to power, we will give a boost to the industrial and manufacturing sector of the state. It is only for the industrial under-development that unemployment problem has been cropping up in the state. We will initiate utmost care to upgrade the growth rate of the industrial sector of the state in the years to come.

Q: What is your expectation in the coming polls ?

A: Our AGP-BJP combine will get an overall 80 per cent Assembly seats in the polls slated to be held on May 10. We expect at least 80-90 per cent seats in the Upper Assam, 80 per cent in Barak Valley and 80 per cent in the north bank of the Brahmaputra. We are sure to win in the Assembly constituencies like Dhakuakhana, Bihali, Nagaon (six seats) and so on.

Q: How the poll campaigns by Mukut Sarmah hit your electioneering ?

A: Yes, the dissident Congress leader Mukut Sarmah is contesting as an Independent candidate from Nagaon LAC. His aggressive poll campaign has adversely affected our electioneering. However, we have been successful in bringing the situation under control. Now everything is normal there. Our party is gaining ground there.

Q: What about Mani Kumar Chubba-led Naoboicha Assembly seat ?

A: Very interesting. Our AGP-BJP combine is little by little gaining ground there too. I think the local people are sided with us now. I am sure that our candidate will get the seat there.

Q: What is your stand in Hiranya Bhattacharya-led Assam BJP ?A: We have tried our best to make Bhattacharya understand not to agitate and float the new party. However, he continued to refute our directives. As a result , he has been expelled from the primary membership of the parent party BJP.

Q: What about other dissident party workers?

A: We have already initiated strong internal disciplinary action against the irate party workers helping other parties. Some of them have also been given expulsion notices to cope with the political crisis within the party.

A.K. Paul

Value Based Politics is the Need of the Hour : Bhrigu Phukan

We are passing through an age of corruption as the political parties have become corrupted, and hence it is only value-based politics which can emancipate the society---Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, the former state Home Minister and a sitting MLA from Jalukbari seat, thinks so. He won thrice in a row from this legislative Assembly constituency (LAC). He is contesting as an NCP-led morcha candidate from the same constituency. In an exclusive interview with this writer Mr Phukan has highlighted a number of political and non-political issues at his residence on Saturday, April 28. The excerpts of the interview are as follows :

Q Why did you come away from AGP-led government ?

A The AGP-led government has been heavily corrupted. It cannot bear with the corruption load now. I predicted the worst effects of large-scale corruption in Prafulla K Mahanta government when we assumed office during the period of early nineties. But he would hardly listen to us. Finally, I had to quit due to their corruption practice. However, I gave Mr Mahanta six-month time to rectify his corruption-oriented deals. Since he failed to have concern to our moral goals I had to resign, and then I formed Asom Jatiya Sanmilan, which is also an active member of NCP-led 5-party Regional Democratic Alliance.

Q What do you think are the achievements and failures of Mahanta government?

A Actually, Mahanta cannot claim any success in any front. He failed in every field. Establishment of Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Numaligarh refinery etc. are the fruits of Assam students' movement. He is claiming that he has build an over bridge (fly-over) within seven months, although it took over seven years. Notwithstanding, he failed to do anything for the rural mass. He failed to hold Panchayat polls for five years. Hence he

failed to decentralise power and administration. He failed to bring peace to the state too. However, he claims that he is very much successful in ushering peace in the state, he made it at the cost of a number of valuable lives of Assamese youths. We don't believe in the establishment of a peace era inside the grave.

Q Though Atul Bora and you came out from AGP together, yet you could not fight against Mr Mahanta. Why ?

A In fact, I had come out from AGP before Atul Bora came out.

Q Do you think AGP is likely to continue another term in office ? If not, why?

A No. AGP would not be able to continue another term in office since it failed on all fronts. People know well where they should cast their votes.

Q Will the AGP gain from its alliance with BJP ? What about BJP ?

A AGP had already to pay a lot for its poll alliance with BJP. Many AGP workers have already quit the party. BJP paid a great loss too. Chinks have already been seen within the party. Both the parties are, indeed, corrupt. People would never side with them, I think.

Q Why have you thrown your lot with that of NCP ? Why did not you support Congress (I) straightway ?

A NCP is fighting for a 'cause'. That is, its leaders P A Sangma, Sharad Pawar and others are free from graft elements. They are fighting against foreigners' entry into Indian administration as well. In a sense, their key objective is to work for people with 'value based politics', which is the need of the hour. Sangma gave huge sum of money for the rehabilitation of the flood-hit people in Laharighat area of Assam while AGP-led government did nothing for them. Sangma is kind enough, he doesn't want to be the CM of the state. Even then he is serving the people of the state on moral grounds. When Hindi-speaking people were being killed in the state, he is the lone person who took up the issue with the Central Govt. That is, Sangma and other NCP leaders are doing 'value-based politics' where you find ethical base for the society. Since our party, Asom Jatiya Sanmilan, was formed keeping in view this ethical base on top, we tucked with the NCP. Moreover, Congress is well-known for corruption. So, the question of tucking with this party does not arise.

Q You have been criticised for dragging the late Manabendra Sarma into controversy. How do you react to that ?

A The famous Congress leader Manabendra Sarma was actually killed by some Congress men, including this year's Congress candidate for Jalukbari seat, Hemant Bishwa Sarmah. I have supporting evidence against Hemanta Sarmah. He developed a conspiracy against Manabendra and subsequently the latter had to kiss the 'jaws of death'. Therefore, people should not vote for Hemanta whose hands are being coloured with Manabendra's blood.

Q The CBI has failed to convince the court that they have a case against P K Mahanta on LOC. Yet you always refer to the LOC. Do you think it can still be an issue ?

A The suit on LOC is now with the Supreme Court. I think that the apex court will unveil rational verdicts. The nodal investigating agency has sufficient documents against Mahanta. It is the media which was given wrong information by some people with vested interest that the CBI had no supporting evidence. In fact the court has postponed its hearing in view of the Assembly election on May 10. I don't think the LOC scam will remain

as an issue alone.

Q Electricity shortage hits hard the 'Manchester of the East' ( Sualkuchi silk industry ) which is under your constituency. What did you do to curb this power crisis there ?

A I have taken up the issue with the ASEB chairman recently. He assured me to do the needful. There are many problems in our constituency besides power crisis. I promise to solve them if voted to power again. I spent Rs 3 crore for construction activities in the Bejera area.

Q During the Language movement and your Home Ministership you used to speak on hard issues and now you seem to be quite calm. Why ?

A It is the money power that empowers a politician. Money power is a must for political success. Those who have too much money arising out of corrupt activities can do politics with a loud voice now-a-days. In those days we needed no money to speak with a loud voice. Since we have only hard earned money, which is limited in Toto, we can't speak in big voices these days. A.K.Paul

Party members to select the next CM if voted to power : says APCC chief Tarun Gogoi.

Of late, many Congress workers have started to flay the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president, Tarun Gogoi, taking the advantage of his 'simplicity' and his 'alleged weak' leadership capability. A large number of Congressmen became furious for not getting election tickets. They even went on rampage at the Rajib Bhawan in Guwahati. Many party ticket aspirants filed nominations as independent candidates too. Later, for the sake of party interest and the directions of Gogoi, excepting Mukut Sarmah of Nagaon, these dissident Congress workers, like Phani Sarmah of East Guwahati seat, withdrew their nominations. Now a moot question is hovering over the APCC : Who will be the next CM of the state if voted to power-- Gogoi himself, Anowar Taimur or Pawan Singh Ghatowar ? Mr Gogoi has very diplomatically handled this question. He has, besides, focused on many burning issues of the Congress as well as of the state as a whole in an exclusive interview with this writer at his Guwahati residence recently. Following are the excerpts of the interview:

Q: Who will be the next CM of Assam if Congress is voted to power?

A: It is too early to comment. The winning party members will decide who will be the Chief Minister.

Q: Why did you make so much delay in announcing the names of your party candidates ?

A: We have always been late in announcing the names of our candidates. So, this year's delay was not a new thing. It's our general practice.

Q: It has been broadly alleged that most of the Congress leaders have taken bribes from party nominees. What is your comment?

A: The allegation is totally irrelevant and politically motivated. Till today, in fact, money comes from the party nominees, against which cash receipts are issued. We vehemently refute the allegation.

Q: What is your comment on the allegedly formed MPs lobby of Assam Congress in New

Delhi ?

A: They are recommending names for party tickets. Every body has a right to recommend names for party nominations.

Q: What is your comment on the resignation move of Ranee Narah?

A: So far as I know no body has tendered resignation among our Congress MPs.

Q: What is the root cause of projecting your own brother Dip Gogoi as a 'dummy candidate' for Titabor seat, although there were many senior Congressmen there?

A: In fact, I have projected my brother Dip Gogoi in Titabor seat as per high command's directive. Dip is an active Congress worker. Once he was the general secretary of district Congress committee. Therefore, he is a deserving candidate.

Q: What do you think is the most burning problem of Assam today ?

A: I believe economic downturn is the basic problem plaguing the state today.

Q: Suppose you become the next CM, what will be your first priority ?

A: Revival of the economy of Assam as a whole will be my first priority. However, gradually we will work according to our party's development plans and strategies.

Q: What is your reaction to P.K. Mahanta's claim that he succeeded in bringing peace to the state ?

A: His claim is baseless. Unified Command is still continuing its operations in the state. The law-and-order situation is disturbed. People are fed up with Mahanta government's performance. They are looking forward to change of guard in the Congress.

Q: What is your reaction to the poll alliance between the AGP & BJP ?

A: They have always betrayed the people, and have no ideologies. People will decide their electoral fortunes in the ensuing polls.

Q: What is your comment on Sharat Singha led RDA ?

A: They have every right to form a common forum, i.e. the Regional Democratic alliance. But they will not be able to create an impact on the polls. However, they will win away some votes. But it won't effect us directly.

Q: What is your present stand on IM(DT) Act ?

A: Our stand is very clear. The IM(DT) Act was enacted to protect the refugees, but not the foreigners. We oppose its misuse.

Q: How many seats do you expect in this Assembly election ?

A: We do expect an overall two-third majority of the total seats.

Q: Wish you all the best from www.vedanti.com.

A: Thank you.

A.K.PAUL

Bhrigu should take moral responsibility of Manabendra's killing: Himanta Biswa Sarmah

Guwahati: The former home minister of Assam and present MLA from Jalukbari LAC, Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, has to take the moral responsibility of APCC leader Manabendra Sarmah's killing--feels the Jalukbari Congress candidate and three times General Secretary of Cotton College Students' Union Himanta Biswa Sarmah. Himanta is contesting from Jalukbari for the second time. He was a general secretary of Assam Youth Congress too. In an exclusive interview with this reporter, he has highlighted a number of perplexing issues of the state as a whole. Excerpts of the interview are as follows:

Q: You have been accused of being involved in the killing of Congress leader Manabendra Sarmah. What is your stand ?

A: This allegation is absolutely bogus. The family members of late Manabendra Sarmah are with me. His son Rajiv Sarmah is with me and is actively campaigning for me throughout these days. So, where is the allegation ?

Q: Then why do you think Bhrigu Phukan is saying so ?

A: He has gone mad. Just I am giving a counter allegation. It was during Phukan's home minister-ship that Manabendra Sarmah was killed. Phukan being the then home minister should have given him security cover. But he failed to give security cover. He should take the moral responsibility of the Manabendra Sarmah killing. Has Bhrigu Phukan ever visited late Sarmah's family or sent condolence message ? Sarmah's son has openly announced "Why you are showing crocodile tears ?" I think, it will backfire on him (Bhrigu) because Sarmah's son is actively electioneering with me. I am going to lodge a defamation case of Rs 10 crore against Mr. Phukan soon. Labeling a charge of murder is very defamatory without sufficient evidence. People are supporting me now. They are asking why Bhrigu Phukan is accusing a candidate in such a way. Notwithstanding, Manabendra Sarmah's son, Rajiv, has already given me a letter describing that they have no allegation with me over the 'controversial killing' episode. So, they are still backing me. Let the people decide by casting their valuable votes.

Q: What is your expectation in the ensuing poll ?

A: I hope, I will be able to add a chapter to the history of Assembly election in the state. I will get around 50,000 votes, which will be a historical event for the politics of Assam. Therefore, I am sure to win.

Q: Who is your nearest rival ?

A: I don't think I have any nearest rival. But in the second slot, there will be two to three candidates like Mr Phukan, a local BJP candidate and a Left camp contestant. In this year I think the Left camp contestant is highly committed to fetch a huge number of votes.

Q: If voted to power, whom you will support for the office of CM-Tarun Gogoi, Anwara Taimur or P.S. Ghatowar ?

A: Only Tarun Gogoi is the obvious choice. He is our leader.

Q: What about Taimur ?

A: Taimur is misunderstood. I think, in the meantime, Gogoi has convinced her not to be dissident.

Q: What is your comment on MPs' lobby in New Delhi ?

A: There is no lobby in the Congress. All the MPs and MLAs abide by Tarun Gogoi's instructions in Congress.

Q: Most of the candidates for the Jalukbari seat are hailing from greater Guwahati. Please comment.

A: Our present MLA-Bhrigu Phukan, who won Assembly election from this LAC in a row, is hailing from Sibsagar. However, Jalukbari is a part and parcel of the city. You should not separate it from the city. The Jalukbari constituency covers a huge prestigious area. Suppose this year's AGP-BJP combine candidate is Ramendranath Deka, who is from Sualkuchi. But the voters of Baihata Chariali should not say that Deka is an outsider since Jalukbari seat also covers Baihata.

Q: What are the major problems of your LAC ?A: Jalukbari constituency starts from Kamakhya. 20 per cent of the city belongs to the LAC. I think, unemployment, road & transport bottlenecks, drinking water scarcity etc. are some of the burning problems faced by the constituency.

Q: How would you tackle them ?

A: If voted to power, I will implement my personal 150-point socio-economic package for the constituency so that every problem is solved at ease.

Q: Wish you all the best from Vedanti.com.

A: Thank you very much.

