GUWAHATI, Jan 4: The Assam State Transport Workers Co-ordination Committee has launched a fresh agitational programme in support of its demands. The programme started with a 78-hour hunger strike at the ASTC headquarters from 6 am today. The hunger strike will conclude at 12 noon of January 7 and will be followed by an 8-hour mass hunger strike at the ASTC headquarters from 8 am of January 11 next. [AT]

Members of the Pragjyotishpur Mahakuma Suraksha Samiti taking out a procession in the city on January 4 in protest against the State Government's decision to abolish the Pragjyotishpur subdvision. The Assam Tribune photo.

Indefinite strike by transporters
Goods becoming scarce in Manipur

IMPHAL, Jan 9: A variety of goods ranging from building materials to clothes have become scarce in Manipur markets because of the indefinite strike by transporters since December 15 last, reports PTI. Manipur Goods Transport Association (MGTA) under which more than 20 transport agencies are operating have stopped carrying several items to Manipur since December 15 in protest against the "huge money demand" by some underground groups. An MGTA spokesman told PTI today that NSCN (I-M) had recently imposed five per cent tax on all goods transported by these agencies to Manipur. He said it was not possible to pay the new tax because already transporters were paying Rs 5000 per truck going to Imphal as taxes to NSCN (I-M). [AT]

ABSU, BPAC call for 24-hour 'rail, NH roko'

GUWAHATI, Jan 13: The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and the Bodo People's Action Committee (BPAC) have given a call for a 24-hour 'rail and National Highway roko' from 5 am of January 17 in protest against the apathetic attitude of the Central Government towards the Bodoland issue. [AT]

NE ultras to boycott R-day

GUWAHATI, Jan 18: Seven insurgent outfits operating in the North-eastern region, including United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the NSCN (K), have jointly given a call to the people of the region to boycott "India's Republic Day" and to observe a general strike from the midnight of January 25 to 6 pm of January 26. [AT]

Dhubri situation tense

GAURIPUR, Jan 19: High tension prevails at Dhubri following destruction of an idol of Hanuman removed from its installation by the roadside in Dhubri and crushed at a distance of about a hundred metre, in the night of Sunday, by unidentified miscreants. The shops in the area were kept closed yesterday in protest against the incident. [S]

Protest demonstration by TSF on Jan 24

GUWAHATI, Jan 21: The Tribal Students Federation (TSF) will stage protest demonstrations in front of offices of all Deputy Commissioners, Sub-Deputy Collectors, Sub-Divisional Officers and Block DevelopmentOfficers in the State on January 24 next against the 'anti-tribal attitude' of the present State Government. [AT]

Protest strikes at met centre

AZARA, Jan 25: The employees of the Guwahati Meteorological Centre at Borjhar observed a four-hour strike today in protest against the non-payment of overtime allowance to the employees for the last 17 months. [AT]

Family members of ASTC employees stage stir

GUWAHATI, Jan 25: Hundreds of the wives and other family members of the Assam State Transport Corporation's (ASTC) employees staged a demonstration in front of the Paltanbazar headquarters of the corporation here today demanding immediate steps to rejuvenate the public sector corporation and payment of all arrear amounts to its employees. [AT]

Cotton teachers threaten stir

GUWAHATI, Jan 27: The teachers of the premier Cotton College have threatened to go on agitation from February 1 next if the government fails to release the salary of last December within January 31 next. [AT]

ATTSA's threat to launch movement

GUWAHATI, Jan 30: Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association, (ATTSA) has threatened to launch a massive agitation in protest against alleged lackadaisical attitude of the State Government to enhance the daily wage of the tea garden labourers. [AT]

ASPWU stage protest dharna

GUWAHATI, Jan 31: The Assam State Power Workers Union (ASPWU) offered dharna infront of the ASEB headquarters here protesting against the bifurcation of the ASEB, privatizing it and demanding higher productions, regular electric supply, preventing wastage and corruption in the Board, stated a press release. [S]

A woman sits with a sign as activists of the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights stage a sit-in protest near the Parliament in New Delhi on Monday, Jan 31. The demonstrators demanded that stalled peace talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim resume promptly so that a solution to separatist strife may be found. An AFP photo.

SAKP plans assembly gherao programme

SILCHAR, Feb 1: The 17th annual State - level conference of the Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) which concluded here yesterday has resolved to gherao the Assam Assembly on the second day of the ensuing Budget session in order to press the Mahanta Ministry to accede to its charter of demands. [S]

Students marching during a silent procession that was brought out in Guwahati on February 1 afternoon to protest against the beheading of school-student Varun Shandilya and the brutalisation of society. The Assam Tribune photo.

Telecom worker's stir on Feb 15

GUWAHATI, Feb 12: The telecom employees of the North-east will join the one-day telecom strike all over the country on February 15. [S]

Jorhat lawyers to boycott court

JORHAT, Feb 17: The Jorhat Lawyers' Association has decided to resort to a 'court-boycott' programme on February 24 in protest against the Law Commission's recommendations regarding amendment of the Advocates Act. [S]

Activists of Sanmilita Mahila Suraksha Parishad, Mahila Unnayan Samiti, Morigaon, and Manab Adhikar Suraksha Samiti in a protest rally against "secret killings" in the city on February 17. The Sentinel photo.

Protesting teachers court arrest

NALBARI, Feb 18: About 102 teachers working in primary and secondary level schools of Nalbari district were arrested by Nalbari police when they staged picketing in front of the offices of Inspector of Schools, Nalbari, DEEO office, Nalbari and DI office, Nalbari in protest against the non-fulfilment of various demands. [S]

Teachers' strike at Ghograpar

GHOGRAPAR, Feb 20: Teachers of elementary education here staged a day-long agitational programme in front of the block elementary education office, here on February 16 in protest against the government's failure to implement the memorandum of settlement which was signed earlier. [AT]

Mass rally by Bodos on March 2

GUWAHATI, Feb 22 : The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), along with other Bodo political parties and organisations including the Bodo People's Action Committee (BPAC), People's Democratic Front (PDF), All Bodo Employees' Federation and All Bodo Women's Welfare Federation will hold a mass rally at the Judges Field here at 10 am on March 2 demanding the creation of a separate state of Bodoland. [AT]

Protest against terrorism

GUWAHATI, March 1: "The independent Assam that they want to create will be engulfed in darkness," said Sangeet Natak Akademi chairperson Dr Bhupen Hazarika's here today. Dr Hazarika was referring to the terror unleashed by militant organisations like the ULFA in the State which has caused immense loss of lives here, the most recent being the killing of State Forest and PWD Minister, Nagen Sarma, along with four others near Nalbari last Sunday. Dr Hazarika, along with a host of widely known artistes and critics, today joined a kilometre long procession taken out by the Asom Gana Parishad this morning to protest against terrorism in the State. The processionists, who started their march from the AGP's headquarters here, were joined by film-maker Kalpana Lajmi, Oddissi dancer Sonal Man Singh, Kathak dancers Sovana Narayan, Uma Sharma and Gitanjali Lal and critics Dr Sunil Kothari, Shanta Sarabjit Singh and Leela Venkataraman, besides Dr Hazarika himself. [AT]

Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Sonal Man Singh and other noted artistes and critics marching along a city street as part of the procession taken out by the AGP on March 1 to protest against terrorism in the State. The Assam Tribune photo.

Thousands join silent procession in Nalbari

NALBARI, March 2: Thousands of people from all walks of life today took out a silent procession here in protest against the killing of Forest and PWD Minister, Nagen Sarma and four others at Niz Bahjani area by ULFA militants. [AT]

AASU to launch stir against Sarma's killing

NALBARI, March 2: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has also decided to launch an agitation in protest against the killing of the PWD Minister and four others. [AT]

ABSU rally urges Centre to take final decision

GUWAHATI, March 2: The president of the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), UG Brahma has urged the Centre to take a final decision on separate Bodo hadat (state). [AT]

A silent procession taken out in Nalbari town on March 2 in protest against the killing of PWD Minister Nagen Sarma and four others at Nij Bahjani on February 27. The Assam Tribune photo.	Bodoland supporters participating in the rally jointly organised by the ABSU and the BPAC at Champawati playground, Dhirenpara at Guwahati on March 2. The Assam Tribune photo.

APCU sit-in at Guwahati on March 22

AZARA, March 3: The Assam Press Correspondents' Union (APCU) has decided to stage a sit-in-demonstration at 11 am on March 22 next at Dispur Last Gate to press for immediate arrest of the killers of senior journalist of Barpeta district, Ratneswar Sarma Sastri. He was killed by unidentified gunmen in broad daylight at Jalah one month back. [AT]

AITUC protest march to assembly on March 10

GUWAHATI, March 5: AITUC, Nikhil Bharat Krishak Sabha and the Bharatiya Khet Mazdoor Union, frontal organisations of the CPI, have decided to organise a march to the Assembly on March 10, involving employees, workers, farmers and farm labourers, to protest against the economic policies being pursued in the country. [AT]

Oil workers strike on March 10

GUWAHATI, March 6: The Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union (APMU) has called for a day-long strike on March 10 next in protest against extortion, harassment, no-entry restrictions on the movement of the petroleum oil tankers and non-fulfilment of their longstanding demands. [AT]

Withdraw extension order or face stir : AESA

GUWAHATI, March 8: Assam Engineering Service Association (AESA) has submitted a memorandum to the state Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta urging him to withdraw the extension order of Dulal Chandra Barma, who superannuated on February 29 as chief engineer, PWD, within March 15, failing which it will resort to agitation. [AT]

ASEB protest demonstration

GUWAHATI, March 8: The employees of the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) will stage a protest demonstration on March 9 at Dispur Lastgate to protest against the State Government's move to privatise the Board, said a press release. [AT]

Charan Deka held

GUWAHATI, March 9: City police this morning arrested Charan Deka along with three other top leaders of the Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) after a scuffle between police and SAKP activists while resorting to a stir at the Assembly premises. [AT]

GU officers' body stages stir

GUWAHATI, March 10: The Gauhati University Officers' Association (GUOA) on Thursday resumed its agitational programmes demanding implementation of UGC and CPC revised pay scales for the officers of the University, with a sit-in-strike in front of the Vice-Chancellor's office chamber. [AT]

Employees' protest demonstration at Dispur

GUWAHATI, March 10: Some 3,000 employees today marched from the headquarters of the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) to Dispur to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister detailing their demands. [AT]

Sit-in-stir

GUWAHATI, March 12: The All Assam Private Schools Teachers' and Employees' Association has decided to go on a day-long sit-in-demonstration on March 14 in front of the Assam Assembly ground (last gate) in protest against the failure of the State government to place a bill in the Assembly governing the conduct of private schools in the state. [AT]

52 man-days lost due to SAKP stir : CM

GUWAHATI, March 13: Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today informed the State Assembly that as many as 52 man-days were lost due to the agitation by the State employees in the last three years. [AT]

