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Sonowal sworn in as Assam CM, PM, Shah present at function

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Swearing-in of Assam CM

Guwahati : Sarbananda Sonowal was today sworn in as the 14th chief minister of Assam in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and other dignitaries at a huge public function at Khanapara field here.

Sonowal, who became the first BJP chief minister of the state was sworn in by Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya. He took his oath in Assamese.

Along with Sonowal, 10 ministers including from alliance partners Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodo Peoples Front (BPF) also took their oath of office at the function which was also attended by BJP President Amit Shah.

The six from BJP to take oath as ministers were Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chandra Mohan Patowary, Ranjit Dutta, Parimal Suklabaidya, Pallab Lochan Das and Naba Kumar Doley. The two from AGP to be sworn-in were Atul Bora (Jr) and Kesab Mahanta, while the two from BPF were Pramila Rani Brahma and Rihan Daimary.

Brahma and Daimari took their oaths in Bodo and Suklabaidya in Bengali while the rest, in Assamese. Outgoing Congress chief minister Tarun Gogoi was also present at the function.

Other dignitaries present on the occasion were senior BJP leader L K Advani, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Suresh Prabhu, Ram Vilas Paswan, Venkaiah Naidu, Nirmala Seetharaman, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Jitendra Singh, Jayant Sinha, Kiren Rijjiju and V K Singh.

BJP chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Madhya Pradesh), Vasundhara Raje Scindia (Rajasthan), Anandi Ben Patel (Gujarat), Devendra Phadnavis (Maharastra), Manohar Lal Khattar (Haryana), Raman Singh (Chattisgarh), Raghubar Das (Jharkhand), Laxmikant Parsekar (Goa) were present. Also present at the function were chief ministers of alliance parties Prakash Singh Badal (Punjab) and Chandrababu Naidu of Telangana.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kaliko Pul and Sikkim Chief Minister P K Chamling were present, besides former Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda and former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi were also present. The swearing in ceremony was conducted by Assam Chief Secretary V K Pipersenia.

(PTI)

Heavy voting in West Bengal, Assam in first phase of Assembly polls

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(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Kolkata: Brisk polling was recorded in the first phase of balloting in the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam with an estimated 70 and 67 per cent voters respectively exercising their franchise in the two states till 3:30 pm.

Polling is being conducted under heavy security and no violence or untoward incident has been reported from anywhere in the two states so far, official sources said.

In West Bengal, where Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is making a determined bid for a second successive term, heavy voter turnout was recorded with an estimated 70 per cent of 40.09 lakh electors casting their ballots in 18 of the state’s 294 constituencies where polling is in progress till 3:30 pm. Most of these constituencies are in areas where Maoists earlier wielded considerable influence.

“There were some issues with EVMs in some booths which were immediately addressed and polling is going on smoothly. We got some other complaints also and they have been addressed,” Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Sarkar told PTI.

Of the 18 seats, 13 are in Jangalmahal area earlier affected by Maoist violence where voting will end at 4 PM due to security considerations. In the remaining five seats of Purulia, Manbazar, Kashipur, Para and Raghunathpur voting will go on till 6 PM.

A key contestant in this phase is Tribal Affairs Minister Sukumar Hansda, who is trying his luck from Jhargram.

All major contenders to power- Trinamool, Left-Congress alliance and BJP- have fielded candidates in all 18 seats.

Mamata Banerjee, who has held sway over West Bengal politics since coming to power five years ago, if facing a challenge from foe-turned-friends– the CPI(M)-led Left Front-Congress combine, besides BJP, which is seeking to make inroads into the eastern state.

In Assam, where Congress under Tarun Gogoi is seeking a fourth straight term, 67 per cent of little over 95.11 lakh voters cast their ballots till 3:30 pm. There were no reports of violence in any of the 65 of the 126 constituencies where polling is being held in the first phase.

The 65 constituencies are spread across Upper Assam, the hill districts, the northern banks and the Barak Valley.

Prominent Congress candidates in the fray in the first phas include Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi from Titabor and Speaker of the outgoing Assembly Pranab Gogoi from Sibsagar.

BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is trying his luck from Majuli, while party’s Lok Sabha member from Jorhat Kamakhya Prasad Tasa is crossing swords with Tarun Gogoi in Titabor.

(PTI)

Assam’s Syed Mohammad rattles holders Karnataka

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Shishir Bhavane held Karnataka's innings together with a patient 65 © PTI

Shishir Bhavane held Karnataka’s innings together with a patient 65 © PTI

Guwahati: Veteran left-arm spinner Jamaluddin Syed Mohammad registered his best first-class bowling figures to single-handedly give Assam an upperhand against defending champions Karnataka on the opening day of their Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match here today.

Syed Mohammad spun the web around Karnataka batsmen to register his best bowling figures of seven for 44 and bundle out the title holders for a paltry 187 in 75.2 overs at Barsapara Cricket Stadium here after the visitors opted to bat.

At stumps, Assam were 21 for one and still trail Karnataka by 166 runs.

Pallav Kumar Das was batting on 15 in the company of skipper Gokul Sharma (2 not out). Swarupam Purkayastha was the lone Assam batsman to fall, bowled by Karnataka skipper R Vinay Kumar.

Earlier, Karnataka’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired as Assam picked up wickets at regular intervals with Syed Mohammad turning out to be the wrecker-in-chief.

Syed Mohammad accounted for the wickets of in-form Mayank Agarwal (36), Robin Uthappa (11), CM Gautam, Karun Nair (14), Shreyas Gopal (9), Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun during his magical day.

Shishir Bhavane (65) was the only Karnataka batsman to put up a fight against the Assam tweakers. He scored his runs off 143 balls with the help of six boundaries.

Leg-break bowler Amit Verma (2/16) also chipped in with two wickets against his former Ranji teammates, while pacer Krishna Das (1/22) accounted for the other.

Brief Scores:

Karnataka 1st innings: 187 all out in 75.2 (Shishir Bhavane 65; Jamaluddin Syed Mohammad 7/44).

(PTI)

Myanmar-trained NDFB militant killed in Assam

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assam

Guwahati: Security forces on Wednesday killed a hardcore cadre of Bodo militant outfit NDFB who was trained in Myanmar during a counter-insurgency operation in Assam’s Kokrajhar district, officials said.

The slain cadre of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) was identified as Prajit Brahma alias B. Laodar, defence spokesperson Lt. Col. Suneet Newton said.

“He was a Myanmar-trained cadre of the outfit and was very close to the outfit’s newly appointed commander-in-chief B. Rongjabaja,” Lt. Col. Newton said.

Security forces launched a joint operation against militants in Parbatjhora area in Kokrajhar district on Tuesday night.

A fierce gunfight took place early on Wednesday between a group of militants and security forces. However, the rest of the militants managed to escape, he said.

The security forces also recovered a pistol, two grenades, and some ammunition from the slain cadre, who was sent to Kokrajhar with the responsibility to revive the Dhubri platoon of the militant outfit, the official said.

(IANS)

Assam Court issues non-bailable arrest warrant against Subramanian Swamy

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Subramanian Swamy (Photo credit: Jagran)

Subramanian Swamy (Photo credit: Jagran)

New Delhi: A court in Karimganj district of Assam has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy for failing to honour a summons issued on March 19.

Additional CJM (Karimganj) in his order stated that Swamy should be arrested on or before June 30.

He also directed the Delhi and Assam Police to produce Swamy before the court by the date after his arrest.

A complaint has been registered against Swamy for making a controversial remark on mosques.

While speaking in Guwahati on March 13, Swamy had reportedly said, “A mosque is not a religious place. It is just a building and it can be demolished any time. If anyone disagrees with me on this, I am ready to have a debate on the issue. I got this information from people of Saudi Arabia”.

(Agencies)

Assam youth beaten up in Delhi; hospitalised

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North East Racism

New Delhi: A 21-year-old student from Assam was allegedly beaten up by some residents of south Delhi’s Amar Colony, police said Monday.

According to police, the student was identified as Arbazuddin Ahmed. He was trying to break the lock of someone else’s house, mistaking it to be his own, apparently in an inebriated state.

Police said the youth hails from Guwahati in Assam and was living in Delhi for the last two years. He has suffered fractures in his limbs and jaw in the attack.