Amar Krishna Paul

Assam Polls: A victory for democracy 

From A Special Correspondent GUWAHATI: The Assembly elections for 125 of the 126 constituencies in Assam are now over and the fate of 907 candidates is now sealed in the ballot boxes till the counting begins on May 13. It is still difficult to predict the outcome even as the exit polls gave a clear edge for the Congress but more than the results, what matters now is that the Elections once again proved the strength of Indian democracy. The State witnessed large scale violence in the run up to the polls as militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) targeted the leaders and workers of the AGP-BJP alliance and in the later stages of the campaign, a few Congress workers were also attacked by unidentified miscreants. More than 40 persons including the BJP candidate for the Dibrugarh Assembly constituency Jayanta Dutta were killed while, few others including the AGP candidate for the Barpeta Assembly constituency Kumar Dipak Das were critically injured in ULFA attacks. The large scale pre-poll violence raised apprehensions that the voter turn out would be very low and the Governor of Assam Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha termed the polls as a battle between ballots and bullets but ultimately the ballots defeated the bullets as despite the threat posed by the militants, cross sections of people

of the State came out to cast their votes in favour of the candidates of their choice and proved the strength of Indian democracy. The pre-poll violence did not affect the psyche of the voters of Assam as about 70 per cent of the voters turned out to exercise their franchise but what was more heartening was that the turn out was very high even in the areas considered to be the strongholds of the ULFA. Nalbari district in lower Assam, considered to be a stronghold of the ULFA witnessed maximum number of incidents of pre-poll violence but the district recorded a voter turn out of more than 70 per cent, while, Nagaon district, which was also a strong base of the outfit at one point of time, recorded a turn out of 75 per cent. This correspondent visited a number of constituencies considered to be the heartland of the ULFA in the districts of Nalbari and Kamrup and found that despite the threat posed by the militant outfit, cross sections of people came out to exercise their franchise. The situation was totally different from that of the 1998 and 1999 Lok Sabha polls. The Nalbari district witnessed very low turn out of voters in the 1998 polls, while the turn out improved in 1999, the tension in the minds of the people was quite evident. But this time, the people have overcome their fear for the militants and a festive atmosphere was witnessed in front of the polling stations all throughout the day. Despite the threat, the workers of the AGP-BJP alliance also came out to make their presence felt in front of the polling stations. In the Bahjani area of Nalbari, where the former PWD Minister nagen Sarma was killed by the ULFA last year, the turn out of voters was very impressive and the area wore a festive look. Over 50 per cent of the voters in the polling station just near the place where Sarma was killed, exercised their franchise till 12 noon on the voting day when this correspondent visited the spot and that was a fitting reply given by the people to the militants' threat. Similar was the case in other ULFA strongholds and even the relatives of the ULFA leaders came out to cast their votes. The Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has congratulated the people of Assam for exercising their franchise despite the threat posed by the ULFA. Similarly the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee Tarun Gogoi also thanked the voters for the heavy turn out. Interestingly the State witnessed sporadic incidents of violence in some areas, which led to the killing of at least ten persons, but the situation was quite normal in the strongholds of the ULFA because of heavy security presence. In addition to the police and the Central security forces, Armymen also patrolled the interior areas on the ULFA dominated areas in cycles and motorcycles to thwart any move by the militants to create disturbance and to instill confidence in the minds of the people and the move yilded the desired results. 

Ramanuj Dutta Choudhury

Polling Percentage

Districtwise Percentage

Barpeta 75.3

Kokrajhar 75

Dhubri 73

Morigaon 72

Darrang 70

Karbi Anglong 70

Goalpara 69.25

Nalbari 67

Golaghat 67

Jorhat 65

Nagaon 64

Kamrup 63.5

Sonitpur 63.2

Dhemaji 63

Bongaigaon 63

Dibrugarh 63

Karimganj 62

Lakhimpur 61

Sivsagar 60

Tinsukia 60

Hailakandi 60

Cachar 59

NC Hills 55

Total percentage of poll for the state was 65.2%

CM Prafulla Kumar Mahanta Resigns

Congress Is All Set To Form The New Government

Guwahati : According to the latest news available, the Chief Minister of Assam Mr Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has resigned from his office. Mr Mahanta who contested from Dispur and Barhampur has loosed in the former though won the latter. The poll counting of the 11th Assam Assembly election is going on and in view of the results available till the time Congress will come to power in the state. Out of the 126 LACs of the state, 125 went for election this time. According to information available, till now 123 seats have been declared in which Congress is leading the fray by already occupying 72 seats, while the AGP-BJP alliance is trailing with 25 seats (AGP-18, BJP-7) and all other parties including the Independence candidates has occupied 26 seats. The break-up of other parties is as such : Independent candidate including ABSU-16, NCP-3, TGP-2, ASBCU-2, Samata-1, Samajwadi-1 and ASDC-1. Two constituencies, Sipajhar and Silchar are having repolling.

The result, however, is not contrary to what was expected. The poll-opinion conducted by our portal (www.vedanti.com) forecast Mr. Tarun Gogoi of Congress as the next Chief Minister of Assam. BJP perhaps would have occupied more seats if they were not in

alliance with AGP. Besides, the conflicting remarks put forth by the BJP and AGP candidates against each other in their campaigns have smeared the image of the alliance.

Congress is all set to form the next government in the state as the party is heading towards a clear majority. Significantly all the four LACs in Guwahati, namely Jalukabari, Dispur, Guwahati East and Guwahati West, have been clean-sweeped by Congress. The prestigious Dispur seat has been won by Robin Bordoloi. The erstwhile CM Mr Prafulla K Mahanta, who contested from Dispur and Barhampur, has won in the Barhampur constituency. Hemaprabha Saikia, wife of the former Congress CM Mr Hiteswar Saikia has won the Nazira seat. AGP candidate Sarbananda Sonowal, who occupied the headlines recently for his attempts to repeal the IM(DT) act, has won in Moran constituency. Several senior AGP leaders including Speaker of Assam Assembly Mr Ganesh Kutum, minister Ramendra N Kalita, Biraj K Sharma, Nurul Hussain, Pradip Hazarika, Chandra Mohan Patowary were defeated. The only prominent Congress looser was Silvious Condopan. BJP, inspite of its good performance in the last two general elections, could manage to win only seven seats, as far as news till the time is available.

Leading candidates in the fray

Asom Gana Parishad(AGP)

(1) Prafulla Kumar Mahanta(Dispur,Barhampur)

(2) Biraj Sarma(Guwahati East)

(3) Dr. Kamala Kalita(Chaigaon)

(4) Pradip Hazarika(Amguri)

(5) Ramendra Narayan Kalita(Guwahati West)

(6) Phani BhusanChoudury(Bongaigaon)

(7) Jatin Mali(Palasbari)

(8) Nurul Hussain(Hajo)

(9) Moidul Islam Bora(Kamalpur)

(10) Thaneswar Boro(Rangiya)

(11) Aloka Desai Sarma(Nalbari)

(12) Chandra Mohan Patowari(Dharmapur)

(13) Rekha Rani Das Boro(Barama)

(14) Zoii Nath Sarma(Sipajhar)

(15) Brindaban Goswami(Tezpur)

(16) Gunin Hazarika(Koliabor)

(17) Hitendra Nath Goswami(Jorhat)

(18) Hemanta Kalita(Titabar)

(19) Renupama Rajkhowa(Teok)

(20) Rajendra Mushahary(Gossaingaon)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

(1) Rebati Phukan(Lahowal)(2) Dulal Baruah(Teok)

(3) Sheo Shambhu Ojha(Tinsukia)

(4) Ramendra Nath Deka(Jalukbari)

(5) Abani Mohan Kalita(Hajo)(6) Jayanta Rajkonwar(Sibsagar)

(7) Dilip Hazarika(Nazira)

(8) Dipak Deb(Badarpur)(9) Parimal Sukhlabaidya(Dholai)(10) Reena Singh(Lakhipur)

(11) Dinesh Chandra Sarkar(Golakganj)(12) Ranjit Dutta(Behali)(13) Binod Kr. Gogoi(Mariani)

(14) Bhaben Sarmah(Digboi)

(15) Dhruba Prasad Baishya(Barkhetri)

(16) Deben Pegu(Dhakuakhana)(17) Debajit Baruah(Margherita)

(18) Dinesh Choudhury(Palasbari)

(19) Pradip Sarmah(Naoboicha)

Congress

(1) Bhubaneswar Kalita(Rangiya)

(2) Robin Bordoloi(Dispur)

(3) Hemanta Biswa Sarma(Jalukbari)(4) Pankaj Bora(Gauhati East)(5) Hemanta Talukdar(Gauhati West)(6) Haren Das(Hajo)

(7) Bhumidhar Barman(Barkhetri)

(8) Syeda Anwara Timur(Dalgaon)(9) Silvius Condopan(Majbat)

(10) Hiryanya Bora(Dhekiajuli)

(11) Nipen Goswami(Nagaon)

(12) Jibakanta Gogoi(Khumtai)

(13) Hemoprabha Saikia(Nazira)

(14) Rupam Kurmi(Moriani)

(15) Membor Gogoi(Teok)

(16) Sarat Borkataky(Sonari)(17) Anjan Dutta(Amguri)

(18) Devananda Konwar(Thawra)

(19) Bharat Ch. Narah(Dhakuakhana)

(20) Imran Shah(Chaygaon)

Trinamool Gana Parishad (TGP)

(1) Atul Bora(Dispur)

(2) Pulakesh Baruah(Borkhetri)(3) Dina Talukdar(Dharmapur)(4) Lalit Baruah(Borchala)

Asom Jatiya Sanmilan (AJS)

(1) Bhrigu Kumar Phukan(Jalukbari)

(2) Bhula Dev(Hailakandi)(3) Khitish Das(Raha)

(4) Ajay Baruah(Dibrugarh)

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

(1) Dr. Anil Kumar Sarkar(Bijni)

(2) Karuna Kanta Rabha(Dudhnoi)

(3) Abdul Kalam Azad(Chaygaon)

(4) Bolin Kuli(Bihpuria)

News on 14th May '2001

Exit-Poll On Vedanti.com : The Say Of The Parties

Guwahati : www.vedanti.com has recently released it exit-poll data in which Congress got 44.4% vote and came out as a majority party in the state in the Assembly election while the AGP-BJP alliance could get only the second position. In this regard when leaders of different parties were questioned, Mr Sanjeeb Goswami from BJP said that exit-poll is ultimately a statistical phenomenon and has loosed its relevance fast in view of its failure in states like Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. This time Congress will not be able to come out as a major party, and instead the AGP-BJP alliance will form the government forming the majority.

Regarding the alleged nexus between Congress and ULFA, Mr Goswami feels that ULFA's valour has been disastrously curbed by the AGP government in the last five years. Besides BJP in the Centre has firm steps against insurgency. ULFA could carry on their self-styled activities during Congress government in the state. And ULFA knows that now if the AGP-BJP alliance comes to power, the organisation will simply die away. Out of this fear ULFA tried their best to bring Congress to power and resorted to the pre-poll violence.

On the other hand, Dr Prabin Sharma from AGP said that ULFA has of late refused the responsibility of the killings and said that ULFA was not at all connected to the matter. This fact, according to Mr Sharma, makes it clear that the so-called 'insurgents' behind the scene were created by Congress themselves and the skilled Congressmen succeeded even to kill people without anyone's notice.

Assam Elections on the Net

www.vedanti.com, the web portal of the pioneer dot com company of NE Region SM Computer Consultants Pvt. Ltd (SMCC) shall bring about complete analysis and constituencies-wise poll result updates on 13th May'2001,11 a.m. onwards for world wide viewing. One of the highlights will be 'LIVE' video presentation of discussions and analysis on the recent trend and political scenario of the state. Hosted by veteran journalist and media personality Mr Samudra Gupta Kashyap, the discussion shall be participated by prominent spokes-man of BJP, AGP, Congress, TGP and others. Moreover the site shall present audio running commentary uninterrupted during the counting process and updations made every minute. There shall be analysis based on exit polls survey and all election related polling conducted by vedanti.com during the last 15 days. The video presentation and other materials shall be kept alive for the next 7 days. Additionally, world wide viewers can have their queries on Assam Election results answered by sending e-mails to web@vedanti.com or by making phone calls to: 662105,662156 on 13th May'2001, from 11 AM onwards.

News on 13th May '2001

EVM Introduced In The State

'Experiment Through EVMs Was A Success' : Bhaskar Mushahary

Guwahati : The Election Commission of India has introduced Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs) in four Assembly constituencies under Guwahati on experimental basis which achieved a grand success, claims Bhaskar Mushahary, the Chief Election Officer of Assam today.

In an exclusive interview with vedanti.com, Mr. Mushahary said that except for three or four EVMs, the machines gave a sound service. "In fact, the machines were all sound and

good. Since they were used for the first time, there were some instances of minor faults in connecting the cables to the EVMs. However, the experts rushed to the polling stations in a hurry and did the needful for the smooth functioning of the machines," he said.

He averred that a total of 731 EVMs were being used for the experimental venture in four constituencies, namely Dispur, Jalukbari, West Guwahati and East Guwahati. Their numbers of EVMs were 232,150,175 and 174 respectively. He was seen quite content with the successful completion of the electronic voting in the state. Voters of the four LACs had a unique experience yesterday to exercise their franchise through EVMs for the first time. Voting percentage, however, was not encouraging. Voting took less time than was required earlier, it was more or less a speedy poll processed.

"The operation of the EVMs was successful, except a few cases of technical complaints from a few polling stations. The voters as well as the polling officials were generally happy with the introduction of the EVMs. They found the system easy and time saving," said Mr Mushahary.

Whatsoever, complaints of technical faults in EVMs came from a polling station near Zoo Road Tinali in the city. The presiding officers of the 133 Guwahati Municipal Corporation office polling station (left wing), Japorigog, near Zoo Road Tinali, informed that the EVM was not working in the morning. Another machine was brought which also appeared to be a non-functional one. Only the third machine brought functioned properly. These technical defects delayed the procedure and voting in this polling centre could start only at 8.30 am instead of the scheduled time of 7 a.m.

The presiding officer of Ganeshnagar Sishu Vidyalaya polling station under Dispur LAC said that they had no problem operating the EVM there. The EVM is convenient for both the voters and polling officials, he said. Earlier in the morning a mock poll was conducted around 6.30 am in presence of the polling agents, informed the poll official.

Three voters namely Sachin Deka, Naresh Roy and Pankaj Kumar Borah, who excercised their franchise in the above polling centre, said that voting with EVM was very easy and economic. They also expressed the wish that EVMs should be used in all the LACs of Assam in the years to come.

Bhupen Dutta Sarma, presiding officer, 77, Gopal Boro H.S. School polling station said that the EVM is helpful both for the voters and the polling officials for its conveniency. He also informed that there was peaceful voting in the centre. However, a voter of this centre Jahura Khanom was rather confused casting her vote through the EVM.. The polling agents of the 128, Arya Vidyapith H S School (left wing) polling centre informed that they helped a number of voters explaining the procedure for handling the EVM. In fact, there are two papers set on a key operating machine controlled by a polling officials where only the total aggregate turnout can be seen, but not the party-wise figures. When a voter casts vote the increased figure confirms his/her voting. Importantly, the above stated papers indicate one Assembly polling and another Parliamentary election, the latter being sealed in presence of polling agents in every centre.

On May 13, 2001 at 8 a.m. the counting of votes from the EVMs will started at the Cotton Collegiate High School, said Mr Mushahary.

A.K. PAUL

Controversy Over 'Work Permit' in Assam

The 'labour' is one of the four factors of production in Economics. Theoretically, manual labourers have 'freedom' to move from one production sector to another. But in practical

life, it seems that they cannot do so. They are to be permitted to move and work. Say for instance, most of the diligent labourers working in different construction projects of Assam are basically hailing from Bangladesh. Labourers from other adjacent countries like Nepal and Bhutan are also pouring into the state. As a result, the move is changing the demographic and socio-economic structures of the state in these days. To cope with the dismal trend retarding the economic health of the state, planners, policy-makers, politicians, analysts and experts are currently keen to bail out the state from sinking it into a 'sea of sorrows' and imbalanced economic growth-wave.

Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's announcement that the Union government would consider issuing 'Work Permits' to Bangladeshi immigrants is hopefully an indication that India will address the issue of regional migration in a 'humane' and 'rational manner'. For too long, Bangladeshi immigration to this country has been an emotionally charged issue, with political parties and leaders encouraging communal and linguistic chauvinism by stocking fears of irreversible demographic transformation. The misleading term 'infiltrator' is usually used by a section of media to describe those who come across illegally from Bangladesh to India to earn a living.

'The aim is to suggest that Bangladeshi emigration has sinister dimensions and is not purely economic. Though the number involved are obviously greater, Bangladeshi migrants are only replicating locally the process of illegal labour that takes tens of thousands of Indians to Europe and North America every year. Indian emigrants living and working illegally in the US or Britain are no more 'infiltrators' than Bangladeshis working in India. That is why it is a matter of deep national shame that some politicians here feel no compunction in echoing the rapid anti-immigrant propaganda of racist and fascist groups abroad like the National Front. What is worse, a not-so-subtle distinction is often made between Bangladeshi immigrants on communal grounds: Hindu Bangladeshis are called 'refugees' and are generally welcomed, while Muslim Bangladeshis are labeled 'infiltrators' and sought to be expelled", said a report.

The 'work permit' issue is nothing, but a 'vague' political strategy of Indian leaders to capture votes. It is 'vague' in the sense that the leaders are all set to identify first the illegal Bangladeshi migrants and then to issue 'work permit'. Notwithstanding, no 'real' illegally migrated Bangladeshi will like to be identified as 'illegal migrants' only to get the so called 'work nod' from Indian government. In broader connotation, it was rather a 'mere' poll plank of the Prime Minister on the eve of recently-concluded 11th Assam Assembly election in order to please the Hindu voters in the state and nothing else. If the PM is really serious to issue 'work permits' to Bangladeshis then he would have proceeded with the necessary procedures. He just said that he endorsed the issue only for consideration.

As the largest and fastest growing economy in South Asia, it is inevitable that India will be a magnet for migrant workers from its poorer neighbouring nations like Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Rather than treating such labour flows as a problem or a 'national security threat' the Central government must put in place mechanisms to regulate, regularize and even harness immigration. Likewise, immigrants can make their contribution to the economy and society of India, without, at the same time, affecting its political contours in any way since the franchise largely depend on citizenship. In the absence of proper regulatory framework, tension can develop between immigrants and host communities, particularly in states where land resources may be scarce or fears of cultural domination is acute.

'Worse, unscrupulous politicians can play on the perceived vulnerability of both immigrants and locals, something that has happened in Assam, over the past few decades. There, the Congress turned the Bangladeshi immigrant communities into a hostage vote-bank, promising to protect them from expulsion if they voted for the party. A work-permit system would offer immigrants all the protection they need in law without forcing them to seek security in the bosom of this or that party. Since some leaders have

already expressed the hope that the envisaged work-permit system will provide the authorities with information that could then be used to identify the deport Bangladeshi migrants, it is imperative that the Prime Minister clarified that this is not his intention. India's immigration laws are desperately in need of modernization. Politics and chauvinism should not be allowed to interfere with this task,' the above report added.

Interestingly, the parties including the Asom Gana Parishad, which uttered the loudest voice over the illegal foreigners issue, seem silence in order to gain some political supports. Accordingly, the Illegal Migrants Determination by Tribunals, the lower courts, which identify the illegal migrants, are facing acute shortage of manpower and infrastructure. So, lakhs of IMDT cases remain pending in Assam today. In a few recent Assembly and Parliamentary polls it was seen that most of the genuine voters' names have been marked as '*' or 'D'. * stands for complete dilution from the voters' list and 'D' denotes disputed or doubtful voters. In a sense, foreigners' issue of illegally migrated Bangladeshi issue has become an interesting topic of the day in Assam today, which bears no 'human angle'.

To sum up, people come to Assam either from other states of India or from neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, with a view to work and settle in the state, since the state market has higher demand for manual workers. There are very few local manual labourers. Since the migrants get little food in native country, but at least three times food in Assam hence they should be allowed to work. Whatever the departmental authority does, elements of cancer like corruption and communalism should not be Okayed to gain ground. Everything should be on humanitarian grounds and political gain.

With nothing to cheer for Guwahatians ignore polls 

KUNAL KANTI BHATTACHARJEE 

Come Thursday and more than 1.44 crore people are supposed to exercise their franchise in the State to elect 126 members to the Legislative Assembly. With just two-days left for the campaigning to end, political parties are busy with hectic schedule and leaving no-stone-unturned to win over the voters. Go around the streets of the city and you will find all sorts of innovative and colourful writings and posters on the walls, banners, hoardings, festoons, asking people to cast their votes in favour of them. Even though political parties are battling it out on walls and posters through slogans and sketches aimed to mock at rival leaders, yet common citizens pay little attention to them. Insurgency is a challenge to democracy. Pre-poll violence, increasing number of deaths and issues of national interest may be there. But Guwahatians appear to be more concerned with the problems of civic amenities than with burnt by an urge to save democracy in the State. They seem to have taken the violence in their stride. Meet Santanu Chakraborty of Beltola area. Chakraborty who is an employee with the Airport Authority of India at Borjhar, says cautiously, "elections will come and go but there will be no change in our life-style, rather they add to our woes. All leaders make big promises during polls but when voting is over they just forget." Chakraborty has been unable to reach his office timely for the last several days as the number of city buses on the roads is going down everyday and it is also difficult for him to board a bus during peak-hours as it remains overcrowded. An angry Chakraborty says that after going through all this trouble he has decided not to take the trouble of casting his vote this time. The same is the case with Anup Baruah who runs a stationery shop at Beltola Tiniali Bazar. "See, whoever wins or loses, is in no way going to benefit us. The fight is between the two kings; we are the pawns and ultimate victims." Pointing his finger towards a PWD road that passes through the bazar, Barua says, "look at the horrible condition of the street. Five years back, the local MLA promised us a concrete road if voted to power. He was voted to power and today another election round the corner but the road has remained exactly what it was five years ago." Pratima Baruah, a resident of Zoo Road, Jonali Path painfully describes how they approached municipal administration minister Biraj Kumar Sharma several times to get their lane road improved as it turn horrible after one or two showers of rain. "All our appeals fell on deaf ears; the

minister did nothing," says she. She goes on to add, "actually, for commoners like us polls have brought little change whether it's the Congress or the Asom Gana Parishad which wins." Ranjan Kumar Talukdar, who has recently earned his MA degree from Gauhati University to join the ranks of educated unemployed, says, during the last Assembly polls, the AGP promised a corruption-free government. It was this promise that brought Prafulla Kumar Mahanta to power. But see what has happened now. From roads to drinking water, electricity, employment, everything is in short supply here." Obviously hit by a sense of frustration, Talukdar says, "all are in the same boat. Whoever comes to power makes no difference for me." Adhiti Bhattacharya, an insurance employee and a resident of Bhaskar Nagar, Kahilipara, complains her area gets submerged every year during the rainy season when the Bharalu river is over flooded, as there is no flood-control measure. "Political leaders hardly visit this place after they get elected. However, in time of polls they frequently visit the area with an ear-to-ear smile, make rosy promises through dalals (agents) who live in this locality, which fade away the moment the polls are over." However, there are exceptions too. Bimal Sharma, a surrendered Ulfa militant, says he is working for a particular party prompted by his own interest and security reasons. Sharma, who for seven-years served the outlawed Ulfa with rare dedication, however agrees things will not be any better whoever wins. Shattered by his militant past Sharma says, "I see no reason to believe people will get something. Today, it's not an electoral contest, but a battle between the ballot and the bullet." Pre-poll violence has so far claimed 35 lives and left more than 50 injured, it is yet to be seen how many voters turn up during the day of polling and how democracy gets a new lease of life in the State. It is now for the voters to decide on the fate of the Congress and the AGP-BJP combine. But till then, many would like to keep their fingers crossed.

What Kind Of Politics Do People Want?

Politics is a dirty game. It has turned dirtier and dirtier by corrupt persons. For the sake of the revival of 'clean politics' in the country, people with 'clean image' should come forward to join politics so as to purify the system by their 'rescue operations'. This is the essence of a survey conducted in Guwahati among people from different walks of life today.

Nilotpal Sarma, a senior instructor of Assam Engineering Institute, Chandmari, said that he would cast his vote for a candidate who has a 'clean image'. Party is not a major factor for Mr Sarma, it is corruption that is the key factor for him.

Phanindra Goswami, an M.Com student of Gauhati University said, "I am fed up with this corruption-oriented politics. For a far-aching change, I will vote for a candidate who bears a morally sound character with a rich ideology. His top priority must be to keep the national security intact and to respect it".

Rukun Uddin Ahmed, an engineer of PWD, Assam averred that he is not concerned with what a party's interest is, his concern is the interest of the state as well as the North-east. That is, he wants to see only those candidates getting elected who can raise the basic questions regarding the economic under-development of this far-flung region. "These candidates should be able to form a forum comprising of the MLAs and MP s of the North-east so that they can raise the NE issues on the floors of the Parliament properly and effectively and can assure solution of them" Ahmed added.

"Our representatives rarely know about our resources in detail and even if they are aware of the impediments and problems related to a various sectors of the region, they fail to convince the Centre and in many occasions they even fail to raise the issue", said Tapan Bujarbaruah of Jalukbari.

Dilip Kumar Saikia of Satribari area of the city supports the poll alliance between AGP and BJP. To him, BJP can never come to power alone in the state. He will cast his verdict in

favour of AGP-BJP combine.

Chandra Kanta Mahanta of Beltola opined that the honesty of political leaders has tremendously declined just like value of the rupee has declined since the Independence. He feels that the country needs politicians like Sardar Ballbh Bhai Patel, Dina Dayal Upadhyay etc. "People should vote without expecting too much from the candidates" he said.

"Politics is a dirty game. Honest and talented people rarely join politics nowadays. In fact, the genuine people with clean images should come forward for reviving the dismal face of politics in India today. Otherwise, the nation has to head towards a major political tailspin. The voters should vote parties which have broader views, long-term policies and sound principles. That is, subjective selection of candidates is must for a good electoral system. All should vote and all should come forward to join politics because it is the part and parcel of democracy," cited Ramasankar Rai of Narayannagar.

Tanuja Sarma, a 20-year-old Cottonian said, "I am quite enthusiastic about the ensuing polls as I am to cast my vote for the first time. But the recent killings in the state have really depressed me. All the political parties seem to be involved somehow or the other in these incidents. Now I am a bit confused whom to vote."

Chandan Choudhury, a shop-keeper on the Rajgarh Road, said that he would cast his vote in favour of a secular party. "I believe that the communal forces are distracting forces. So, these forces should be prevented from coming to power and only we, the public, can do this by casting votes against them," he added.

"We should cast our vote in favour of those parties who can easily get aids from the Central government as our state has to depend on Centre's rents in many ways and without grants the development process of the state will be adversely affected," said Mitra Kanunja, a housewife of Rehabari.

All the political parties are corrupt, thinks Sujaybir Deb, a government employee. "I have decided not to cast my vote this time. We cannot leave our state either in the hands of the communal forces or in the hands of the corrupt parties. So I think it is better to be in a neutral position," he added.

Joygopal Sarkar, a pharmacist, would vote for the candidate who can ensure maximum social service.

Hiren Ranjan Talukdar, a Guwahati-based businessman, stated that contesting in an election has become a costly affair. "Corruption crops up from this huge expenditure incurred by the candidates in polls." He feels that the corruption level touched the bottom line at present and it cannot go any further. So, the political leaders would have to check the trend. Otherwise, the world's largest democracy will be defunct.

"We are going to our native villages to cast votes. Being a city-based computer engineer, I have the responsibility to elect the best candidate, who is the least corrupt," said Chadan Sarma of Sipajhar who is working in a private company in the city.

All these have proved that politics is the last resort of a scoundrel. People far and wide have witnessed corruption rooting into the political system of the state and the country. All are of the view that politics should be clean and fair. Principles and morally sound personality are what everyone wants politicians to possess at the core of their hearts. One can only hope that politics will cleanse itself of the corrupt forces and will shine in the days to come with moral vigour.

A K PAUL

News on 12th May '2001

We Are Sure To Secure 80 Percent Seats : Rajen Gohain

Rajen Gohain, the president of Assam state committee of BJP is optimistic of securing at least 80 percent seats in the ensuing Assembly polls in the state on May 10. In an exclusive interview with this writer, Mr. Gohain said that the poll alliance between AGP and BJP will usher in a new era in the political history of the state. Regarding dissident BJP workers, including Hiranya Bhattacharya (president of the newly-formed Assam BJP), Mr Gohain said that he had urged the latter not to depart and they have already been served expulsion notices with immediate effect. Besides, Mr. Gohain highlighted a number of burning issues during the interview. Excerpts:

Q: What was the role of BJP state unit in Assam politics during the last five years ?

A: The state BJP played a very vital role in the development aspects of Assam in the last five years. It has taken up the problems of Koch Rajbanshi and Tea-tribes of the state with the Central government for amicable solution to them. As is well-known, we have been successful in establishing a stable government at the Centre, their problems have been examined by it in a decent manner. With a view to solve the vexed flood havoc of the state, we have convinced the Centre to release a huge sum of fund. Though I cannot not remember the exact amount right now, the quantity of grant was quite substantial. We have been hailed by different quarters for bringing various capital grants to the state, specially in the last one and half years.

Q: What according to you is the main problem of Assam today?

A: I think industrial backwardness is the main problem of Assam today. If voted to power, we will give a boost to the industrial and manufacturing sector of the state. It is only for the industrial under-development that unemployment problem has been cropping up in the state. We will initiate utmost care to upgrade the growth rate of the industrial sector of the state in the years to come.

Q: What is your expectation in the coming polls ?

A: Our AGP-BJP combine will get an overall 80 per cent Assembly seats in the polls slated to be held on May 10. We expect at least 80-90 per cent seats in the Upper Assam, 80 per cent in Barak Valley and 80 per cent in the north bank of the Brahmaputra. We are sure to win in the Assembly constituencies like Dhakuakhana, Bihali, Nagaon (six seats) and so on.

Q: How the poll campaigns by Mukut Sarmah hit your electioneering ?

A: Yes, the dissident Congress leader Mukut Sarmah is contesting as an Independent candidate from Nagaon LAC. His aggressive poll campaign has adversely affected our electioneering. However, we have been successful in bringing the situation under control. Now everything is normal there. Our party is gaining ground there.

Q: What about Mani Kumar Chubba-led Naoboicha Assembly seat ?

A: Very interesting. Our AGP-BJP combine is little by little gaining ground there too. I think the local people are sided with us now. I am sure that our candidate will get the seat

there.