Public meeting condemns ULFA violence

AMGURI, March 14: Under the aegis Nagarik Mancha, a public meeting attended by a large number of men and women was held on March 10 at Gaurisagar in protest against the killing of Forest Minister Nagen Sarmah and four others, besides other persons, and the threat held out of some ministers of Assam by the ULFA. [AT]

Assam, WB MPs protest before Bhutan embassy

GUWAHATI, March 14: For the first time, a political protest was organized to demand that the Royal Government of Bhutan stop harbouring insurgents from the North-east. This protest was lodged jointly by a group of Assam and West Bengal MPs of both Houses of Parliament, led by the Rajya Sabha member from Assam, Dr Jayashree Goswami Mahanta, in front of the Embassy of the Royal Government of Bhutan in New Delhi today. [S]

Total non-cooperation

GUWAHATI, March 15: Assam State Social Welfare Advisory Board Employees Association will observe total non-cooperation and take up picketing programme from March 16 to 27 to protest non-payment of revised scale of pay inspite of repeated demands, a press release issued by the association's president Dharma Ram Kalita and secretary Kameswar Kalita said. [AT]

Dharna

GUWAHATI, March 15: All-Assam State Government Undertaking Workers Union will offer dharna on March 16 in front of the office of the chief engineer of PWD (Roads and Buildings) at Chandmari from 10 am to 12 noon as a part of its agitation programme. The union's demands include revival of sick government undertakings, including Assam Government Construction Corporation (AGCC), halt to corruption, integration of corporations with government departments etc, a press release issued by the workers union acting president Debendra Basumatari and general secretary Tirtha Nath Das said. [AT]

ATTSA sit-in demonstration

GUWAHATI, March 16: Members of the Assam Tea Tribes' Students Association (ATTSA) staged a sit-in-demonstration at Dispur Lastgate here yesterday demanding increase in wages of tea garden labourers from Rs 31.60 to Rs 49 and provision of proper education for tea community members. [AT]

Students agitate over rescheduling of exams

SILCHAR, March 17: The students of Assam University boycotted their classes and staged a demonstration in front of the Vice-Chancellor's office at Darogakona last Monday, protesting against the holding of different examinations ahead of schedule. [S]

Teachers' stir to be resumed

GUWAHATI, March 22: The Asom Sikshak-Karmachari Samanway Samiti has decided to resume their agitation from March 30 to protest against the non-fulfilment of their long-pending demands by the State government despite assurances to this effect. [AT]

SAKP stir hits work in Govt offices, schools

GUWAHATI, March 22: Works in government offices and schools were affected today, the first day of the three-day 'total ceasework' campaign by the Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) throughout the State. [AT]

SAKP stir flops, Govt says no to salary increase

GUWAHATI, March 22: The Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad (SAKP)-sponsored three-day ceasework call beginning on Wednesday failed to evoke any response with about five lakh employees preferring not to participate in the agitational programme following the state government's warning of stern punitive action. [NED]

SAKP stir ends

GUWAHATI, March 24: The three-day long cease-work called by the Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) ended today with lukewarm response from the employees. [AT]

Employees to stage sit-in

GUWAHATI, March 26: Members of the Assam State Employees' Federation would resort to a mass sit-in stir at the state Legislative Assembly premises here from 1 pm tomorrow in support to their various long-pending demands. [AT]

AAPMSM sit-in demonstration

GUWAHATI, March 28: The All Assam Primary and Middle Schools Mothers Association (AAPMSM) today resorted to a sit-in demonstration at Last Gate, Dispur here in support of their long-standing demands. [S]

PSU employees stage dharna

GUWAHATI, March 28: Employees of 48 public sector undertakings (PSU) of the State staged a day-long demonstration at the Dispur Lastgate here today demanding speedy measures to rejuvinate the PSUs in the State. [AT]

Hunger strike

GUWAHATI, March 29: Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Students Union will stage indefinite hunger strike at Dispur from April 2 demanding fulfilment of their long-standing charter of demands which includes introduction of Bishnupriya Manipuri language as medium of introduction in the primary stage of education in the State. [AT]

ASTC employees stir

GUWAHATI, March 29: The managing director (in-charge) of the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), Sri Paresh Saikia, was gheraod along with other top officials by the employees today demanding immediate release of salaries or the resignation of the top bosses. The ASTC workers association informed later that the officials had expressed their inability to pay the salaries before Bihu. The employees have warned that if their salaries are not released by April 3, they will not allow the officials to use their cars. The employees have been without salaries for seven months. [AT]

AASU sit-in stir against Govt policies

GUWAHATI, April 5: Thousands of students and people from various walks of life today staged a four-hour sit-in demonstration at Dispur in protest against 'anti-people' policies of the present State government. The protest was called by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU). [AT]

Protest against 'Super TADA' picks up momentum

NEW DELHI, April 5: The Bill is yet to come, murmurs of protest against its possible promulgation has gathered momentum, with the former All Assam Students' Union (AASU) president Sarbananda Sonowal being latest to join the crusade against what is being described as a 'super TADA'. [AT]

Schoolchildren's rally against violence

NAGAON, April 6: The Nagaon district administration today organized a rally in protest against violence let loose by the militants in the State. The rally, participated by about 1,000 schoolchildren, was flagged off by Mr Mohim Bora, the former president of the Axom Xahitya Xabha (AXX) in the presence of a large number of distinguished citizens of the town. Interestingly, no AGP worker was present on the occasion. [S]

Protest against terrorism all over Assam

GUWAHATI, April 7: Hundreds and thousands of people today took out peace marches all over the State, condemning terrorism and urging the terrorist outfits to give up violence and return to the mainstream. The peace marches were organized simultaneously by the ruling AGP and the district administrations.
A Correspondent from Barpeta adds: About 30,000 people took out a procession along the main thoroughfares of the town in protest against terrorism in the State.
A Correspondent from Sivasagar adds: A rally against terrorism was organized at Sivasagar today. The SULFA members are reported to have collected 30/35 buses to carry the people to the venue of the anti-terrorism programme in Sivasagar.
Our Correspondent from Kokrajhar adds: Along with the rest of the State, a peace rally was taken out here today. About 9,000 people from all walks of life, including children, marched through the main thoroughfares of the town, shouting slogans like "peace is our birth right" etc.
Our Correspondent from Jorhat adds: About 12,000 people took part in the peace march organized here today in protest against terrorism in the State. Members of different voluntary organizations, students, businessmen and freedom fighters etc. participated in the peace march.
Our Correspondent from Nalbari adds: The Nagarik Sabha organized by SULFA, Nalbari district unit, today in front of Harimandir, here urged the ULFA militants to lay down their arms for greater interest of peace, amity and all-round development of the society. The Nagarik Sabha, presided over by noted social worker Dharani Barman, and attended by about 4,000 people, adopted resolutions for total peace and harmony and asked the ULFA militants to come back to the mainstream of the society.
Our correspondent from Mangaldai adds: Thousands of students, prominent citizens, teachers today took out a large procession opposing all kinds of terrorism in the State. [S]

Mr Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Chief Minister, Mr Biraj Sarmah, Minister, Municipal Administration and Ms Jayashree Goswami Mahanta, MP, are seen at a peace march in the city on April 7. The Sentinel photo.

Anti-ULFA wave sweeps rallies

JORHAT, April 7: Craving for peace after over two decades of violence, thousands of people today gave vent to their feelings at rallies coinciding with the Ulfa's 21st foundation day. "Assam has not gained anything over the past two decades. It has only witnessed bloodshed," said an elderly person at one such rally at the Boarding Field in Sivsagar town. [TT]

APCC dharna in city today

GUWAHATI, April 9: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) will organize a dharna at the Judges' Field here tomorrow in protest against the price hike, growing communalism, review of the Constitution, deterioration of law-and-order situation in the State, says a release. [S]

'Report' reportedly 'twisted'

SIVASAGAR, April 9: The Sivasagar district and police administration have taken strong exception to the manner in which the report of peace rally at Sivasagar was published in yesterday's issue of The Sentinel . The report was despatched by 'A Correspondent'. According to these sources, the report was published in a highly twisted manner. These source said more than 35,000 people came out from different places of Sivasagar district, spontaneously to attend the rally at the Sivasagar Boarding field. Nobody was picked up forcibly for the rally, nor was anywhere police involved in displaying anti-terrorism slogans. The manner in which the report was published in the paper is tantamount to encouraging terrorism, these sources said. The report also put the local correspondent of the paper who did not despatch this twisted news, in a very awkward and difficult situation. [S]

ACTA to resort to 72-hr hunger strike

GUWAHATI, April 10: The Assam College Teachers' Association (ACTA) has decided to resort to a 72-hour continuous hunger strike from 10 am of May 4 in Guwahati to press the State Government to concede its demands regarding pension and categorisation of college teachers in the State among others. [AT]

Protest march at Jorhat

JORHAT, April 11: The Jorhat district unit of the AASU and Sangram Parishad today took out a protest rally demanding release of the two youths -- Abdul Munim and Abidur Rahman -- who had been kidnapped by some persons in Army fatigue some days back. [AT]

Employees' protest day on May 5

GUWAHATI, April 11: The Assam State Workers' and Employees' Sanmilan (ASEWS) has called for a protest day throughout the State on May 5 in protest against the State government's decision to retrench 5,000 employees, and the spiralling rise in prices of essential commodities, a press release said. [S]

Bank employees' strike on April 18

GUWAHATI, April 12: The Bank Employees' Federation of India (BEFI) has called for a countrywide strike in three public sector banks -- Indian Bank, UCO Bank and United Bank of India opposing IBA's discrimination against the total workforce of these three banks in respect of payment of arrears and new age package emanating from the seventh Bipartite Wage Settlement, on April 18, a press release said. [S]

AASU demands arrest of Assad Madani

GUWAHATI, April 12: The AASU today demanded immediate arrest of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Assad Madani for allegedly lending support to ISI agents by his fantastic claim that there is no Bangladeshi in Assam and his demand that the Centre must publish a white paper on ISI activities to substantiate its claim that ISI agents are active in the North-east, at a rally in the city recently. [S]

Drunken cop kills treasury clerk

GUWAHATI, April 21: In a rare case of police brutality, a drunken police official, Mr Phani Das, SI of Chandmari police station, shot dead a clerk in the Chandmari treasury office, at his house at Suraj Nagar locality in Udalbakra-Kahilipara area of the city at around 1.30 a.m. today, by shoving his service revolver into his mouth and pulling the trigger during a raid. Tension prevails in the entire area, as a big protest procession was taken out today carrying the body of the victim, Mr Ahindra Kalita, condemning the police brutality. Phani Das has been arrested. [S]

Agitation by ATTSA

NAGAON, April 21: Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (ATTSA) observed a sit-in-dharna in front of the branch offices of Assam Chah Mazdur Sangha on April 19, demanding immediate fixing of daily wages of tea labours at Rs 49 per day along with granting of wages on weekly holidays as recommended by the expert committee set up by the Government of Assam. [S]

The body of Ahindra Kalita, who was shot dead by a police officer on April 20 night, lying at the MMC Hospital in the city on April 21. The Sentinel photo.	Activists of the CPI(ML) and URMCA taking out a procession in protest against the killings in the State besides various other demands, in the city on April 24. The Sentinel photo.