“The incident took place on March 5 when Arbazuddin came back home and tried to open the lock of a house which was not his. When the key didn’t work, he tried to break the door and get in,” a senior police official said.

“Meanwhile, hearing the sounds, the owner of the house and neighbours woke up. Thinking that he was a thief, they thrashed him,” he said.

Following a call from the locals around 1.30 a.m. that they had caught a thief, a police team was rushed to the spot and took him to the hospital.

“His address was found to be in the same locality. Both the houses were on the first floor and the youth probably went into the wrong house apparently in an inebriated condition,” police said.

(IANS)

Terror suspect from Assam held in Davangere

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arrest

Davangere: In a joint operation the Bangalore Internal Security Division, Davangere District Police and the Assam Police have arrested a terror suspect allegedly involved in more than two bomb blast cases in Assam and West Bangal at Kattige village in Honnalli taluk of Davangere district.

The suspect has been identified as Palbur Hussain allegedly belonging toJamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) outfit. The suspect was working as lorry driver in the village. The police have taken him to custody.

According to the police, the search for Hussain in Honnali began on January 27 following information provided by Internal Security Division of Bangalore Police and Intelligence officials.

Hussain, a native of Pokalagi village in Baksa district of Assam, was wanted by Assam police in bomb blast and other cases. His brother Najeem Ul Haq is involved in Honnali-Shikaripura road-laying work. Hussain was allegedly hiding at his brother’s house after the Assam police intensified their search.

A senior police official said that the Assam police is expected to file application seeking the custody of the suspect.

The operation was jointly carried out by Assam police, Internal Security Division of Karnataka, Davangere and Shivamogga police.

Three Bodo militants arrested for Assam killings

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NIA on Thursday said the three accused were arrested from Kohima on January 14-15 night.

NIA on Thursday said the three accused were arrested from Kohima on January 14-15 night.

Guwahati: The NIA Thursday said it had arrested three Bodo militants from Nagaland for their alleged involvement in the massacre of adivasis in Assam.

A statement from the National Investigation Agency said the operation against the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) was carried out along with Nagaland Police Wednesday.

The three NDFB leaders – Ajoi Basumatary alias B. Buhum (32), Dilip Basumatary alias Baisa alias Lambu (40) and Khamrei Basumatary alias Udla (35) – were arrested from Kohima in Nagaland.

The killings in Sonitpur district Dec 23 were carried out under the direction and leadership of Ajoi Basumatary, the NIA said.

Dilip Basumatary “is also a dreaded terrorist responsible for coordination activities of the NDFB in the reserved forest areas of Assam along the India-Bhutan and Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border”, it said.

The statement said he was also “actively involved in the conspiracy” behind the recent killings in Assam.

The NIA said Khamrei Basumatary was involved in the killings in Kokrajhar Dec 23, and also in Baksa district in May last year.

Seven mobile phones and documents related to the NDFB were seized from them.

The army’s Red Horns division had Wednesday arrested a senior NDFB leader from Goalpara district.

The security forces had recently launched a series of operations against the NDFB, and the NIA had registered four cases over the recent violence. NIA Director General Sharad Kumar also visited the violence affected areas.

Over 30 Bodo militants have so far been arrested in the last 10 days during the intensified operation along the Bhutan border in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts.

The NDFB killed over 75 people in three districts – Kokrajhar, Sonitpur and Chirang – Dec 23. The violence also displaced over two lakh people across the three districts and Udalguri. Some of the violence-hit areas are part of the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD).

(IANS)

PUCL statement on the mass killings of Adivasis in Assam

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A vehicle burnt by protesters at Gossaigaon in Sonitpur district of Assam on Wednesday. Photo: PTI

A vehicle burnt by protesters at Gossaigaon in Sonitpur district of Assam on Wednesday. Photo: PTI

New Delhi: The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has condemned Tuesday’s violence against tribal people in Assam and called for strong action to avoid a repeat of such incidents.

In a statement, it said unarmed tribal people in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts of Assam were shot dead by gangs of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songbijit).