Q: What is your stand in Hiranya Bhattacharya-led Assam BJP ?A: We have tried our best to make Bhattacharya understand not to agitate and float the new party. However, he continued to refute our directives. As a result , he has been expelled from the primary membership of the parent party BJP.

Q: What about other dissident party workers?

A: We have already initiated strong internal disciplinary action against the irate party workers helping other parties. Some of them have also been given expulsion notices to cope with the political crisis within the party.

A.K. Paul

Value Based Politics is the Need of the Hour : Bhrigu Phukan

We are passing through an age of corruption as the political parties have become corrupted, and hence it is only value-based politics which can emancipate the society---Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, the former state Home Minister and a sitting MLA from Jalukbari seat, thinks so. He won thrice in a row from this legislative Assembly constituency (LAC). He is contesting as an NCP-led morcha candidate from the same constituency. In an exclusive interview with this writer Mr Phukan has highlighted a number of political and non-political issues at his residence on Saturday, April 28. The excerpts of the interview are as follows :

Q Why did you come away from AGP-led government ?

A The AGP-led government has been heavily corrupted. It cannot bear with the corruption load now. I predicted the worst effects of large-scale corruption in Prafulla K Mahanta government when we assumed office during the period of early nineties. But he would hardly listen to us. Finally, I had to quit due to their corruption practice. However, I gave Mr Mahanta six-month time to rectify his corruption-oriented deals. Since he failed to have concern to our moral goals I had to resign, and then I formed Asom Jatiya Sanmilan, which is also an active member of NCP-led 5-party Regional Democratic Alliance.

Q What do you think are the achievements and failures of Mahanta government?

A Actually, Mahanta cannot claim any success in any front. He failed in every field. Establishment of Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Numaligarh refinery etc. are the fruits of Assam students' movement. He is claiming that he has build an over bridge (fly-over) within seven months, although it took over seven years. Notwithstanding, he failed to do anything for the rural mass. He failed to hold Panchayat polls for five years. Hence he failed to decentralise power and administration. He failed to bring peace to the state too. However, he claims that he is very much successful in ushering peace in the state, he made it at the cost of a number of valuable lives of Assamese youths. We don't believe in the establishment of a peace era inside the grave.

Q Though Atul Bora and you came out from AGP together, yet you could not fight against Mr Mahanta. Why ?

A In fact, I had come out from AGP before Atul Bora came out.

Q Do you think AGP is likely to continue another term in office ? If not, why?

A No. AGP would not be able to continue another term in office since it failed on all fronts. People know well where they should cast their votes.

Q Will the AGP gain from its alliance with BJP ? What about BJP ?

A AGP had already to pay a lot for its poll alliance with BJP. Many AGP workers have already quit the party. BJP paid a great loss too. Chinks have already been seen within the party. Both the parties are, indeed, corrupt. People would never side with them, I think.

Q Why have you thrown your lot with that of NCP ? Why did not you support Congress (I) straightway ?

A NCP is fighting for a 'cause'. That is, its leaders P A Sangma, Sharad Pawar and others are free from graft elements. They are fighting against foreigners' entry into Indian administration as well. In a sense, their key objective is to work for people with 'value based politics', which is the need of the hour. Sangma gave huge sum of money for the rehabilitation of the flood-hit people in Laharighat area of Assam while AGP-led government did nothing for them. Sangma is kind enough, he doesn't want to be the CM of the state. Even then he is serving the people of the state on moral grounds. When Hindi-speaking people were being killed in the state, he is the lone person who took up the issue with the Central Govt. That is, Sangma and other NCP leaders are doing 'value-based politics' where you find ethical base for the society. Since our party, Asom Jatiya Sanmilan, was formed keeping in view this ethical base on top, we tucked with the NCP. Moreover, Congress is well-known for corruption. So, the question of tucking with this party does not arise.

Q You have been criticised for dragging the late Manabendra Sarma into controversy. How do you react to that ?

A The famous Congress leader Manabendra Sarma was actually killed by some Congress men, including this year's Congress candidate for Jalukbari seat, Hemant Bishwa Sarmah. I have supporting evidence against Hemanta Sarmah. He developed a conspiracy against Manabendra and subsequently the latter had to kiss the 'jaws of death'. Therefore, people should not vote for Hemanta whose hands are being coloured with Manabendra's blood.

Q The CBI has failed to convince the court that they have a case against P K Mahanta on LOC. Yet you always refer to the LOC. Do you think it can still be an issue ?

A The suit on LOC is now with the Supreme Court. I think that the apex court will unveil rational verdicts. The nodal investigating agency has sufficient documents against Mahanta. It is the media which was given wrong information by some people with vested interest that the CBI had no supporting evidence. In fact the court has postponed its hearing in view of the Assembly election on May 10. I don't think the LOC scam will remain as an issue alone.

Q Electricity shortage hits hard the 'Manchester of the East' ( Sualkuchi silk industry ) which is under your constituency. What did you do to curb this power crisis there ?

A I have taken up the issue with the ASEB chairman recently. He assured me to do the needful. There are many problems in our constituency besides power crisis. I promise to solve them if voted to power again. I spent Rs 3 crore for construction activities in the

Bejera area.

Q During the Language movement and your Home Ministership you used to speak on hard issues and now you seem to be quite calm. Why ?

A It is the money power that empowers a politician. Money power is a must for political success. Those who have too much money arising out of corrupt activities can do politics with a loud voice now-a-days. In those days we needed no money to speak with a loud voice. Since we have only hard earned money, which is limited in Toto, we can't speak in big voices these days. A.K.Paul

Party members to select the next CM if voted to power : says APCC chief Tarun Gogoi.

Of late, many Congress workers have started to flay the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president, Tarun Gogoi, taking the advantage of his 'simplicity' and his 'alleged weak' leadership capability. A large number of Congressmen became furious for not getting election tickets. They even went on rampage at the Rajib Bhawan in Guwahati. Many party ticket aspirants filed nominations as independent candidates too. Later, for the sake of party interest and the directions of Gogoi, excepting Mukut Sarmah of Nagaon, these dissident Congress workers, like Phani Sarmah of East Guwahati seat, withdrew their nominations. Now a moot question is hovering over the APCC : Who will be the next CM of the state if voted to power-- Gogoi himself, Anowar Taimur or Pawan Singh Ghatowar ? Mr Gogoi has very diplomatically handled this question. He has, besides, focused on many burning issues of the Congress as well as of the state as a whole in an exclusive interview with this writer at his Guwahati residence recently. Following are the excerpts of the interview:

Q: Who will be the next CM of Assam if Congress is voted to power?

A: It is too early to comment. The winning party members will decide who will be the Chief Minister.

Q: Why did you make so much delay in announcing the names of your party candidates ?

A: We have always been late in announcing the names of our candidates. So, this year's delay was not a new thing. It's our general practice.

Q: It has been broadly alleged that most of the Congress leaders have taken bribes from party nominees. What is your comment?

A: The allegation is totally irrelevant and politically motivated. Till today, in fact, money comes from the party nominees, against which cash receipts are issued. We vehemently refute the allegation.

Q: What is your comment on the allegedly formed MPs lobby of Assam Congress in New Delhi ?

A: They are recommending names for party tickets. Every body has a right to recommend names for party nominations.

Q: What is your comment on the resignation move of Ranee Narah?

A: So far as I know no body has tendered resignation among our Congress MPs.

Q: What is the root cause of projecting your own brother Dip Gogoi as a 'dummy candidate' for Titabor seat, although there were many senior Congressmen there?

A: In fact, I have projected my brother Dip Gogoi in Titabor seat as per high command's directive. Dip is an active Congress worker. Once he was the general secretary of district Congress committee. Therefore, he is a deserving candidate.

Q: What do you think is the most burning problem of Assam today ?

A: I believe economic downturn is the basic problem plaguing the state today.

Q: Suppose you become the next CM, what will be your first priority ?

A: Revival of the economy of Assam as a whole will be my first priority. However, gradually we will work according to our party's development plans and strategies.

Q: What is your reaction to P.K. Mahanta's claim that he succeeded in bringing peace to the state ?

A: His claim is baseless. Unified Command is still continuing its operations in the state. The law-and-order situation is disturbed. People are fed up with Mahanta government's performance. They are looking forward to change of guard in the Congress.

Q: What is your reaction to the poll alliance between the AGP & BJP ?

A: They have always betrayed the people, and have no ideologies. People will decide their electoral fortunes in the ensuing polls.

Q: What is your comment on Sharat Singha led RDA ?

A: They have every right to form a common forum, i.e. the Regional Democratic alliance. But they will not be able to create an impact on the polls. However, they will win away some votes. But it won't effect us directly.

Q: What is your present stand on IM(DT) Act ?

A: Our stand is very clear. The IM(DT) Act was enacted to protect the refugees, but not the foreigners. We oppose its misuse.

Q: How many seats do you expect in this Assembly election ?

A: We do expect an overall two-third majority of the total seats.

Q: Wish you all the best from www.vedanti.com.

A: Thank you.

A.K.PAUL

Bhrigu should take moral responsibility of Manabendra's killing: Himanta Biswa Sarmah

Guwahati: The former home minister of Assam and present MLA from Jalukbari LAC,

Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, has to take the moral responsibility of APCC leader Manabendra Sarmah's killing--feels the Jalukbari Congress candidate and three times General Secretary of Cotton College Students' Union Himanta Biswa Sarmah. Himanta is contesting from Jalukbari for the second time. He was a general secretary of Assam Youth Congress too. In an exclusive interview with this reporter, he has highlighted a number of perplexing issues of the state as a whole. Excerpts of the interview are as follows:

Q: You have been accused of being involved in the killing of Congress leader Manabendra Sarmah. What is your stand ?

A: This allegation is absolutely bogus. The family members of late Manabendra Sarmah are with me. His son Rajiv Sarmah is with me and is actively campaigning for me throughout these days. So, where is the allegation ?

Q: Then why do you think Bhrigu Phukan is saying so ?

A: He has gone mad. Just I am giving a counter allegation. It was during Phukan's home minister-ship that Manabendra Sarmah was killed. Phukan being the then home minister should have given him security cover. But he failed to give security cover. He should take the moral responsibility of the Manabendra Sarmah killing. Has Bhrigu Phukan ever visited late Sarmah's family or sent condolence message ? Sarmah's son has openly announced "Why you are showing crocodile tears ?" I think, it will backfire on him (Bhrigu) because Sarmah's son is actively electioneering with me. I am going to lodge a defamation case of Rs 10 crore against Mr. Phukan soon. Labeling a charge of murder is very defamatory without sufficient evidence. People are supporting me now. They are asking why Bhrigu Phukan is accusing a candidate in such a way. Notwithstanding, Manabendra Sarmah's son, Rajiv, has already given me a letter describing that they have no allegation with me over the 'controversial killing' episode. So, they are still backing me. Let the people decide by casting their valuable votes.

Q: What is your expectation in the ensuing poll ?

A: I hope, I will be able to add a chapter to the history of Assembly election in the state. I will get around 50,000 votes, which will be a historical event for the politics of Assam. Therefore, I am sure to win.

Q: Who is your nearest rival ?

A: I don't think I have any nearest rival. But in the second slot, there will be two to three candidates like Mr Phukan, a local BJP candidate and a Left camp contestant. In this year I think the Left camp contestant is highly committed to fetch a huge number of votes.

Q: If voted to power, whom you will support for the office of CM-Tarun Gogoi, Anwara Taimur or P.S. Ghatowar ?

A: Only Tarun Gogoi is the obvious choice. He is our leader.

Q: What about Taimur ?

A: Taimur is misunderstood. I think, in the meantime, Gogoi has convinced her not to be dissident.

Q: What is your comment on MPs' lobby in New Delhi ?

A: There is no lobby in the Congress. All the MPs and MLAs abide by Tarun Gogoi's

instructions in Congress.

Q: Most of the candidates for the Jalukbari seat are hailing from greater Guwahati. Please comment.

A: Our present MLA-Bhrigu Phukan, who won Assembly election from this LAC in a row, is hailing from Sibsagar. However, Jalukbari is a part and parcel of the city. You should not separate it from the city. The Jalukbari constituency covers a huge prestigious area. Suppose this year's AGP-BJP combine candidate is Ramendranath Deka, who is from Sualkuchi. But the voters of Baihata Chariali should not say that Deka is an outsider since Jalukbari seat also covers Baihata.

Q: What are the major problems of your LAC ?A: Jalukbari constituency starts from Kamakhya. 20 per cent of the city belongs to the LAC. I think, unemployment, road & transport bottlenecks, drinking water scarcity etc. are some of the burning problems faced by the constituency.

Q: How would you tackle them ?

A: If voted to power, I will implement my personal 150-point socio-economic package for the constituency so that every problem is solved at ease.

Q: Wish you all the best from Vedanti.com.

A: Thank you very much.

Amar Krishna Paul

Re-polling Tomorrow

New Delhi (PTI): The Election Commission ordered re-polling in 64 polling stations in Assam in the wake of clashes, ballot snatching and other electoral malpractices during voting for Assembly elections yesterday. These polling booths in Patharkandi, Karimganj (South), Hailakandi, Katichera, Alagpur, Silchar, Bilasipara (East), Gosaigaon, Bongaigaon, Sorbhog, Bhabanipur, Barpeta, Kalaigaon and Sadiya. The re-poll will be conducted on May 12 (tomorrow). The Chief Election Commissioner expressed that contrary to what was expected voting went off 'satisfactorily' and was 'essentially' peaceful. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party state committee sought re-polling in nine polling booth in Karimganj LAC where they alleged that supporters belonging to UMF candidate, Hafij Rashid Choudhury, attempted to rig the polls. But Election Commission did not pass any order for re-polling in the centre.

Tarun Gogoi Unable to Caste Vote

Sivsagar : Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and the party's proposed Chief Minister Mr. Tarun Gogoi could not cast his vote yesterday. Since the Election Commission had banned any political leader's movement by helicopter on the day of poll and counting, he could not go to his constituency.

Exit Poll

TV Channel Has Taken Money From Congress : Mahanta

Guwahati : Just one hour after polling concluded, the Doordarshan telecasted an exit-poll. According to the exit-poll Congress is likely to form the next government in Assam winning

60 of the total 125 seats, while the ruling AGP-BJP combine would be reduced to only 33 seats, and 32 seats will go to the other party. In the last Assembly election Congress won 34 seats and vote percentage was 30.56. But according to the Exit poll this time Congress will be able to capture 42 percent vote. In the last Assembly election AGP won 63 seats and the vote percentage was 29.7, but this time the AGP-BJP Alliance will be able to capture only 20.7 percent vote. It is notable that other 32 seats can play a crucial role in forming government. Asom Gana Parishad president and Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta is confident that the AGP-BJP alliance would form the government. He also expressed that the Doordarshan exit-poll was not based on accurate data, it is baseless. He also alleged Doordarshan to take money to turn the show in favour of Congress. Actual results, however, will come out on May 13.