Karbi protesters lathicharged in Delhi

NEW DELHI, April 27: Over twenty demonstrators belonging to the Karbi Students Association (KSA) and Dimasa Students Union (DSU) sustained injuries when the Delhi Police resorted to lathi charge to prevent them from marching to the Parliament. [AT]

AAMTEA teachers stir on ISI issue

GUWAHATI, April 29: The All Assam Madrassa Teachers' & Employees' Association today threatened a movement if the State government did not stop interrogating functionaries of the madrassas and mosques in Assam on the ISI activities and their alleged links with the Pakistani outfit. [S]

FCI employees' lunch-hour demonstration on May 11

GUWAHATI, May 1: The Food Corporation of India Employees Union (FCIEU) would organise a country-wide lunch-hour demonstration on May 11 next protesting against certain policy evolved by the centre which was allegedly hampering the existence of public sector undertakings. [AT]

Protest against unauthorized tax

DIBRUGARH, May 1: Shops and business establishments in Paltan Bazar area here downed their shutters since last evening in protest against the imposition of unauthorized taxes on them by the registered lessee. It may be mentioned that the lessee is authorized to collect taxes from the small vegetable vendors, and not from big shops who pay taxes to the municipality. [S]

Agitation paralyses DU functioning

DIBRUGARH, May 3: Normal functioning of Dibrugarh University has almost come to a standstill following the agitation launched by the DU Post Graduate Students Union (DUPGSU), the DU unit of the AASU and the DU Employees' Union. The agitation launched by the DUPGSU since May 1 in protest against the 130 per cent hike in admission fees has entered the third day today. [S]

Demand for autonomous state gaining momentum

NEW DELHI, May 4: Close on the heels of the Karbi Students Association (KSA)-sponsored protest march in the capital last week, it was the turn of the Karbi Anglong-North Cachar Hills Autonomous State Demand Committee (KANCHASDCOM) to stage a demonstration demanding creation of an autonomous State under Article 244(A) of the Constitution. [AT]

Non-sanction of bank loan creates resentmrnt

BONGAIGAON, May 5: A team of ward commissioners of Bongaigaon town led by Mr Prabhat Baishnab, Chairman of Bongaigaon Municipal Board launched a picketing programme in front of the Central Bank of India, Bongaigaon branch on April 25 in protest against return of bank loan applications of some beneficiaries for which functioning of the bank remained paralysed for that day causing great inconvenience to the other bank consumers. [S]

Dharna before Bangla HC
AGP, LEFT DEMAND REBEL LEADERS' ARREST

NEW DELHI, May 5: The AGP and the Left parties today staged a demonstration in front of the Bangladesh High Commission, demanding the arrest of the ULFA and other rebel leaders. [AT]

Protest rally by students

GOLAGHAT, May 6: About 10,000 students from various schools and colleges of Golaghat town took out a rally in protest against the failure of the Government to repair the roads and bridges in the district for a long time. [S]

24-hour strike today by newspaper employees

GUWAHATI, May 7: The journalists and non-journalists employees of the newspaper houses and news agencies of the State will observe the 24-hour-long strike tomorrow along with the rest of their fraternity in the country in response to the call given by the National Co-ordination Committee of Journalists and Non-Journalists Employees' Unions. [AT]

News employees bringing out a protest procession in the city on May 7. Assam Tribune photo.

Administrative failure at Dibrugarh, two killed, curfew clamped

DIBRUGARH, May 8: The callous civil and police administrations, here today allowed what began as a funeral procession to lead to total breakdown of law and order resulting in the death of two and injury to five others. The dead have been identified as Mr Yusuf Khan (Babul), the proprietor of East End Hotel and Mr Jewan Ch. Pal, a UCO bank employee of Tengakhat. [S]

Three die in Dibrugarh firing, curfew clamped
5 rebels killed in encounter off Tinsukia

DIBRUGARH, May 8: Three persons were killed and several others injured including police officials -- some of them seriously -- when police resorted to firing to disperse an unruly mob at Dibrugarh on Monday morning. A 14-hour curfew has been clamped in the town following the incident, and a magisterial-level enquiry has been ordered by the district administration.
Meanwhile, five Ulfa militants were killed, including a self-styled captain while 10 others were apprehended by security forces in two separate incidents in different parts of Assam during the last 24 hours. [NED]

'Total ceasework'

GUWAHATI, May 9: The Sadou Asom Zila Prasashan Karmachari Santha will resort to a 24-hour 'total ceasework' agitation on May 12 to protest the failure of the State Government to meet their demands. [AT]

TU strike paralyses state

GUWAHATI, May 11: The day-long nationwide strike called by the Ganamancha in protest against the policies pursued by the BJP-led Government at the Centre paralysed life in the State today. [S]

The otherwise busy Panbazar area of the city wears a deserted look during the nationwide 24-hour strike called by the Ganamancha on May 11. The Sentinel photo.	Horse's day off: Free from his daily bondage a horse trots around gaily in the deserted Panbazar commercial hub in the city during the nationwide strike May 11. The Assam Tribune photo.

Sit-in strike by freedom fighter's wife

NUMALIGARH, May 12: Ms Isukon Marang, wife of the late Kardik Marang, a veteran freedom fighter, has resorted to a sit-in strike in front of the office of Civil SDO, Bokakhat from May 2. According to Ms Marang, the cause of her protesting was that she was evicted from the land she was occupying since 1994 that was allotted to her at ward No.1 of Bokakhat town under dag No 111. The land was allotted to the family as victims of erosion at Upper Temera, (the original dwelling of the family). Ms Marang told this correspondent that, she would not call-off strike till the civil administration takes any action to redress her grievances. She continued with utter resentment, that the plot of land she was occupying has already been allotted to the fire-brigade department. [S]

ACTA stir from May 22

GUWAHATI, May 13: The Assam College Teachers' Association (ACTA) will resort to a 72-hour hunger strike from 10 a.m. on May 22 to 10 a.m. on May 25 at Dispur Last Gate demanding fulfilment of their various demands, a press release said. [S]

Treasury employees to go on strike

GUWAHATI, May 18: All Assam Treasury Employees Association has given a call for 'mass casual leave' on May 20 next in protest against the State government's alleged failure to institute an enquiryinto the killing of Ahindra Kalita, who was a senior accounts assistant of New Guwahati branch, according to a press release. [AT]

SAKP demonstration

GUWAHATI, May 22: Members of the Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) staged a demonstration at Dispur last gate today demanding fulfilment of its long-standing demands. In a press release issued here, the Secretary General of the SAKP, Sri Charan Deka alleged that the State Government has launched a systematic exploitation on the employees which has become a matter of concern. "Employees have been deprived of facilities despite protest from various quarters," Sri Deka said. [AT]

Members of SAKP staging a dharna at Dispur May 22. The Assam Tribune photo.

ACTA stir begins

GUWAHATI, May 22: The 72-hour hunger strike called by the Assam College Teachers Association (ACTA) began today. The hunger strike call has been given in protest against non-fulfilment of long-pending demands of the teachers. [AT]

Aizawl tense over rape

SILCHAR, May 25: The Mizo Zirlai Pawl, a student's organisation in Mizoram, will bar movement of non-Mizos in Aizawl for two days from tomorrow to protest against the rape and murder of a Mizo girl. Police said 14-year-old Lalrindiki, daughter of one Abdul Khaleq and Saitingpui, had been missing since May 18. She was killed by one Afzal Hossain, 18, after having been repeatedly raped. Her body, wrapped in a sack, was recovered from the Burrabazar in Aizawl on Sunday morning. Hossain has been arrested and remanded in judicial custody. [TT]

City artists hold novel protest

GUWAHATI, May 30: Several artists today registered a novel protest by holding an exhibition on the road in front of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs here in protest against the failure of the State Government to set up a permanent State Art Gallery at a central location in the city. [AT]

All Kamrup District Students Union taking out a procession in the city on May 29 protesting against sky rocketing prices of essential commodities. The Assam Tribune photo.	Artists holding an exhibition on the road in front of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs on May 30. The Assam Tribune photo.

Students protest against atrocities

DIBRUGARH, June 1: Over 1,000 students of various schools of Naharkotiya took out a procession in the town today in protest against the atrocities committed by a group of miscreants on May 30 here. The processionists, later assembled at Naharkotiya Higher Secondary School premises and hold a protest rally. Meanwhile, the Naharkotiya police arrested three youths -- Mintu Phukan, Suraj Gohain and Bijoy Koch -- and seized a Maruti car (AS-06A 1400) which they had used during the atrocities. [S]

Students gherao PWD office, engineer flees

BARPETA, June 1: Over 1,000 activists of the Barpeta unit of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) gheraoed the Barpeta division office of the PWD (Road) in protest against the failure on the part of the department to repair the roads of the district, and to submit a memorandum to the executive engineer. The executive engineer, however, fled from the office after giving the attendance. When the executive engineer did not return even after three hours the agitated students ransacked the office and broke down some windows. [S]

Ultras burn police outpost, loot arms

SHILLONG, June 8: Suspected armed militants, numbering about 30, set on fire the Pasteur Hill police beat house here on Thursday evening after taking away forcefully arms and ammunition from the policemen posted there. The incident occurred at a place locating just a kilometre away from the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex where the peace rally was held on Thursday noon. [NED]

Thousands join peace rally

GUWAHATI, June 8: Thousands took part in a peace rally organised by the Kamrup district administration at the Judges' Field here this morning in response to the appeal made by the Chief Ministers of North Eastern States on May 12 last. [AT]

Schoolchildren participating in the peace rally on June 8 in the city. The Assam Tribune photo.