“PUCL demands that the police and para-military authorities immediately ensure the safety, security and protection of lakhs of people in the districts of Kokrajhar, Sonitpur and other districts of the Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts adjoining the border areas of Assam – Bhutan. At the same time, it should be stressed that unless the roots of the conflict are addressed and resolved, such violent attacks are bound to recur.”

“We learn that the NDFB (Songbijit) faction itself is led by a non-Bodo and does not enjoy the support of wider sections of the Bodo people themselves. We also learn that there is great popular resentment, even amongst the Bodos, against the NDFB(S) faction due to their extortionist activities and illegal and forcible collection of taxes from all communities, including the Bodo. Despite public knowledge of such illegal activities, the state government has done nothing to curb the unlawful activities of this group which is using arms to terrorise local population. In such a situation, to cloak what is clearly criminal activities using the term `terrorist’ is to lend legitimacy to the group and give an impression as though they are pursuing a political demand.”

“At the heart of the Bodo conflict is the long simmering sense of frustration, anger, alienation and disaffection caused by decades of neglect and mistreatment by successive regimes, both at the state and centre, which has kept large sections of the Bodo people in a state of deprivation, impoverishment and backwardness.”

“There is also a perceived sense of historical injustice to the Bodos in their own homeland. The substantial influx of outsiders coming in as migrant labourers who eventually settle in the area has changed the Bodo – non Bodo population demographics. In turn this has created communal resentment and tensions which is cynically used by political forces to foster violence. This will need to be firmly put down.”

“The Governments, both State and Centre, should seriously initiate a major programme aimed at reassuring the Bodos of their historical identity and ensuring their inclusive development. At the same time, the governments should work to bring about greater community integration and harmony amongst different social sections in the area. Solutions cannot be found through enforcing police or military actions but only through genuine efforts at reconciliation and development which are actually seen to be implemented in the field. Equitable and inclusive development must be seen and felt to be occurring and benefiting all the communities, especially the Bodos. This can be the only sound basis for engendering communal harmony.”

“PUCL also calls upon all the political parties, especially the ruling Congress (I) party in Assam and the NDA at the Centre, not to indulge in games of finger pointing or apportioning blame but to work together to bring about communal harmony, reconciliation, amity and peace,” the statement said.

Citizens groups condemn violent attacks against Adivasis in Assam

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A vehicle burnt by protesters at Gossaigaon in Sonitpur district of Assam on Wednesday. Photo: PTI

A vehicle burnt by protesters at Gossaigaon in Sonitpur district of Assam on Wednesday. Photo: PTI

New Delhi: Sanmilito Janagosthiyo Oikya Mancha, Assam (An United Platform of 23 Organisations) strongly condemns the brutal Killings of innocent Adivashi People BTAD and its adjacent areas of Assam. On 23rd December, 2014 by Bodo Terrorist Group NDFB (S) attacked upon most oppressed Population of Assam Adivashi Santhals in two separate District of the State.

The indiscriminte attack took place at Shantipur, Lungshung – Ballamguri, Ultapani under Kokrajhar District of BTAD, Assam where atleast 26 Bodies were found till yesterday evening. In Sonitpur District which is adjacent to BTAD witnessed two separate attacks in Batashipur and Fulpur (Under Pavoi Reserve Forest) where at least 36 innocent people specially women, children were Killed. It is important to mention that all the areas where attacks took Place falls under the proposed Bodoland area where Bodos are Microscopic Minorities.

Though Bodos are microscopic Minorities in this areas, they want to be in Majority through continious Ethnic Cleanching since 1989. Forces of Bodo Political Hegimony are behind this continious attacks and Ethnic cleansing. Though these continious Attack taking Place for more then three decades, the Govt. is very soft towards this Millitancy. The Bodo Millitants Groups including NDFB (R), NDFB (P), NDFB (S), Ex-BLT and many other hidden Miscreants group very much Active all over BTAD and Proposed Bodoland areas Govt. is not taking any actions against these Groups. Due inaction from the Part of the Govermnent, Killings, Kidnapping and large scale Extortion are Day to Day happenings in these areas.