Ultras Killed

Imphal : In an encounter with Assam Rifles a Kuki Revolutionary Army cadre was killed at Thanglang Atongba area in Manipur's Senapati district here recently. According to the Assam Rifles sources, the KRA activist was killed on the spot as personnel of the 21 Assam Rifles and the ultras exchanged fire for 20 minute at Thenglang Atongba area, under Kangpokpi police station, Thursday night. One USA made carbine was recovered from the slain ultra. The killed ultra has been identified as Paokho Less Hangshing.

Militants Arrested

Shillong : A National Democratic Front of Bodoland ultra Brunos M Marak was arrested by Meghalaya police from Kajal Restaurant at Laitemukhavot here last night. One gun, a hand made pistol and large amount of ammunition were recovered from his custody.

News on 11th May '2001

Assam Is All Prepared For Tomorrow's Poll

75,000 Election Officers Reached Their Destinations

Guwahati : For the 11th Assam Assembly election, the all round preparations have already been completed. There are 126 LACs in Assam but due to the death of BJP candidate Jayanta Dutta, the election of Dibrugarh LAC has been postponed. In this time's election there are total 914 candidates, out of which 275 candidates are from National parties like BJP, Congress, NCP etc., 188 from the state level parties, 55 from the newly constituted state level parties and 390 are independant candidates. There are 17,642 polling stations in the state. For the purpose, 75,000 government employees have been engaged. Thousands of buses have been requisitioned and bullock-carts, horses, elephants have also been made use of. The election officers and assistants have already reached their destinations. Security system has been tightened in all the places to ensure fair poll.

Under the Guwahati electoral belt there are 8 LACs which is the highest in the state. There are 1,265 polling stations here. All the official election workers of these booths are reported to reach their stations today. Notable that there are total 1.44 cr electorate in the state out of which 76 lakh are women.

Poll schedules:

Notification on : April 16, Monday

Nomination till : April 23, Monday

Scrutiny on : April 24, Tuesday

Withdrawal till : April 26, Thursday

Polling on : May 10, Thursday

Counting on : May 13, Sunday

Process to end : May 18, Friday

Govt to expire : June 11, Monday

Hindus And Muslims Are The Two Eyes Of Bharat-Mata : Swaraj

Guwahati : 'Sonia Gandhi is the only opposition leader of parliament in the entire world who can promise to protect the illegal migrants in her own country. No example of any opposition party leader trying to protect illegal migrants can be found in any country.' Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader and Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Smt. Susma Sawraj said thus today addressing an election rally at mid-day here. Terming Congress a defamed party that is fast loosing its grounds, Smt. Swaraj said that Congress has totally died out in the public minds in most of the states in India. This time people of Assam will reject them too.

Regarding Kamal Nath demanding BJP to prove the ULFA -Congress nexus, Smt. Swaraj said that the nexus does not need CBI to prove it, Sonia Gandhi's comments will prove it right. Few days earlier in a meeting at Nalbari, where a numbers of AGP-BJP alliance election workers were killed by the ULFA, Mrs Gandhi did not put a single word against ULFA and the recent attacks on election candidates. This proves that Congress has no bad feeling for ULFA and has no concern for the dead election candidates, no matter to which party they belonged.

Swaraj terms the 'Assam Movement' not as a political revolution, but a cultural and sociological revolution. It was as a result of this revolution that AGP came to power but the Congress government at Centre did not pay heed to the problems of Assam and the demands of AGP government owing to which AGP could not do much as was expected of it. But now BJP is at Centre. This time if people of Assam elect the AGP -BJP alliance candidates then the Centre will be able to support the local government from all sides, she said .Regarding the IMDT act, Smt. Swaraj said that BJP has always opposed the illegal migrations into the state. At the same time, she added, BJP can assure that no genuine Muslim will be disturbed in the name of the act. Protesting Congress' terming BJP as a communal party, she that the "Hindus and Muslims are the two eyes of 'Bharat Mata'. We do not like to miss out any one. It is totally a baseless blaming."

Smt. Sawaraj addressed the election rallies at Teok, Dergaon and Raha yesterday. In the rally at Chandmari Engineering Institute today around 2000 electorates were present.

Suspected ULFA Attacked CRPF Camp This Time

Boko : Suspected ULFA militants in a sudden move attacked a CRPF camp at 12.30 am last night at Gerapara under Boko police station. It is for the first time that suspected ULFA militants attacked a security personnel camp in the midst of the recent spurt of riot in the state. According to information available, the D129 CRPF Battalion was putting a camp at Boko Leprosy Hospital premises. The suspected militants fired 3 shells of rocket launchers at the security personnel. There is, however, no report of any casualty. It is believed that the militants attacked the camp from a distance and that is why they missed the target. Meanwhile the Army has launched a massive search operation, specially in Nalbari,

Barpeta and Bongaigaon districts to nab the ULFA. It is reported that the Army has been advised to seal the Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Bangladesh border to stop the entry of the militants into the state.

BJP Will Win 19, While AGP Will Win Only 16-Seats : Gohain

Guwahati : 'Bharatiya Janata Party will be able to win 19 seats out of its 44 seats. This is fixed, and in any condition the number can not be reduced but may be increased to 27 seats. But as far as I can say Asom Gana Parishad will be able to win only 16 seats.' Thus spoke the BJP state committee president Mr Rajen Gohain. In an interview Mr Gohain also claimed that BJP is more popular in the state than AGP. In a question regarding the matter published in news media that Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee was not happy with the small number of people attending the poll campaigning rallies, Mr. Gohain said that owing to the lack of proper management by the AGP ,number of AGP supporters were very small, most of the people attended were BJP supporters.

When asked regarding Mrs Swaraj's absurd asking Renupama Rajkhowa, AGP candidate from Teok LAC, to give way to and start campaigning for Dulal Baruah, BJP candidate from the same LAC, Mr Gohain added another absurd comment that Mrs Swaraj was campaigning for the BJP candidate not for AGP.

Assam Gearing Up For The Election

The time limit for election campaigning for the Assembly election to be held on May 10 has ended today at 4 pm. This time there are total 915 candidates in the fray for the Assam Legislative Assembly out of which 55 are women. Total number of electorate in the state is 1,44,22,000 out of which there are total 75.27 lakh male electorates and 68.99 lakh female electorates. There is a rise of 8 % in the number of electorates from the previous time. There are 17658 numbers of polling booths in the state out of which 4040 have been declared as hypersensitive while 6321 as sensitive polling booths. Around 1 lakh security personnel will be used in the election process. The requisition of public buses for the purpose of distribution of ballot boxes has hampered much the communication system and people are paying heavy toll. In Kamrup district alone the authorities have engaged 98 big buses, 430 mini buses, 101 '407-model' buses, 40 light vehicles, 15 engine boats, 12 country boats, 15 bullock carts, 94 labourers, 8 elephants ( for Dispur and West Guwahati hilly tracks), 5 horses (for Boko constituency). In Kamrup district there are total 8 Legislative Assembly constituencies and there are total 1265 polling booths.

Local issues get prominence during poll campaign.

 From A special correspondent GUWAHATI: It is a common practice among the political parties to make tall promises in their election manifestos but on most occasions the promises made in the manifestos are for the consumption of the media only as the local issues get preference during the poll campaign. This correspondent toured different parts of Assam during the run up to the May 10 Assembly polls and found that very rarely the issues dealt with the election manifestos were uttered by the candidates and their supporters to woo the voters . The Asom gana Parishad (AGP), in its election manifesto, demanded decentralisation of power and demanded that more power should be given to the States. But this issue was not raised by the candidates and their supporters during the election meetings, particularly in the rural areas. One AGP minister admitted that there is no point harping on such issues in front of the voters, who only want their local problems to be solved. Similarly issues like Right to Information Bill, mentioned in the Congress manifesto, are not mentioned in the election meetings as these issues do not attract the rural voters. During the tour to different constituencies, this correspondent noticed that the condition of the roads and bridges was one of the main poll issues for most of the candidates, who also often resorted to scathing attack on their opponents to gain the sympathy of the voters. However, the local issues varied from one constituency to the

other. In the Rangiya Assembly constituency, poor condition of the roads and bridges, a civil hospital, problem of flood and erosion, creation of a district of North Kamrup were the main poll issues for the Congress, while, for the AGP the local issues included Rangiya Rail division , a rail line linking Rangiya to Assam-Bhutan border etc. In the constituencies of Nalbari district, condition of the roads and bridges and unemployment are the main issues for the parties, while, apart from the common issues, the Congress has made setting of a rice research centre as the main poll plank in Barpeta. In Dhubri district, the BJP has made regular train service to Guwahati as one of the main poll plank to woo the voters while, price hike of fertiliser and other essential commodities are some of the issues raised by the Congress during the electioneering in the district. In Bongaigaon , the Congress is blaming the AGP for its failure to set up a full fledged hospital and promised a drinking water scheme, while, the AGP on the other hand is claiming that much was done for the development of the district during the last five years. It was evident that the condition of the roads and bridges was the major local issue for almost all the candidates and it was easy to see why this has become a major issue as in most parts of the State, particularly in the rural areas, the road condition left much to be desired . Though every party promised to solve the problem of unemployment, no one could offer a clear cut solution in their election manifestos. But that did not prevent them from making the promise to solve the problem in the election meetings. Similar is the case with the problem of insurgency as every party promised to solve the problem through dialogue but no one could announce a clear cut policy for the solution of the problem and as to how the insurgents would be persuaded to come to the negotiation table. Interestingly, the candidates carefully avoided the issue of illegal migration of foreigners in the election meetings, particularly in the areas dominated by the minority voters as apparently they are not in a mood to antagonise the minority voters. During the campaign trail, almost every party put the blame on the other parties for the present state of affairs in the State, thereby hiding their own failures to deliver the goods. The model code of conduct issued by the Election Commission is also often violated by the candidates and political parties during the electioneering. As per the model code of conduct, everyone should avoid launching personal criticism against anyone and no one should raise issues like religion during the electioneering. But such code of conduct is very often violated as the this correspondent witnessed candidates and their supporters launching scathing personal attacks on their opposing candidates and even on the leaders of the opposing parties in utter violation of the code of conduct. Religion has also become a major issue for the parties, who make political calculation on the population pattern of each constituency and in a few constituencies , religious considerations other than any other issue determine the fate of the candidates. 

Ramanuj Dutta Choudhury

Political leaders making beeline towards Assam 

From A Special Correspondent GUWAHATI; There was a time when the senior leaders of the national political parties were not bothered about the elections in Assam, but the situation has now totally changed as the leaders of the parties made a beeline towards the State during the run up to the May 10 Assembly polls to woo the voters. Encouraged by the performance of the party in the last parliamentary polls, the senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rushed to Assam to campaign for the candidates of the party. The BJP, in a bid to preventing the Congress from coming to power, entered into an electoral alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) despite reservations expressed by the State unit leaders of the party and almost all the top leaders of the party campaigned together with the AGP leaders. The Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee completed his two day campaign schedule in the State on May 6. However, the election rally of the Prime Minister did not receive enthusiastic response from the people in Guwahati city on May 5 and only about a couple of thousand people attended the rally. In the rally, the Prime Minister attacked the Congress and accused the party of coming into an understanding with militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to come back to power in the State. He also appealed to the people to thwart the designs of the ULFA and to come out to cast their votes in response to the challenge posed by the militants. The killing of the

BJP candidate for the Dibrugarh Assembly constituency Jayanta Dutta by the ULFA militants also made the polls a prestige issue for the BJP. The other senior leaders of the BJP who campaigned for the AGP-BJP alliance in Assam include the Union Home Minister L K Advani, Union Human Resource Development Minister Dr Murli Monohar Joshi, BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy, Promode Mahajan and others. The BJP general secretary Sinil Shastri has been camping in Assam since the day the polls were announced. However, it remains to be seen whether the campaigning by the senior leaders enable the BJP-AGP candidates to defeat their rivals. Not to be outdone, the Congress also launched campaign for the polls with vigour and the party president made two trips to the State to campaign for the party candidates in different parts of Assam. Other senior leaders of the Party including Kamal Nath, Rajesh Pilot and others also extensively toured the State to woo the voters in favour of their party. The senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) despite knowing full well that their candidates do not stand much of a chance except in a handful of constituencies, left no stone unturned to make an effort to improve the party's performance. The president of the NCP, Sarad Pawar and former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma virtually criss-crossed the State in hired choppers and Mr Sangma expressed the hope that the party would improve its performance in the State and make its presence felt. The Samata party is obviously not in a position to win any seat but the party leader and former Defence Minister George Fernandes visited the State. Similarly, the voters are not even aware of the presence of the party of the Union Telecom Minister ram Vilas Paswan but he too campaigned in the State. Not to be left behind, the AGP president and Chief Minister Prafulla kumar Mahanta also launched a hectic campaign schedule all over the State in support of the alliance candidates. However, such a hectic campaign tour affected his own campaign and he is now facing a touch challenge from his former colleague Atul Bora of the Trinamul Gana parishad in the Dispur constituency. Mr Mahanta is contesting from two constituencies this time. Interestingly, the leaders of the political parties mainly concentrated on criticising the opponents during the election rallies and they failed to offer any solution to the burning problems facing the State. Moreover, most of the political leaders carefully avoided the issue of infiltration of illegal migrants from Bangladesh and the recent Bangladesh Rifles attack fearing that harping on such issues would antagonize the minority voters. Interestingly, successive Congress Governments and the president BJP led National Democratic Alliance Government at Delhi failed to take positive steps for the solution of the burning problems of the State and in the election rallies, to draw the sympathy of the people, the leaders of both the parties blamed each other for the economic backwardness of the State, without referring to the steps taken during their own tenures in the Central Government. Ramanuj Dutta Choudhury

Lacs Of Illegal Migrants May Cast Votes

Though different political parties are very busy in making IMDT issue as a major poll plank yet the issue is likely to remain as an issue only. The reason is not for to seek. The parties, that are making the loudest noise about illegal migrants, do not seem keen to have them detected and deported for electoral gains.

That is, there is still controversy over the suspected illegal migrants who are likely to cast their votes in the ensuing Assembly elections in Assam. According to sources, around one lakh such illegal migrants may cast their votes in the state as the departmental authority is facing both political pressure and acute lack of manpower.

"The Illegal Migrants (Determination) Tribunals (IMDT), the lower courts and their apex body the Illegal Migrants (Determination) Appellate Tribunal-are being pressurised by different political parties, including the AGP to keep pending 1,15,653 cases in the state," the sources added.

However, the president of the apex body of the IMDT, Mr. N.B. Asthana, has tactfully ruled out the truth that the political parties are pressuring them not to ahead with the cases on

the eve of upcoming Assembly polls.

In an exclusive interview with the vedanti.com Mr Asthana said: "Assam is a land of lahe lahe. There is no work culture in this department. Though the department has the acute shortage of presiding officers (Pos) at the lower courts level (or IMDT offices) yet there is no fresh appointment. In fact, there are 16 IMDT offices and they need two POs-one Chairman and a member to each lower court. Therefore, they need 32 Pos while they have only 26 Pos. That is, six IMDT offices have to run activities with single Pos. This staff shortage is adversely affecting the detection drive of the IMDT offices in the state."