Strike by IOC employees

TINSUKIA, June 9: There is likelihood of a shortage of kerosene and petrol in the near future following a 'pen down, tools down' strike by the employees of the Assam Oil Division at the IOC's commercial department at Sripuria in Tinsukia. The IOC employees are protesting against the increase in the weekly working hours from the present 39.5 hours to 48 hours. [S]

Tussle for principal post leaves Jorhat JB College in crisis

JORHAT, June 11: The J B College popularly known as the Jagannath Barooah College is heading towards a major crisis over the controversial appointment of the principal and threat of resorting to strike by the teaching staff. [NED]

Shortage of commodities in Nagaland as truckers strike on

JORHAT, June 12: Shortage of essential commodities including petroleum products has hit three Nagaland districts very hard as the plying of goods trucks from Mariani to Nagaland remained closed since May 29. The district administrations of Mokaksang and Tuensang districts of Nagaland have expressed grave concern over the situation and held the Jorhat district administration responsible for the current situation. [S]

Protest over pathetic road condition

BARPETA, June 12: A mass protest rally under the auspices of the Barpeta district All Assam Students Union (AASU) was held here in protest against the Public Work Department's apathy which has resulted in pathetic road conditions in the district. Various educational institutions, clubs, workers' associations, press club etc. joined the procession where about 15,000 people participated. [S]

Traders suffer loss following strike

JORHAT, June 13: Following the strike by the Mariani Truck Drivers' Association which entered the 16th day today, business transaction worth Rs 2 crore involving Jorhat and Nagaland came to a standstill. The businessmen of Jorhat have so far suffered a loss of Rs 4 to 5 lakh. [S]

Massive peace rally held

SIVASAGAR, June 13: More than 10,000 people from various walks of public life brought out a peace procession under the aegis of Sivasagar district administration. [S]

Truckers' strike called off, impasse on

JORHAT, June 14: The impasse over the truck drivers' strike at Mariani took a new turn today following the refusal of the people of Nagaland to allow trucks from Assam to enter Nagaland despite the fact that the Mariani truck drivers had called off their strike last night. It is learnt that the Naga people will not allow the trucks to enter Nagaland unless and until the drivers give an assurance that they will never resort to any such strike in future. [S]

Language fracas resurfaces

SILCHAR, June 14: After lying low for over a year, the Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Students' Union and the Bishnupriya Manipuri Gana Sangram Parishad have threatened to launch a fresh agitation in protest against the delay in introduction of the Bishnupriya Manipuri language as a medium of instruction in select primary schools in Assam. [TT]

Manipur varsity officers begin indefinite strike

IMPHAL, June 16: The Manipur University Officers' Association (MUOA) began an indefinite strike from Friday in protest against the failure on the part of the university authority to implement the promotion scheme of the officers. [AT]

Strike affects life in Manipur

IMPHAL, June 20: Normal life in the State was severely affected as three voluntary organisations called a general strike from 3 am to 5 pm today. The strike was called by Manipur Women's Social Reformation and Development Samaj, United People's Front (UPF) and Manipur Tammi and Chingmee Apunba Nupi Lup in protest against the merciless killing of noted playwright Arambam Samarendra on June 10 last. [AT]

130 ASTC agitators arrested

GUWAHATI, June 29: About 130 activists of the State Transport Workers' Union were arrested when they demonstrated in the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) head office at Paltan Bazar in the city today, where the 144 CrPC is in force. The ASTC employees demonstrated in protest against the failure on the part of the State Government to pay salaries for seven months, and the State Government's move to allow the private transporters to use the ASTC bus station in the city. The ASTC Workers' Coordination Committee will stage a demonstration in front of the ASTC head office in the city tomorrow. [S]

Irate over relief, Tripura refugees try to enter B'desh

AGARTALA, June 29: Peeved over poor relief and to put pressure on the administration, Bengali evacuees from a makeshift camp at Kalyanpur in West Tripura made an attempt to cross over to Bangladesh on Thursday morning. Apparently puzzled and concerned over this unique way of protest, the administration conceded to their demand for food, materials and medicines. [NED]

Congress activists staging a demonstration in protest against price rise in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in the city on June 29. The Sentinel photo.	Security personnel keeping vigil at the ASTC bus station in Paltanbazar area of the city during the strike called by ASTC employees on June 30. The Assam Tribune photo.

AJYCP stages demonstration

GUWAHATI, June 30: Members of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba-Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) staged a four-hour sit-in demonstration from 11 am today at the Judges' Field here in support of their demands for deportation of the foreign nationals, scrapping of the IM(DT) Act, implementation of the Assam Accord, stalling the move to enact the Super TADA Bill, solution to the State's flood problem and rejuvenation of the sick industries. [AT]

Satyagraha by ASTC staff

GUWAHATI, July 3: Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) employees today launched their Satyagraha agitation for an indefinite period in protest against the step of the Corporation authorities and the State Government to allow operation of private buses from the ASTC yard. The step of the authorities to lease out the Corporation yard to private parties is viewed by the ASTC employees and trade union circles here as the first step towards handing over the State-run Corporation to private sector. [AT]

Police preventing ASTC employees, who were demonstrating in front of the ASTC head office in the city, from entering the ASTC compound on July 3. The Sentinet photo.

Mangaldoi public come out against Bhutan help to Ulfa, NDFB

GUWAHATI, July 4: A protest march was taken out at Mangaldoi on Tuesday against the alleged active support of the government of Bhutan to Ulfa and NDFB militants. Around 2500 people took part in the march. Leaders addressing the rally alleged that the Bhutanese government had provided transport, money, logistical support for procuring arms and shelter to these militants. [NED]

Martyrs' kin threaten stir

GUWAHATI, July 5:The All Assam Martyrs' Family Coordination Parishad has threatened to launch a democratic agitation soon if no government action was forthcoming by July 20 to meet its 12-point charter of demands. A press release issued by the Parishad's .president and general secretary Sarat Barua and Rajen Deka said it is unfortunate that when the AGP-led government was in power, families of the martyrs' of the Assam movement were leading a hand-to-mouth existence. [AT]

Members of All Assam National Martyrs Family Coordination Parishad staging a 10-hour hunger strike in the guise of beggars at Last Gate, Dispur on July 5 in protest against non-implementation of their demands. The Assam Tribune photo.

ASDC launches fresh autonomy stir in Karbi hills

GUWAHATI, July 6: The hill districts of Assam are likely to face another bout of unrest as the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) has kicked off a series of agitational programmes with mass rally at Diphu on Thursday to press for its demand for an autonomous state. [NED]

32 protesters arrested

SIVASAGAR, July 8: Thirty-two protesters including 10 women, who had been staging a sit-in demonstration at the Yuva Chatra Parishad office here today in protest against the assault on journalist Parag Saikia by Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner LN Tamuly, were arrested by the police. They were, however, freed later. [S]

AKDSU members gherao panchayat office

GUWAHATI, July 20: Members of the All Kamrup District Students' Union (AKDSU) gheraoed the office of the Director of Panchayat and Rural Development located at Bhangagarh today in protest against alleged ongoing corruption at different levels of the department. The irate members later ransacked the office demanding a high level enquiry into the 'rampant corruption'. [AT]

Activists of the All Kamrup District Students Union, who staged a dharna in front of the office of the Director of Panchayat and Rural Development in the city on July 20, seen shouting slogans against corruption in the department. The Sentinet photo.

Atrocities unleashed by CRPF at Lamdan
Statewide general strike called on July 26

IMPHAL, July 24: Annual of voluntary organisations including different human rights groups, students' unions, women associations and other voluntary organisations in Manipur have collectively called a 14-hour Statewide general strike on July 26 in protest against the atrocities committed by the CRPF at Lamdan as well as crimes committed by security personnel on the people during the last 20 years. The general strike will start at 4 am of July 26 till 6 pm of the same day. [AT]

Namrup Fertiliser Shramik Union stages dharna

GUWAHATI, July 25: The members of the Namrup Fertiliser Shramik Union staged a dharna at Dispur today in protest against Centre's apathy in resolving the long-pending demand of the employees. It may be mentioned here that the employees have been demanding bifurcation of the Namrup fertiliser unit from the Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation (HFC) Limited. [AT]

Workers of Namrup Fertiliser Factory staging dharna at Dispur Last Gate on July 25 in protest against delay in the bifurcation proposal of the factory and Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's negative attitude towards materializing the segregation proposal on fertilizer unit. The Assam Tribune photo.

14-hour general strike affects life in Manipur

IMPHAL, July 26 (PTI): Normal life was affected in Manipur today by the 14-hour general strike called by various organizations in protest against the alleged rape of a woman by CRPF personnel -- a charge denied by the security men. [S]

Ceasework by staff paralyses activities in Manipur jails

IMPHAL, July 29: Normal activities in the two main Central jails in the State have been severely paralysed following resumption of the ceasework strike by the All Manipur Jail Executives and Followers' Association since Thursday. [AT]

ABSU calls rail, road blockade on Aug 2

GUWAHATI, July 30: A 24-hour blockade of National Highway and railways from 5 a.m. on August 2 has been called jointly by All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and the Bodo Peoples' Action Committee (BPAC) in protest against discriminatory treatment to the Bodoland issue by the Union Government over the years, informed an ABSU release here this evening. [AT]

AASU gheraoes offices

PATHSALA, July 31: The activists of the All Assam Students Union (AASU), Bajali unit today gheraoed four offices -- PWD, Treasury, Office of the Deputy Inspector of Schools and Office of the Primary Education Officer -- of the subdivision and warned the officers concerned that it would be compelled to take drastic action against the corruption going on unabated in these offices. The angry mob also ransacked the Offices of the Primary Education Officer and Deputy Inspector of Schools. [S]

Stir by Sonowal Kacharis

DIBRUGARH, Aug 7: The workers of the Sonowal Kachari Autonomy Demand Committee, the All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students Union and the All Sonowal Kachari Jatiya Parishad squatted before the Deputy Commissioner's office in protest against the State Govt's indifferent attitude towards their demand of Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council. [S]

Dispur gherao

GUWAHATI, Aug 8: The Bikalanga Surakha Samiti, Assam will organise a 'Dispur gherao' programme tomorrow to highlight the various problems faced by the handicapped people, a press release said. The programme will start from Dispur Last Gate at 10 am. [AT]

Disabled youths'scuffle with police

GUWAHATI, Aug 9: About 250 disabled youths today had a fight with the police when they, under the banner of "Bikalanga Suraksha Samiti, Assam" were on their way to gherao the Janata Bhawan to raise their various demands. One Ms Kiron Bora and Md Naushad Ali were injured during the scuffle. Police arrested 162 processionists, and later released them in the evening. [S]

Members of the Assam Vocational Teachers' Association staging a dharna at the office premises of the Directorate of Secondary Education on August 6 demanding, among others, payment of salaries which they have not received for the last 26 months. The Assam Tribune photo.	Photo shows a disabled youth being beaten up by a CRPF jawan when the activists of the Bikalanga Suraksha Samiti were in their Dispur gherao programme on August 9. The Sentinel photo.