There is not a single village having Population Koch-Rajbonshi, Bengali Hindu, Assamise Muslims, Adivashis and other Non-Bodo Groups where Extortion Letter has not been served by this Millitant Groups. As per Govt reports before this round of Attack 177 People were Killed more then 377 People were Kidnapped by Bodo Millitants only in BTAD area this Year. Unfortunately, though some of them have returned paying huge ransom, many of them still traceless or were killed even after paying huge ransom. Sanmilito Janagosthiyo Oikya Mancha, Assam has been demanding more security posts in the area and to start combing operations against Terrorists and illegal Arms in the area and immediate compensation for the victims. It is matter of concern that the Adivashi and other Non-Bodo Groups of Peoples living in Pavoi Reserve Forest were threatened since last three months to Vacate their Land by these Terrorist Groups, Govt. did not took any Security measures where 30 people were killed yesterday. In Lungsung where atleast 12 persons were Killed Yesterday, the BTAD Council itself trying to Vacate the Land for the last three Years. So, the nexus between BTC Authority and the Millitants can’t be ignored.

After this indiscriminate firing of militants, the situation is going to be deteriorated very fast in BTAD and its adjacent area of Sonitpur district. In many places burning of houses and clash between inactive police and general people is taking place. Government must take strongest action to root out the militants and tackle the situation carefully.

The government of Assam has failed in tackling the situation and as the violence is spreading very fast in many parts of the area. central government should have sent additional forces to tackle the situation. Government must start combing operation against the militants very quickly to save the people.

PRESS CONFERENCE SUMMARY:

1- Mr. JAMSHER ALI (President, BTAD Citizen Rights Forum) spoke about the present conflict situation in Assam and the massive ethnic program which has been going on. in 1987, demand for seperate Bodoland for BODO community was raised mainly in the northern part of Brahmaputra valley. central and state governments failed to deal with the violent situation.

Commission under the leadership of Bhupinder Singh refused their demands. Government of India never took notice of the Bhupinder Singh Commission report which led to the rise of BODO autonomous council.

2008 and 2012 witnessed incidents of violence and ethnic cleansing in different districts. In the recent yesterday attack, they have targeted the Adivasi Santhals and mainly women and children are killed belonging to christian minority group.

He brought into light, the BTAD (Bodoland Autonomous Council) is runned by ex-military group. it is said, that the agencies of central government is providing them support. General Amnesty is provided to the militants group which is encouraging the militancy.

He demands the deployment of permanent security forces and para-military forces in all conflict areas which has been attacked since 1989-2014. And that the ’sixth schedule to the constituent amendment act’ to be reviewed.

Since the situation is worsening at a fast pace, SJOM demands support from the central government for effectively dealing with the situation.

He informed about the incident of killing common people in police firing, who were agitating against their inaction.

He exposed the controversial win of the BJP candidate Ram Prasad Sharma from Tejpur District with open support from NDFB-S militant group.

9th August 2014, a meeting with Rajnath Singh (Present Home Minister) was held and a 444 page memorandum was put forward. But Government’s negligience is causing continued attacks.

2- Mr. NAVAID HAMID blamed the NDA regime for series of violent attacks and the ongoing support from the BJP to the militant groups. He mentioned the previous attacks on the muslim community which lead to the displacement of nearly 4 lakh people, who were forced to become refugees in their own land. He accused the BJP government for reaping political benefits which is evident in recent trends.

3- Mr.ABDUL AZIZ (President, ASOM SANKHYA LUGHU SANGRAM PARISHAD) raised his demand of reviewing the BTC Accord. The immediate need to seize illegal arms and their availability in every household.

Muslims, Adivasis, Bengali Hindus and Hindi speaking people are widely attacked in various districts. He said it is a strategy of expanding the BTAD area through terror activities.

ORGANISATIONS:

Sanmilito Janagosthiyo Oikya Mancha, Assam (An United Platform of 23 Organisations)
BTAD CITIZEN RIGHTS FORUM
ASOM SANKHYA LUGHU SANGRAM PARISHAD
ALL BTC BENGALI YOUTH STUDENTS FEDERATION
ALL BTC MINORITY STUDENTS UNION
ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy)
AIDWA (Delhi)
JTSA
People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism
JSSF
Movement for Empowerment of Muslim Indians
Nagrik Ekta Manch

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