Giving the list of six lower courts, other officials said that IMDT offices in places like Dhemaji, Diphu, Karimganj, Silchar, Dibrugarh and North Lakhimpur are still facing manpower crisis. Notwithstanding, the Pos of Diphu, Dibrugarh, Silchar and North Lakhimpur have been given the dual charge i.e., the charge of chairman and member of these IMDT offices.

Whatsoever, there are now 1,15,653 pending cases with the IMDT offices in the entire state. Therefore, there will be altogether three to four lacs suspected illegal voters if these cases are taken as family wise cases. All the accused persons are likely to cast their votes for the May 10 polls with the help of various political parties.

" Interestingly, the legal counsels of the accused migrants generally persuade them to leave their residents and hence, the police find it difficult to catch them at ease", said the officials.

When asked why the police personnel accept bribe from the suspected migrants to let the go, the officials said until and unless they received any information with sufficient evidence one can not make us bound to listen such an allegation.

The officials told the vedanti.com that the police arrest at least three illegal migrants at the Guwahati railway station in every week. A large number of illegal migrants come to Hojai, Nagaon, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Dhubri daily. They are given lessons on the Assamese language and the techniques to talks in Assam by some gurus called Dewans, especially in the areas of Nagaon, Hojai and Karimganj.

"There is a sorry saga with the IMDT offices. In 1992, Assam Police caught 45 Bangladeshis. Immediately a Congress minister rang up the police station where the accused migrants were kept. The minister asked the police to release the migrants and register cases against them. Then the minister claimed that those accused persons were the permanent inhabitants of Hojai. The concerned cops were declared culprits and hence, they were sent to jail. Finally, the actual story came out. The passports as the accused persons produced were fake and therefore, the jailed police personnel were thought as innocent and released. That is, there is a big lobby in issuing fake passports, even teaching lessons by Dewanis in Nagaon and Hojai. Its dreadful functioning hits hard the IMDT issue of the state, the officials added.

-A.K. PAUL

Woman Candidates In Ensuing Assembly Election

In ensuing Assam Assembly election total 55 woman candidates are contesting from different constituencies out of 914 candidates. Which is the 6% of total candidates .Thus, 94% occupied the male candidates from different political parties. Out of 126 Assembly constituencies seat Woman candidates contest in 43 constituencies. Out of 55 candidates 19 candidates contest as a independent candidates, 15 candidates from Indian National Congress, 4 candidates from Asom Gana Parishad, 4 candidates from Nationalist Congress

Party, 1 from Bharatiya Janata Party, 3 candidates from Samajwadi Party, 2 from Communist Party of India (ML), 1 from Communist Party of India, 1 from Rastriya Janata Dal and LJNSP,SAP, UBNLF, CPM, and AITC one from each. From Lakhipur, Duliajan, Dalgaon, Panery 3 woman candidates contast from each constituencies.

It is notable that most of woman candidates contest as a Independent candidates revels that the parties neglect the woman candidates. On the other hand Congress Party give opportunity to 15 woman candidates. But the party opposed the Woman Reservation Bill in the Parliament. At the same way BJP tries to pass the Woman Reservation Bill, but the party give only one ticket to woman in the state Assembly.

1996 ASSEMBLY ELECTION : AT A GLANCE

Total seats 126 :

Assam Gana Parishad won 63 seats.

Indian National Congress won 34 seats.

Independent won 11 seats.

Autonomous State Demand committee won 4 seats.

Bharatiya Janata Party won 4 seats.

Communist Party of India (CPI) won 3 seats.

UNFA won 2 seats.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) won 2 seats.

AIIC (I) won 2 seats.

Party Vote Percent

AGP- 29.70

INC- 30.56

IND- 17.42

ASDC- 1.98

BJP- 10.41

CPI- 1.95

UMFA- 1.16

CPM- 1.94

AIIC (I)- 3.71

News on 8th May '2001

ULFA posing serious threat to AGP-BJP allianceFrom Ramanuj Dutta ChoudhuryGUWAHATI: Militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has posed a serious threat to the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in the run up to the May 10 Assembly polls in Assam ,which affected the poll campaigning of the alliance.The pre-poll strikes by the ULFA in different parts of Assam resulted in the killing of more than 20 members of the AGP-BJP alliance and more than 30 others were injured. Those killed include the BJP candidate from the Dibrugarh Assembly constituency Mr Jayanta Dutta, who was also the general secretary of the State Unit of the BJP, while, the AGP candidate for the Barpeta constituency Kumar Dipak Das, a former Minister was seriously wounded in an ULFA attack and he had to be shifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi for treatment.The killings rocked the alliance and the BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy, during his visit to the State on May 3, demanded that the Central Government should probe into the nexus between the ULFA and the Congress as no Congress man has been targeted by the militant outfit till date. The AGP president and Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta also alleged a nexus between the ULFA and the Congress and demanded a probe into the alleged nexus.This correspondent recently visited the lower Assam districts and found that the ULFA has posed a serious threat to the alliance ,which affected the poll campaigning. The workers of the alliance were threatened by the ULFA in Nalbari district, considered to be a hot bed of militant activity and the workers are not even in a position to move freely. AGP sources said that the workers of the party started receiving threats since the day the elections were announced and a number of AGP men have also resigned from the party following threats and attacks by the ULFA.The Education Minister Thaneswar Boro, an AGP candidate from the Rangiya Assembly constituency, told this correspondent that a number of party workers in his constituency received threats from the ULFA. " I have stopped picking up the phone at night ," he added.The Agriculture Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, the AGP candidate from the Dharmapur Assembly constituency in Nalbari constituency, said that a number of party workers received threats. He alleged that the Congress instigated the ULFA to launch an attack on the AGP workers . However, he hoped that the threat posed by the ULFA would not affect his electoral prospects. It may be mentioned here that six AGP men were killed in an attack by the ULFA in the Dharmapur constituency on the night of May 3.The AGP candidate from the Nalbari assembly constituency Mrs Alaka Sarma also admitted that there were some problems due to the threat perception. She said that they were forced to change strategy and go for low profile campaigning due to the threat. It may be mentioned here that Mrs Sarma's husband and former PWD Minister Nagen Sarma was killed by the ULFA last year .The threat posed by the ULFA and its impact on the minds of the people were quite evident in Nalbari district as the workers were seen openly discussing the issue in the district committee office of the AGP and the campaign offices wore a deserted look.The district magistrate of Nalbari Mr B K Chakraborty admitted that Nalbari is a very sensitive district as it is close to Bhutan where the militants have their camps. He pointed out that several top leaders of the ULFA including the Deputy Commander in Chief of the outfit Raju baruah hail from Nalbari and the outfit is very keen to maintain its hold on the district.Mr Chakraborty said that adequate security cover has been provided to the candidates, who are the prime targets of the ULFA. However, he admitted that it is not possible to provide security to each and every member of the AGP-BJP alliance. He revealed that the deployment of security forces along the Assam-Bhutan border has been increased to check the movement of the militants. But it is not possible to completely seal the border, he admitted.

The Director General of Assam Police, Mr H K Deka said that the vulnerable political leaders are being provided with adequate security and even Assam Police commandos are being used as PSOs. He said that the Central Government has rushed 25 additional companies of paramilitary forces to deal with the situation.The presence of Army in the lower Assam districts has been increased to instill confidence in the minds of the people and to thwart attempts by the militants to create disturbance. Brigadier Rana Goswami of the Army Brigade posted at Kokrajhar to look after the sensitive districts of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Dhubri, told this correspondent that the Army has intensified operations against the militants in the lower Assam districts. The Army movement along the Assam-Bhutan border areas have been intensified to check the movement of the militants. Night curfew has also been imposed up to five kilometres from the international border, he added.Now it remains to be seen whether the free and fair polls in Assam would be possible in view of the repeated strikes by the ULFA, which is out to create large scale disturbance during the polls. 

AGP may find it tough to maintain Nalbari bastion From A Special CorrespondentNALBARI: The ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) may find it difficult to maintain its stronghold in Nalbari district, primarily because of the threat posed by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), while, issues like controversy over the appointment of teachers at the fag end of the term of the Government also acted as a deterrent for the party.The ULFA has started to issue threats to the workers and local leaders of the AGP ,thereby creating a situation where the party workers are apprehensive of even coming out to campaign for the party for the polls. Quite a large number of workers have also resigned from the AGP in the face of threat posed by the militant outfit, which seriously affected campaigning of the party.Despite the threat, Agriculture Minister and senior AGP leader Chandra Mohan Patowary has been campaigning with vigour in the Dharmapur constituency. Though the issue of appointment of teachers created resentment among a section of voters of the constituency, Mr Patowary still has his support base and this correspondent witnessed that he was mobbed by his supporters whenever he travels through the constituency. The Agriculture Minister ,who is known to be a good orator, is also putting his skills to good measure to woo the voters. Talking to this correspondent, Mr Patowary said that development of the area is his main election issue and he claimed that he did his best for the overall development of the constituency. However, at the same time, he admitted that the ULFA threat was a problem and alleged that the Congress instigated the ULFA to launch an attack against the AGP.It may be mentioned here that Mr Patowary was elected to the Assembly from the constituency for three successive terms and in the 1996 polls, he managed to secure more than 70 per cent of the valid votes. However, Congress sources said that they would be able to put up a tough fight this time and their candidate Nilamani Sen Deka is expected to show a much improved performance. The issue of appointment of teachers is one of the main issues for the Congress in the constituency and the party is also hoping that the anti-incumbency factor would go against the Agriculture Minister. Congress sources also alleged that the ruling party was misusing the police against the Congress workers.Nalbari: Nalbari Assembly constituency is considered to be a bastion of the AGP as former PWD Minister Nagen Sarma was elected from the constituency for three successive terms and after his killing by the ULFA last year, his widow Alaka Sarma was won the by election defeating Congress heavyweight Bhumidhar Barman by a margin of about five thousand votes. However, the threat by the ULFA seriously affected campaigning by the AGP in the constituency and Mrs Sarma said that she would have to go for low key campaign. In the last Lok Sabha polls, the BJP did very well in the Constituency and the alliance with the BJP is a big plus point for the ruling party. The AGP is also making use of the popularity of late Nagen Sarma and it was seen that the party election posters showed the photo of late Sarma more prominently than the photo of the candidate.Talking to this correspondent, the AGP candidate Alaka Sarma said that she was confident of winning. She said that the alliance with the BJP would help her as the party has a very

good support base in the constituency and joint campaigning is on by both the parties. She said that the main problem in the constituency is the problem of unemployment and as it is not possible to increase the Government jobs, efforts are being made to increase the production base of the economy. She said that the Pagladiya multipurpose project is about to take shape, which will help in the development of the area. She has started her campaigning with small group meeting "which will bring me closer to the voters" and in the later stages of the campaign, a few big rallies are planned.Though no Congress candidate managed to win from the constituency since 1972, the party is hopeful of putting up a stiff fight this time. Party sources said that their candidate Madan Kalita has a very good chance this time as the people are not happy with the performance of the AGP Government. Sources said that the AGP Government failed to take steps for the solution of the problem of unemployment, while the condition of the roads and bridges in the constituency left much to be desired. The controversy over the appointment of teachers is also a main poll issue for the Congress in the constituency. However, rebel Congress candidate Triken Das may seriously affect the poll prospects of the Congress but party sources hoped that the voters would think twice before casting vote for an independent candidate.

Angered by the alliance with the AGP, a section of BJP men of the district have left the party and joined the newly launched Asom BJP and the leader of the newly launched party Mr Hiranya Kumar Bhattacharya have jumped into the fray in the constituency. However, his main rivals the AGP and the Congress are of the view that the Asom BJP would not be able to make much of an impact in the outcome of the polls.Barama: AGP heavyweight and the Social Welfare Minister Rekharani Das Boro, despite the support of the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) , is facing a stiff challenge from Paniram Rabha of the Congress in the Barama Assembly constituency. The people of the constituency are not too satisfied with the performance of the Minister but the main deterrent is the threat posed by the ULFA. Already three AGP men have been killed by the ULFA in the constituency and a host of AGP men have tendered their resignation from the party in the face of threats issued by the militant outfit. Such incidents adversely affected the campaigning by the Minister. Moreover former legislator Paniram Rabha is a strong candidate having a good support base in the constituency. He was elected to the Assembly in 1991 from the constituency as a candidate of the NAGP and he became a member of the AGP following the merger of the NAGP with the AGP. But in the last Assembly elections, he was denied AGP ticket and contested as an independent and later joined the Congress.Barkhetri: Congress heavyweight and former Chief Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman is hoping for an improved performance this time . In the last Assembly polls, he was defeated by a margin of about six thousand votes by Pulakesh Baruah of the AGP. But Baruah has resigned from the AGP and is now contesting as a candidate of the Trinamul Gana Parishad. The general secretary of the State unit of the BJP Mr Dhruba Baishya is also in the fray in the constituency as a nominee of the AGP-BJP alliance and the constituency is likely to witness triangular contest between these three candidates. However, the division of the Assamese vote bank between Mr Baruah and Mr Baishya may tilt the scales in favour of Dr Barman.

Ramanuj Dutta Choudhury

News on 7th May '2001

AGP-BJP Masterminding Recent Killings : Gogoi

Guwahati: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bharatia Janata Party (BJP) are behind the recent killings of election workers in the state. They are doing so to divert the people's attention from their past failure and corruption. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and MP Tarun Gogoi claimed thus. In a press release Mr. Gogoi also alleged that in 1996 AGP won the election with the help of ULFA and now they blame Congress for nexus with ULFA. Gogoi appealed the electoral not to be misled by any type of conspiracy of the ruling party against Congress. Demanding a judicial enquiry into the whole issue of

nexus between ULFA and politicians, Gogoi strongly refuted the allegation put against Congress of having link with the militant outfit. Congress also claim that now AGP-BJP alliance is a public scorn alliance. It is not possible for them to win a double digit number of seats in the forthcoming Assembly election.

Bandh Called

Bongaigaon: In protest against violence and government's decision to include maximum areas of the Bongaigaon district under the proposed Bodoland Territorial Council, the All Bongaigaon District Students' Union has called for a 12-hour district bandh on May 7.

BJP District Secretary Attacked

Sibsagar : Ranjit Dutta, secretary of Sibasagar district Bharatia Janata Party State Committee and former president of the District Yuba Morcha was seriously injured when unknown armed miscreants beat him up day before yesterday night at Joysagar. According to the police sources, when Dutta was returning to his residence after campaigning for the Amguri Constituency AGP candidate Pradip Hazarika, a group of six well-equipped unidentified persons beat him up just 50 metres away from his residence.

Teacher Suspended

Bokakhat : For violating government rule by participating in campaigning rally for election candidate, the Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat and District Election Officer suspended Mr. Haren Chutia, an assistant teacher of Anantpur Kheroni LP School. This is the first suspension case in Golaghat district related to election.