GU teachers boycott classes

GUWAHATI, Aug 11: The Gauhati University Teachers' Association (GUTA) launched a two-day boycott of classes from today in protest against non-payment of the arrear UGC pay to the teachers of the university, says a release. The GUTA will also launch the non-cooperation with the administration from August 21 if their demands are not fulfilled, the release adds. [S]

Municipal board employees demand salaries, resort to strike

KARIMGANJ, Aug 12: Indefinite strike resorted to by the employees of Karimganj Municipal Board since July 26 has badly affected the works of the board causing lot of suffering to the people of the town. The employees, under the banner of Karimganj Municipal Employees Association, have been demanding release of their salaries which the board failed to pay for last six months. Some of the employees have been deprived of their salaries for last 12 to 16 months also. [S]

Teachers demand revised salaries, threaten stir

GUWAHATI, Aug 17: The teachers of the Guwahati Public School have threatened an indefinite strike from tomorrow onwards demanding State Government's revised pay scale for them. [AT]

ACTA threatens stir from August 25

GUWAHATI, Aug 19: The Assam College Teachers' Association (ACTA), a forum of 7500 strong college teachers, threatened to launch an agitational programme from August 25 in protest against non-fulfilment of its various demands. [AT]

AJCTA threatens agitations

GUWAHATI, Aug 24: The Assam Junior College Teachers' Association (AJCTA) has threatened to launch an agitation from August 28 in protest against non-implementation of its various demands by the State Government. [S]

ACMS agitations from Sept 1

DIBRUGARH, Aug 24: The Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) has decided to launch an agitational programme from September 1 in protest against the State Government's apathy towards the labourers of tea estates of Assam Tea Corporation (ATC), an undertaking of Assam Government. [S]

Rubber industry in Tripura hit by abductions, agitations

AGARTALA, Aug 24: The rubber industry in Tripura was severely hit by the ongoing cease-work agitation by the Rubber Board employees and officers following the abduction of one of their colleague, from Baludham area under Dharmanagar subdivision of North Tripura district on August 4. All the Rubber Board projects remain unattended for last three weeks while disbursement of subsidies for the privately owned plantations also remain suspended. [S]

Rajbangshi threatens stir

NEW DELHI, Aug 25: An irate member of the Koch Rajbangshi community and MP, Madhab Rajbangshi today threatened to launch an agitation in Assam if the Central Government failed to introduce Constitution Bill to include the community in the Schedule list in the next session of the Parliament. [AT]

CRPF jawans and city police lathicharged the homeguard demonstrators in front of DC office on August 25. A total of 548 homeguards have been dismissed from jobs by the State Government. The Assam Tribune photo.

Madrassa teachers to gherao Janata Bhavan

GUWAHATI, Aug 26: The All Assam Madrassa Teachers and Employees Union (AAMTEU) has decided to gherao the Janata Bhavan on August 28 in protest against the government's failure to meet its 11-point charter of demands. [S]

Vehicles go off Imphal-Moreh sector of NH-39 in protest

IMPHAL, Aug 26: The private vehicles and all kinds of passenger buses and Tata Sumos have stopped plying on the Imphal-Moreh sector of the National Highway 39 in protest against collection of illegal road tax by the suspected NSCN (I-M) cadres. [AT]

Irate Adivasis ransack police station

JAMUGURIHAT, Aug 26: Following the picking up of as many as 17 Adivasi youths on August 25 by the police for interrogation in connection with the abduction of a young businessman of village Randupam (Hatinga) under Jamugurihat police station, over 1,000 Adivasi people of Morisuti, Christanbasti and Bordikorai areas gheraoed the Jamuguri police station and ransacked the office today. [S]

Residents of the RG Baruah Road localities staging a sit-in stir in front of the Guwahati Doordarshan Kendra protesting against the failure of the State government as well as civic bodies in solving the problem of water-logging and flash floods in this area. The Assam Tribune photo. Click on the photo to visit FLOODS2000 photo gallery.

Jail employees allege victimization, go on strike, work paralysed

IMPHAL, Aug 28: The All Manipur Jail Executive and Followers' Association has in a press release charged the IG Prisons Mr V Zathang with victimizing the jail employees instead of taking some steps to fulfil the reasonable demands. He has started suspending the senior jail employees who are spearheading the cease-work strike which was launched from July 27 in the Imphal Central Jail and the Sajiwa Jail. [S]

Police negotiating the dharna by Madrassa teachers in support of their 11-point demands at Dispur, Guwahati on August 28. Asomiya Pratidin photo.	Junior College teachers on hungerstrike in Dispur, Guwahati on August 28. Asomiya Pratidin photo.

Stone pelting, arson mark KSU stir

SHILLONG, Aug 29: Arson and stone pelting marked today's picketing at Shillong called by the KSU, the FKJGP, the SSSS and the KWWDA in protest against the killing of two KSU office-bearers and an HNLC militant by the security forces on August 23. Two passengers and the driver of a Silchar-bound bus from Guwahati sustained serious injuries when miscreants pelted stone at the bus at Mawlai at around 10.30 this morning. In spite of being injured the driver drove the bus straight to the Lumdiengiri police station. [S]

Middle school Science teachers up in arms

JORHAT, Aug 31: The All Assam Middle School Science Teachers Association (AAMSSTA) has decided to observe Teachers' Day on September 5 as 'demand day', in protest against non-fulfilment of their various long-pending demands, a press release of the organisation said. [AT]

A rally being taken out by Bongaigaon District Boro Sahitya Sabha in protest against the killing of Bineswar Brahma, president, Boro Sahitya Sabha and Mohini Basumatary, MLA 33 LAC on September 1. The Assam Tribune photo.

Agitating principal admitted to hospital

GUWAHATI, Sept 2: A principal has been admitted to the Down Town Hospital in the city today when his condition deteriorates while resorting to a fast-unto-death agitation along with other members of the Assam Junior College Teachers' Association (AJCTA) at Dispur Last Gate in the city in protest against the failure on the part of the State Government to fulfil their various demands, an AJCTA release states. The AJCTA agitation has been going on since September 1. [S]

AASKSU sit-in-strike

DIBRUGARH, Sept 2: The All Assam Sonowal - Kachari Students Union (AASKSU), in support of their 23 points charter of demands has started a series of agitational programme from today. As a part of their agitational programme, the AASKSU, Dibrugarh district today observed 'sit-in-strike stir in front of Deputy Commissioner's office. The AASKSU has called for 24 hours upper Assam bandh on September 6 from 5 a.m. in protest against State Government's apathy towards their demands including granting of autonomy to Sonowal - Kachari community under 6th Schedule of Indian Constitution. [S]

Rabha Hasongs lambast Govt, threaten stir

GOALPARA, Sept 4: In the press meet held on August 28, at the Hotel Pancharatna, the Rabha Hasong Suruksha Parishad, the dominant constituent forming the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council in 1995, lambasted the Assam Government for violation of a series of agreements and promises made to it from time to time, for doing precious little in granting the promised autonomy to the council, and for practising political chicanery on the people, and hold out a threat to a vigorous movement with such programmes as road blockade, picketing, holding of meetings, cycle rallies for one month if their long-standing demands are not met. [S]

Activists of Bodo organisations of Goalpara and South Kamrup staging a 5-hour token hunger strike at Dispur Last Gate on September 4 demanding immediate grant of more power to the Bodoland Autonomous Council. The Assam Tribune photo.

Jr college teachers call off stir

GUWAHATI, Sept 5: Following the talks with the State Government and the assurance given by Education Minister Thaneswar Boro in the floor of the House yesterday the Assam Junior College Teachers' Association (AJCTA) called off its agitational programme temporarily, an AJCTA release states. [S]

Students gherao Udalguri ASEB office for poor service

UDALGURI, Sept 7: The Udalguri Regional Students' Union (an AASU unit) gheraoed the Assam State Electricity Board office here on August 29 last alleging utter failure of the Board in meeting the consumers' problems. More than 300 students under the banner of AASU's Udalguri regional unit went to the ASEB office in front of Udalguri police statio with banners and playcards in the their hands. They shouted slogans against the inaction of the ASEB authority in solving the consumers' grievances. [AT]

Koch-Rajbongshis to begin stir from Oct 1

GUWAHATI, Sept 10: The two-day convention of the Sadou Asom Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilan (SAKRS), which concluded at the Pandit Tirthanath Sarma Sabhaghar here today, decided to intensify their agitational programmes in protest against the apathetic attitude shown by the present Central Government as well as State Government in including the Koch-Rajbongshis under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list of the Indian Constitution. The SAKRS will launch a statewide movement from October 1 in protest against the statement of the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Mr Jewel Uram, that the Koch-Rajbongshis are not entitled to the ST status. The movement will continue till the minister withdraws his statement. [S]

Oil blockade stir called off

GUWAHATI, Sept 11: The 120-hour oil blockade agitation programme launched by All Dibrugarh District Students' Union from today has been called off for a period of two months following a tripartite discussion held today at Duliajan Oil India Guest House between the district administration, Oil India Limited and ADDSU, an official release said here.
Our Correspondent adds: Two youths -- Sanjeev Neog and Bijit Saikia -- were seriously injured in police and CRPF lathicharge at Duliajan this morning. They are undergoing treatment in OIL hospital. [AT]

Stir threatened for 'Kamatapur' State

GUWAHATI, Sept 12: The All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Sanmilan (AAKRS) will launch a movement for creating a "Kamatapur" State from December 1 if the Centre failed to concede to the Sanmilan's demand for granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Koch-Rajbongshi community. [S}

Cachar students boycott classes

SILCHAR, Sept 13: School and collegestudents throughout the district of Cachar boycotted their classes today in protest against the death of a college student at Syedpur under Sonai police station, eight km from here, in police firing. The boycott call was also to demand arrest of the guilty policemen and penal action against them. Eight other persons had also been injured. [S]

Manipur ultra outfit calls for ban on Hindi films, audio cassettes

IMPHAL, Sept 13: In protest against the killing of the central bureau secretary of the banned Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) Khundrakpam Mani Mangang alias Tomcha alias MC Simson after he was arrested by the personnel of 17 Assam Rifles, the outfit has banned screening and watching of Hindi films and listening to the audio cassettes of Hindi films forever in Manipur with effect from Tuesday night. [AT]

RPF-sponsored strike affects normal life in Manipur

IMPHAL, Sept 15: The Revolutionary People's Front (RPF)-sponsored 38-hour general strike, which began this morning, severely affected all forms of normal activities in this trouble-torn State. The strike will come to an end at 7 pm tomorrow. [AT]

Peace rally at Udalguri today

UDALGURI, Sept 18: The Nepali speaking community of Darrang district will bring out a peace procession in Udalguri town tomorrow to voice against on going killings of innocent people in Udalguri area and other parts of the State. [AT]

Protest strike by kin of Dhekiajuli martyrs

DHEKIAJULI, Sept 20: Atleast 50 relatives of the 12 martyrs of 1942 who laid down their life for the cause of the freedom movement at Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur recently staged an eight-hour hunger strike at the Dhekiajuli Sahid Smriti in protest against the apathetic attitude of the state government towards fulfillment of their long-chorised demands. [AT]

Telecom links to East still cut off

NEW DELHI, Sept 20: Communication links to eastern states remained cut off from the rest of the country for the third day today, while the lines to southern and western states, which have been disrupted due to a 'work to rule' agitation by engineers and officers have been restored, reports PTI. [AT]

AEC students facing uncertain future

GUWAHATI, Sept 22: The academic activities in the Assam Engineering College (AEC) at Jalukbari here have come to a total standstill since Wednesday as the students have resorted to a strike to fight against the uncertain future of 180 odd students of three new disciplines in the college. In an ideal example of putting the cart before the horse the AEC authorities in 1998 introduced three new courses namely, Computer Science and Engineering, Instrumentation and Industrial and Production Engineering without at first setting up the requisite infrastructure for meeting this new addition. Not a single teacher could be appointed in any of these new disciplines, let alone speak of other facilities such a laboratories or library. [AT]

AEC students on strike. Asomiya Pratidin photo.

Jr doctors of AMC on hunger strike

DIBRUGARH, Sept 21: Junior doctors of the Assam Medical College here have gone on a hunger strike from noon today, demanding implementation of the Kartar Singh Committee Report on internees doctors' residency norms. While the strike here will continue till Saturday, the junior doctors have ensured that patients at the hospital are not affected by their agitation, according to Dr Anup Chowdhury of the Junior Doctors' Association here. He added that similar hunger strikes are being observed at the two other medical colleges of the State and the Regional Dental College at Guwahati. [AT]

JEC hunger strike

JORHAT, Sept 23: Over 800 members of the Jorhat Engineering College Students' Union (JECSU) under the leadership of their General Secretary Sri Dipmoni Saikia today resorted to a token hunger strike as part of an indefinite agitational programme on their institution premises in protest against non-declaration of carry (special) exam results held in August last, following which a section of students have been compelled to spend their days in a state of utter uncertainty. [AT]

Bank employees hold rally

GUWAHATI, Sept 23: A protest rally was taken out by the bank employees of Guwahati on Saturday under the banner of Assam Provincial Bank Employees' Association (APBEA) against privatisation of banks and introduction of voluntary retirement scheme in the banks, a press release said. [AT]

Scribes protest telecom breakdown

GUWAHATI, Sept 25: City-based scribes, under the banner of Guwahati Press Club, today staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Chief General Manager, Assam Telecom Circle here to protest against the poor telecommunication facilities and complete breakdown of Internet services for the past 15 days or so. [AT]

150 ASTC employees arrested

JORHAT, Sept 26: One hundred and fifty Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) employees, including women were arrested by Jorhat police when the employees resorted to block the national highway today. Of the 150 arrested employees, 110 were from Jorhat and 40 from Teok. The ASTC employees had called the agitational programme in protest against the State Government's apathy towards their demands. [S]

Members of the State Transport Workers Association being arrested by police while trying to block the GS Road on September 26 to protest against non-release of their salaries. The Assam Tribune photo.

AEC students call off stir

GUWAHATI, Sept 28: Normalcy returned to Assam Engineering College (AEC) from today as the agitating students have decided to call off their total stir last night following comprehensive assurances from the Education Minister for solving their grievances in a matter of a few months. [AT]

JEC stir called off

JORHAT, Sept 28: Following an assurance from the Board of Studies of the Dibrugarh University to fulfil most of their demands, the Jorhat Engineering College Students' Union (JECSU) temporarily called off their five-day-old strike late in the evening yesterday. [AT]

Businessmen ransack ASEB office

DIBRUGARH, Sept 30: A group of irate businessmen ransacked the city office of ASEB, to protest non-repair of an electrical transformer since the last three days. Five businessmen were picked up for rioting. But they were later released. [AT]

6 Tocklai centre employees sacked

JORHAT, Sept 30: Six employees of the Tocklai Experimental Station here who incidentally happen to be office-bearers of the Tocklai Employees' Union (TEU) were served dismissal letters on Wednesday last for resorting to an 'illegal strike' at the office premises last year. Following institution of an enquiry committee by the management and 'failure' of the aforementioned employees to appear in the same, an ex-parte decision was arrived at following which the dismissal letters were issued. [AT]

Rally demands protection of Manipur territorial integrity

IMPHAL, Sept 29: About one lakh people on Thursday congregated at the Polo Ground to raise their voice for protection of territorial integrity of Manipur, reports agencies. The rally was organised by the national Identity Protection Committee and Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL). [AT]

Thousands of people particularly the womenfolk and students staged a mammoth rally at Imphal recently demanding protection of territorial integrity of Manipur. The Assam Tribune photo.

Protest against journalists

GUWAHATI, Oct 3: Several thousand people of Bilasipara area today took out a procession in the town and submitted a memorandum to the SDO (Civil) and the Chief Minister demanding action against a section of journalists of the area for their alleged involvement in various misdeeds. [S]

MMS employees cease-work today

GUWAHATI, Oct 9: Mail Motor Service Employees of MMS Division, Guwahati will observe cease-work tomorrow in protest against the calling of tenders for privatising some MMS schedules where the government machinery is running effectively. [AT]

ATTSA resents govt apathy, threatens to launch stir

GUWAHATI, Oct 9: Disappointed by the State government's inaction in taking a concrete decision regarding daily wage of the tea garden labourers, the Assam Tea Tribes Students Association (ATTSA) has threatened to launch a vigorous agitation soon. [AT]

Members of Asom Pradesh Mahila Congress taking out a procession on October 9 to Dispur secretariat in protest against the price hike of essential commodities in the State. The Assam Tribune photo.

Outfit calls strike

IMPHAL, Oct 10: The Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF) has called a 17-hour "general strike" on Sunday to protest against the merger of Manipur with the Indian Union. The organisation observes October 15 every year as "National Black Day". The MPLF, an umbrella body of three major militant outfits, has called the bandh from Saturday midnight till 5 pm on Sunday. The Revolutionary People's Front, the United National Liberation Front and the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak are the members of the MPLF. [TT]

Sonowal Kacharis' stir threat if 'Gas cracker victims' not rehabilitated

DIBRUGARH, Oct 10: Three associations of the Sonowal Kachari community of the State, the All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students' Union, the Sonowal Kachari Autonomy Demand Committee and the Lepetkatta Regional Krishak Dabi Samiti on Monday stressed that unless adequate resettlement and rehabilitation measures are taken for the proposed evacuees of the gas cracker plant at Lepetkatta near here, they would "have no option but to resort to a democratic agitation". All the three associations reiterated that they are not against the gas cracker plant coming up at Lepetkatta in the district, "but we are definitely against the victimisation of indigenous people in the name of industrialisation," said Milan Sonowal, secretary of the Autonomy Demand Committee. [AT]

AASU dharna against appointment ban

GUWAHATI, Oct 11: Over 600 activists of the All Guwahati Subdivisional Students' Union (AGSSU) resorted to a dharna in front of the Kamrup Deputy Commissioner's office in the city today demanding immediate lifting of the appointment ban and solution to the flood and erosion problems in the State. [S]

The activists of the All Guwahati Subdivisional Students' Union staging a dharna in front of the DC office in the city on October 11 demanding immediate lifting of the appointment ban and solution to the flood and erosion problems in the State. The Sentinel photo.

Manipur ultras call general strike on Oct 15

IMPHAL, Oct 11: The permanent body of the three underground outfits -- United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) -- the Manipur People's Liberation Front, MPLF has called a 17-hour general strike on October 15 in the State. [AT]

AAMTA threatens stir from Oct 16

NAGAON, Oct 12: The All Assam Motor Transport Association (AAMTA) threatened to launch a series of agitation from October 16 if the State Government fails to hike the bus fare in the aftermath of the hike in the prices of petrol and petro products by the Centre on September 30. AAMTA secretary Ratul Chandra Sarma said that following the hike in the prices of diesel (from Rs 10.30 in 1997 to 16.97 on September 30, 2000) the bus fare should be hiked by at least 80 per cent. [S]

Various workers organisations protest against the price rise of petrolium products in Guwahati on October 13. Asomiya Pratidin photo.

Killing of businessman
Imphal traders keep shutters down for 2nd day

IMPHAL, Oct 14: Imphal traders kept the shutters down for the second day today to protest against the murder of a fellow businessman, reports UNI. A motor parts dealer, Trilok Agarwal, was shot dead yesterday by unidentified gunmen at his shop. [AT]

ASTC workers call for 48 hours strike

GUWAHATI, Oct 14: In protest against the gross violation of the High Courtfs order on September 29 committed by the Assam State Transport Corporation, the workers of the ASTC would go for a 48 hours protest strike from 6 a.m. of October 16 to 6 a.m. of October 18, stated a press release. [S]

48-hour strike by ASTC workers from today

GUWAHATI, Oct 15: Employees of the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) under the banner of the ASTC Workers' Coordination Committee will resort to 48-hour strike from 6 am tomorrow in protest against the violation of the recent High Court judgement directing disbursal of at least one month's salary to employees of the ASTC on or before October 15. The State Transport Workers' Association has also extended its support to the strike. [AT]

MPLF-sponsored bandh affects life in Manipur

IMPHAL, Oct 15: Normal life was paralysed in the State today in view of the 17-hour general strike called by the Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), an umbrella organisation of the banned RPF, UNLF and PREPAK. The general strike was called in protest against the "forcible annexation" of Manipur to the Indian Union on October 15, 1949. The strike was also supported by KYKL and KCP. [AT]

Allotment of land to non-tribals protested

GUWAHATI, Oct 16: Karbi Students Union in association with Karbi Urls Achem and Karbi Cultural Society took out a procession in the city today in protest against allotment of land to an 'unknown' organisation by depriving poor tribal farmers. [AT]

Rangiya civic employees on strike

RANGIYA, Oct 19: The employees of the Rangiya Municipal Board have resorting to a strike from October 16 demanding the fulfilment of their various long-standing grievances including payment of salaries. The civic strike has paralysed the normal functioning of the municipal office. The Rangiya municipal employees will continue their strike till October 31. [AT]

Teachers' stage dharna

GUWAHATI, Oct 25: About 300 members of the Assam High School Teachers. Association staged a sit-in-demonstration at Dispur last gate here today in protest against the State Governments apathy in resolving the demands of the teachers, according to a press release. The release also threatened a massive agitation if the demands of the teachers are not met with. [AT]

Youth Congress activists protesting against price rise in Guwahati on October 21. Asomiya Pratidin photo.	Former Chief Minister of Assam Sarat Chandra Sinha along with NCP workers during a procession to Raj Bhawan in protest against the violence in the State on October 31. The Assam Tribune photo.