Congress Has Nexus With ULFA : Vajpayee

Vajpayee and Advani Should Seek Apology : Kamal Nath

Guwahati : 'If Bharatiya Janata Party can prove the allegation against Congress (I) regarding the nexus with ULFA and the other militant groups to be right with the help of CBI then it would be acceptable by all, but BJP won't be able to prove that. Therefore, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Union Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani should seek apology before the people.' In a press conference here today senior Congress (I) leader Kamal Nath said thus. As a protest against the Prime Minister and Home Minister's claim, Mr. Nath referred that even few month ago BJP alleged Asom Gana Parishad to have nexus with ULFA, but when the two parties came into alliance, BJP changed its words and started accusing Congress for nexus with ULFA. AGP ruled the state for the last five years and it was the duty of the party to return the aimless militants to the mainstream. He also expressed that in the last five years AGP government had totally failed to have control over violence in the state. He expressed that the party has itself created much violence in the state.

Notable that yesterday in a AGP-BJP alliance election campaigning meeting Vajpayee alleged Congress behind the recent killings of the election workers. He even clearly expressed that Congress has a nexus with the banned ULFA and has used it for its gain.

4 ULFA Killed

Barpeta : Four United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) militants were killed by Army personnel at Patasarkushi in Barpeta yesterday night. Army personnel surrounded the house the militants were hiding in and shot dead 4 militants while the others succeeded to escape. 3 AK 47 guns, 2 China made granedes and some Bhutanese currency notes have

been recovered from the spot.

PM Ruled Out Any Unilateral Ceasefire Offers

Guwahati : In a press conference here today the visiting Prime Minister AB Vajpayee has ruled out the decision of offering any unilateral cease-fire to the militant outfits of the state. He said that proposals are being made and attempts are on to have dialogue with certain groups, but no final decisions have been yet taken. He said that ULFA is not among those groups the Centre is having parley at present.

BSF Doing Well In The Border : PM

Guwahati : In response to the demand of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) to deploy Army in the violence torn India-Bangladesh border areas, the Prime Minister in a press conference here today said that BSF is doing well in the border and is adequate for the situation. He ruled out AASU's demand.

Prosperity Is Must For Peace : George Fernandez

Guwahati : "Prosperity is must for peace", thus spoke the Samata Party leader and former Defence Minister George Fernandez during a press meet here today.

Restoration of peace and economic development are the two main issues that Assam is in urgent need to stop the ongoing violence. Assam holds the key to restore peace in the NE region and many insurgents groups in NE looked Assam as their umbrella and if peace is restored in Assam it will be easy to follow the path for other parts of the region, said NDA convener George Fernandez. The peace will be ensured through economic development only, he asserted. Briefing the state's economic condition by citing the Reserve Bank of India's report of last September, Fernandez said that the per capita income was only Rs. 8700 in the financial year 1998-1999, the second lowest of the country followed by Bihar which is only Rs. 5923. Whereas states like Maharashtra and Punjab (which gained a momentum after political turmoil) with Rs 22,763 and Rs 20,834 respectively.

If peace is not restored investment will not come and the region itself has failed to invest its own resources, he added. The deposit of fund in all commercial banks are given by the RBI and reports inform that the deposit is Rs 13, 804 crore and out of which only Rs 1380 crore were used as loan in the NE region. This percentage is only 28.9, which is much low in comparison to national average of 57.1 percent. The deposit in Assam is Rs 8990 crore and only Rs 2933 crore (32 %) was utilised. But at the same time the percentage in Mumbai is 91 and 89 in Tamilnadu, he added.

He said that the economic condition of the state can be improved by developing infrastructure and utilising the Brahmaputra which has been neglected by the Centre for last 50 years. Along with these, by developing the handloom sector and cottage industries like bamboo, the economic condition of the state can be changed, he asserted.

To kick off all these developments, there must be demonstration of people's power and which showed the youth of the state in late seventies, he added.

Commenting on the recent attacks by the BDR personnel on BSF in Indo-Bangla border, he said that India has been careless with its border for the last 50 years and termed the incident as unfortunate as India considered Bangladesh as its friendly neighbour.

He also said that the Army should not be deployed for any sort of counter insurgency or for internal security as they are only trained to deal with the enemy. Since the ultras are the son of the soil, their problem should not be treated as those of enemies, Fernandez

added.

The Samata Party has put 20 candidates on the fray for the May 10 Assembly election as its four nominees were not allowed to use the party symbol by the Returning Officers.

Digjyoti Lahkar

Bullet Will Be Replaced By Ballot : Dr Joshi

Guwahati : "The people of Assam will never allow rule of bullet and will replace it by the rule of ballot in the May 10 Assembly election", said BJP leader and HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi here today. Addressing a press meet at party office, Mr. Joshi said that the BJP-AGP alliance will come into power and is determined to save the people from the dramatic experience which they had in the eighties. Mr. Joshi alleged that Congress, which is hungry for power, had gone for a nexus with the ULFA. If Congress policies are recounted, one will recall that whenever there are round of power they indulge themselves for promotion of separatism, insurgency and other devils, he added

The Congress has a nexus with Naxalites in Andhra and Chattishgarh, a good relation with these elements in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab and now in Assam. But we hope that the people of Assam will undo all these efforts, he asserted. The Election Commission should take adequate measures to ensure free and fair poll in the state by providing security to candidates and voters, he urged. He also appealed the EC to launch an enquiry regarding the on going violence. It is very unfortunate that Congress has remained silent over all these episodes and if Congress has no faith on the democratic electoral process then they should leave the process, he said.

Digjyoti Lahkar

News on 5th may '2001

Attack On Congress Workers

Biswanath : Yesterday at about 10.15 pm a group of suspected militants came in a blue ambassador car and started to fire indiscriminately at an election campaigning booth of the Congress candidate Noorjamal Sarkar at Gopchadharu, 1.5 km away from Biswanath Chariali police station. Four youths were playing carom in the booth out of which two died on the spot while the other two were admitted to Tezpur civil hospital under serious condition. The two killed were Raju Munda (18) and Pushpa Gowala (18) while the injured were Ratan Baori and Mayaram Gurmi. Today morning the Congress candidate Mr Sarkar took out a procession along with 10,000 party supporters.

Congress Candidate Shot Dead

Dhekiajuli : The Congress candidate of Dhekiajuli LAC Tonko Bahadur Rai along with Haren Das, Pushpa Majori, Haren Haloi (driver), were shot dead by unidentified gunmen at 12.15 pm while they were going from Singori to Doomdooma on the National Highway.

ULFA Militant Killed

Sarthebari : Today morning at Phaktadapa, near Sarthebari in Barpeta district, one hardcore ULFA militant was killed in an encounter with police.

PM In The State

'Just like fish cannot live without water, Congress cannot exist without power'

Guwahati : 'Election is as essential to democracy as heart is to life' addressing a rally in the city Mr Atal Behari Bajpayee said thus. The Prime Minister of India today came to Assam today to address an election rally in the city. When he arrived at the Judge's field in Guwahati, more than 3000 people gave him a warm welcome. He expressed that the victory of the AGP-BJP alliance being almost sure, Congress has been master-minding the recent attacks on the alliance candidates and workers to tilt the balance toward themselves by hook or by crook. If they can resort to these before coming to power it can be easily estimated to what extent they may go if they come to power. He also said that Congress does not believe in democracy. Acquiring power in the centre for the last 50 years, power has been such an indispensable part of Congress' existance that "just like a fish cannot live without water, now Congress cannot exist without power" and out of this frustation they are even ready to go to such extents. Fear and democracy cannot go together. The general people would have to see the reality, and keeping an earnest condfidence upon democracy they would have to come out to vote and to elect their representives. Terming himself an associate of the Assam Movement, Mr Vajpayee said that though there are certain differences between AGP and BJP, the parties due to their ideals and ambitions are congenial. He further said that in the 1999 election the opposition party used undemocratic means to win the election. But now people are conscious and they know the reality. Regarding the insurgency problem he said that the party has always been trying to bring the ultras to the main stream. He believes that the militants will ultimately understand that a democracy does not run with bullets but with ballot.

The PM will stay in the Raj Bhawan in the city and will attend a mass rally at Silchar tomorrow.

News on 4th May '2001

8 to 8.30 pm-- 'deadly hours' for election workers - All security measures futile

The recent killings of election workers in Assam has made widespread ripples in the state and the nation. Last week the matter has been discussed in the national level thrice and total five times in the state level. 300 Battalion companies have been already deployed in the state where 75% of the polling stations have been declared sensitive. But though adequate security measures have been claimed to be enacted in the state by the Central and state govts, the recent attacks on AGP-BJP workers, specially yesterday's massacre at Nalbari and Goalpara proves everything to be futile. Last night a group of three ULFA cadres open fired at an AGP election office in Baragihata under Dharampur LAC from where Chandramohan Patowari is contesting and in the incident six workers were killed out of which two died on the spot and four others died on the way to hospital.

In a separate incident in Tilpara under Goalpara district a group of ULFA militants open fired and 16 AGP workers were severely injured. Interesting to note that most of the attacks by the banned group have been done during 8 to 8.30 pm.

According to intelligence sources, ULFA's main aim behind all these killings is to keep away the election process from Assam and to compel the Central govt to have a concrete and lasting proposal for negotiation. On the other hand the Chief Election Commissioner has asked the home ministry to arrange for more security forces for the state in the ensuing election.

AGP Office Destroyed

Guwahati: Asom Gana Parishad claimed that a group of Trinamool Gana Parishad(TGP) supporters destroyed the AGP's Kahilipara election-office which is under Dispur LAC. AGP

claimed that returning from campaigning at Sonapur the TGP leader Atul Bora ordered the supporters to attack the office. Even Mr. Bora's personal security officers are claimed to be involved in the incident. A case has been registered in Dispur police station in this connection. It is notable that former colleague of P.K. Mahanta, Atul Bora organised a rally yesterday in Sonapur where more than 6000 people gathered.

ULFA's correspondent shot dead

Dibrugarh: Anil Moran, a suspected United Liberation Front of Assam's linkman was killed in an encounter with a joint operation by the Army and police at Hahkhati Kumsang Reserve Forest under Dholla police station in Tinsukia district last night. No arms have been recovered from the killed militant.

Congress Takes Helps From Militant: Joshi

Tezpur: Bharitya Janata Party leader and Human Resource Development Minister Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi accused congress for taking help from militant groups for election purposes. Mr. Joshi claimed that congress will destroy the state as well as the whole country. He alleged Congress to have relationship with Pakistani intelligence bureau Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) also. Addressing an election campaigning meeting Dr. Joshi also claimed Congress to be actively involved in the latest attacks on AGP-BJP alliance candidates. He said everything have been planned by Congress party.

Convocation

Guwahati: The sixth annual convocation of the Assam Institute of Management (AIM), will be held on May 6 at the Trithanath Sarma Auditourium in the city. An Institute press release stated here.

Dibrugarh Constituency Poll Postponed

Dibrugarh: The Dibrugarh Assembly constituency election has been officially countermanded following the killing of the Bharatia Janata Party candidate Jayanta Dutta. In this regard the EC has countermanded and postponed the poll to the constituency scheduled for May 10 under Section 52 of the Representation of People's Act 1951. After the Assembly election of the state is over the EC will notify the date for the election of the constituency.

Resigned from AGP

Barama: Owing to the killing of two Asom Gana Parishad(AGP) workers by the United Liberation Front of Assam and the continuing threat to other workers, a group of AGP members of Barama constituency resigned from the party. The resigned members belonged to president and secretary level of all constituencies campaigning committees.

Curfew Imposed

Kokrajhar: Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar has clamped night curfew between 5 pm and 5 am in the 5 km Indo-Bhutan border area falling under the district, preventing movement of any persons within the area. From today (4 May) the curfew will remain in force until further order.

Sonia Gandhi In Assam

Guwahati : The opposition leader of the Parliament and All India Congress Committee

president Smt. Sonia Gandhi will visit the state on an one-day programme for addressing party poll rallies at four different places of the state. According to Assam Pradesh Congress Committee press release, the first rally is scheduled to begin at 11 am at Karimganj to be followed by another rally at Nalbari from 1p.m. The third party rally has been slated to begin from 2 p.m. at Barpeta to be followed by the last rally from 3.30 p.m. at Dhubri.

News on 3rd May '2001

150 Candidates Threatened

Some Particular Political Party Behind The Scene

Guwahati : Director General of Police of Assam Mr H K Deka has informed that more than 150 election candidates belonging to the AGP-BJP alliance have been of late threatened in the state by the militant outfits including United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). Special commando forces have been provided to the vulnerable candidates for security.

It is also reported from intelligence sources that more than 70 hardcore ULFA's '28 Battalion' cadres have been put in action by the ULFA high-command based in Bhutan. The cadres have entered the district head-quarters with well-equipped light arms. The police claims that the militants have succeeded to enter the district head-quarters only being helped by a particular political party. Reported that the particular party has even provided them with vehicles and party flags.

Havoc in Dibrugarh

Public Residences Knocked Late Night By Unidentified persons

Dibrugarh : Till today 17 political workers have been killed in the state. After the 11 hours Assam bandh called by All Assam Students' Union (AASU) ended 4 pm yesterday, the Bharatia Janata Party (BJP) Dibrugarh district committee has called a 24-hours Dibrugarh district bandh from 6 am today in protest against the killing of party candidate from Dibrugarh constituency Mr Jayanta Dutta and four others. It is reported that the bandh had a widespread effect in the district today as normal life remained disturbed. More security personnel have been deployed at the AGP and BJP election offices and three additional Battalion companies have been deployed in the sensitive areas. It is also reported that late last night many of the residences in the Grahem Bazar area of Dibrugarh were knocked by unidentified group of persons.

Over 3,500 Congress(I) Workers Shifted To BJP

Guwahati : By a press note the Bharatia Janata Party(BJP) state office of Assam has informed that 3,576 Congress(I) workers have quit the party and joined the BJP in Laharighat constituency. In a meeting held on this occasion at Laharighat, the BJP candidates of the constituency, Md Oly Ullah, formally welcomed them to the party.

Rebels Apprehended

Guwahati : In a joint operation with Army and the Central Reserve Police Force, nine militants were apprehended, including ULFA's seven cadres. According to the security sources, since Monday militants have been apprehended in different parts of the lower Assam.

ULFA's Volcano Unit Cadres Sheltered

Jorhat : A group of 'Volcano unit' action group cadres of ULFA have taken shelter in Sector D of the Assam-Nagaland border area near Kolajan. An intelligence source claimed thus. The source also claimed that the main target of the group is to attack a special group of political workers in Golaghat district during election time.