Unfair labour practices at nursing home flayed

GUWAHATI, Nov 2: The Nursing Home Employees' Union (NHEU) has condemned the unfair labour practices practised by the management of Wintrobe Hospital in the city and warned agitational programmes against the private hospital's management in case of its failure to revoke the retrenchment notices served on the president of the hospital's employees' union and some other members of that union by November 11. [AT]

Rs 4 lakh DRDA fund emlezzlement rocks Khowang Dev Block

DIBRUGARH, Nov 2: More than 150 men and women from the roadside villages of Moran Subdivision of PWD (Roads) under Khowang Development Block in Dibrugarh district staged dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh district on October 30. It is worth mentioning here that millions of rupees got wasted from the fund alloted to DRDA for development works in rural areas. It is alleged that several lakhs of rupees were misappropriated by the departmental Engineers, Development Officers and a section of contractors. [S]

Indefinite strike in Rangiya Municipal Board
Employees demand regular salary

RANGIYA, Nov 4: The employees of the Rangiya Municipal Board resorted to indefinite strike from November 1 demanding removal of their various long-standing grievances, including payment of salaries regularly. The functioning of the Municipal Board has been completely paralysed following the strike. Earlier, the employees resorted to 15 days strike in October last also. [AT]

ASTC employees' fast-unto-death stir passes 132 hours

SILCHAR, Nov 5: Even as the indefinite hunger strike of the ASTC employees completes 132 hours this evening, there is no positive signal either from the corporation or the State Government to respond to the seven-point charter of demands of the Association. In the meantime, of the seven employees on fast unto death, the health condition of three deteriorated and they had to be admitted to hospital while one was shifted to intensive care unit of the Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH). [S]

Scribes' protest

ITANAGAR, Nov 5: Publication of all newspapers in Arunachal Pradesh would be affected from November 7 following indefinite strike by scribes in protest against the attack on Dawn Lit Post, a local English daily on October 31. [AT]

Churachandpur, Bishnupur residents facing problems IMPHAL, Nov 6: People residing in Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts have been facing certain problems including scarcity of foods and other essential items following the launch of an indefinite Tiddim road blockade by the students and womenfolks of Bishnupur bazar. The Bishnupur bazar and its periphery areas presented the sight of a ghost town for the fourth day today following the blockade by CI College students. The indefinite blockade was launched by the students in protest against the government's failure to provide necessary infrastructural facilities to the CI College since the past few years. They are also demanding an adequate number of teachers. [AT]

6, including 2 policemen, hurt in lathicharge

GUWAHATI, Nov 6: Four National Students' Union of India (NSUI) activists and the DSP (Traffic), Mr B.N. Sarma and the in-charge of the Panbazar women police cell Ms Deepali Buragohain today received injuries during an incident of lathicharge and stone pelting when NSUI activists, who after staging a dharna at the Judges' Field tried to put up a blockade on the Mahatma Gandhi Road, to press for their demand for roll-back of petro prices, retention of the IM(DT) Act and against anti-student policy of the Government, etc. [S]

Surrendered ultras take out peace march

NALBARI, Nov 11: In quest of peace the Assam Jatia Mahasava, a newly formed organisation of surrendered militants, today took out a peace rally at Nalbari town which is considered to be a hotbed of insurgency in protest against the dastardhy killings at Kakojan, Naoholia, Nalbari and Sorbhog recently. [AT]

Former ULFA members from all over Assam taking out a peace rally at Nalbari town on November 11 in protest against the recent killings in Nalbari. The Assam Tribune photo.

Bank employees to strike work on Nov 15

GUWAHATI, Nov 13: About 15,000 officers and employees of different banks in the North-east will join the all-India bank strike on November 15 in protest against the move for privatization of banks, voluntary retirement scheme for bank employees and reduction in retirement age of bank employees. Functioning of all commercial, public sector and co-operative banks will come to a halt in the region due to the proposed country-wide strike on November 15. [S]

The activists of the Guwahati District Committee of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha staging a dharna at Dispur Last Gate on on November 16 in protest against the recent massacres in the State, and demanding the imposition of President's rule in Assam. The Sentinel photo.

Municipality employees on strike

GOLAGHAT, Nov 17: About 4000 employees of 26 municipality bodies and 49 town committees are again in the path of agitation from November 13. This phase will continue for seven days upto November 19 said Mr Badan Bora, general secretary of the All Assam Civic body Workers Fedaration. He added that the next agitation will be of 15 days consecutively, from December 1, in case no favourable response is received from the Government. [S]

ASTC fast-unto-death enters 11th day

GUWAHATI, Nov 17: The fast-unto-death strike resorted by the ASTC employees in protest against the non-fulfilment of their demands by the Government completed the eleventh day today. Members of the CITU, AICCTU and other organizations also resorted six hours hunger strike along with the agitating ASTC employees here today. [S]

Dimasas renew statehood stir

SILCHAR, Nov 18: The North Cachar Hills district in south Assam is on the verge of fresh trouble with the All-Dimasa Students' Union (ADSU) and the Dimasa Revival Demand Committee (DRDC) -- the two frontline organisations in the district -- planning largescale stir for a separate "Dimasaraji state". The proposed state is to be carved out of the 4888-sq-km district and its adjoining tribal areas. To kick-start an agitation, the two cadre-based organisations yesterday announced a 72-hour district bandh beginning from 5 am on November 20. [TT]

Two more Manipur women resort to fast-unto-death

IMPHAL, Nov 18: Close on the heels of Irom Sharmila, who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 5 last in protest against the imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the State, two more woman members of the Meira Paibi Welfare Association Kangleipak (MEPWAK) embarked on a fast-unto-death from Friday evening. [AT]

Two ASTC employees shifted to hospital

JORHAT, Nov 20: Two of the six ASTC employees who have been resorting to a fast-unto-death strike since November 15 were shifted to the hospital following the deterioration of their health yesterday. The two employees are -- Nakul Gogoi and Pabitra Das. None from the State Government's behalf met the fasting employees so far. [S]

All Assam Students' Union (AASU), the All Guwahati Students' Union (AGSU) activists burning copies of the IM(DT) Act at Judges' Field in the city on November 20. The Sentinel photo.	Assam State Transport Corporation workers observing fast unto death in protest against their various demand from November 8 at Guwahati. Photo: UB'S PHOTOS, The Northeast Daily.

Golaghat Congressmen in drunken brawl

GOLAGHAT, Nov 21: A group of Golaghat District Congress Committee members, including its president, were involved in a drunken brawl after they broke their hunger strike yesterday afternoon in front of the DC office here to demand President's rule in Assam, by consuming liquor and paranthas at an eatery near the court building. According to Congress sources here, they soon started to fight among themselves to the amusement of the passers-by and onlookers. [S]

Fasting women evicted

IMPHAL, Nov 21: The three Manipuri women who are on a fast-unto-death in protest against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act were today virtually evicted from the Sajiwa jail here. Irom Sharmila (28), H. Pakpi (41) and Y. Memcha (44) were allegedly forced to sign bail applications and set free. [TT]

Border trade hit by vehicle strike

MOREH (Manipur), Nov 25: Indo-Myanmar trade through this border town in Manipur's Chandel district has suffered a setback due to an indefinite strike called by the Joint Action Committee of Bus and Taxi Owners (JACOBTO) to protest against the "goods tax" imposed by several underground groups, official sources said here on Friday. [AT]

Rebels' extortion demands halt Indo-Myanmar border business

IMPHAL, Nov 27: The Rs 34 crore annual Indo-Myanmar border trade transacted through Moreh in Manipur, has come to a grinding halt since November 6, due to a transporters' strike protesting against the extortion demands they have been subjected to by insurgents on the Imphal-Moreh stretch of National Highway 39. [NED]

GU officers launches stir

GUWAHATI, Nov 27: The Gauhati University Officers' Association (GUOA) has launched a phase of agitational programme for non-fulfilment of GUOA's long-standing demands regarding revised pay scale of officers and for release of subsequent arrear within November 30, 2000. [AT]

Women call Dhodar Ali blockade stir

JORHAT, Nov 28: The women of Sonari, in a meeting held today at Sonari, decided to block Dhodar Ali for an indefinite period in protest against the failure on the part of the Government to repair the road despite repeated assurances. It may be mentioned that the AASU had had to call off its blockade programme of the road from July 9 following an assurance from the Chief Engineer that the repair of the road would start soon and the funds for the repair had already been approved. Of late, it came to light that the funds for the repair of the road is yet to be approved. [S]

15-day civic body employees stir from Dec 1

GUWAHATI, Nov 30: The All Assam Municipal Employees Union, including the employees working in water supply who had not participated in earlier agitations, will resort to a 15-day strike from 5 a.m. of December 1 in protest against the failure on the part of the State Government to implement the agreement it had signed in a meeting with the civic body employees on July 12, 1990, a press release states. [S]

The activists of the Guwahati District Committee of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha staging a dharna at Dispur Last Gate on Thursday in protest against the recent massacres in the State, and demanding the imposition of President's rule in Assam. The Sentinel photo.

Manipur policemen protest non-payment of allowances

IMPHAL, Dec 2: Hundreds of police personnel below the rank of sub-inspector working in the Reserve Line and Manipur Police Commando of the Imphal West district have launched an agitation against non-payment of their allowances under the revision of pay (RoP) 1999. The agitating police personnel, particularly the commandos who are being utilised for the counter-insurgency operations in the State, alleged that their special allowances and house rent allowances had not been paid although these had been paid to others. [AT]

Peace procession in Bongaigaon

BONGAIGAON, Dec 4: Thousands of people from all walks of life irrespective of castes and creeds took part in a peace procession taken out by various parties and organizations in protest against the November 30 massacres in the district. [S]

ATTSA stages dharna

GUWAHATI, Dec 2: Disappointed by the State government's inaction, members of the Assam Tea Tribes Students Association (ATTSA) yesterday staged a dharna before Assam Tea Corporation (ATC) office Thursday. Later, talking to The Assam Tribune ATTSA's president and general secretary in-charge Simanchal Dighal and Teras Gowala respectively, said that the ATC had failed to release the pending dues of the employees causing immense hardships for them. [AT]

WB Transport Minister meets fasting ASTC staff

JORHAT, Dec 2: Though no minister from the State Government could make time to meet the agitating employees of the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), the Transport Minister of West Bengal, Mr Amin Hussain today met the ASTC employees who have been resorting to a fast-unto-death agitation at Jorhat station of the Corporation. The West Bengal Transport Minister, who is in the State to take part in a trade union meeting, read out the demands of the ASTC agitators and assured them of doing whatever he can. It may be mentioned that six employees have already been shifted to the hospital, and the condition of some others is also very critical. [S]

All Kamrup District Students' Union (AKDSU) members demonstrating in front of Kamrup DC Office to protest the ban of fresh recruitment in State government services. The Assam Tribune photo.	Activists of Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba-Chatra Porisod (AJYCP) burning the effigy of Railway minister Ms Mamata Benerjee in protest against her "Anti-Assam policies". Asomiya Pratidin photo.