News on 2nd May '2001

Militants Refresh Their Attack On Candidates : BJP Targeted This Time

Dibrugarh : While only six days remains for Assembly poll, incidents of militants attacking election candidates have increased in number day by day in the state. BJP state secretary and party candidate from Dibrugarh constituency, Jayanta Dutta and other four persons including two party members were killed allegedly by the banned ULFA. Noteworthy that just before 30 minutes AGP workers were also attacked in Dibrugarh though without casualties. It was the fifth such attack on election workers in the state this time. Till today 11 AGP and BJP workers in total have been killed by ULFA militants. However, Mr Jayanta Dutta is the first BJP candidate to be attacked, earlier only AGP workers had been targeted. The incident have spread a sense of insecurity among common people and election workers have been indoors today all the day long. Fearing that they might be attacked at their residence too, it is reported that security authorities have asked party workers not to be outdoors after 6 pm and not to arrange any kind of meeting in places which are vulnerable.

It is also reported from Dibrugarh today evening that all the official and commercial institutions remained closed in view of the bandh called by All Assam Students' Union (AASU) demanding deployment of Army personnel in Assam-Bangladesh border and driving out all illegal Bangladeshis from the state with the help of Army.

Some National Political Party Is Behind ULFA's Attacks ; Congress Has Never Clarified Its Stand Regarding Insurgency In Assam : Modi

New Delhi : In an interview with media persons today evening, the Bharatia Janata Party (BJP) spokesman Mr Narendra Modi expressed that when only one particular alliance workers have been repeatedly attacked by the banned ULFA, it becomes clear that the militant group has been motivated by, or rather is working for, some political party. He drew attention of the public that significantly not a single Congress worker has been attacked so far. Noteworthy that if disturbing the democracy is the objective of ULFA's recent attacks then workers of other parties also should have been attacked. He also spoke out that BJP has always been asking Congress to clarify their stand regarding the insurgency situation created by ULFA but, he added, Congress has significantly failed to do so.

On the other hand AGP president and CM P K Mahanta expressed that ULFA's attacks have been condemning and nasty. He told newspersons that the dying ULFA is simply trying to prove its existence by such kind of mischief. He informed that the government has already asked the Chief Election Commissioner to send extra security personnel to handle the situation.

AATTSA's Decision

The All Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (AATTSA) has decided not to support any political party in the ensuing state election. This is informed by the Association president Mr Durga Bhumij and secretary Mr Kamakhya Prasad Tasa in a press release here.

Curfew

Jorhat: Through an official notification, the Jorhat district magistrate Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad has imposed night curfew under Section 144 CrPc within a 5 km belt along the Jorhat portions of Assam-Nagaland border from 6 p.m. with immediate effect.

May Day Observed

Guwahati: Along with the rest of the world, today different trade unions of Assam have observed May Day, as the international day of the working class, with various programmes.

On the occasion, the Assam Union of Working Journalists has observed the day with various programmes at the Guwahati press club. The state unit of INTUC has organised a seminar at its state headquarters here. The Sadou Asom Motor Shramik Yutiya Parishad observed it with a daylong programme. The workers under the Parishad remained abstained from their duties and organised rallies in local and district level demanding fulfillment of the long-standing demands of the transport sector workers. The Sadou Guwahati Autovan Chalak Tatha Malik Santha also took out a procession on the occasion.

Journalist Awarded

Guwahati: Prominent journalist and freedom fighter Satis Chandra Kakoti has been awarded with 'Dulal Chandra Bhuyan Sowarani Bota' for his service in the field of journalism and social service. Former district judge Bhola Ram Das today in a glorious function here has presented the award. The award carries a citation and a cash of Rs. 10,000.

Militant Shot Dead

Guwahati: In an encounter with Army personnel a hardcore National Democratic Front of Bodoland militant was killed here in Kaliabari village under Kamrup district. According to the security sources, tracing a secret information a group of Army personnel surrounded the house where the militants were hiding. The militants started firing as soon as they saw the troops and when the army retaliated the cadre was killed on the spot. A hand Granede, 3 round cartridges and a 9 mm revolver were recovered from the killed militant. Later the body was handed over to the state police authority.

Appeal for peace

Guwahati: Assam Matri Samaj, Guwahati has appealed to the people of Assam to stay away from the path of violence. An Assam Matri Samaj press release stated.

Borgeet Competition

Guwahati: A Borgeet competition will be held at Sankardev Kalakshetra jointly under the aegis of the Kalakshetra authorities and Chaturanga Kala Kendra on May 5 from 9 am. Awards along with prize money will be presented to the winners. For details interested participants can call 205226, as is informed in a press release here.

SAI's New Director

Guwahati: A press release of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) stated that Harkanta Buragohain has taken over the charge as Director-in-Charge of the Sports Authority of India Regional Sub-Centre, Guwahati. He took over charge from Capt. Robin Bordoloi, who

has voluntarily retired six months earlier than was scheduled. Borgohain will be the in charge of SAI projects in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Noteworthy that Buragohain was a reputed body-builder of the state who had won nine international body-building titles and seven Mr. India titles.

New Congress Campaigning Committee

Guwahati: Owing to some sort of controversy among the workers, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Mr Tarun Gogoi has reconstituted the 53-members Congress Election Campaigning Committee. The new committee has been constituted with Dr. Bhagawan Chandra Lahkar as the Chairman, Dr. Lily Rajbongshi and six others, Abdul Khaleque, Kirip Chaliha, Jai Kumar Jain, Tirtha Borkakoti, Abir Patra, Rajiv Sarma, as conveners and others as members.

No Storing Along Railway Lines

Guwahati: Additional District Magistrate of Darrang and Mangoldai district, Bimal Singh, has restricted the storing of timber, logs and other materials within the 30 metres distance from both sides of the railway lines in the entire two districts in a prohibitory order under section 144 CrPC. The order will came into force with immediate effect and any person violating it will be liable for prosecution. However, this prohibitory order will not be applicable to materials stocked along the railway line belonging to railway authorities under section 188 of Indian Panel Code..

More Than 100 AGP Members Shifted To Cong (I)

Moran: Under the leadership of Mr. Khasi Mahato, Mr. Robin Kumar Buragohain and Mr. Mukta Ranjan Handique of Lezi area under Moran Legislative Assembly Constituency, more than hundred AGP workers have resigned from the party and have formally joined the Congress(I). This was informed by the Dibrugarh District Youth Congress (I) Committee.

ULFA Com-in-chief's hot-line congratulations to Meghphukan

Raju Baruah halted in Guwahati last week

Attacks on Dharani Kalita from Barama, Kumar Dipak Das from Borpeta along with two associates and the recent attack on AGP workers near the capital have ultimately proved ULFA's claim to create trouble during the election to be true. Regarding this even the central home ministry is troubled. Police and central intelligence being dead alert recently has brought many important documents into light. Attacking a particular person in the midst of a crowd of police and CRPF personnel and disappearing without being traced can be done by highly trained militants alone. It has already been reported that ULFA has, of late, sent a group of militants trained in foreign lands to Assam, among which a six member group has been deployed in the Guwahati city.

From an intelligence source it is known that in the last month ULFA Deputy-Commander-in-chief Raju Baruah came to the city for the purpose of this operation and halted in the city for a week. He handed Dristi Rajkhowa the charge for this special operation. Dristi Rajkhowa will be associated by Ashanta Baghphukan (second) and Bikash Meghphukan. Both of them are of commandant rank. Though there is no strong evidence of Mr Baruah's presence in the city, intelligence sources cannot deny Mr Rajkhowa's presence in and around Guwahati. An unofficial source also claims evidence of ULFA Commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah congratulating Mr Meghphukan who was in charge of the Volcano unit over the hot-line last week.

That, imposition of curfew in border areas of Assam will not debar the militants entering the state and not effect insurgent activities, has been proved by the fact that the medical wing member arrested in Sibsagar informed that the Volcano unit members have already entered the state. The member also informed that Bhutan has been fixed as the base of the attack. Only after the publishing of this news that the border areas have been made alert.

AGP is Training SULFA For Rigging : Tarun Gogoi

Guwahati : Sitting MP and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Tarun Gogoi who has been projected by All India Congress Committee as the next Assam CM, claims that AGP-BJP alliance has taken the policy of fragmentation of the society on the basis of caste, creed and religion. He also claimed that due to the increasing popularity of Congress (I) the alliance is afraid of the coming times and has taken every steps to rig in the election. He also claimed that AGP has trained SULFA members to rig during the poll.

Answering a question regarding AGP's alleging Congress behind the recent attack on AGP workers, he said that it is nothing other than AGP's policy to demoralise Congress among the mass. But people now-a-days know what is what, he said.

AASU's Bandh Call

Guwahati : Demanding deployment of army in the Indo-Bangla border and use of army for deporting foreigners from the state, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has called for an 11-hour Assam bandh from 5 am, May 2. An AASU press release said that it has been compelled to call the bandh as its deadline with the Union Govt to accept the demands expired on April 29. The release also appealed the public to support the bandh considering the urgency of the issue.

ULFA's Warning

Guwahati : After the series of attacks on AGP workers by ULFA, AGP workers feel unsecured and in the fear of life many of them have quit the party. It is reported that before the attack on the two party workers in Barama, ULFA warned them to quit the party. Now a top leader of the Barama unit Mr Chanakya Chandra Kalita has resigned from the party out of fear.

Besides, ULFA has asked the AGP candidate of Mahmora constituency Mr Hiranya Konwar and other party workers to resign from the party immediately. Police sources said that Mr Konwar has been provided with tough security keeping in view the demand.

News on 1st May '2001

AASU's Bandh Call

Guwahati : Demanding deployment of army in the Indo-Bangla border and use of army for deporting foreigners from the state, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has called for an 11-hour Assam bandh from 5 am, May 2. An AASU press release said that it has been compelled to call the bandh as its deadline with the Union Govt to accept the demands expired on April 29. The release also appealed the public to support the bandh considering the urgency of the issue.

AGP is Training SULFA For Rigging : Tarun Gogoi

Guwahati : Sitting MP and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Tarun Gogoi who

has been projected by All India Congress Committee as the next Assam CM, claims that AGP-BJP alliance has taken the policy of fragmentation of the society on the basis of caste, creed and religion. He also claimed that due to the increasing popularity of Congress (I) the alliance is afraid of the coming times and has taken every steps to rig in the election. He also claimed that AGP has trained SULFA members to rig during the poll.

Answering a question regarding AGP's alleging Congress behind the recent attack on AGP workers, he said that it is nothing other than AGP's policy to demoralise Congress among the mass. But people now-a-days know what is what, he said.

AASU's Bandh Call

Guwahati : Demanding deployment of army in the Indo-Bangla border and use of army for deporting foreigners from the state, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has called for an 11-hour Assam bandh from 5 am, May 2. An AASU press release said that it has been compelled to call the bandh as its deadline with the Union Govt to accept the demands expired on April 29. The release also appealed the public to support the bandh considering the urgency of the issue.

ULFA's Warning

Guwahati : After the series of attacks on AGP workers by ULFA, AGP workers feel unsecured and in the fear of life many of them have quit the party. It is reported that before the attack on the two party workers in Barama, ULFA warned them to quit the party. Now a top leader of the Barama unit Mr Chanakya Chandra Kalita has resigned from the party out of fear.

Besides, ULFA has asked the AGP candidate of Mahmora constituency Mr Hiranya Konwar and other party workers to resign from the party immediately. Police sources said that Mr Konwar has been provided with tough security keeping in view the demand.

Curfew

Jorhat: Through an official notification, the Jorhat district magistrate Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad has imposed night curfew under Section 144 CrPc within a 5 km belt along the Jorhat portions of Assam-Nagaland border from 6 p.m. with immediate effect.

May Day Observed

Guwahati: Along with the rest of the world, today different trade unions of Assam have observed May Day, as the international day of the working class, with various programmes.

On the occasion, the Assam Union of Working Journalists has observed the day with various programmes at the Guwahati press club. The state unit of INTUC has organised a seminar at its state headquarters here. The Sadou Asom Motor Shramik Yutiya Parishad observed it with a daylong programme. The workers under the Parishad remained abstained from their duties and organised rallies in local and district level demanding fulfillment of the long-standing demands of the transport sector workers. The Sadou Guwahati Autovan Chalak Tatha Malik Santha also took out a procession on the occasion.

Journalist Awarded

Guwahati: Prominent journalist and freedom fighter Satis Chandra Kakoti has been awarded with 'Dulal Chandra Bhuyan Sowarani Bota' for his service in the field of

journalism and social service. Former district judge Bhola Ram Das today in a glorious function here has presented the award. The award carries a citation and a cash of Rs. 10,000.

Militant Shot Dead

Guwahati: In an encounter with Army personnel a hardcore National Democratic Front of Bodoland militant was killed here in Kaliabari village under Kamrup district. According to the security sources, tracing a secret information a group of Army personnel surrounded the house where the militants were hiding. The militants started firing as soon as they saw the troops and when the army retaliated the cadre was killed on the spot. A hand Granede, 3 round cartridges and a 9 mm revolver were recovered from the killed militant. Later the body was handed over to the state police authority.

Appeal for peace

Guwahati: Assam Matri Samaj, Guwahati has appealed to the people of Assam to stay away from the path of violence. An Assam Matri Samaj press release stated.

Borgeet Competition

Guwahati: A Borgeet competition will be held at Sankardev Kalakshetra jointly under the aegis of the Kalakshetra authorities and Chaturanga Kala Kendra on May 5 from 9 am. Awards along with prize money will be presented to the winners. For details interested participants can call 205226, as is informed in a press release here.

SAI's New Director

Guwahati: A press release of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) stated that Harkanta Buragohain has taken over the charge as Director-in-Charge of the Sports Authority of India Regional Sub-Centre, Guwahati. He took over charge from Capt. Robin Bordoloi, who has voluntarily retired six months earlier than was scheduled. Borgohain will be the in charge of SAI projects in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Noteworthy that Buragohain was a reputed body-builder of the state who had won nine international body-building titles and seven Mr. India titles.

New Congress Campaigning Committee

Guwahati: Owing to some sort of controversy among the workers, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Mr Tarun Gogoi has reconstituted the 53-members Congress Election Campaigning Committee. The new committee has been constituted with Dr. Bhagawan Chandra Lahkar as the Chairman, Dr. Lily Rajbongshi and six others, Abdul Khaleque, Kirip Chaliha, Jai Kumar Jain, Tirtha Borkakoti, Abir Patra, Rajiv Sarma, as conveners and others as members.

No Storing Along Railway Lines

Guwahati: Additional District Magistrate of Darrang and Mangoldai district, Bimal Singh, has restricted the storing of timber, logs and other materials within the 30 metres distance from both sides of the railway lines in the entire two districts in a prohibitory order under section 144 CrPC. The order will came into force with immediate effect and any person violating it will be liable for prosecution. However, this prohibitory order will not be applicable to materials stocked along the railway line belonging to railway authorities under section 188 of Indian Panel Code..

More Than 100 AGP Members Shifted To Cong (I)

Moran: Under the leadership of Mr. Khasi Mahato, Mr. Robin Kumar Buragohain and Mr. Mukta Ranjan Handique of Lezi area under Moran Legislative Assembly Constituency, more than hundred AGP workers have resigned from the party and have formally joined the Congress(I). This was informed by the Dibrugarh District Youth Congress (I) Committee.