Postal services hit by nationwide stir

GUWAHATI, Dec 7: The indefinite nationwide postal strike launched by the postal service employees from December 5 in protest against the Government's failure to meet their various demands, has badly affected the postal service in Assam. Normal functionings at the Meghdoot Bhavan, the head office of the Assam Postal Circle has come to a grinding halt following the strike. Barring few top officials, Meghdoot Bhavan today wore a deserted look. [S]

Citizens' register protest against killings

GUWAHATI, Dec 7: A group of noted citizens, litterateure, artistes, and students staged a sit-in demonstration at Judges' Field from 11 am to 2 pm today to register their protest against mindless killings of innocent people by different armed organisations including ULFA and NDFB. The demonstration was organised by All Guwahati Students Union. [AT]

Strike cripples postal services

GUWAHATI, Dec 7: Rakesh Yadav, a constable with CRPF posted here for some years is at a fix today. Being the lone earning member of his family he is finding it difficult to send money to the family living at a village near Raipur in Madhya Pradesh. One Ranee Saikia, a student of higher secondary final year (science) is equally tense as she can't send her request letter for an application form to an institution offering an integrated five-year course in hospital management at Meerut. Courtesy -- the nationwide postal strike in both these cases. Matters are made worse as no courier agency in the city has services to these places from here. The indefinite total strike resorted to by about 6,00,000 employees of the Postal Department has put spanners in the plans of millions of people across the nation. With no early solution in sight as yet for putting the mammoth postal network back in the rails it might be quite some days before norm alcy is resumed in this sector. [AT]

A group of noted citizens, litterateure, artistes, and students staged a sit-in demonstration at Judges' Field on December 7 to register their protest against mindless killings of innocent people by different armed organisations. Asomiya Pratidin photo.	Members of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association taking out a silent procession in the city to protest the ongoing killings in the State on December 8. The Assam Tribune photo.

Massive protest against massacres

DIBRUGARH, Dec 9: The condition of all the persons injured in the Kukurmara incident on December 7, who have been undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital here, are stated to be stable. "It was a hectic day for the medical team yesterday who operated upon all the injured persons one after another", said Dr F U Ahmed, the principal, AMC.
Meanwhile, the All India Students Federation (AISF) Dibrugarh district council, observed a token hunger strike at Xahityarathi Laxminath Bezbaruah Park today demanding an immediate end to the senseless killings. A large number of peace-loving citizens irrespective of their eastes, creeds, religions, political affiliation and representatives of various socio-cultural organizations took part in the AISF-sponsored token hunger strike.
A Correspondent from Tinsukia adds: People from all walks of life irrespective of their castes, creeds, nd political parties participated in the procession taken out today in Sadia under the aegis of the Sadia Anchalik Students' Union in protest against the December 7 killing at Kukurmara. [S]

1 Manipur Rifles jawans storm Commandant's office
Deputy CM, minister escape unhurt

IMPHAL, Dec 10: Manipur deputy Chief Minister, Dr L Chandramani, Minister of State for Home Affairs A Biren and the Chief Secretary escaped unhurt when a large number of irate Manipur Rifles personnel, who are on an arms-down strike, stormed the office of the Commandant this morning. However, some of the clerical staff of the 1 Manipur Rifles were reportedly wounded in the incident. The unfortunate incident took place around 11.35 this morning near the verandah of 1 Manipur Rifles Commandant's office. [AT]

More jawans join Manipur Rifles strike

IMPHAL, Dec 11 (PTI): The four-day-old "weapons down" strike by jawans of 1st battalion of the Manipur Rifles today took a new turn with personnel of 2nd battalion joining the strike. Official sources said about 1,000 personnel of the second Manipur Rifles battalion today closed gates of their campus and refused to talk to any officials unless their demands for payment of arrears of house rent and special compensatory allowances were met. [S]

Strike against Electricity Bill

GUWAHATI, Dec 12: In response to the nation-wide call, several associations of the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) observed the 24-hour strike today. The strike call was given by the Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers to protest against the BJP-led government's move to introduce Electricity Bill 2000. [AT]

Manipur Rifles jawans on strike, VIPs affected

IMPHAL, Dec 12 (PTI): The movements of senior political leaders have been restricted in Manipur with their security guards joining the five-day old "arms down" strike by Manipur Rifles'jawans, official sources said today. Personal security guards belonging to First and Second Manipur Rifles battalions have joined the ranks of striking jawans demanding payment of arrears of house rent and special compensatory allowances. [S]

ASEB employees protesting against the proposed Electricity Bill on December 12 at the entrance of Bijulee Bhawan in the city. The Assam Tribune photo.

Peace march against killings

JAJI, Dec 14: Thousands of people participated in a peace procession taken out under the aegis of the district administration at Dikhowmukh, a rural area in Sivasagar district today in protest against the recent massacres of Hindi-speaking people in the State. [S]

Silent procession by Hindi-speaking women

TINSUKIA, Dec 14: Over 200 Hindi-speaking women took out a silent procession yesterday, with placards in their hands in protest against the recent killings in the State. [S]

2nd MR stir called off

IMPHAL, Dec 14 (PTI): The four-day-old "weapons down" strike by about 1,000 personnel of the 2nd Manipur Rifles battalion was called off this evening, as efforts were on to persuade the 1st Manipur Rifles to return to duty, official sources said. [S]

6 million mail pile up in Assam post offices, stir enters 10th day

GUWAHATI, Dec 14: Even as the nationwide postal strike entered its tenth day on Thursday, postal services in Assam have been hit hard, with about 4,000 mail bags containing approximately 60 lakh letters piling up in different parts of the state and awaiting delivery. Most of the undelivered mail is with the Railway Mail Service. [NED]

MR jawans call off arms-down strike

IMPHAL, Dec 15: The personnel belonging to the 1, 2, 7 and 8 battalions of Manipur Rifles (MR) called off their arms-down strike and resumed their normal duties since this morning following an assurance made by the Police chief of the State, D S Grewal. The Manipur Rifles jawans launched their arms-down strike from December 8 in protest against non-payment of their arrears and other grievances. [AT]

Manipur firemen launch ceasework

IMPHAL, Dec 15: Hundreds of personnel belonging to the Manipur Fire Services department have begun a ceasework strike demanding equal benefits with Police and Manipur Rifles personnel. The employees of the Fire Service department have kept the main entrance gate of the department under lock and key since Thursday evening in view of the government's failure to provide necessary benefits to the firemen in the State. [AT]

Members of the Assam Deaf Association taking out a peace procession in the city on December 16. The Assam Tribune photo.	Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta along with his ministerial colleagues participating in a peace rally in the city on December 17. The Assam Tribune photo.

STWA withdraws fast-unto-death

GUWAHATI, Dec 19: The State Transport Workers' Association (STWA) today finally withdrew its 41-day-long fast-unto-death strike in protest against the State Government's failure to concede to its eight-point charter of demands following a meeting held between Transport Minister Pradip Hazarika, Managing Director of the ASTC, Ramesh Chand Jain and representatives of the STWA here yesterday evening. [S]

Dhubri scene tense, under control

DHUBRI, Dec 19: In view of the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Dhubri town when the processionists numbering about 2,000 went berserk and started pelting stones at the houses of some surrendered ULFA activists, who retaliated by blank fire today, the district administration had to impose 144 CrPC banning the assembly of people in all public places. The timely intervention by the police, however, brought the situation under control. According to reports, the local people took out a march in protest against the hooliganism by a surrendered ULFA activist in a video house owned by one Samir Ahmed which led to the creation of an unruly scene in which a constable of the 4th AP Bn was killed at new market area here yesterday. [S]

Engineer's killing condemned

GUWAHATI, Dec 19: The members of the Assam Engineering Service Association (AESA) and other employees including the Secretary, the Commissioner and the Chief Engineer of the PWD took out a procession in the city today in protest against the brutal killing of Chandra Kamal Bordoloi, the Executive Engineer of PWD,. Maibong Road Division by militants in NC Hills recently. [S]

Bankers take to the streets

GUWAHATI, Dec 21: Functionings of the public sector banks in the State today came to a grinding halt following the nation-wide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) in protest against what they called the "Bank Privatization Bill 2000." More than 3,000 bank officials and employees took out a procession in the city shouting slogans to demand withdrawal of the Bill. A rally was also organized at Pan Bazar here where several local bank union leaders lambasted the 'sinister design' of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government at the Centre to privatize the public-sector banking system. [S]

Karbi bodies' decision for stir

GUWAHATI, Dec 24: A citizens' meeting jointly organized by the Karbi Students Union (KSU), the Autonomous Demand Movement Committee (ADMC), the Karbi Arlos Assam (KAA) and the Karbi Cultural Society (KCS) at Gopal Boro Government Higher Secondary School here today resolved to launch a democratic movement in protest against the alleged conspiracy hatched by the State Government to evict the tribal people of Assam especially the Karbis from their own land. The meeting lambasted the State Government's attempt to evict the tribal people on the excuse of setting up some industries or other projects at their land. [S]

One abducted

GOLOKGANJ, Dec 24: One Amjad Ali Ahmed of Saraldongagaon under Gauripur police station was kidnapped by a five-member armed gang of militants at around 9.30 last night from his residence. [S]

Procession against rape by jawans DHAKUAKHANA, Dec 27: A great deal of sensation prevails here following a procession taken out by over 100 women and students yesterday in protest the alleged rape of a pregnant woman, Ms Minu Konwar (28) on December 24 by two jawans. The condition of the woman, who is undergoing treatment at Lakhimpur hospital, is very critical and the baby died soon after birth. Despite tremendous resistance by police personnel the women processionists managed to meet the SDO and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor. The women processionists said that they would intensify their agitational programme if stringent action was not taken against the two jawans. According to reports, the two jawans were punished and the Army camp was shifted from there. [S]

Doctors on ceasework to protest assault

SILCHAR, Dec 28: Government doctors in south Assam's Hailakandi district went on a wildcat strike for an indefinite period last night. The ceasework is in protest against the alleged assault on two senior doctors by a group of miscreants at a medical sub-centre near Hailakandi town yesterday in presence of irrigation minister Abdul Muhib Mazumdar. [TT]

Various women organizations protesting against violence in Assam at Dighali Pukhuri par, Guwahati, on December 29. Asomiya Pratidin photo.

AU non-teaching staff to resume stir

SILCHAR, Dec 31: The Assam University Non-teaching Employees' Association (AUNTEA) has threatened to resume their temporarily-suspended agitation on a larger scale from January 15 if their charter of demands is not accepted by the authority within this period. AUNTEA general secretary Sri Rantu Malakar, in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, conveying the resolution of the emergent general body meeting, urged the authority to convene an executive council meeting to solve all the pending demands within the time-frame. [AT]